Across the South Shore…  Ice Fishing Has Begun!  Ice fishing is officially underway! Many resorts have fish houses out on the ice and ready to fish. Resorts will transport you out to their heated fish houses where the holes are drilled and cleaned, the heat is on, and everything is ready for you to start fishing.

Initial reports are good with walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch in the mix!  Be brilliant at the basics, utilizing the one two punch of jigging one line and deadsticking the second line.

On the jigging line, a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head or tail or an attractor such as a Rippin Rap is the ticket.  On the deadstick, a plain hook or small ice fishing jig with a live minnow normally set 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom.

Colors, gold, glow red, glow white, pink, orange, chartreuse.

Important Safety Reminder: Every area of ice can be different. Work through a resort or ice fishing guide, stay on their marked trails, adhere to their weight limits, and don’t wander off on your own. Safety is the #1 priority. There are plenty of fish where houses are being placed.

Rainy River Update…  Ice is coming along nicely on the Rainy River. Naturally, with the current, work through a resort or outfitter on river ice. Initial resort reports indicate some nice walleyes and sturgeon so far. Safety first!

Northwest Angle – Ice Covered!
The Angle iceis coming along nicely and resorts have been checking ice, marking ice trails and placing houses.  Some airplane traffic in designated ice areas that have been checked and marked.

Initial fishing reports are very good.  Contact your favorite Angle reset or outfitter for current ice conditions and reservations.

In a nutshell, basically snowmobile traffic so far up at the Angle.  Snowmobile trails up at the Angle are in the process of being marked,

The plan for the snowmobile trail to be marked and staked from the south shore of Lake of the Woods up to the Angle is Monday, December 15th, but stay tuned for the official announcement.

The cold weather in the forecast ahead is welcomed by resorts, outfitters and ice anglers alike. Ice fishing has begun and December fishing is excellent.

Check out info about Lake of the Woods ice fishing on our ice fishing page at https://lakeofthewoodsmn.com/ice-fishing/.