by Joe Henry

Great fishing this week as the weather is warming and the water is clearing from last weeks storm. Anchoring and jigging with a frozen shiner is the go to method. Good numbers of limits with a mix of trophy walleyes in 17-24 feet near Lighthouse Gap and Pine Island. Some anglers headed north fishing the many reefs around Knight and Bridges islands in 17-21′. Heading west, anglers caught in 16-19 off the fields west of Zippel Bay and in 18-30′ off of Long Point and Twin Islands.  Those that were pulling spinners had luck in 14-25′ between Pine Island and Zippel Bay. Hot colors gold, white, pink, chartreuse/green.

On the Rainy River, anglers still hitting mornings and evening a little shallower in 15-19 feet. Hot colors were pink, orange, and gold. Best from the mouth of the river to Wabanica Bay or the International Bridge.

Up at the NW Angle, mixed bags galore! Walleye, sauger, crappie, pike, smallmouth and more filling limits. Try 18-21 or 26-32 feet hopping between island points and currents. Muskie opener is June 20th in both the MN and Ontario portions of Lake of the Woods!  For info on lodging and guides across the lake, go to www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging