The Ultimate Ice Fishing Masterclass
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The Ultimate Ice Fishing Masterclass
Spots are Limited

Lake Of The Woods, MN (February 9th, 2023)

River Bend Resort Lake of The Woods MN Fishing Report February 9, 2023. Lake of The Woods ice fishing packages are available for any size group to fit any budget. 

We have finally hit the second half of our ice season. Have you read the news?! The fishing is still phenomenal! Sure, there have been a day here or there where the bite slowed a little, but if you follow your electronics and listen to your guides, you will continue to catch fish in good numbers, nice quality, and size. 

As of a couple days ago, the bite warmed up with the weather after a week of subzero temperatures. 

What is Being Caught

Fishing over the past week has continued to be steady and very good. Mixed bag catch continues to abound to the delight of our guests. Anglers are reporting walleye, sauger, jumbo perch, eelpout, tullibee, and even some crappie in the mix. There continues to be a lot of sorting. Good numbers of fish are being caught throughout the spectrum including slot fish (19.5” – 28”) and several trip topper trophy walleyes. 

Where to Fish

River Bend Resort’s fleet is perched 7.5 miles offshore in front of Pine Island. Resting over 29 – 33 feet of water. The action is staying strong all over the water column within those depths. Larger fish are cruising over the top of the schools. Sometimes as high as 19 feet off the bottom. The lesson here is to trust your electronics and watch those marks. Most all fleets fishing Lake of The Woods are in these areas and water depths. If using two ice rods, keep one on the bottom and the other higher in the water column and allow your electronics to determine that for you based on where you are seeing them cruising. 

How to Fish

The tried and true “1-2 punch” continues to be the starting approach to each day out on the ice. That is one fishing rod set up with a rattle jig of various colors (jigging rod) tipped with a live minnow or a piece of a live minnow, and the second fishing rod set up with just a plane (red) hook and full live minnow (dead stick). And it’s called a “dead stick” because you leave it alone – no touchy – let the minnow do what it does, and Mother Nature will determine your karma. And as of recently Mother Nature has given lots of anglers very good karma on the dead stick. This technique continues to be the ticket to landing more fish daily. 

Jigging/Dead Sticking

Here’s another tip regarding the use of two lines. Let’s face it, we are using two lines because Minnesota allows us to. And we naturally have a better chance especially when we can give the fish two kinds of presentation.  When or if you are fishing in a larger group like 5 to 6 anglers in the same icehouse, use only line each. Alternate who is using the dead stick and who is jigging. The more lines you have down in such a concentrated area the more fish you will scare away. Less is more in this situation. And of course, be sure to switch up who uses what presentation to share the wealth and fun of the day. 

Lure Choice

Speaking of lure choice and color. The color of lure you should be using, all the go-to colors remain active and catching fish. Gold, hammered gold, green, orange and anything that glows. Plus, orange, and brown. When the fish get tight lipped and stop biting, downsize the presentation. 

River Bend Resort
Lake of The Woods
www.riverbendresort.com

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