Lake of the Woods Fishing Reports

Water temperature: Reaching 70*F Weather: Couple of storms. Hot and humid lately.

After a pretty dry June, we had a couple of storms and the weather has been pretty hot and humid lately. Water level is still very high but the lake seems to have peeked. Walleyes are active, hanging out between 25 and 30 feet. This time of the year, focus on wind-blown points close to spawning areas. Bass fishing has been phenomenal, although the water level being this high presents a challenge when looking for shorelines and spots with the proper structure. As the water temperature rises, muskies and pikes will be transitioning from spawning bays to nearby points, reefs and cabbage beds.

Water temperature: 70 - 74 *F Weather: Very hot. Couple of big thunder storms.

Last couple of weeks of July have been very, very hot. Probably because of the warm weather, Lake of the Woods experienced a couple of very strong thunderstorms, which helped to raise the water level of the lake even a little bit more. Although it has been coming down since the peak at the end of June, beginning of July. With the water temperature reaching 74 *F, muskies are definitely out of the spawning phase and bass will start coming up into their beds. We will see how this turns up, as their usual spawning beds, located in shallow sandy spots, where it’s warm and sunny, are now at least two feet deeper than usual.

Water temperature: 75 *F Weather: More stable. Warm but less humid

During the last couple of weeks, the weather has been more stable, and definitely more enjoyable with warm temperatures but less humidity. Together with this, the water level has come down significantly, and it’s expected to drop around four more inches during August. This is great news for cottagers, beach goers and lake fans in general.
With the water temperature going up, bass should continue their rise to their beds, and with the water level coming down, they should be able to be located in their usual spawning areas. Musky fishing continues to be absolutely amazing, especially around Wiley Point Lodge and French Portage Narrows Outpost. When it comes to walleyes, August marks the definitive transition from the spawning areas to open lake spots, like humps and reefs close to deep water.

Water temperature: Reaching 80 °F Weather: Summer warm

Since our last report, especially the last ten days, we have experienced stable summer weather. The average water temperature has been hovering around 78 °F with peaks above 80 °F, reaching 85 °F in shallow back bays by the end of last week. During this time also, Lake of the Woods dropped another 9 cm (3 in) and is expected to drop by another 9 to 11 cm (3 to 4 in) during this week. With these conditions, walleyes should be cruising open lake spots, like humps and reefs close to deep water, at around 26 to 38 feet deep. Musky hunters should be focusing on rock-type structure, although late-grown cabbage beds could also present an opportunity to get a once in a lifetime fish.

Water temperature: Lower 70 °F Weather: Turning weather

September, folks!!! The beginning of the end of the season. Two weeks ago or so, we experienced the warmest days of the season, with the water temperature Lake of the Woods peaking at 85 °F. But since Labour Day Weekend, it has been hovering in the lower 70s °F. Mornings are getting colder and we can expect the cloud cover to be more consistent. Walleyes might start hanging around in shallower water. Smallmouth bass will be populating the shallow reefs and rock piles around the lake, in between 6 and 10 feet of water. As the water gets colder, northern pike will be back in the back bays, specially the ones with good weed cover. On the other hand, muskies will be cruising deeper water chasing schools of smaller fish. Mid September marks the beginning of trolling season for monster muskellunge and northern pike.

Water temperature: Lower 60s °F

Weather: Fall

Leaves are turning colours and mornings have become frosty. The Summer has ended and Wiley Point Lodge and Totem Lodge will be closing for the season on September 25th. As we get closer to October, Lake of the Woods water temperature is hovering in the lower 60s °F. Anglers should look for walleyes in shallow water. Visit your early Spring spots and use your depth finder to locate fish. Smallmouth bass will be deep around 20 feet, in humps and reefs close to deep water. Anglers looking for trophy musky and northern pike will be trolling deep water and channels.

Water temperature: 56 to 60 °F Weather: Fall

It’s definitely Fall in Lake of the Woods. Water temperature has been dropping slowly but consistently. During the last couple of weeks, we have been able to find walleyes in around 20 feet of water. Focus on spawning areas and look for deeper pockets that might be holding fish. As the water gets colder, anglers should be able to locate northern pike in the back bays. Depending on the particular conditions of that day, like cloud cover and wind direction, pike might be hanging tight to the shallow weeds or deeper towards the centre of the bay. Smallmouth bass will be deep around 20 feet, in humps and reefs close to deep water. Anglers looking for trophy musky will be trolling deep water and channels.

Weather: Cold snaps but hasn't been consistently cold - Ice conditions: 7 inches

Welcome to Totem Resorts Winter Report! Our team went to check the ice for the first time this year. We have just over 7 inches of ice in Long Bay, where we keep our permanent ice hut during the winter season. On the other hand, in the bay right in front Yellow Bird Lodge, we found 3 inches of ice.

Eventhough we already experience the first cold snap of the season, with temperatures reaching -30 °C (-22 °F), the temperature for the last couples of days has been hovering around 0 °C (32 °F), which doesn't help the freezing process.

But we have cold temperatures ahead, don't worry. According to he forecast, by next week we will be experiencing daytime high temperatures of around -21 °C. (-5.8 °F)

Get your base layers and give us a call. Ice fishing season is around the corner!

Weather: Temperature has been above the historical average - Ice conditions: 10 inches (not consistent)

Totem Resorts has been keeping “two eyes on the ice'' for you during this week, as weather conditions haven’t been consistent with the historical patterns for this time of the year.

Snow and freezing rain don’t help the ice building process. We currently have 10 inches of ice by the power lines in Long Bay, where we keep our permanent ice hut during the winter season. All in front of Totem Lodge, Dustin Brown found a layer of ice of between 5 and 7 inches.

He told us that “...we have a decent base layer of black ice, but the deep snow that came right after it caused too much weight, resulting in the ice to “pop” and slush to rise to the top creating a layer of insulation, making it hard for the ice to freeze.”

The current ice layer can hold a good amount of weight, but conditions make it impossible for plow trucks to work and build the ice roads. Conditions seem to be the same on the Kenora side of Lake of the Woods. People on social media are reporting big amounts of slush under the snowpack, with deep and hard snow drifts.

Please use extreme caution while adventuring on the ice.

The latest ice fishing report in the Sioux Narrows, Ontario area of Lake of the Woods:

Whitefish Bay/ Regina Bay: We’re now beginning to see ice thickness of anywhere from 10” to 14+” on Whitefish Bay. With the water being so clear on this part of the lake, it has been making for especially good thick black Ice.

Long Bay: On this area we are marking anywhere from 10”-16” of ice with a think 2” white crust on the very top. The further you get down Long Bay, the more cautious we recommend you be. Our ice road should be in down Long Bay by the end of next Week.

Sunset Channel: The crew went out staking snowmobile trails down sunset channel last week and found 10”-15” of solid ice mostly everywhere down the channel, with the exception of a few small open pockets of water and slush here and there.

Official Report: We now have trucks, ice castles, and permanent day shacks on the ice in good locations for Walleye, Lake Trout, and Northern. But this isn’t to say you shouldn’t let your guard down quite yet. The ice is still very dangerous in many spots, especially areas with any types of current. The good news is- most of the slush on the lake has now froze decently enough to drive on, and with more snow in the forecast, should make for some great snowmobiling weather soon. We’ve officially opened our new snowmobile trail from Yellowbird Lodge to the USA side of Lake of the Woods, and are excited to welcome USA visitors on the new staked trail system.

‘’The Scoop’' - February Ice Report on Lake of the Woods from Totem Resorts.

As many of you know, our winter was off to a rocky start, with temperatures being extremely warm trough-out most of December, making for ice conditions to be a bit slushy, but luckily the end of January thru the beginning of February we were hit with over a record breaking freezing week of -40 Degree Celsius (-40 Fahrenheit) conditions making for extremely good ice building conditions!

All Ice is now completely normal for this time of the year, making for fanatics vehicle access when off roading from our ice roads (still approach with extreme caution) and great snowmobiling, and tracked machine usage.

Long Bay/ Regina Bay (Sioux Narrows, Ontario) Ice conditions are now 2’+ all down Long Bay with ice getting thicker by the day! Travel is now easily safe for any sized vehicle and ice conditions are mostly solid black ice with a 4’ top layer of white ice. We’re seeing about 8-12’’ of snow conditions on top of the ice- perfect for those Lake of the Woods Walleyes!

Whitefish Bay (Sioux Narrows) This area is showing fantastic signs of solid black ice. Thickness here ranges from 14’’ all the way to 2’ making for excellent travel and fishing conditions across this area of Lake of the Woods and chasing the monster Lake Trout this section has to offer.

Sunset Channel/ Tug Channel Traveling anywhere down Sunset Channel and the Tug Channel has been wonderful conditions for over a month now. You’ll see 2’ + anywhere down these areas, and the conditions being mainly solid black ice.

Kenora, Ontario In the north side of the lake, the ice roads are improving thickness wise slowly but surely. Road to Windigo Island is in good shape other than a little rough in places. Roads to Queer island, French Narrows, Andrew Bay, Pipestone Point, the gap of Moore Bay are open as well.

February delivered much needed cold weather, lots of chilly winds and perfect ice building conditions.

You can now expect to see 2’-3’ of solid black ice pretty much all over the Canadian side of Lake of the Woods, all throughout the Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls area and all the way across the lake to the Kenora area and down thru the USA side as well.

March is well known for the best ice condition, warm weather, and greatest fishing of the entire season!

Water temperature: 54 °F

Weather: Little warmer than usual but Spring hasn't kick in yet

Welcome to a new Summer season in Lake of the Woods! May long weekend marks the unofficial start to the summer in the Canadian calendars and we are very excited to bring you the first fishing report of this season.

It has been warmer than usual in Lake of the Woods. This weekend was sunny with max temperatures reaching the mid 20 °C (68 °F). Walleyes seem to be shallow, just coming out of the spawning phase. Anglers looking for them should focus on sand bottom spots, in the 15-20 feet deep range, away from big open water.

Water temperature: 58 °F

Weather: Warm and sunny with temperatures reaching 28 °F on Sunday May 28th.

It has been a fantastic week in Lake of the Woods, with people enjoying a wonderful weather and back to normal water levels. During the first week of the walleye season, we received reports of angles catching them really shallow, in sandy bottom spots, siting at 8 - 10 feet of water. At the same time, angles were also being successful fishing for them in the current, around the 28 - 32 feet mark.

But with the more consistent warmer weather, walleyes should start schooling and travelling with the lake current. During this past weekend, reports say that they seem to be shying away from shallow water into flat points outside spawning areas around 25 feet deep. Current seemed to be the key word for this past week.

On the other hand, smallmouth bass anglers should start getting ready. Water temperatures seem to be risen fairly quickly and once we pass the 60 °F, bass should start coming up shallower.

Water temperature: 70 °F

Weather: Consistent Spring weather with temperatures above normal for this time of the year.

We had an amazing couple of weeks here in Lake of the Woods. Weather has been fantastic lately. Since our last report, water temperature has increased almost 20 degrees, sending walleyes deep and towards open water. Anglers should definitely leave spawning areas behind and focus on points and flats, closer to deep water, in the 23-27 feet deep range.

Our sources also confirm that, following the rise on the water temperature, smallmouth bass are already on their beds. Look for shallow back bays, with sandy bottoms, protected from the current.

Water temperature: 70 - 75 °F

Weather: Warm, very warm.

Phenomenal! That’s the only way to describe fishing for the last ten days on Lake of the Woods. Summer like temperatures have sent the smallmouth bass to their beds earlier than usual and reports indicate they have been very active. Our sources tell us that they have came out of the spawning phase and anglers should be looking for them in rocky shorelines and rock piles.

Musky opener was nothing but spectacular at Wiley Point Lodge, with anglers boating several muskies in a single morning.

On the other hand, warmer than normal temperatures have sent the walleyes deep, close to the 30 feet mark.

Water temperature: 70 °F

Weather: Temperatures somehow back to normal.

Weather seems to have stabilized in Lake of the Woods. A few storms and cold fronts have brought the temperatures back to what we are used to for this time of the year. These conditions have affected the fishing in general and walleyes in particular, with reports of active fish around the 25 feet deep mark in humps and exposed points.

Water temperature: 70 °F

Weather: Full on Summer!

With exception of a series of storms a few weeks ago, summer conditions have been the rule for the last while in Lake of the Woods. Walleyes love this and the fishing has been pretty consistent, and humps surrounded by big open water seem to be the key. Anglers should be trying a range of depths before moving on to the next spot. Focus in humps where the higher point is around 22 feet and then, fish all sides, all the way to the 30 feet mark. Once you find some action, drop a marker and work the slope up and down with the wind.

As we begin transitioning into the fall season, water temperatures are beginning to drop and all fish are in pursuit of a good feed bag for winter. The bite is exceptional! Jig heads, crank baits and minnows are attractive to the schools of Walleye hanging out at the edge of the weeds. With cold front conditions you want to slow your presentation down; finesse you’re jigging and reeling at a slower pace. As fall conditions provide exciting opportunities for bigger fish of all species, such as Musky and Northern Pike you will want to be using bigger lures and bigger minnows. Have fun and stay safe on the water!