Lake of the Woods produced limits of fish but the wind make it quite the challenge. Three to four foot waves made us go with the waves and not where we necessarily wanted. With 20 mph winds in the forecast we opted to drive back early and fish Lake Pepin. Lake Pepin didn't produce the number of fish we see on Lake of the Woods but once again we found big fish.
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Despite challenging winds at times we are still sending groups home with limits of fish including some very nice photo fish. We are pulling Salmo Hornet on Scotty downriggers or bouncing bottom with crawlers in 28-34 ft of water. We have caught a wide variety of walleyes between 7"-30" and everything in between. Lake of the Woods never disappoints. We are offering three day trips for August of 2021 with limited availability.
Wow, what an amazing week of fishing. Six walleyes 27,28,28,28,29, and 29 in a few days with a few other big fish we weren't able to land. Lake Pepin is as good a fishery as any I've fished for the size it puts out. I had seven people with nine personal bests this week. I have two days left in September and a few in October. We are now taking dates for 2021.
2020 has been a good year for big fish. We continue to see 27-29" fish coming most trips out and sometimes 2, 3, or more a trip. We did have another bug hatch last week that slowed the fishing but it is game on. The fish continue to be found in relatively tight areas sometimes no bigger than a football field. Keep working different baits, speeds, colors, and locations. Once you find fish, work that spot hard.
Trophy size walleyes are being caught every trip the last 5 days out with multiples being caught on most days. The walleyes have been found in tight areas sometimes no bigger than a football field but when we find the spot the action has been amazing. The most interesting part of this bite has been most fish are coming on one color pattern that changes from day to day. The lure we catch walleyes on today will not catch anything the next day or two.
The bite is going with big fish coming on crank-baits. We are tossing back fish over 20" each trip out with many personal bests coming this week.
Fishing has been tougher since the storms, bug hatch, and heat hit. Surface temps are 82 in the river and 86 in the lake. The lake is finally starting to clear up and I'm expecting the bite in the lake to improve. If you're looking for walleyes consider dragging jigs in 3-8 feet of water.
Fishing got a bit slower the last week but we still managed some nice fish. Water level is very low and fish have slid deeper and off some traditionally good fishing areas. Keep on the move if needed and trust your electronics.
Pictured is Jim with his personal best 27.75" walleye. This bite is only getting better with bigger fish being caught. 12-16 ft of water at 3.0 mph with pink and perch patterns working best. Filling limits has consisted of throwing back numbers of 20"-22" looking for that 18" size that is prevalent.
If you enjoy catching and releasing numbers of fish, Mille Lacs is a great place to go. Numbers of walleyes in the 18"-20" range bottom bouncing mid lake reefs. Use extra long leaders in the clear water. We ran 8 foot leaders with 8 pound fluorocarbon. Fish were located on the windward side just before and on top of reefs topping out at 22-24 ft.
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AuthorBy: Captain Brian DesLauriers Archives
January 2022
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