Lake of the Woods Fishing
We may earn commissions when you buy through links on this page/post.
Lake of the Woods is one of the most scenic lakes in the world well as one of the largest and most popular freshwater lakes in North America. Straddling Ontario, Manitoba, and Minnesota, the destination attracts those who enjoy fishing the many species that inhabit its waters.
There are bluegill, walleye, northern pike, and largemouth bass among many other species. Fishing enthusiasts can rent boats and set off from one of the resort towns on the shoreline or go through one of the many fishing charters or local guides.
This majestic lake has enjoyed a reputation as a fishing mecca for many years, but it wasn’t until recently that it became popular with tourists as well. It is not only a great place to fish but also an amazing place to hike, swim, canoe, kayak, or sightsee with over 65,000 miles of shoreline and 14,000+ islands. It’s a great destination for family fun.
Nearest Town: Kenora, Ontario
Lake Size: 3,150 Sq. km
Fishing Species: Specializing in Trophy Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass. Lake Sturgeon, Lake Trout, Crappie, and Yellow Perch are also caught here.
Public Boat Access: Many locations include: At the rear of the Kenora Wellness Centre where Laurenson’s Creek meets Lake of the Woods. Anicinabe Park is close to the Kenora Golf Course. Two Bears Marina is in Keewatin near the Keewatin Arena.
Pike Fishing on Lake of the Woods Lake
Lake of the Woods has many great pike locations such as Clearwater Bay, Keewatin Channel, and the Tangle is good in the north end. Near Sioux Narrows, Lobstick, Snake, and Long Bays are also tough to beat for fishing.
Spin fishing, baitcasting and trolling work well on the lake. The average size of a northern pike fish caught in Lake of the Woods is about 25 inches, but some can grow up to 3 feet long, while 40-inch (101-cm) fish and better are relatively common!
Casting for pike in July is good with the bite picking up again in September. The northern pike is a voracious predator, but they can be caught here using jigs, spoons, or spinners. They are also frequently caught by anglers using live bait, as they are highly attracted to the scent of a dead fish.
Lake of the Woods Bass Fishing
Bass fishing in Lake of the Woods is quite good. Largemouth bass fishing in Lake of the Woods can be done all year round but peak months are from May to July. There are many productive tactics to catch both smallmouth and largemouth bass.
For smallmouth bass, find a transition area that’s rocky and shallow, but close to deep water, then concentrate on the edges. For largemouth bass, they’re confined to the lake’s shallowest, weediest back bays.
Buzzbaits and spinnerbaits work in the morning and evening, but slow down at high noon and probe fell trees and weed lines with a Texas-rigged plastic worm, jig-and-worm combo, or a jig-and-pig. Fed by the Rainy River from the south and drained to the northwest by the Winnipeg River. Connects to Rainy Lake thru the Rainy River.
Meet the Lake of the Woods Fish Species
Here are the most popular species found in Lake of the Woods:
The Walleye is the main trophy fish in Lake of the Woods with excellent action from June through October. With a large population of healthy Walleye, this lake is perfect for fishing for Walleye.
The Northern Pike fishing is also very good at Lake of the Woods. As one of the highest populations of fish in the lake, the Northern Pike is a common catch.
The Muskie is also very common in the lake, with many confusing them with the Northern Pike. Lake of the Woods Muskie fishing is a challenging sport but well worth it.
Lake of the Woods Largemouth Bass is among some of the best in Ontario and the whole of Canada. With many people flocking to fish at Lake of the Woods, charters and guides are booking fast.