Lake of the Woods Fishing Reports, NW Angle, Sunset Lodge

[Sunset Lodge]

Memorial Weekend Fishing Report!

 

Up at the NW Angle, we have been having exceptionally good weather which has contributed to great fishing. Temperatures in the upper 70's, light wind and no cold fronts coming through. Our first bugs hatched this weekend which also helped play a part. Our water temperature is now about 50 degrees.

 

On the Ontario side, you could pick a point anywhere and catch fish. One group caught and released 77 fish the first day and 78 fish the second day in the SAME spot!. Their largest was a 24" walleye with most in the 18"-20" range. Another group who regularly fish the NW Angle over Memorial Weekend, said this was the best fishing they've seen at this time of the year. Both the east and west side of Falcon Island were just awesome. Crappies still haven't started spawning so were more scattered. 25 feet was the magic number and 1/4 ounce jigs seemed to be the ticket.

 

While the deer are still back in the woods having their fawns, we were fortunate to see a mama bear swimming while carrying her two cubs on her back!

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt

Sunset Lodge Manager & Guide

Edited May 27, 2015 by Sunset Lodge
Wanted video to show up instead of just a link.

[ducker]

What color jigs have been working best?

[Sunset Lodge]

Last Week of May Fishing Report by Dan Schmidt

Up at the NW Angle, we had some cold fronts roll through this past week bringing rain and cooler temperatures. Despite that, the fishing has still been excellent! All of our groups have limited out and are catching very good sized fish! They've reported northerns in the 36" plus range and walleyes in the 25" range. Our high temps this past week were in the 50's and 60's with lows dropping into the 30's. The water temperature has risen to about 55 degrees. The cold temperatures pushed fish into deeper waters but 20-25 feet was still pretty consistent compared to last week. On our warmer, calmer days the morning and evening bite was good in shallower water. Crappies and small mouth bass are starting to move to shallower water for pre-spawn. Perch numbers are down due to their current spawn. Groups are also reporting catching LOTS of bass! In the coming weeks, bring your tube jigs and get on these bass! The first week of June is always a hay day with small mouth bass. 

 

On the Minnesota side, there were real good reports off of the points near Brush Island and the red buoy near Brush in about 15-20 feet. There isn't much happening on the Flag Island flats yet since there were no bug hatches this week with the colder weather. There is still good fishing on the NW point of Garden Island and Little Oak is also reporting good numbers. They've had good luck with bottom bouncers and a spinner in about 15 feet of water.

 

On the Ontario side, the popular place to be was still the east and west side of Falcon Island. Our guests were advised not to overlook the points on the little islands adjacent to Falcon out by Monkey Rocks and they were very successful in this area.

 

The deer are starting to make their way out of the woods and were spotted grazing along the shore lines.

 

The BIG news this past week, was the BIG fish we are seeing. We've had countless fish over 25". I haven't seen that 30 incher yet...but he's coming!

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt

Sunset Lodge Manager & Guide

 

[Sunset Lodge]

What color jigs have been working best?

​Gold, white or orange!

[Sunset Lodge]

What color jigs have been working best?

​Any fluorescent colors! Lake of the Woods Gold!

[Sunset Lodge]

First Week in June Fishing Report by Dan Schmidt

Up at the NW Angle, we had some more cold fronts, rain and wind this past week. With the weather constantly changing, fishing was more challenging. We were fishing quite a bit of current and reefs with shallow tops in about 18-22 feet of water. With another bug hatch, the fish are feeding mainly on insect larvae (all the fish I cleaned had bellies full of it) so I recommend trolling with leeches or worms off the points where it transitions to mud. For jigs we're still using 3/8 ounce, any fluorescent color or Lake of the Woods Gold will do the trick. Our water temperature is at about 63 degrees which is about one week ahead of where we were last year. All of our guests still got their limits and were able to land some NICE fish! The biggest fish we heard about was a 30.5 inch walleye.

Very few perch and crappies were caught since they are in the pre and post season spawn. Bass are just going up on the beds. Guests caught LOTS of nice northerns and walleyes!

On the Minnesota side, with the strong winds and rain don't overlook weed beds down in the angle in front of Fort St. Charles. This is a good back up area on days with poor weather conditions. Normand and Little Oak did well.

On the Ontario side, we were still fishing points and reefs with shallow tops. Reefs in Monument Bay warm up first.

We'll have some good blueberry picking this summer with all the rain we've been getting!

We still have a few openings towards the end of June - this is my FAVORITE time of year to fish because reef fishing really starts. June 20th is also the opening of MUSKY fishing! We had one guest tell us that he had a nice eater walleye on the line when a musky got a hold of it and held on to it all the way up to the boat so they were able to get a look at it!

Please call 218-223-8211 if you are able to join us for some fantastic fishing!

Until next week, good fishing!
Dan Schmidt

[Sunset Lodge]

 

 

[Sunset Lodge]

Second Week of June Fishing Report by Dan Schmidt:

Up at the NW Angle, fishing has been PHENOMENAL. With the nice weather, it's the BEST I've seen in years. We had sunny weather all week and our water temperature is at 65 degrees. Still catching lots of northerns under that 29 inch size which make a great shore lunch! Perch are done spawning so we're starting to catch more of those. Smallmouth bass are up on beds and fishing for them has been fantastic (in shallow, I recommend tube jigs). All groups are still getting their limit of walleyes with countless groups getting more than 50 fish per day. Some with over 100 per day. Several musky's were caught and released while jig fishing for walleye - it's going to be a GREAT musky season! Just a reminder that musky season opens June 20th. We have limited availability, call and we'll do our best to find some dates that work for your group!

 

On the Minnesota side, Flag Island Flats have turned on since the May flies have hatched. 6-8 feet of water. The Four Blocks area also did well - 12-20 feet of water. 3/8 ounce jig, gold seemed to be the best but fluorescent work well also. For spinner rigs, we used a 1.5 ounce bottom bouncers with a snell spinner. Normally, we don't catch crappies on the Minnesota side. The exception is this time of year. Kids were catching them right off the dock at Young's Bay since they are spawning in the crick there!

 

On the Ontario side, deeper reefs that top out at 5-17 feet have turned on due to the May fly hatch. Bellies are full of crayfish. 

 

We were in the right place at the right time to witness loons mating right near the boat! The male was dancing, rolling over backwards, flapping his wings, etc... really trying to impress the female. It was a treat to watch.

 

The Peterson/Van Dam Group were visiting for their annual father/son fishing trip. They had something pretty special to celebrate. Jordan Peterson (pictured here with his 24 1/4 inch walleye) had BOTH lungs replaced two years ago!

 

I predicted we'd be breaking the 30" mark soon. Well, this past week, the Mike Tripp Group caught one that measured 31 inches!

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt

Sunset Lodge Manager & Guide

[Sunset Lodge]

Third Week of June Fishing Report by Dan Schmidt

Up at the NW Angle, fishing is still FANTASTIC! It's been a very exciting week with a lot going on.

Bass fishing has REALLY turned on. This past week and this coming week will be the best we'll see all year for bass because they've been in the shallows to spawn, they are vulnerable AND they are still concentrated in those areas.

 

Musky opener was June 20th! We switched to fall trolling since everything is a week ahead of schedule due to the warmer weather. Muskies are on the move to rocks so we recommend looking for them around rocks, weeds and early summer spots.

 

FISHING TIP: Normally this time of year we would downsize (use real small bait) but bypass that this year and start with cowgirls (bucktail) and some more bigger stuff. Do some trolling since there is a lot of transition going on.

 

Perch have turned on pretty good. They are done spawning and the bite has been good. We are seeing the same nice jumbos as we did last winter.

 

Walleye fishing was also really good! Some reefs are going to be loaded up pretty good and some won't but make sure to check them out because they are starting to turn on. The largest walleye I saw was a 29" caught by Justin Lee. Justin and his father, Rex, caught 6-8 walleyes over 25 inches! So, we are getting some large walleyes in our boats!

 

Crappies have dispersed so we'll see them again in the fall.

 

On the Minnesota side, there were about 30 launches off the west bar of Little Oak Island so that area has been doing very well. The Flag Island Flats are spotty with the colder mornings. The May fly hatch was on and then off. On and then off. We need to have wind (preferably from the south) to fish this area.

 

On the Ontario side, the reefs at Skeet Island have been doing the best. 

We've seen lots of deer, with the mild winter the deer are starting to come back so fall hunting should be good! We also have a BIG bear on Oak Island that has been spotted by staff.

 

Our water temperature is at 67 degrees and we're still fishing the standard depth of 18-24 feet around sharp breaks. The fish are still feeding on crayfish and bugs.

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt

Sunset Lodge Manager & Guide

 

 

[Sunset Lodge]

This week's fishing report!

http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports 

-----------------------------------------------

 

Up at the NW Angle, we are catching muskies, walleyes, perch and bass like crazy! Our water temperature is at 68 degrees. This past week, we had a couple days with scattered rain showers but generally it was pretty steady weather for June. Fishing continued to be steady as well. The May fly hatch is getting lighter. Fishing at about 26 feet has been the most consistent. 

On the Minnesota side, walleye fishing continues to be successful. The launches are still by Little Oak and Four Blocks. Watch for the launches and they'll show you where the fish are at!

On the Ontario side, the reefs are continuing to load up more and more. Muskie season is OPEN and 99% of our muskie fishing happens on the Canadian side. The Chris Johnson Group caught over 60 muskies during the week they were up visiting. Their recommended lure? Smaller to medium sized buck tails. Most of them were caught on rock and weeds

Walleye fishing was great again this week. Little Traverse is starting, but hasn't completely turned on. Some spots are starting to load up for big lake fishing. This is where 90% of our 10 pound fish come from. 

Chris Wilkinson & Pete Danilaitis limited on perch and walleye this week. They also caught countless bass and landed a 40.5" muskie that held on to a walleye all the way into the boat!

We saw a bear along the shore line, eating on some May fly bugs which was a real treat to see.

You'll find me in Little Traverse this week, it's time to move out of Skeet and go south to look for BIG fish! 

We are looking forward to having some familiar faces back at Sunset Lodge this coming week. Joel Nelson, James Holst and Dave Koonce from In-Depth Outdoors will be bringing their families and spending the 4th of July with us!

If you are in our area, please stop by and join us for a pig roast and live music by The Knight Lighters! 

 

Until next week, good fishing!
Dan Schmidt
Sunset Lodge Manager & Guide

[Sunset Lodge]

 

Here is this weeks fishing report!

http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports

 

Up at the NW Angle we had another great week of fishing! Our guests caught quite a few muskies while fishing for walleyes! They were using rattle traps with beads, a jig and a rattle trap with tubes. We're just getting into July which means steady weather is on it's way and it's time to catch some BIG fish! With the shallow water warming up and losing oxygen you'll find fish in deeper water around reefs. May fly season is pretty much over for the year.

 

On the Ontario side, we've been heading north up by Bishop Bay and Skeet Island to get away from the bugs. Since it's 64 degrees, rainy and cold here today we're heading back up there to get out of the weather. We'll have to fish the currents and see what we can find. As soon as the weather warms up, we'll be heading to Little Traverse where we'll be fishing deep reefs which is where the majority of our big fish are found this time of year! Tip: If the wind picks up this spot will turn off, you then have to switch to fishing the current. 

 

On the Minnesota side, we've been have good luck on the points near Oak Island which is where we put our fish houses in the winter.

 

 

Repeat guest, Michael Law, was back this week and it was like the animals knew we had a camera crew with us as they were all along the banks practically begging us to take their pictures! We saw a fawn and a bear even stood on it's hind legs and clapped at us! (Pictures coming soon to our blog, Facebook and Twitter pages!)

 

This is my FAVORITE time of the year to be fishing the NW Angle, we have limited availability but if you are able to make a trip up here you should!

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt, Sunset Lodge Manager & Guide

 

[Sunset Lodge]

Here is this weeks fishing report!

http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports

 

Up at the NW Angle we had another fun filled week. We had Dave Koonce, Joel Nelson and James Holst from In-Depth Outdoors staying with us as well as their families. A great time was had by all!

 

We had another bug hatch which slowed fishing down a little bit and a couple days of bad weather. But, fish were still caught! Spinners seemed to work the best - trolling around the edge of the reefs in the mud at about 28-32 feet. James Holst had good luck down rigging at about 32 feet between the reefs using plugs.

 

On the Ontario side, Bishop Bay and Skeet Island are still producing.

 

On the Minnesota side, the launches were around Four Blocks, pulling spinners with crawlers.

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt, Sunset Lodge Manager & Guide

[Sunset Lodge]

Here is this weeks fishing report!

http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports

 

Up at the NW Angle we have some good news - reef fishing is finally here! Fishing will be easy from here on out. We had some pretty good storms this past week and it's been raining a bit every day so it was a touch and go week weather-wise, but we got through it. We even had 60 mile an hour winds for about 10 minutes and lost 3-4 trees. But, the boats were steady at the dock, our break water worked the way it was designed so life was good that way!

 

 

On the Minnesota side, the launches are still out at Four Blocks and are catching fish down there. The reefs there are doing well. Using mainly bottom bouncers and gold spinners.

 

 

On the Ontario side, Little Traverse was exceptional - we caught and released 300 fish for the day between 3 boats. The hay day is here! We were all jig fishing using a 3/8 ounce, fluorescent and gold colors tipped with frozen shiners. 24 feet was the magic number. The wind is down today so the fish should start coming back up after the recent wind pushed them back down. Friday was fabulous fishing - we couldn't do anything wrong. Saturday was good until the wind picked up late afternoon through last night. Looking forward to getting out there today.

 

Big fish for the week - a 49", 50 1/4" AND 52" muskie! A 29 1/4" walleye! 

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt

[walt501]

They were using rattle traps with beads, a jig and a rattle trap with tubes.

I might be reading this wrong, but could you explain rattle traps with beads and a rattle trap with tubes?  Never heard of this before.  Thanks!

[Sunset Lodge]

Here is this weeks fishing report!

http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports

 

Up at the NW Angle, muskie fishing is in its hay day! Forrest Huset, muskie guide, reports that groups are getting 2-3 muskies per day. "They are seeing a lot of fish everyday, throughout the entire day. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits during the day and bucktails and topwaters in the morning and evenings. Most fish have moved to the rock reefs with a few fish still back in the weedy bays."

 

Our water temperature is at 74 degrees which is the warmest it will get. With the warm, steady weather fishing is great which is why this is my favorite week of the year! Walleye fishing is still going strong. We did have a small bug hatch so some reefs have them, some don't. You have to look around - they are there. 2 out of the 5 reefs we fished this weekend had fish on them. I recommend trolling in the mud as I mentioned last week. 

 

On the Minnesota side, Four Blocks at 20-30 feet and Little Oak.

 

On the Ontario side, reefs to the north are still doing good. Little Traverse is loading up with fish. 

 

We've had some fun shore lunches - Forrest and I joined up for a shore lunch yesterday with our two groups. Our guests enjoyed cliff jumping, the rope swing and a delicious meal of fresh fish!

 

We are taking reservations into summer 2017, if you are looking for a certain week each year, please call for availability. We've been having some challenges scheduling guests for certain dates as some are filled or getting full for next year already.

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt

[Sunset Lodge]

Here is this weeks fishing report!

http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports

Up at the NW Angle, we've had quite a bit of heavy wind and some rain this past week. But, we're still catching fish!

 

On the Ontario side, Little Traverse has shut down - too much wind and it blew all the bait fish off. The hay day there was short and sweet. We are back up north at Big Narrows, Bishop Bay and the Skeet Island area! A tip when fishing Big Narrows - there is a lot of current so I recommend 1/2 ounce jigs versus a 3/8 ounce jig. 

 

On the Minnesota side, Four Blocks is STILL doing really good. Lots of launches there as usual. One group is staying an extra day since the fishing is so good over there!

 

Guests are still catching walleyes, nice sized perch, muskies, pike and some scattered crappies (although we don't expect to catch crappies again until the end of Aug/beginning of September).

Muskies are still on the rocks and smaller bait seems to be doing better. 

 

We are seeing lots of deer on the shore line and even had a bear come in when we were finishing up with our shore lunch yesterday.

 

 

If we can get some steady weather we might be able to salvage the Little Traverse area, otherwise, we'll continue to go north and catch fish up there!

 

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt

[Sunset Lodge]

I might be reading this wrong, but could you explain rattle traps with beads and a rattle trap with tubes?  Never heard of this before.  Thanks!

Hi, sorry for the confusion - all rattle traps have beads. They were using tube jigs!

[Sunset Lodge]

Here is this weeks fishing report!

http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports

Up at the NW Angle, we've had some crappies coming in off the deep points! Our water temperature dropped last week to 71 degrees so we are fishing fall spots - current and points. On the Ontario side, deep at 24-32 feet. On the Minnesota side, still at Four Blocks, fishing around 24 feet out in the mud. Muskies are still being found on the rocks.

 

Guests have been enjoying the rope swing during our shore lunches. 

 

Conner Schmidt, my nephew who is helping out around the resort until he goes back to school, caught a nice 32 inch muskie off the dock yesterday!

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt

[Sunset Lodge]

Here is this weeks fishing report!

http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports

Up at the NW Angle, early last week we had some cold weather which has dropped our water temperature to 69 degrees and turned the CRAPPIE bite on! Mid-week, temps in the 90's slowed the bite a little but as of yesterday the cooler weather is back which means the fall crappie season has started! Fish crappies as deep as you can, around that 32 foot mark.

 

I checked in with guide, Forrest Huset, on the muskie bite, "Musky's have been about the same as last week. Casting shallow rock reefs and rocky shoreline with spinnerbaits and crankbaits producing the most fish." 

 

On the Ontario side, Skeet & Falcon Island are the places to be.

 

On the Minnesota side, Four Blocks is STILL producing well!

 

My son and daughter were able to visit this week and get out on the lake.

 

Guest, Riley, caught his FIRST ever muskie!

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt

[Sunset Lodge]

Here is this weeks fishing report! http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports   Up at the NW Angle, with the fall transition we are switching to deep points. 24 to 30 feet. Look for narrow areas going into big bays. Water temperature has dropped to 65 degrees.   On the Ontario side, with the crappie bite back on, it's time to look East towards North Island and Falcon Island!   On the Minnesota side, you guessed it, FOUR BLOCKS! We are fishing mud out around the Four Blocks area. Just drifting, pulling spinner and worms.   Here is Forrest Huset's muskie report for the week, "Fish are still coming off rocks. More and more big fish are showing themselves as the season goes on. Switching over to all big baits. Double 10's and big crankbaits. Big baits for big fish."   Forrest, Dom Baker (former Sunset Lodge employee), his girlfriend Morgan Strauss really had some fun muskie and pike fishing this week. Enjoy the pictures!   If you'd like to come up and fish with myself, Forrest or our other great guides, please give us a call!   We'd be glad to show you around the NW Angle.   Until next week, good fishing! Dan Schmidt 218-223-8211

[Sunset Lodge]

Here is this weeks fishing report! http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports   Up at the NW Angle, we are still fishing deep - look for deep points that go into 28-32 feet troughs. The deep points have been the most consistent for crappies and walleyes. Emerald shiners are showing up in the current channels the Canadian side and in the river on the Minnesota side. Our leaves are just starting to turn!   On the Canadian side, we are fishing deep points off Falcon Island.    Forrest has had quite a week fishing muskies on the Canadian side! Here is his fishing report for the week: "Fall pattern's for musky are in full swing. Fishing deeper rock reefs throwing crankbaits and stick baits during the day. Evening topwater and blade bite has been fantastic. A few fish still in cabbage beds but they are mainly on the rock shelf's. 3-4 more weeks until Trolling season begins!"     On the Minnesota side - fishing south of Oak, out in the mud, around the reefs at about 23 feet. The mid lake humps on the Minnesota side are done but fish the mud out around them. Out in the mud around Four Blocks, starting to fish Garden and Northwest Point which is the go to spot on the Minnesota side in the fall.     We are getting our duck decoys ready and seeing lots of local ducks. Lots of wild rice this year which makes it fun to do some jump shooting. Check out our page for information on our fall "Blast & Cast" combo! http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/duck-hunting--fishing.html      Until next week, good fishing! Dan Schmidt

[Sunset Lodge]

Here is this weeks fishing report!

http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports

 

Up at the NW Angle, we had a warm stretch of weather which has changed our fall fishing pattern. With the water temperature back up to 72 degrees, the fish have moved up into the rocks so we're fishing shallower than we had been at 16-24 feet. Fish and emerald shiners tend to move around less when the water temperature is warmer. Our temperatures will be cooling down this week so I'm expecting the crappie bite to pick back up. The walleye bite remained strong.

 

On the Canadian side, we were fishing shallow points on the west side of Falcon Island. Also, fishing currents in Big Narrows continues to be good - you have to keep looking but the fish are there! Forrest took a break from muskie fishing this week with the water temperatures back up and said they found the fish sitting up in the rocks sunning themselves. Spinnerbaits and Bucktails were the two hot baits he was using.

 

 

On the Minnesota side - the launches are moving up closer to the rocks near Little Oak and Four Blocks.

 

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt

[prov1900]

You guys/gals have really pulled in some nice Esox! Great pics!

[Sunset Lodge]

Here is this weeks fishing report!

http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports

 

Up at the NW Angle, the walleye bite has been great! The crappie bite didn't pick up as expected because the weather has stayed too warm. The water temperature is at 66 degrees and we had 80 degree weather! Looks like temps are SUPPOSED to cool down this week so we'll see if that helps the crappie fishing.

 

On the Canadian side, the walleye fishing was the best on the points above Falcon Island up by Lily Island; Big Narrows continues to be good.

 

On the Minnesota side - Oak and Little Oak were the places to be.

 

I checked in with Forrest Huset for his muskie report: "Crankbaits were back to being the hot bait of the week. Perch color was the best."

Fall is coming...the leaves are starting to get a tint of yellow on them.

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt

[Sunset Lodge]

Here is our weekly fishing report:

http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports

 

Up at the NW Angle, the walleye fishing has been phenomenal and the crappies have started (again!). The water temperature is at 66 degrees.

 

On the Minnesota side, Jeremy Glessing (Sunset Lodge Guide) caught a nice 25 inch walleye on the north side of Oak Island. Other groups did well around Little Oak and Oak Island. Same as this spring, right out in front of Sunset Lodge is good in the morning and late evening.

 

We had guests from the MN DNR Fisheries department staying with us this past week during their annual fall netting up at the NW Angle. Here are some of their findings: "Walleye and sauger numbers are still above the long term means. Getting pretty good numbers of both and good size distributions. Tullibee are VERY abundant. (Tullibee are a very good forage item for other fish (specifically, walleyes & northern pike). Yellow perch numbers are down but sizes are up. Catching more lake whitefish than we normally do."

 

On the Ontario side, we found a nice hole to catch crappies in. It wasn't wild - we camped out on it but it's only going to get better. We were to the east, about 14 miles from Sunset Lodge. Crappie tip: Same as before, fish points like you're fishing walleyes, in 30-34 foot troughs. Biggest crappie caught: A 15 incher caught by Dave Bratsch! 

We've had a few 100 fish days so far this fall. I had a group out the other day, we fished for HALF A DAY and caught and released 100 fish! We couldn't keep bait on our hooks!

 

As it cools down, it will only get better.

 

Until next week, good fishing!

Dan Schmidt

 

Sunset Lodge

 

Mailing Address:
PO Box 123
Angle Inlet, MN 56711 

 

Physical Address:

3179 Oak Island

Oak Island, MN 56741

(218) 223-8211
(855) 634-1863

www.sunsetlodgeresort.com