Catch & Release Lake of the Woods is living evidence of the success that catch and release can have on a body of water. Our clients fish for the enjoyment of catching, and after they put "the big one" back in the lake, they realize that catch & release is good, and it makes them feel great. We keep the eaters, and let everything else go. Angling Adventures Guiding Service practices strict catch & release on muskies, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and selective harvest on walleyes.

Walleye Lake of the Woods is one of the best large walleye fisheries anywhere. Strong natural reproduction ensures numbers of eating size fish and excellent odds of landing that trophy of a lifetime. An average "keeper" up here is around two pounds, and fish in the ten pound range are a relatively common catch. Walleye are found on nearly every type of structure in Lake of the Woods, and this allows us to use several methods to catch them. Jigs, bottom bouncer/spinner rig combos, crankbaits, and slip bobbers are all deadly presentations. If you love walleye fishing you owe it to yourself to sample our world class walleye fishery. If the fast-paced action isn't enough, a plateful of mouthwatering walleye fillets will convince you that Lake of the Woods walleye fishing is time well spent!

Muskie We fish the best sections of what is arguably the finest muskie lake in the world. Several top muskie anglers call these waters their home, and most of the big names in the muskie business plan at least one trip to Lake of the Woods each year. The reason is simple, your chances of landing a fish over 50" up here are second to none. Due to an increased interest in catch and release, we see increasing numbers of large muskies each year. In the last few years several 58" and 59" fish have been released, and larger fish have been seen. We're talking world record potential here! Lake of the Woods is full of classic muskie structure with points, weedbeds, reefs, sandy bays, and island saddles everywhere you look. Cast this wide variety of structure with bucktails, spinnerbaits, topwaters, jerkbaits, and crankbaits during the summer months, and as the fish move deeper in the fall, casting jig/creature combos or trolling crankbaits are the best presentations. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned muskie angler Lake of the Woods is the place to be. We have numbers of mid-sized fish to practice your technique on, and that giant fish of a lifetime is out there just waiting for you!

Smallmouth Bass Lake of the Woods is known for its world class smallmouth fishing. The rocky shoreline is perfect habitat for spawning, and is loaded with crayfish, a staple smallmouth food. Mix the legendary fight of the smallmouth with light tackle, and you have one of freshwater fishing's greatest thrills. For much of the season, we cast to points, boulder shorelines, and rocky shoals using crayfish imitating crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwaters. As the surface water temperature drops in the fall, the fish move deeper, and trolling crankbaits along the shoreline becomes a good tactic. It has been said that for their size, smallmouths are the best fighting freshwater fish there is. Smallmouth bass are one of our favorite species, and after feeling their powerful runs and watching their acrobatic leaps, they will become one of your favorites, too!

Northern Pike Lake of the Woods is one of the few places left that offers you a chance at a twenty pound plus pike without having to fly in. New slot limits have been put into place to preserve this resource, allowing the 30" to 40" fish to spawn and reach trophy size. Pike measuring 45" have been landed recently, and will become more common as the slot limits continue to stay in effect. The largest pike in the lake are usually found near deep water, often in the same spots that muskies occupy. The smaller pike will hold in the weeds along shorelines or in spawning bays for much of the season. Bucktails, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and weedless spoons are proven presentations. Northern pike of any size are excellent fighters, and will test your skills and tackle to the limit!

Crappies Lake of the Woods is home to some excellent crappie fishing. There are several strong year classes which have reached the 12" to 14" range, and there are some 15" and 16" trophy "slabs" out there as well. Spring is a good time to intercept crappies with bobbers and jigs as they move into the shallows to forage and spawn. After suspending offshore through much of the summer, the crappie schools begin to join the walleye and jumbo perch on points, drop-offs, and current areas. From early fall through ice-up, we use vertical jigging presentations for some great mixed-bag action. Which is better: sitting over a school of crappies or enjoying a freshly fried crappie dinner? Whether you like tasty fillets or quick action, these scrappy fighters deliver!

Lake Trout The north end of Lake of the Woods is home to these deep-water battlers. Through protective restrictions, these fish are making a comeback. Fish over 40 pounds have been caught recently, and we have had good success on lakers in the 15 to 25 pound range. Through the ice, jigging in shallower water works well, while during the open water season trolling and vertical presentations are used; much of it over the deepest water in the lake. Lake trout are some of the hardest fighters around and make for an exciting day trip to the most picturesque areas in the lake. Lake trout fishing is a true Lake of the Woods angling adventure!

Sturgeon Every spring we take advantage of one of Lake of the Woods unique opportunities: fishing for huge lake sturgeon. 50"+ sturgeon are a fairly common catch, and fish in the 90 pound range have been caught in recent years. Lake of the Woods' sturgeon are making a strong comeback, with protective regulations ensuring a bright future for these prehistoric fish. Each spring thousands of sturgeon travel up the Rainy River to spawn. Bottom fishing while at anchor is the most productive presentation. Instead of waiting for walleye season to open, try sturgeon fishing. Even small sturgeon are strong fighters, and the large ones are a true test of your tackle and endurance. If you are seeking the ultimate freshwater challenge, look no further!

Ice Fishing Lake of the Woods is one of North America's premier winter fishing destinations. There are great opportunities available for crappie, perch, northern pike, lake trout, sauger and trophy walleye. Our style of ice fishing is fast and mobile, using snowmobiles and Polar Sport sled shelters to stay on active fish. We currently guide ice fishing trips on a limited basis; call us to schedule your trip around the best times for the fish you're after.