Ballard's - Lake of the Woods, Minnesota

May

Starting with the mid-May opener, expect to find easy-to-catch walleyes in the confines of the Rainy River or along the channel that empties into Lake of the Woods.

• Small boat fishing, guided trips, or boat and motor rentals are popular.
• Live bait fishing with jigs and minnows is the norm...
• Anticipate steady action on walleyes with post spawn occuring. Primarily male walleye will dominate the catch, with your occasional trophy fish being mixed into the equation.
• Spring fishing can offer an excellent opportunity for a trophy class female.
• Guided Walleye Fishing Packages include: lodging in housekeeping cabins, fishing 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with Coast Guard licensed guide, angling equipment, bait, tackle, on-board restroom, and fish packaging.
• Post-spawn northern pike become aggressive.
• Shallow bays of the Rainy River are great for spawning smallmouth bass, with the males being extremely aggressive.

June

Early June marks the onset of shoreline activity and is one of the most productive times of the year for walleye.

• Anglers should drift live bait along sandy and rocky shorelines. Expect numbers of aggressive 1 to 1 1/2 pound walleyes with occasional trophies.
• Live bait rigging with minnows, crawlers, and leeches is the a standard presentation.
• June is definitely a numbers game... And as the weather heats up... So do the walleyes!
• Our guided charter boat service gives you the advantage of quality angling in luxury. Fish with the area's most experienced guides and enjoy the day in comfort.
• The ever popular shore lunch is a great plan to complete a perfect day!
• Northern pike congregate in shallow bays or roam weed lines. Troll crankbaits or throw spoons and spinnerbaits.
• Smallmouth bass begin their summer pattern on the river. Use small crank, spinner or buzz baits along rock piles.

July/August

Warmer water temperatures move walleyes deeper to the mid-lake mud flats and rock reefs. This is TROPHY time on Lake of the Woods!

• Mid summer makes for HOT walleye fishing. We see more fish & more trophy class fish during this two month span, than any other throughout the summer season.
• Our most POPULAR techniques... Hook-n-line fishing over rock reefs... Or trolling mid-lake mud flats...
• If you love to jig fish, and you're looking for one of the most exciting opportunities in walleye fishing, then July and August are your times to visit.
• Bait fishing with jigs, or bottom bouncers with spinner rigs produce excellent numbers & trophies over rock reefs.
• Trolling using downriggers, planer boards, or leadcore line, with crankbaits, are also proven methods.
• Guided Charter Boat Excursions are popular because we put you on the fish! We use 27' Sportcrafts, equipped with all the necessary fishing equipment, electronics, and on-board restroom facilities.
• Our Coast Guard licensed guides fish the lake year-round and provide the professional service that assures you of a quality angling adventure.
• Again, this is traditionally considered our finest trophy season.

September

September is a transition period. Depending on water temperatures, fish can remain in mid-summer patterns or begin fall behavior.

• The late summer days of September offer excellent opportunities for consistent walleye fishing.
• You may find multiple techniques produce walleyes.
• Walleyes begin staging for their fall migration upstream.
• September is most notable for our ever popular "Fall Classic" guided fishing packages!
• Northern pike and smallmouth bass increase activity in the Rainy River.

October/November

Make your reservations early! Falling temperatures during the months of October and November put walleyes on the move—and that means trophy time, right at our doorstep!

• Walleyes follow baitfish out of the lake and into the confines of the Rainy River.
• Vertical jigging while anchoring is a successful method for fall fishing.
• Without a doubt this is another popular "trophy season". A time to chase monster walleyes on Lake of the Woods.
• Smallmouth bass go deep.
• Trophy pike fattening for winter.
• Try mixing the fall walleye run with grouse, waterfowl, or deer hunting.

December/January

During the winter months of December and January, the hottest action in the Midwest is guided winter angling. Stay in cozy cabins, ride out to select fishing spots in toasty track vehicles, and fish in heated angling houses. Catches include walleye, sauger, and perch.

• First-ice walleyes start shallow near the shorelines and eventually move deeper as the season progresses.
• Early morning, mid-day, and late afternoon are most productive.
• Walleyes and perch are located near channel areas and deeper mud flats. As for saugers, expect higher numbers and more consistent action through the day.
• Opportunity for northern pike angling in nearby shallow bays.
• Snowmobilers will find miles of groomed trails, including those leading from northeast and central Minnesota and the new Can-Am Trail to Manitoba, Canada.

February/March

During the winter months of February and March, we roam over miles of Big Traverse Bay, continuing our search for walleyes & sauger. Our fish houses are among the best on the lake! And our guides are second to none...

Here at Ballard's we have taken the winter fishing industry to a new level. Our committment to service is complimented by the great pride we have in our ability to "track fish", move our fleet, stay with the more active schools of fish, and see to it that you have the best experience possible on Lake of the Woods.

• Continue basic jigging techniques over mud flats or near rock reefs.
• Saugers stand out as the most active and sought-after species.
• Late winter walleyes return to the shallows and prepare for the spring run.

April

April showers bring May flowers.

• Fish houses must be removed from the lake by April 1st.
• Spring ice out finds river fishermen chasing walleyes in the confines of the Rainy River.
• Walleye season closes on April 14th.
• Get ready for summer fishing!