Thursday, January 20, 2011

Suspended Walleyes on the Worlds Best Hard Water Fishery

During the early 2010 -2011 Ice Fishing Season on Lake of the Woods we’ve found many suspended Walleyes deeper than we’ve ever experienced this early in the season before. Is there any rhyme or reason to it? I honestly don’t know, but as my father always used to say, “It is what it is, and we’ll have to deal with it”. So, if you’re not rocking a Lowrance, Vexilar, MarCum, or a Humming Bird sonar system, you might just be experiencing some very tough Walleye fishing, but if you’ve one of these remarkable devices, you are in for a real treat this winter on Lake of the Woods. This is one reason why we have been given this technology to use, so those elusive suspended Walleyes wouldn’t travel around without being noticed out there in our massive body of water.

There are many different sonar systems available these days, but I have personally only used Lowrance, Vexilar and MarCum. I’ve spent extensive time on all three and I cannot give you one specific favorite, which means they all served there purpose and they all did the job of finding me some beautiful Walleyes.

I started finding the suspended Walleyes on December 23, 2010 while fishing with a few of the Wigwam Resort Ice Guides, Doug “The Surgeon” Hagen and Shane “Wiggles” Burk. We were out more than 12 miles from Lighthouse Gap into the heart of Lake of the Woods in 36 – 38 feet of water, “The Bowl”. The week prior, everyone was mystified with the lack of Walleyes being found in the “spots” they are usually at this time of year. So, we had to go on a Walleye finding re-con mission that spread far and wide throughout all the little nooks and crannies of our tremendous fishery. Not only were they suspended in deep water, but also around some fantastic rock structures just off the U.S./Canadian line. But once again, if you don’t have the right equipment, i.e. sonar, you wouldn’t even know they’re there.

Throughout the day on the 23rd we continually marked fish 3 to 15 feet directly below the ice. Not all of them were Walleyes, we found a few Tulipee in the mix also, but if you didn’t reel up and check them out, you weren’t catching the Walleyes. All of the fish on the bottom were Saugers and we weren’t discriminating against any fish that day, the more the merrier. On a few occasions we set the hook and pulled the Walleyes right through the hole with maybe 3 cranks of the reel, it was an awesome experience to say the least, and one that each of you can experience first hand with us on Lake of the Woods.

On December 30, 2010 I went out with another friend to see if the rocks were holding any suspended Walleyes, just as the deep water was, and they were in deed. Once again the Saugers were on the bottom and the Walleyes were cruising through at the same levels, 3 – 15 feet underneath the ice. We typically don’t see the suspended Walleyes till at least Mid January most years, but every year is different and you have to adapt. As I was speaking with a few of the local legends around Lake of the Woods, they all said that without today’s technology we wouldn’t be able to find the suspended Walleyes and we’d all be fishing in the dark, just like the song.

In conclusion, if you don’t have the right equipment to find the fish, chances are you’ll be bumming, while you’re friends with the right equipment will be smiling. By simply embracing the technology that has been provided to each one of us, it allows each of you to make the most of every ice fishing opportunity while fishing Lake of the Woods, “The Worlds Best Hard Water Fishery”…God Bless and Good Luck!

Wigwam Fisherman


Saturday, January 15, 2011

The Walleyes are Snappin on Lake of the Woods

Welcome to another addition of the Wigwam Fisherman’s Blog. I want to start off by wishing everyone a very Happy New Year from the Wigwam Resort and Lake of the Woods! A quick thank you to Lynch Livestock, they just left us this morning, but they showed us a ton of respect during their stay, and for that I want to thank them a million times over. I’m sorry I’ve been absent from the blog, but the fishing report videos have consumed a ton of my time. I just recently purchased a new computer, which should help cut down on the time it takes to produce the videos. By doing this it should free me up to start writing again, I truly miss it.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to work the Iowa Sport Show in Des Moines, IA.Friday and Sunday were a little slower than I’d like to see, but on Saturday when the American Pickers from the History Channel were on the stage, the Iowa State Fairgrounds were full of life and excitement! While in Des Moines I was able to introduce Lake of the Woods to a number of very interested parties, and we look forward to showing everyone that has booked a trip for this winter and next summer our fantastic and tremendous fishery. Thanks again to Twin Rivers Media (Iowa Sportsman and Family Fish & Game Magazines) for putting on the great event, we’ll see you next year.I am very happy to announce that the Wigwam Resort Blizzard Bash/Ice Fishing Expo 2011 will be on January 29, 2011. For anyone that is interested in coming and participating, please checkout our website home page for detailed information. We currently have Strike Master, Frabill, MarCum, Wilcraft, Northland Tackle, Outdoors Again, Lucky Bait and a few others participating in the 1st Annual Blizzard Bash/Ice Fishing Expo, which will be held right in front of the Wigwam Resort on the ice under a tent.

Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, who is arguably the most recognizable ice fishing name and face in the industry will be here demonstrating product and guest speaking. James Holst from In-Depth Outdoors will also be here participating in the same facet. The product demonstrations will commence at 10 AM and go till 5 PM. We will also be having a Tip Up Derby right in the Wigwam Bay from 12 PM – 3 PM. $5 per hole, so bring your whole family, the wife and the kids. We will be having a number of kid games and giving away door prizes throughout the day, especially to the kids. “All” the proceeds from the fishing derby will go to Fishing For Knowledge, which educates 4th, 5th and 6th graders from across the great State of Minnesota about ice fishing, even right here in Baudette. We will also be giving away a Frabill 2 man portable, MarCum sonar and a Strike Master auger to the winner of the “Ice Fishing Set-Up Race”. Come check out all the excitement and be a participant of an event that will hopefully be a cornerstone on Lake of the Woods and in the community for many years to come!

Special Announcement…Checkout our new video fishing reports on our website at www.wigwamresortlow.com under the Daily Fishing Report tab. Also checkout out the Specials page and find out all the hot deals that we are currently offering on Lake of the Woods.

Quote of the Day: “Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances.” -
Benjamin Franklin. Once again, one of our founding fathers puts it all into perspective for us. I would have to say that I personally try to live by this quote. It has given me a great opportunity to truly do something that I love to do, all by controlling the inward disposition of my mind. Happiness is truly the way, and I hope that each and every one of you finds your own inner happiness, and let that dictate your mood…God Bless.

My shout out today will go to all the boys from Lynch Livestock…Kevin, Mitch, Shooter, Lee and crew. Thank you all for the opportunity to have you as our guests at the Wigwam Resort on the Worlds Best Hard Water Fishery, Lake of the Woods. I thourouly enjoyed talking with each and everyone of your crew. I especially appreciated the way your collective group treated our staff, always with curtusouy and respect, and that will never go overlooked. The entire staff is looking forward to your groups return next year.

Happy Fishing to all, and to all a good day!

Wigwam Fisherman