Weekly Fishing Report: May 15-22, 2010

The most talked about topic during opening week was the great weather! Almost too hot to be comfortable temps on the water without any wind. It's unusual to get an entire week without much wind to speak of, but after a stiff breeze came up on Opening Day, the wind wasn't a factor the rest of the week.

Walleyes were scattered throughout the water column much of the week. Numbers of fish caught was good, but not spectacular. The most active depths reported was the 14-22 foot range. A few guys caught some in 9-14 feet one afternoon looking on the sand and usual spring areas. Others were a little deeper, but shorelines and points with boulders, rocks and or shelves and steep drops seemed to be the structure to work. Minnows were the best bait to use in combination with a jig or spinner. Trolling cranks along shorelines also produced some nice fish for our guests this week. Size was a little harder to come by, but fish measuring 25, 27, 28, 29 and 31.5 inches were caught this week. All were released except the latter and even that fish was put back in the water to swim away, but wasn't able to regain it's balance and stay upright. Rather than see it cut up, it will be mounted. I spoke to a taxidermist that may want to take molds from it so it could possibly help in the creation of future replicas. That would be the best result of a sad deal. Please take the utmost care of those big fish (in all species.)

Not many anglers targeted northerns this week, but a few brave souls in one boat navigated the minefield that is the narrows leading to Obabikon Lake. Depsite have to hop out on the rocks and pull the boat through on the way home, it was a great 2.5 hours in OB for them. They managed 55 northerns in 2.5 hours throwing mostly spoons in shallow water from 18 inches deep to 4 feet.

Not many crappies were found despite a few boats searching for them.

A few smallies were caught, but they were not targeted much by our guests. A fat one in the 16 range gave one angler a fun fight this week.

Muskies inhaled some smaller bass lures again this spring to continue a trend that took place regularly last year. A couple over 40 inches were reported on husky jerks and lighter bass gear, including one that went 46".

Water temps started the week around 50 and jumped to mid 60's and even over 70 in some places in the high heat of the afternoons.

The season is off to a great start!! If you haven't booked a trip to Lake of the Woods for 2010, what the heck are you waiting for?

Good luck on the water this week, wherever you may be fishing.