The scenario plays out every year: The days get longer, the air begins to warm, the water begins to flow and oxygenate the water, and the walleye’s instincts tell them to bulk up for the upcoming spawn. It’s March on The Walleye Capital of the World, and the walleyes are on the move. March is prime time for icing Lake of the Woods’ walleyes.

The majority of Minnesota and much of the Ice Belt has ice fishing seasons close at the end of February. On Lake of the Woods, however, because it is so far north and is a border water with Canada, different rules apply. Fish houses are allowed overnight on the ice through March 31, the walleye and sauger seasons are open through April 14, and the pike season never closes. This opens a window of ice fishing that many anglers wait for all year long.

Mother Nature nudges fish to put on the feedbag

In March, the walleyes’ instincts begins to kick in, reminding them the spawning season is approaching, and that it is time to build energy; ultimately, it is time to feed. Fishing can be very good!

Several spots are absolute magnets for March ‘eyes. With Big Traverse Bay primarily made up of mud bottom, the scattered reefs that pop up can be go-to areas for walleyes. In addition, areas adjacent to known spawning areas can be hot. Here are a few spots March hot spots on Lake of the Woods.

The south shore

With the increased flow of water from the melting snow entering the Rainy River—a major spawning area for walleyes—the area of the lake adjacent to Pine Island can yield excellent March fishing. Some walleyes in the system are beginning to stage for theirs upcoming spawning run up the Rainy River.

These walleyes set up in the mud just outside the Lighthouse Gap (on the east side of Pine Island) and Morris Point Gap (on the west side of Pine Island), and on the south end of the lake adjacent to Pine Island. With increased water flows coming from the Rainy River and Bostic Creek, walleyes start to home in on their spawning areas and these areas can get stacked with fish.

Knight and Bridges islands

This area hugs the eastern side of Big Traverse and is located about 20 miles north of Wheeler’s Point, which is the mouth of the Rainy River. This area is loaded with a variety of reefs, gravel and mud transitions. Set up on deep transitions from rock to mud in 27 to 32 feet of water. This is a good bet to start. During low-light periods, walleyes will go up shallower to feed, but deep transitions are good bets.

Long Point to Rocky Point

This section of the lake is loaded with reefs that pop out of miles and miles of mud. Not only do walleyes and sauger hang on these reefs; this time of year, jumbo perch show up as well. When the jumbos, or humpbacks, show up, they often exceed 13 inches and are huge.

The Northwest Angle

This area is north of Garden Island on the very north end of the Minnesota portion of the lake and is where the 14,552 islands of the lake begin. Islands, reefs, and underwater points decorate the mud as the lake transitions to more of a rocky landscape. There are literally hundreds of spots to fish.

It is not uncommon to hear of an evening bite on the top of a reef or in areas adjacent to moving water yielding walleyes as quickly as you can pull them up as aggressive feeders take advantage of low-light periods.

How to access go-to March hotspots

Both south-end and Northwest Angle resorts position fish houses on many of the mentioned spots. Some resorts have ice roads and you can drive to a rental fish house. Others will transport you to the fish house via their ice transportation. That’s not a bad option for many, as the holes are drilled and fish house all heated up and ready to fish.

If you have the right equipment, being mobile is certainly an option at this time of year. Some years, March resembles the middle of winter. Other years, all the snow melts, the lake has standing water, and if you fish outside a fish house or shelter, you need to use sunscreen. Depending upon the conditions, an ATV, side-by-side or snowmobile with a collapsible fish house can allow you to move around and be versatile.

Snowmobile trails run from the mouth of the Rainy River, up the east side of Big Traverse Bay, all the way up to the Northwest Angle, and on the west side of Big Traverse Bay up the Angle. These trails are marked and groomed and make it easy to get around. They allow anglers to access a good part of the lake, including many of the areas discussed.

Methods

Catching March walleyes is not rocket science. Typically, with the two lines per angler allowed when ice fishing in Minnesota, anglers jig with one line and fish a deadstick in a second hole. Jig with your favorite spoon tipped with a frozen shiner head or body. Vary your jigging motion until you get the fish dialed in that specific day. Electronics are helpful, as they not only tell you when and where the fish are coming through, but they help educate you on how the fish want the presentation that day.

On the deadstick line, set a live minnow on a hook or your favorite ice jig, 6 inches to a foot off the bottom. Most anglers use a bobber; however, many guides do not; rather, they set their rod on a bucket so the rod is sideways to them, which allows them to see the slightest movement on the tip of the rod. If that rod tip goes down at all, it’s time to set the hook. This method will pick up some fish that the bobber line would not have indicated.

With the walleyes bulking up, this is a good time to try your favorite swimming minnow bait, such as a Rapala Rippin’ Rap, Chubby Darter or Lindy Darter. All can be effective as larger-profile baits that get the fish’s attention as they search for larger forage.

Colors and rattles

Every year can be different, just as every day can be different. Some known “go-to” colors that seem to stand the test of time. Gold is a staple on Lake of the Woods due to “stained” water which comes from bogs releasing tannins into the water. This stained water enables the walleyes to eat during the day rather than the middle of the night, which is to the liking to most anglers. Glow colors (my favorite is glow red), pink and orange are additional options.

In the stained water, jigging spoons with rattles or lipless crankbaits can not only catch more fish, but also draw more fish in to your other lines. If you are fishing with someone else, work together, each trying something different, until you get the walleyes dialed in.

There is a lot of excitement in March as Midwesterners are looking for a reprieve from the grasp of winter. Basketball and hockey tournaments are in full gear, days are longer, and 40 degrees feels like a heat wave. If you are a walleye angler, don’t put away your ice fishing equipment just yet. Extend your ice fishing season, grab some sunscreen and enjoy icing some nice March walleyes.