Gustafson’s Best Bets for September Lake of the Woods Smallmouths
In addition to being a Bassmaster Elite Series winner and now a four-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, Jeff Gustafson is also one of Canada’s most decorated anglers. He lives and guides on Lake of the Woods, and with his stateside tournament season winding down he’ll be spending ample time competing, guiding and fun fishing on his home waters before they ice up. Actually, he’ll continue to fish up there after they ice up, too.
With our trip to the southern end of Lake of the Woods approaching, I called “Gussy,” who was kind enough to answer the phone a day after the conclusion of the tiring Elite campaign and fill me in on some of the best baits to pack. Here are his suggestions for “must haves”:
Bone
30 pound Power Pro main line to 20 lb. monofilament leader
Green Pumpkin
3/16 or ¼ ounce jig
10 lb. test Power Pro main line to 10 lb. test Seaguar fluorocarbon leader
Bagley Balsa Diving B1
Crawfish colors
12 lb. test Seaguar AbrasX
Smelt
10 lb. test Power Pro main line to 10 lb. test Seaguar fluorocarbon leader
Weather and Conditions:
While we’re expecting some nights in the 50s, it should still be mostly summerlike, with daytime temps approaching 80.
The lake has been higher than normal this year, but has recently gone down a bit.
Gustafson said most of the basins in the area of the lake are shallower than in the sections he normally fishes.
Fishing Notes:
The primary baitfish are smelt and ciscoes.
“Start looking on offshore humps and points.”
“There are a ton of crayfish in Lake of the Woods, so hit windy points with boulders with the crankbait and then when you catch one follow it up with the Ned Rig.”
“Topwater fishing is good all summer on Lake of the Woods.” We hope that holds up.
The high water may put the fish shallower than normal for this time of year.
