As the lake level drops significantly, the bite slows. As the water level stabilizes at normal levels and currents subside, big fish suddenly appear in predicable areas, including areas that normally host modest current.
Short-term current, say a change over a few hours or a few days, can turn fish on. Some short-term current areas are wind induced, but on a reservoir system like Lake of the Woods, changes in outflow also cause temporary current. These spots usually are in necked-down areas or long channels. With heavy, long-term current over an area, muskies favor areas protected from current. With short-term, mild current, though, hang on with both hands.
Current is good, both when it first starts and when it stops. Then it starts to lose its effect. The same thing happens when dams first generate power, then stabilize. Places with light or modest current's in a small area produces great fishing These areas usually have some sort of "pool" or rock ledge for muskies to sit behind as they do in rivers. Fish are rarely found in the middle of these current areas; usually they're off to the side. These conditions are common on the Lake of the Woods, even during normal water levels.
If fish have some place to go for the fish to get out of the main current, they will use that area. Prolonged heavy current over a large area makes them move, while short-term or changing currents make them active. This is best experienced by observation: be aware, then watch and learn. Recognize that current makes muskies move.
The opposite situation sometimes occurs when levels are low; midchannel reefs are better during low water. Low water usually means less weedgrowth, and this moves the fish into different areas. Better weedgrowth occurs on humps or deeper saddles than in shallow bays during low water. Low water means that fish aren't as secure as they are when the water's high and are more likely spooked or leave the area. Water temperatures also increase faster, stay warmer in hot weather, and cool faster in cold weather--factors to consider when looking for muskies.
In low-water conditions, muskies move out of shallow spawning bays much faster than in high-water years. If the water level is low and the water temperature is somewhat high (above 65 degrees) the fish are from their spawning areas early in the season. Unfortunately, the weather patterns of recent years haven't given us normal conditions, and finding fish in changing water levels needs more research. On a 1-week once-a-year trip, this is one of the hardest things to figure out, as water levels and the resulting current and weedgrowth changes relocate fish.
WATER COLOR FACTORS
Water color also changes greatly and, at times, quickly, especially on sections of Lake of the Woods with darker water. Heavy wind and rain significantly affect on water color. This is particularly true in the shallower areas of the lake. Roiling water usually slows the fishing as the fish have a hard time seeing lures. No easy answers exist, except to look for cleaner water, which usually means finding deeper water or areas where the islands are closer together.
High-visability lures and lures with rattles help fish locate lures. Noisy surface lures work well, too. One of the best is the Musky Mania "Doc," which is a large walk-the-dog lure with rattles. Firetiger, chartreuse, and orange are the best colors in dirty water. Large lures like jointed 10-inch Believers that click on the retrieve also work well. Fish shallower when the water's dirty, since the fish can see better there.
