As of January 16, 2025, the fishing scene on Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is buzzing with activity, despite the cold front that has slightly slowed the fish bite in recent days.

First, let's talk about the ice conditions: Ice fishing is in full swing, particularly on the south shore and at the Northwest Angle. Resorts and outfitters report solid ice conditions, with many ice roads now open to 1-ton vehicles pulling wheelhouses. However, it's crucial to check the weight limits for each road before heading out.

The fishing depth has been consistent, with most activity happening in 26 to 32 feet of water. Anglers are sorting through some small fish to catch their keepers, including occasional slot and trophy walleyes. The mix also includes jumbo perch, northern pike, and large eelpout, with a few sturgeon showing up as well.

For lures, flashing and rattling lures in colors like gold, pink, white, blue, and wonderbread patterns have been particularly effective. A combination of jigging rods paired with deadstick setups is the most productive method, maximizing the chances of attracting fish.

On the bait side, frozen emerald shiners have been impressive for jigging, especially for walleyes and saugers.

As for hot spots, the south shore of Lake of the Woods, particularly around Big Traverse Bay, is seeing a good number of walleyes and saugers. The Northwest Angle is also delivering consistent fishing, with fish houses placed on points, reefs, and over deep mud areas.

While Lake of the Woods is a freshwater lake and does not have tides, the weather and daylight hours are important. Today, sunrise is at around 7:45 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 4:45 PM, giving anglers about 9 hours of daylight.

Overall, it's a great time to be out on the lake, with plenty of opportunities to catch a variety of species. Just remember to stay safe and check with local resorts or outfitters for the latest ice conditions and fishing tips.