Howdy, folks! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for March 26, 2025. Let me tell ya, the ice is startin' to go, and the open water season is just around the corner!
Sunrise today was at 6:58 AM, and we're lookin' at sunset at 7:42 PM. Weather-wise, we're seein' partly cloudy skies with a high of 45°F and a light breeze from the southwest. Perfect conditions for some early spring fishin'!
Now, onto the good stuff. The walleye bite has been pickin' up as we transition from ice to open water. Anglers are havin' luck in the 21-32 foot range, with some nice catches comin' from around Pine Island and the mouth of the Rainy River. Speaking of the river, it's flowin' strong right now, so keep an eye out for those current breaks.
Last week, we saw a mix of walleyes and saugers being pulled in, with some bonus jumbo perch, pike, and even a few crappies. One fella I know landed a 28-inch walleye out near Zippel Bay - what a beauty!
For you early birds hittin' the open water, I'd recommend startin' with a jig and minnow combo. Gold, pink, and chartreuse have been hot colors lately. Don't forget to pack some spinners and crawlers too, as the water warms up, those'll start producin' nicely.
If you're still ice fishin', stick to those flashy, rattling lures. The Rippin' Rap has been workin' wonders, especially in gold and pink. Tip 'em with a minnow head for extra oomph.
For you sturgeon chasers, the season opens up on April 24th, so get your gear ready. Big circle hooks and a combo of crawlers and frozen shiners should do the trick.
Hot spots to check out: The gap between Pine Island and Sable Island has been consistent, and the area off Long Point is startin' to heat up. For you river rats, try the stretch near Birchdale - heard some good reports from there lately.
Remember, folks, the walleye season closes on April 14th, so get out there while you can. And don't forget to swing by Tom's Tackle for all your gear needs - tell 'em Artificial Lure sent ya!
Tight lines and good fishin', everyone!