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Lake of the Woods Fishing Report: Pike, Sturgeon, and Opener Excitement
Howdy, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your May 3rd fishing report for Lake of the Woods.
Folks, we're just one week away from the Minnesota Fishing Opener on May 10th, and the excitement is building like a trophy pike on the line! Ice across Big Traverse Bay has turned black and is deteriorating quickly. Most bays are now open or partially open, and with each passing warm day, that ice continues to retreat faster than a spooked crappie.
Right now, the name of the game is northern pike. Those big boys are sliding into the ditches and shallow bays to spawn, giving us a rare spring fishing opportunity that most parts of Minnesota just don't have. The pike are active and hungry, with many trophy-sized fish being reported along the south shore.
Your best bet for hooking into these monsters is to hit shallow bays like Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay, and Zippel Bay. For tackle, you've got options that are working well: dead bait under a bobber has been producing, but don't overlook casting spoons or trolling shallow-running crankbaits. The pike limit on the Minnesota side is three fish daily, with all pike between 30 and 40 inches needing to be released. You can keep one over 40 inches, but most locals are taking measurements and photos before releasing these beauties.
Over on the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing is in full swing with very good bite reports coming in. Remember that walleye season is currently closed until the opener next weekend.
For those willing to venture up to the Angle, there've been reports of jumbo perch throughout the area. Once the season opens, expect walleyes to be holding in deeper than normal water (22-28 feet) for this time of year.
Looking ahead to the opener, jig and minnow setups will likely be your go-to presentation. Once those shiners start spawning, we'll see more shallow water opportunities popping up. Don't forget that muskie season opens on June 15th for those targeting our toothy friends.
Hot spots for this weekend: definitely check out the ditches running with spring meltwater around Zippel Bay for pike, and if you're after sturgeon, the mouth of the Rainy River has been producing some real beauties.
Good luck out there, and remember - the worst day fishing is still better than the best day working! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time.
Folks, we're just one week away from the Minnesota Fishing Opener on May 10th, and the excitement is building like a trophy pike on the line! Ice across Big Traverse Bay has turned black and is deteriorating quickly. Most bays are now open or partially open, and with each passing warm day, that ice continues to retreat faster than a spooked crappie.
Right now, the name of the game is northern pike. Those big boys are sliding into the ditches and shallow bays to spawn, giving us a rare spring fishing opportunity that most parts of Minnesota just don't have. The pike are active and hungry, with many trophy-sized fish being reported along the south shore.
Your best bet for hooking into these monsters is to hit shallow bays like Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay, and Zippel Bay. For tackle, you've got options that are working well: dead bait under a bobber has been producing, but don't overlook casting spoons or trolling shallow-running crankbaits. The pike limit on the Minnesota side is three fish daily, with all pike between 30 and 40 inches needing to be released. You can keep one over 40 inches, but most locals are taking measurements and photos before releasing these beauties.
Over on the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing is in full swing with very good bite reports coming in. Remember that walleye season is currently closed until the opener next weekend.
For those willing to venture up to the Angle, there've been reports of jumbo perch throughout the area. Once the season opens, expect walleyes to be holding in deeper than normal water (22-28 feet) for this time of year.
Looking ahead to the opener, jig and minnow setups will likely be your go-to presentation. Once those shiners start spawning, we'll see more shallow water opportunities popping up. Don't forget that muskie season opens on June 15th for those targeting our toothy friends.
Hot spots for this weekend: definitely check out the ditches running with spring meltwater around Zippel Bay for pike, and if you're after sturgeon, the mouth of the Rainy River has been producing some real beauties.
Good luck out there, and remember - the worst day fishing is still better than the best day working! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time.
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By Quiet. PleaseHowdy, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your May 3rd fishing report for Lake of the Woods.
Folks, we're just one week away from the Minnesota Fishing Opener on May 10th, and the excitement is building like a trophy pike on the line! Ice across Big Traverse Bay has turned black and is deteriorating quickly. Most bays are now open or partially open, and with each passing warm day, that ice continues to retreat faster than a spooked crappie.
Right now, the name of the game is northern pike. Those big boys are sliding into the ditches and shallow bays to spawn, giving us a rare spring fishing opportunity that most parts of Minnesota just don't have. The pike are active and hungry, with many trophy-sized fish being reported along the south shore.
Your best bet for hooking into these monsters is to hit shallow bays like Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay, and Zippel Bay. For tackle, you've got options that are working well: dead bait under a bobber has been producing, but don't overlook casting spoons or trolling shallow-running crankbaits. The pike limit on the Minnesota side is three fish daily, with all pike between 30 and 40 inches needing to be released. You can keep one over 40 inches, but most locals are taking measurements and photos before releasing these beauties.
Over on the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing is in full swing with very good bite reports coming in. Remember that walleye season is currently closed until the opener next weekend.
For those willing to venture up to the Angle, there've been reports of jumbo perch throughout the area. Once the season opens, expect walleyes to be holding in deeper than normal water (22-28 feet) for this time of year.
Looking ahead to the opener, jig and minnow setups will likely be your go-to presentation. Once those shiners start spawning, we'll see more shallow water opportunities popping up. Don't forget that muskie season opens on June 15th for those targeting our toothy friends.
Hot spots for this weekend: definitely check out the ditches running with spring meltwater around Zippel Bay for pike, and if you're after sturgeon, the mouth of the Rainy River has been producing some real beauties.
Good luck out there, and remember - the worst day fishing is still better than the best day working! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time.
Folks, we're just one week away from the Minnesota Fishing Opener on May 10th, and the excitement is building like a trophy pike on the line! Ice across Big Traverse Bay has turned black and is deteriorating quickly. Most bays are now open or partially open, and with each passing warm day, that ice continues to retreat faster than a spooked crappie.
Right now, the name of the game is northern pike. Those big boys are sliding into the ditches and shallow bays to spawn, giving us a rare spring fishing opportunity that most parts of Minnesota just don't have. The pike are active and hungry, with many trophy-sized fish being reported along the south shore.
Your best bet for hooking into these monsters is to hit shallow bays like Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay, and Zippel Bay. For tackle, you've got options that are working well: dead bait under a bobber has been producing, but don't overlook casting spoons or trolling shallow-running crankbaits. The pike limit on the Minnesota side is three fish daily, with all pike between 30 and 40 inches needing to be released. You can keep one over 40 inches, but most locals are taking measurements and photos before releasing these beauties.
Over on the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing is in full swing with very good bite reports coming in. Remember that walleye season is currently closed until the opener next weekend.
For those willing to venture up to the Angle, there've been reports of jumbo perch throughout the area. Once the season opens, expect walleyes to be holding in deeper than normal water (22-28 feet) for this time of year.
Looking ahead to the opener, jig and minnow setups will likely be your go-to presentation. Once those shiners start spawning, we'll see more shallow water opportunities popping up. Don't forget that muskie season opens on June 15th for those targeting our toothy friends.
Hot spots for this weekend: definitely check out the ditches running with spring meltwater around Zippel Bay for pike, and if you're after sturgeon, the mouth of the Rainy River has been producing some real beauties.
Good luck out there, and remember - the worst day fishing is still better than the best day working! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time.