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Lake of the Woods Fishing Report: Walleyes, Sturgeon, and Pike Abound Ahead of Minnesota Opener
Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for May 9th, 2025.
We’re sitting on the eve of the Minnesota fishing opener and conditions are shaping up nicely. The late ice-out has left the water temps on the cool side, so the fish are still active in shallower waters. Sunrise was at 5:39 am today, sunset will be around 8:56 pm, giving you a full day on the water. Winds are calm this morning, temps climbing into the low 60s, and the forecast calls for partial clouds with a chance of light afternoon rain—perfect walleye weather if you ask me.
Water levels are steady and the big news this week is the strong walleye and sauger population. Many big female walleyes are just finishing up their spawn, so there’s still lots of fish up in the Rainy River and Four Mile Bay. Anglers have reported good numbers of eater-sized walleyes along with a few trophy-class fish. Jig and minnow combos have been the top producer—don’t be afraid to go with a bright color like gold or chartreuse. Some are also having luck with jigs tipped with plastics, especially in the afternoons when the water warms up a bit[1].
The Rainy River is still on fire for sturgeon through May 15th. Word on the docks is a potential state record sturgeon was caught last weekend at a whopping 78.25 inches—these prehistoric giants are biting in the deeper holes and around Four Mile Bay. Use a gob of nightcrawlers or frozen shiners on a heavy sturgeon rig, anchor in the deeper holes, and hang on tight[1].
Northern pike are just starting to transition out of the bays after spawning, but they’re still stacked tight in places like Zippel Bay, Bostic Bay, and Four Mile Bay. Dead bait under a bobber or casting classic spoons have accounted for plenty of fish this week. Remember the slot limit if you’re targeting pike—release those 30 to 40 inchers and one fish over 40 can be kept if you’re lucky enough to land a true giant[4][5].
Crappie and perch are showing up in the back bays as well, especially around submerged wood and shallow weedlines. Small jigs and live fatheads have been best for panfish.
If you’re looking for hot spots, Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River is a can’t-miss for walleyes and sturgeon right now, and the bays on the southern shore—Zippel and Bostic—are prime for big pike[1][4][5].
To sum it up: bring jigs and minnows for walleyes, beef up your rigs for sturgeon, and don’t forget your spoons and dead bait for pike. The bite is good, the weather is promising, and with opener tomorrow, it’s a fantastic time to be on Lake of the Woods. Tight lines!
We’re sitting on the eve of the Minnesota fishing opener and conditions are shaping up nicely. The late ice-out has left the water temps on the cool side, so the fish are still active in shallower waters. Sunrise was at 5:39 am today, sunset will be around 8:56 pm, giving you a full day on the water. Winds are calm this morning, temps climbing into the low 60s, and the forecast calls for partial clouds with a chance of light afternoon rain—perfect walleye weather if you ask me.
Water levels are steady and the big news this week is the strong walleye and sauger population. Many big female walleyes are just finishing up their spawn, so there’s still lots of fish up in the Rainy River and Four Mile Bay. Anglers have reported good numbers of eater-sized walleyes along with a few trophy-class fish. Jig and minnow combos have been the top producer—don’t be afraid to go with a bright color like gold or chartreuse. Some are also having luck with jigs tipped with plastics, especially in the afternoons when the water warms up a bit[1].
The Rainy River is still on fire for sturgeon through May 15th. Word on the docks is a potential state record sturgeon was caught last weekend at a whopping 78.25 inches—these prehistoric giants are biting in the deeper holes and around Four Mile Bay. Use a gob of nightcrawlers or frozen shiners on a heavy sturgeon rig, anchor in the deeper holes, and hang on tight[1].
Northern pike are just starting to transition out of the bays after spawning, but they’re still stacked tight in places like Zippel Bay, Bostic Bay, and Four Mile Bay. Dead bait under a bobber or casting classic spoons have accounted for plenty of fish this week. Remember the slot limit if you’re targeting pike—release those 30 to 40 inchers and one fish over 40 can be kept if you’re lucky enough to land a true giant[4][5].
Crappie and perch are showing up in the back bays as well, especially around submerged wood and shallow weedlines. Small jigs and live fatheads have been best for panfish.
If you’re looking for hot spots, Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River is a can’t-miss for walleyes and sturgeon right now, and the bays on the southern shore—Zippel and Bostic—are prime for big pike[1][4][5].
To sum it up: bring jigs and minnows for walleyes, beef up your rigs for sturgeon, and don’t forget your spoons and dead bait for pike. The bite is good, the weather is promising, and with opener tomorrow, it’s a fantastic time to be on Lake of the Woods. Tight lines!
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By Quiet. PleaseArtificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for May 9th, 2025.
We’re sitting on the eve of the Minnesota fishing opener and conditions are shaping up nicely. The late ice-out has left the water temps on the cool side, so the fish are still active in shallower waters. Sunrise was at 5:39 am today, sunset will be around 8:56 pm, giving you a full day on the water. Winds are calm this morning, temps climbing into the low 60s, and the forecast calls for partial clouds with a chance of light afternoon rain—perfect walleye weather if you ask me.
Water levels are steady and the big news this week is the strong walleye and sauger population. Many big female walleyes are just finishing up their spawn, so there’s still lots of fish up in the Rainy River and Four Mile Bay. Anglers have reported good numbers of eater-sized walleyes along with a few trophy-class fish. Jig and minnow combos have been the top producer—don’t be afraid to go with a bright color like gold or chartreuse. Some are also having luck with jigs tipped with plastics, especially in the afternoons when the water warms up a bit[1].
The Rainy River is still on fire for sturgeon through May 15th. Word on the docks is a potential state record sturgeon was caught last weekend at a whopping 78.25 inches—these prehistoric giants are biting in the deeper holes and around Four Mile Bay. Use a gob of nightcrawlers or frozen shiners on a heavy sturgeon rig, anchor in the deeper holes, and hang on tight[1].
Northern pike are just starting to transition out of the bays after spawning, but they’re still stacked tight in places like Zippel Bay, Bostic Bay, and Four Mile Bay. Dead bait under a bobber or casting classic spoons have accounted for plenty of fish this week. Remember the slot limit if you’re targeting pike—release those 30 to 40 inchers and one fish over 40 can be kept if you’re lucky enough to land a true giant[4][5].
Crappie and perch are showing up in the back bays as well, especially around submerged wood and shallow weedlines. Small jigs and live fatheads have been best for panfish.
If you’re looking for hot spots, Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River is a can’t-miss for walleyes and sturgeon right now, and the bays on the southern shore—Zippel and Bostic—are prime for big pike[1][4][5].
To sum it up: bring jigs and minnows for walleyes, beef up your rigs for sturgeon, and don’t forget your spoons and dead bait for pike. The bite is good, the weather is promising, and with opener tomorrow, it’s a fantastic time to be on Lake of the Woods. Tight lines!
We’re sitting on the eve of the Minnesota fishing opener and conditions are shaping up nicely. The late ice-out has left the water temps on the cool side, so the fish are still active in shallower waters. Sunrise was at 5:39 am today, sunset will be around 8:56 pm, giving you a full day on the water. Winds are calm this morning, temps climbing into the low 60s, and the forecast calls for partial clouds with a chance of light afternoon rain—perfect walleye weather if you ask me.
Water levels are steady and the big news this week is the strong walleye and sauger population. Many big female walleyes are just finishing up their spawn, so there’s still lots of fish up in the Rainy River and Four Mile Bay. Anglers have reported good numbers of eater-sized walleyes along with a few trophy-class fish. Jig and minnow combos have been the top producer—don’t be afraid to go with a bright color like gold or chartreuse. Some are also having luck with jigs tipped with plastics, especially in the afternoons when the water warms up a bit[1].
The Rainy River is still on fire for sturgeon through May 15th. Word on the docks is a potential state record sturgeon was caught last weekend at a whopping 78.25 inches—these prehistoric giants are biting in the deeper holes and around Four Mile Bay. Use a gob of nightcrawlers or frozen shiners on a heavy sturgeon rig, anchor in the deeper holes, and hang on tight[1].
Northern pike are just starting to transition out of the bays after spawning, but they’re still stacked tight in places like Zippel Bay, Bostic Bay, and Four Mile Bay. Dead bait under a bobber or casting classic spoons have accounted for plenty of fish this week. Remember the slot limit if you’re targeting pike—release those 30 to 40 inchers and one fish over 40 can be kept if you’re lucky enough to land a true giant[4][5].
Crappie and perch are showing up in the back bays as well, especially around submerged wood and shallow weedlines. Small jigs and live fatheads have been best for panfish.
If you’re looking for hot spots, Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River is a can’t-miss for walleyes and sturgeon right now, and the bays on the southern shore—Zippel and Bostic—are prime for big pike[1][4][5].
To sum it up: bring jigs and minnows for walleyes, beef up your rigs for sturgeon, and don’t forget your spoons and dead bait for pike. The bite is good, the weather is promising, and with opener tomorrow, it’s a fantastic time to be on Lake of the Woods. Tight lines!