Artificial Lure with your Lake of the Woods report for Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

The spring fishing season is in full swing here on Lake of the Woods, and what a start we had for the opener. The south shore has been producing excellent numbers of walleyes and saugers, with most anglers getting into steady action. Both eater-sized fish and some nice slot walleyes have been reported, and the sauger bite has also been strong. Limits are being caught, with a good mix of walleyes and saugers coming out of the main basin and near the south shore structure[1][2].

On the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing continues to be excellent through May 15, with several big fish caught the past few days, including a potential state record. Sturgeon are spread throughout the system, with Four Mile Bay and the deeper river holes being top spots. Anglers targeting sturgeon are using heavy rigs with nightcrawlers or a mix of crawlers and frozen shiners on the bottom[3].

For walleye and sauger, a jig and minnow is hands-down the top producer right now, but some anglers are having luck with larger plastics as well. The water is clearing up as ice is long gone, and water temperatures are rising, which is pushing more fish onto the windblown shorelines and shallow reefs. Anchor up and work those jigs slow for best results. Pink, gold, and chartreuse jigs have been the go-to colors lately[1][4].

Northern pike are still active in the back bays and creek mouths, with some trophy fish being reported. Dead bait under a bobber or casting spoons and shallow-running cranks are putting big pike in the net. Check out Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay, and Zippel Bay for your best shot at a spring gator[5].

Weather is shaping up nicely today, with the forecast calling for mild temps in the upper 50s to low 60s and a light breeze out of the northwest. Sunrise was at 5:31 AM and sunset will be at 8:54 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to chase fish. No tides to worry about in this freshwater fishery, so focus on wind direction and water temp for your plan.

Hot spots today are heading out from the mouth of the Rainy River into Four Mile Bay for a mixed bag, or working the edge of Pine Island and the reefs outside of Zippel Bay for walleyes and saugers. For sturgeon, deep holes along the main river channel are producing well.

Overall, the fishing is about as good as it gets for the start of the season. Get out there and enjoy it, and remember to snap a quick photo before you put back those big ones. Good luck and tight lines!

Good morning from Lake of the Woods, this is Artificial Lure checking in with your local fishing report for May 12, 2025.

We have finally waved goodbye to the last of the ice on Big Traverse Bay, and open water is here across the lake and back bays. With water temps still cool from the late ice-out, the action this past weekend was hot for the Minnesota Fishing Opener, and the bite looks to keep rolling as we settle into spring.

The sunrise was at 5:38 AM this morning, and sunset will be around 8:45 PM, giving you a full, bright day to chase your trophy. No tides to worry about out here, just keep an eye on the wind—it’s coming from the northwest at about 10 to 15 mph, so some chop is expected, but nothing that’ll keep you off the hotspots.

Sturgeon remain a major draw on the Rainy River with the season open through May 15th. The bite has been nothing short of fantastic. Just last weekend saw a potential state record sturgeon caught at a whopping 78.25 inches. Four Mile Bay and the deeper holes up and down the river have been loaded with fish. Anglers are landing good numbers of these giants using heavy rigs baited with crawlers and frozen shiners, anchored up in the deeper bends and classic spring sturgeon holes. If you haven’t checked this off your bucket list, now’s the time to get after it[1].

With the opener just two days ago, walleye and sauger action picked up right where it left off in the fall. The Rainy River and the south shore are seeing plenty of big walleyes—many post-spawn females are still hanging in the river thanks to the late ice-out. A jig tipped with a fathead minnow is the top-producing setup this week, but don’t overlook a jig with a bright plastic tail, especially in stained water. The classic gold and chartreuse patterns are tough to beat. Limits are a combined six walleyes and saugers, with up to four walleyes in your bag; remember, you must release any fish in the protected slot of 19.5 to 28 inches, but you can keep one trophy over 28 a day[1].

Northern pike are still lurking in the shallow bays, especially spots like Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay, and Zippel Bay. Dead bait under a bobber, flashy spoons, and shallow-running crankbaits are all producing fish. Pike are hungry post-spawn and aggressive. This is the time for a shot at a real Lake of the Woods gator[5].

If you’re looking for a couple of hot spots to wet a line today, give Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River a try for both sturgeon and early walleyes. Zippel Bay is also turning out monster pike and the odd big walleye.

Pack your rain gear just in case, but as of now, conditions are looking solid for a productive day on the water. Tight lines and good luck out there—this is prime time on Lake of the Woods[1][5].

Howdy folks, Artificial Lure here with your Sunday morning fishing report for May 11, 2025, straight from beautiful Lake of the Woods!

The big news is we're one day into the Minnesota Fishing Opener, and let me tell you, the walleyes are biting! With that late ice-out we had, there are plenty of walleyes, including some real monsters, still hanging in the Rainy River[1]. If you're heading out today, make sure you've got your jig and minnow combo ready – that's been the ticket for most anglers since yesterday's opener[1].

The ice is completely gone now, which is a relief after watching it slowly disappear over the past few weeks[3]. The water's still cool though, so those walleyes are staying relatively shallow. Water temps are climbing, but we're not into that summer pattern quite yet.

For you northern pike hunters, the action has been hot! These beasts have been staging in the shallow bays for their post-spawn recovery[4][5]. Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay, and Zippel Bay have been producing some true trophies[5]. Try dead bait under a bobber if you're taking it easy, or cast some spoons if you want to be more active – both methods are filling livewells[5].

Captain Joe over at Sportsman's Lodge has been getting his boats and lines ready, and he's been doing well with traditional walleye setups[2]. The lodge is running some nice May specials if you're looking to book a trip.

Best spots today? I'd recommend trying the mouth of the Rainy River early morning, then shifting to the reefs near Pine Island as the day warms up. Morris Point Gap has also been producing consistent limits.

For sturgeon anglers, the Rainy River continues to deliver. These prehistoric beasts are active, with several 60+ inchers reported just this week[5].

Bait-wise, fathead minnows and shiners are working best for walleyes. For pike, larger sucker minnows or big spoons in flashy colors are your best bet. If you're after those sturgeon, a simple rig with a nightcrawler or frozen shiners on the bottom will do the trick.

Sunrise was at 5:41 AM, and we're looking at sunset around 8:49 PM, so you've got plenty of daylight to work with. Weather today is decent – partly cloudy, temps in the low 60s, with a light northwest breeze.

Remember folks, the slot limit is in effect, so measure those walleyes carefully. Keep the small ones for the frying pan and snap a quick photo of those trophies before sending them back.

That's all for now from Lake of the Woods. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and good fishing to all of you!

Good morning from the shores of Lake of the Woods. This is Artificial Lure with your local fishing report for May 10, 2025.

The big news this opener is that the ice is finally off and open water season is here. A late ice-out means there are plenty of walleyes hanging out in the river and along the south shore. Anglers can expect a strong start to the season, with quite a few big walleyes mixed in with good numbers of eaters. This week, most reports from the Rainy River and the main lake indicate steady walleye action, especially for those working traditional spring spots with classic approaches.

For walleyes, the go-to setup right now is a jig and minnow. Pink, chartreuse, and glow colors are getting bit the most. Tip your jig with a fathead or a shiner and work it slow in 15 to 20 feet, or right in the current seams near mouths of inflowing rivers. Keep an eye on water temps, which are in the mid-40s to low 50s—prime for spring action[1][2].

Northern pike are hot as well, with the late melt pushing the spawn a bit later than normal. Shallow bays along the south shore like Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay, and Zippel Bay are filling up with big fish staging to spawn. Dead bait under a bobber is working, along with five to seven inch spoons and shallow-diving crankbaits for those who prefer casting or trolling. The pike limit is three per day with all fish between thirty and forty inches released, but you can keep one trophy over forty inches. Lots of photo-worthy fish this week, and most folks are catching and releasing the big girls[4][5].

Sturgeon remains an option on the Rainy River, with a good bite reported by those soaking nightcrawlers on heavy rigs. A few anglers have landed true dinosaurs, with fish in the eighty to one hundred inch range not unusual this time of year[5].

As for the weather, expect partly cloudy skies with daytime highs in the low 60s and light northwest winds, perfect for a long drift or anchored session. Sunrise today was at 5:40 AM and sunset will be around 8:45 PM, giving plenty of daylight to fish all your favorite spots.

Hot spots to try include the mouth of the Rainy River for walleyes, Four Mile Bay for both walleye and pike, and Zippel Bay for pike staging to spawn. The shallows near Pine Island have also been productive for early-season walleyes.

No tides to worry about—this is freshwater country. The fish are biting, the weather is right, and it’s a great weekend to be out on Lake of the Woods. Best of luck, and remember to release those trophies for the next lucky angler[1][2][4][5].

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!

Good morning from Lake of the Woods, this is Artificial Lure with your local fishing report for Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

It is a classic early May morning up here on the big water. We are seeing calm conditions with cool mornings warming up nicely by midday. The sun rose at 5:44 AM and it will set this evening at 8:37 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to chase fish across the bays and river mouths. There is no tidal influence since we are a freshwater lake, but lake levels are steady and spring runoff has the ditches and creeks flowing well.

Ice cover is just about gone now, with the main lake opening up more each day. The spring melt has really kicked fish activity into high gear, especially in the shallows. Right now, it is prime time for targeting big northern pike staging for the spawn. The hot bite is happening in the shallow, warming bays, especially along the south shore. Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay, and Zippel Bay are seeing steady action and are your best bets for a trophy this week. Anglers are getting into pike by dead-sticking frozen smelt or large sucker minnows under a bobber, but casting flashy spoons or trolling shallow-running crankbaits is also working well. Bring a big net—multiple fish over 40 inches have been caught and released just this past weekend.

Sturgeon are making a good showing on the Rainy River, with many being caught on nightcrawlers and large gob of worms fished right on the bottom. Most anglers are reporting several bites per outing, and there have been some true river giants landed in the past few days.

Walleye and sauger are still off limits until the season opens on May 10, but we are seeing a very strong population in the system. Expect the post-spawn bite to fire up in just a few days, with the big females moving out deeper and plenty of eater-size fish piling into river mouths and over shallow flats.

Best bait right now for pike is dead bait under a bobber, but don’t hesitate to throw silver or chartreuse spoons, or slow-troll a shallow crank. For sturgeon, stick to nightcrawlers and fish deep holes along the Rainy.

If you are looking for some hot spots, check out Four Mile Bay and Zippel Bay for pike, and the section of the Rainy River near Wheeler’s Point for sturgeon. The action will only improve as the water continues to warm.

That’s the latest from Lake of the Woods. Be safe on the water, respect the slot limits, and tight lines to all.

Howdy folks, Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for this beautiful Monday morning, May 5th, 2025.

We're just 5 days away from the Minnesota Fishing Opener on May 10th, and the excitement is building! The ice on Big Traverse Bay has been deteriorating quickly with the spring warmth. Most of the bays are now open or partially open, and the main lake ice continues to retreat each day.

Right now, the action is centered on two main targets: those monster northern pike in the shallow bays and sturgeon in the Rainy River. With the walleye season currently closed until the opener, these two species are providing some excellent pre-season action.

The big pike are staging for their spawn, moving into ditches and shallow bays along the south shore. This creates a rare spring fishing opportunity you won't find in most parts of Minnesota. Your best bet for hooking into a trophy pike is to hit Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay, or Zippel Bay. Remember, the pike limit on the Minnesota side is three fish per day, with all pike between 30-40 inches needing to be released (though you can keep one over 40 inches).

For tackle, I've been seeing success with three main approaches: dead bait under a bobber, casting spoons in the shallows, or trolling shallow-running crankbaits. My personal favorite this time of year is a five-inch silver Mepps spinner, but don't overlook a simple sucker minnow under a float – sometimes the classics work best!

The sturgeon bite on the Rainy River has been very good lately. These prehistoric monsters are providing some serious action while we wait for walleye season to open up.

Looking ahead to the opener, I'd suggest getting your gear ready for multiple presentations. Based on patterns from previous years, jig and minnow combos will likely be your bread and butter, but having spinners with shiners or crawlers and some crankbaits in your tackle box will give you options as conditions change.

Water levels are typical for early May, with spring meltwater flowing through the ditches. No significant tidal influence here in our inland waters, of course – that's just how we like it up north!

For those planning to hit the opener, I'd recommend checking out "the mud" (mid-lake basin flats) once walleye season begins, as reports from late last season showed good numbers there in the 24-35 foot range.

Until next time, this is Artificial Lure reminding you that a bad day fishing still beats a good day working! See you on the water for the opener!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for this beautiful Sunday morning, May 4th, 2025.

We're just about a week away from the Minnesota Fishing Opener on May 10th, and the anticipation is building! Right now, the main focus is on northern pike and sturgeon fishing, as the walleye season remains closed until opener day.

The ice on Big Traverse Bay has been deteriorating quickly - it's black and retreating more with each warm day. Many of the bays are now open or partially open, creating perfect conditions for some pre-opener action[1].

For you pike enthusiasts, this is prime time! Those trophy northerns are moving into shallow bays and ditches to spawn. The south shore areas like Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay, and Zippel Bay are producing some monster pike. Remember your dead bait under a bobber, casting spoons, or shallow-running crankbaits - all effective techniques for these spring beasts[1][3].

Just a reminder on those pike regulations: three fish daily limit on the Minnesota side. All pike between 30-40 inches must go back in the water, but you can keep one over 40 inches. Most folks are doing catch and measure, snap a photo, then release. Smart move if you ask me[3].

For you sturgeon chasers, the Rainy River has been providing excellent action. Reports from a couple weeks back indicated the sturgeon bite was very good, and that trend should be continuing[3].

Looking ahead to the opener, I'm expecting a strong start to the walleye season based on last summer's reports. We had a nice mix of sizes last year - from small fish to eaters and even some trophies - which suggests a healthy fishery[4].

Once the walleye season kicks off, keep your electronics tuned to those mid-lake basin flats in about 24-35 feet of water. The mud has been holding good numbers. Have your jigs and minnows ready, along with crawler harnesses and crankbaits for trolling.

For those willing to explore the island areas, both Minnesota and Canadian waters have been productive in recent seasons, though you might need to fish a bit deeper than normal - 22-28 feet has been the sweet spot[5].

Weather-wise, we're seeing typical spring conditions, so dress in layers and be prepared for changing conditions.

Remember folks, the walleye opener is Saturday, May 10th. Until then, enjoy the pike fishing in the bays and sturgeon action on the Rainy. This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines, everyone!

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.

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for Friday, May 2nd, 2025.

We’re right in the heart of early spring fishing on Lake of the Woods, so here’s what’s happening out on the water. Today’s sunrise was around 5:54 am and sunset will be about 8:35 pm, giving anglers a long day to get after it. The weather is mild, with temps in the upper 40s to mid-50s, light winds, and mostly cloudy skies – perfect for a day in the boat or along the shore.

With the Minnesota Fishing Opener not until May 10th, most folks are targeting northern pike in the bays and monster sturgeon on the Rainy River. Walleye season is still closed in Minnesota waters, so keep that in mind if you’re planning a trip.

The action for pike has been excellent, with big fish moving shallow into the bays and ditches getting ready to spawn. Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay, and Zippel Bay are your top picks right now. These bays are opening up nicely, and pike are staging in the warmest, shallow water available. Anglers are catching good numbers and some real trophy-sized fish. The best techniques have been dead bait under a bobber, tossing out spoons, or slowly trolling shallow-diving crankbaits. Sucker minnows and frozen smelt have also been hot baits for dead-sticking.

On the Rainy River, the sturgeon bite is still on fire. Anglers anchored up with heavy rigs, using nightcrawlers and frozen shiners, are hooking plenty of these prehistoric giants. Reports of multiple fish per day are common, and some real big ones in the 50+ inch range have been landed just this week.

Perch and crappie are still showing up for those targeting them, especially around structure in the bays and river mouth. Jumbo perch are being caught on jig and minnow combos, while crappies are hitting small plastics.

If you’re looking for a hotspot, Four Mile Bay and Bostic Bay are loaded with pike in shallow water. For sturgeon, head up the Rainy River and try areas near the airport or Timber Mill Park. These spots have been producing some great fish this week.

The pike limit on the Minnesota side is three per day, with all fish between 30 and 40 inches released, and one over 40 inches allowed. Most folks are letting the big girls go after a quick photo.

That wraps up the report for today. Good luck, and remember to check current regulations before heading out. Tight lines from Artificial Lure!