Fishing Report for Lake of the Woods, Minnesota, April 2, 2025

Good morning, anglers! The weather at Lake of the Woods today is cold and overcast, with moderate snow expected throughout the day. Temperatures are hovering between 33°F and 26°F, and there's a brisk wind making it feel even chillier at about 20°F. Sunrise was at 6:54 AM, and sunset will be at 7:52 PM. You'll want to bundle up and brace for snowy conditions on the ice and shoreline.

Despite the weather, fishing prospects are promising. Reports from the past few weeks highlight excellent walleye and sauger activity, along with catches of jumbo perch, northern pike, and even some crappies. Most anglers are finding fish in 26-32 feet of water. With the stained waters of Lake of the Woods, using brightly colored or light-enhanced lures is critical for success. Rattling jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head, or lipless crankbaits such as the Rapala Rippin’ Rap, are top producers. For less aggressive fish, a deadstick setup with a plain hook and live minnow, positioned about 6-12 inches off the bottom, has been effective.

Recently, anglers have landed good numbers of eater-sized walleyes, with bonus perch mixed in, and the occasional trophy walleye over 28 inches. Pike fishing is excellent in shallow pre-spawn areas (6-15 feet), particularly near river mouths, reed beds, and weedy bays. Tip-ups with live bait are the go-to for these trophy fish. The sought-after “Dirty Bomb” lure, which features flashing colors, has also been a standout performer across different species.

For hot spots, consider targeting areas off Pine Island and the south shore of Big Traverse Bay. The “mud flats” in the mid-lake basin are known to hold large schools of fish. Up at the Northwest Angle, fishing around the islands remains productive for a mix of walleyes, saugers, tullibees, and jumbo perch.

Patience and adaptability are key. Bite windows can vary daily, with some fish most active during the mornings while others prefer afternoons. Using electronics to locate suspended fish is invaluable to maximizing success.

With walleye and sauger season open until April 14 and pike available year-round, it’s a fantastic time to hit the ice or open water on the Rainy River. Stay safe out there, and good luck!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for March 31, 2025. Let me tell ya, the ice fishing season is winding down, but there's still time to get out there and catch some walleyes before the houses have to come off the ice at the end of the day.

We've got partly cloudy skies today with a high of 28°F and a low of 16°F. Bundle up, folks! The sun will be peeking out at 6:58 AM and setting at 7:49 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to work with. Now, we don't have tides to worry about here on Lake of the Woods, but keep an eye on that wind - it's blowing at about 9 mph from the northwest.

The walleye and sauger bite has been pretty consistent lately. Anglers are reporting good numbers of fish in the 24 to 32 foot range. The one-two punch of jigging and deadsticking is still the way to go. On your jigging line, try a rattling spoon tipped with a minnow head or a lipless crankbait. For your deadstick, a plain red hook or a small jig with a live minnow about a foot off the bottom should do the trick.

Color-wise, gold, pink, and glow white have been hot lately. Don't forget to charge up those glow baits every once in a while - it makes a big difference down in the depths. Some of the bigger walleyes have been coming through suspended, so keep an eye on your electronics.

For you pike hunters out there, the bite has been picking up as we get closer to spawn. Tip-up fishing with suckers or frozen smelt in 9 to 15 feet of water has been producing some nice fish.

If you're looking for some hot spots, I'd recommend trying the mud flats out from Pine Island or the reefs near Long Point. The Rainy River is still locked up, but it won't be long before we start seeing some open water action there.

Remember, folks, the walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th, so you've still got time to get out there and fill the freezer. Just make sure you're working through a resort or outfitter to stay safe on the ice.

That's all for now, anglers. This is Artificial Lure signing off. Stay safe, have fun, and tight lines!

Hey there, fellow anglers! This is Artificial Lure, your local fishing expert, coming at you with the latest scoop on Lake of the Woods. It's Sunday, March 30, 2025, and let me tell you, the fishing's been hotter than a walleye fry!

First off, let's talk weather. We're looking at partly cloudy skies with a high of 45°F and a low of 32°F. Winds are light and variable, perfect for a day out on the water. Sunrise was at 6:56 AM, and we'll see the sun dip below the horizon at 7:42 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to reel in the big ones.

Now, onto the good stuff - the fish! Walleyes have been biting like crazy, especially in the 24 to 35 foot range. Folks have been hauling in a nice mix of eaters and some real trophies. Just yesterday, I heard about a 28-incher caught near Pine Island - what a beauty! Saugers are also making a strong showing, with many anglers hitting their limits.

As for lures, gold and pink have been the hot colors this week. Jigs tipped with minnows are working wonders, but don't overlook those crawler harnesses - they've been deadly effective. If you're into trolling, try running some shad-style crankbaits in firetiger or chartreuse. For you deadstick enthusiasts, a plain hook with a frozen shiner about a foot off the bottom is still producing.

Bait-wise, emerald shiners are the ticket right now. Minnows and leeches are also solid choices, and don't forget about those good old nightcrawlers - the walleyes can't resist 'em!

For hot spots, I'd recommend checking out the mud flats north of Pine Island or the rock reefs near Long Point. The Lighthouse Gap has also been producing some nice catches, especially during the evening hours.

Remember, folks, the bite can change faster than a northern's strike, so stay flexible and don't be afraid to move around if the fish aren't cooperating. And hey, if you see old Artificial Lure out there, give me a wave - I might just share my secret honey hole with ya!

Tight lines and happy fishing, everyone! This is Artificial Lure, signing off from the Walleye Capital of the World!

Well hello there, fellow anglers! This is Artificial Lure, your local fishing expert, with today's report for Lake of the Woods on March 29, 2025.

Let me tell ya, the ice is finally starting to break up and we're seeing some open water, especially down on the Rainy River. The weather today is looking mighty fine with highs around 45°F and a light breeze from the southwest. Sun's coming up at 6:52 AM and setting at 7:45 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to wet our lines.

Now, onto the good stuff - the fishing! Walleye season just reopened a couple weeks back and let me tell you, they're biting like crazy. Anglers have been pulling in limits of eaters in the 15-19 inch range, with quite a few trophies over 28 inches being caught and released. The sauger bite has been hot too, especially in deeper water around 25-30 feet.

For you pike enthusiasts, they're starting to move into the shallows as the water warms up. We've seen some real beauties in the 36-40 inch range being caught, mostly on large sucker minnows or flashy spoons.

As for what's working best, jigs tipped with minnows or plastics have been the ticket for walleye and sauger. Gold, pink, and fire tiger colors seem to be the hot ticket. For pike, big flashy spoons or Husky Jerks in perch patterns are getting it done.

If you're looking for some hot spots, I'd recommend trying around Pine Island for walleye, especially on the south side where it drops off into deeper water. For pike, Zippel Bay has been producing some real monsters.

Remember folks, the water's still pretty chilly so make sure you're bundled up and wearing your life jacket. Tight lines and good fishing to ya!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for March 28, 2025.

Let's start with the basics. Sunrise today is at 7:04 AM, and sunset will be at 7:45 PM, giving us a solid 12 hours of daylight for fishing. As for weather, we're looking at a high of 37°F and a low of 23°F, with light rain expected throughout the day. It's gonna be a bit chilly out there, so bundle up!

Now, onto the good stuff. The walleye and sauger bite has been hot lately, especially during the evening hours. Anglers have been having success jigging with gold and pink jigs tipped with minnows in 15-25 feet of water. Some real quality fish are being caught, with reports of walleyes in the 25-28 inch range coming in.

Pike fishing has also been on fire, with many anglers reporting catches of fish over 40 inches. They're starting to move closer to spawning areas as the days get longer. Try using suckers or frozen alewife set about a foot under the ice in 9-15 feet of water.

For you perch lovers out there, the bite has been steady with some good-sized jumbos being pulled up. They're scattered throughout the lake, so you might need to do some hole-hopping to find them.

As for lures, the Rippin' Rap has been a hot ticket item lately. Other favorites include jigging spoons with rattles and the classic jig and minnow combo. Don't forget to charge up those glow baits – even on sunny days, it's dark down there!

For bait, minnows are always a safe bet, but don't overlook waxworms or plastics if the bite gets tough.

Now, for some hot spots. The area around Pine Island has been producing well, both on the front and back side. Also, check out the deeper waters off of Long Point for some trophy potential.

Remember, ice conditions are still good with about 30 inches in most areas, but always check with local resorts for the most up-to-date info.

That's all for now, folks. This is Artificial Lure signing off. Tight lines and stay safe out there on the big pond!

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!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for March 24, 2025. Let me tell you, the ice fishing season is winding down, but there's still some great action to be had out on the big lake.

First off, let's talk weather. It's a chilly one today with temps starting around 16°F this morning, climbing to a high of 35°F later on. We've got overcast skies and light snow expected, so bundle up if you're heading out. Sunrise was at 7:13 AM and sunset will be at 7:39 PM, giving us a decent amount of daylight to work with.

Now, onto the fishing. Reports have been solid lately, with good numbers of walleyes, saugers, and perch being pulled through the ice. The bite has been best in 24 to 32 feet of water, particularly over mud bottom areas. Anglers are having success using a quarter-ounce jig tipped with a minnow, working it 3-4 inches off the bottom. Don't forget your electronics - they're key for spotting those suspended walleyes cruising through.

For lures, gold and fire tiger patterns have been hot. The Lindy Rattlin' Flyer Spoon in gold/red glow has been a top producer. If you're setting up a dead stick, try a Thill float suspending a #6 Lindy Tungsten Toad about 6-9 inches off the bottom.

Bait-wise, emerald shiners are the go-to, but don't overlook frozen shiners or white suckers as alternatives. Some folks have even been having luck with waxworms for those finicky perch.

As for hot spots, the mud flats outside of Pine Island have been producing consistently. Another area to check out is Lighthouse Gap between Sable Island and Pine Island - just make sure you're on the Minnesota side of the border.

Remember, we're in the transition period where the walleye season is catch-and-release only until May 11th. But there's still plenty of opportunity for some great sauger and perch action to fill the fry pan.

That's all for now, folks. This is Artificial Lure signing off and reminding you to stay safe out there on the ice. It's starting to get a bit sketchy in some areas, so always check ice conditions before heading out. Tight lines and good luck!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for March 23, 2025.

The ice is finally starting to break up, folks! We're seeing open water in some areas, especially along the Rainy River. Water temp is hovering around 36°F. Sunrise today was at 6:12 AM and sunset will be at 7:31 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to get those lines wet.

Weather-wise, we're looking at partly cloudy skies with a high of 45°F and light winds from the southwest. Perfect conditions for some early spring fishing!

Now, let's talk fish. The walleye and sauger bite has been heating up as these fish start moving into shallower waters. Anglers have been reporting good catches in 15-25 feet of water, especially around Pine Island and Long Point. Most folks are pulling in walleyes in the 15-20 inch range, with a few trophies over 28 inches.

Northern pike fishing has been on fire lately, with many anglers landing fish in the 30-40 inch range. They're hitting hard in the shallows, particularly in areas with emerging vegetation.

For you perch lovers, the jumbo perch bite has been steady in 8-12 feet of water. Some real slabs coming in, with quite a few in the 12-14 inch range.

Lure-wise, gold and pink jigs tipped with a minnow have been the ticket for walleyes and saugers. For pike, large spoons and swimbaits in bright colors are working well. Perch are hitting on small jigs tipped with waxworms or pieces of nightcrawler.

If you're looking for some hot spots, I'd recommend trying the mud flats north of Pine Island for walleyes, or the weed edges in Sabaskong Bay for pike. For perch, Archie's Reef has been producing consistently.

Remember, the walleye and sauger season closes on April 14th, so get out there while you can! And don't forget, if you're fishing the Rainy River or Four Mile Bay, it's catch-and-release only for walleye and sauger until May.

That's all for now, folks. This is Artificial Lure signing off. Tight lines and good fishing!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for March 22, 2025.

We're looking at a partly cloudy day with a high of 30°F and a low of 10°F. Winds are coming from the northwest at about 10 mph. Sunrise is at 7:15 AM and sunset at 7:37 PM, giving us a good chunk of daylight for fishing.

Ice fishing is still going strong on Lake of the Woods, with ice thickness ranging from 24 to 30 inches in most areas. The bite has been steady, with anglers reporting good catches of walleye, sauger, and jumbo perch. We're seeing a lot of fish in the 15 to 25-foot range, with some bigger walleyes coming from deeper waters of 30 to 35 feet.

Last week, a group from Baudette pulled in a nice stringer of walleyes, including a 28-incher! They were using a mix of jigging spoons and dead sticks with minnows. Speaking of which, the hot lures right now are rattling jigging spoons in gold, pink, or glow white. Don't forget to tip them with a minnow head or tail for extra attraction.

For bait, frozen shiners and fatheads are working well. If you're after those jumbo perch, try using smaller tungsten jigs tipped with waxworms or euro larvae.

A couple of hot spots to check out: The mud flats north of Pine Island have been producing consistently, and the reefs near Long Point are holding some nice schools of walleye and sauger.

Remember, we're in the last few weeks of the walleye season, which closes on April 14th. After that, it's catch-and-release only until May. But don't worry, there's still plenty of time to get out there and catch some fish!

That's all for now, folks. This is Artificial Lure signing off. Stay safe on the ice, and tight lines to all!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for March 21, 2025.

We're looking at a chilly start to the day with temperatures around 6°F, warming up to about 24°F by afternoon. Expect cloudy skies throughout the day with light winds from the northwest. Sunrise is at 7:19 AM, and we'll see the sun dip below the horizon at 7:33 PM.

Ice fishing is still going strong on Lake of the Woods, with ice thickness ranging from 24 to 30 inches in most areas. The bite has been steady, with anglers reporting good catches of walleye and sauger in 26 to 32 feet of water. Some bigger walleyes are coming through suspended, so keep an eye on your electronics.

Walleye and sauger have been the main targets, with some nice perch mixed in. Anglers are averaging 15 to 25 fish per day, with some real lunkers in the mix. Just last week, Jimmy from Baudette pulled in a 29-inch walleye that had everyone talking at the bait shop.

For lures, you can't go wrong with a classic gold or pink and white jig. The Lindy Rattlin' Flyer Spoon in gold/red glow or fire tiger has been hot lately. Tip it with a minnow head for extra attraction. On your dead stick, try a plain hook or small jig with a live minnow about 6 inches off the bottom.

If you're looking to switch it up, some folks have been having luck with lipless crankbaits like the Rapala Rippin' Rap. The rattle seems to be drawing in those bigger walleyes.

For you pike hunters out there, focus on depths of 9 to 15 feet near weed edges. Large spoons or big minnows under tip-ups are your best bet.

As for hot spots, the mud flats north of Pine Island have been producing consistently. Another area to check out is the deep basin east of Garden Island, where some bigger walleyes have been hanging out.

Remember, folks, the walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th, so we've still got some prime ice fishing ahead of us. Lake of the Woods Tourism reports that most resorts and outfitters are still running their ice road operations, but it's always a good idea to check with them for the latest conditions.

That's all for now, anglers. Stay safe out there, keep your lines tight, and don't forget to share your catch with us down at the bait shop. This is Artificial Lure, signing off until next time!