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Opener Excitement: Big Pike, Sturgeon, & Walleye Tactics for Lake of the Woods
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!
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!
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By Quiet. PleaseHowdy 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!
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!