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On the South Shore...  There is still some good ice fishing taking place in a few areas of the lake along the south shore but many resorts and outfitters have pulled their fish houses and called it a year.  Make sure to call ahead or check social media pages for current conditions.  

 

For those still fishing, some are still targeting walleyes.  There has been a good morning / evening bite along the south shore just prior to sunset.  Some very quality fish are being caught.  Some good walleye fishing along Pine Island as they make their way into the Rainy River and various spots along the south shore for those who spawn in the lake.

 

It was another great week of pike fishing for most.  Fish are starting to transition closer to spawning areas as the days get longer.  A number of big fish tipping that 40 inch mark coming topside.  Suckers, frozen alewife and smelt set about a foot under the ice or just off of the bottom have proven effective.  Most pike anglers are fishing in depths, 9 - 15 feet.

On the Rainy River...  The Rain River is still frozen from Nelson Park at Birchdale, MN (30 miles east of Baudette), which is the first full sized boat ramp that opens up, but there is open water appearing and progress has been made.  Things are happening, stay tuned as with the warmer weather, the river should open quickly.

A good reminder, as of March 1st, walleyes and saugers are catch and release only on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.  

Sturgeon fishing.  Once the open water appears, sturgeon are active.  Here are the seasons...
 
-Catch and Release Season: May 8th – May 15th and October 1 – April 23rd.
-Harvest Season: April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – September 30.
-Closed Season: May 16th – June 30th.

Up at the Northwest Angle...  There is a bit of ice fishing still happening at the Angle, but most resorts have pulled off their fish houses and called it a year.  Call ahead if you plan on getting on that last ice fishing trip as some areas with current are opening up and ice guides will keep you safe.  

 

Fishing remains very good up at the Angle.  The evening bite for walleyes has been super solid.  The pike are active and big, ready to spawn.  Still big numbers of jumbo perch throughout the area.  Very good fishing reports for late ice.  Safety first, please work through a resort or outfitter if you plan on getting out.

Plan for the MN Fishing Opener which is Saturday, May 10, 2025!

The walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th. Pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well.  You can fish for sturgeon through May 15th.  

 

Dana with a big walleye_Arnesens Rocky Point_032325.jpg

Greg RuattI 44 inch 23lb 10oz pike_Arnesens Rocky Point_032525.jpg

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • monstermoose78
      Saturday is the first day get to hunt !! Woohoo
    • smurfy
      Nice fish bud, first one?
    • Kettle
    • Kettle
      Went up to the Rainy for the last day of catch and release walleye. Rough weather. I could find walleye but they didn't cooperate. Only got one walleye 2 pike and a dinosaur on walleye tackle. 81 minute fight. 58", figured around 45 lbsIMG_9579.HEICIMG_9579.HEIC
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  For the vast majority of anglers, ice fishing is over for the year, and what a great year it was.  You may hear of a few hardcore ice guides still gaining access in places targeting pike, but overall, we will now start watching for open holes appearing in the ice, the Rainy River making its presence known outside the Lighthouse Gap and satellite images from clear days showing progress up until the MN Fishing Opener.     The spring walleye season is complete as of April 14th.  As far as the lake goes, the focus now is pike up until the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 10th.     Ditches are running and soon bays will pop open enabling anglers to target huge pike while they head to spawning areas.  Pike fishing is year round on Lake of the Woods and can be excellent during the spring in back bays.   Some anglers will use dead bait much like they do on a tip up.  Others will cast spoons or troll crankbaits.  Pike fishing in the back secluded bays along the south shore of Lake of the Woods offers a unique fishing opportunity you don't need a big boat for and it can produce trophy sized pike.   The limit of pike on the Minnesota side of Lake of the Woods is a daily limit of 3, with all pike 30 - 40 inches having to be released.  An angler is allowed one trophy pike over 40 inches per day.  Some anglers choose to get measurements, take some pictures, release the fish and get a graphite mount.  All good options. On the Rainy River...  The spring walleye season is in the books!  Overall, big numbers of walleyes caught and released on the Rainy River (along with some absolute giants).  Thank you to all who traveled up, had patience with some long lines, helped out others and shared in this spring tradition of catching walleyes (and sturgeon).    A sincere thank you to all who help this spring tradition happen behind the scenes.  Koochiching County did a great job clearing ice from the boat ramps on the river as soon as possible.  Many agencies work together to make this tradition safe, respectful and enjoyable.  Again, thank you.   The Wheeler's Point boat ramp at the mouth of the Rainy River located 12 miles north of Baudette is open.  Thank you to a number of resort owners combined with some visitors in boats working together to drill holes, make waves, and coax the last remaining stubborn ice away from the ramp.  It is teamwork like this that makes the resort / fishing community in these parts special.   Initial reports for sturgeon are excellent.  Good numbers being caught and released.  Anchored up in a hole or on the slope of a hole with a no roll sinker and sturgeon rig is the ticket.  A sturgeon rig is about an 18 inch leader with a 3/0 or 4/0 circle hook loaded with crawlers or crawlers and emerald shiners.  Local resorts and bait shops have all the equipment you need.     Sturgeon fishing is open through May 15th.  Here are the specific seasons for sturgeon fishing...   -Catch and Release Season: May 8th – May 15th and October 1 – April 23rd. -Harvest Season: April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – September 30. -Closed Season: May 16th – June 30th. Up at the Northwest Angle...  With many areas of open water showing up along with some heaves and cracks, travel on the ice up at the Angle is pretty much finished up.  You may see a local in an airboat which can traverse over both ice and open water delivering mail to the Oak Island post office or bringing supplies to a resort, but the watch for open water is on.   For now, folks will be fishing pike and sturgeon and paying attention to aerial images of open water and ice out on the lake until the MN Fishing Opener on May 10th.  Time to make plans!  For more information on spring and summer fishing, visit fishingminnesota.com.  
    • leech~~
      If you do ever get ahold of him. Also suggest he make sure his battery is fully charged. If it's been sitting unused all winter, it might have enough to light it up but not run it so it shuts off.   Also, let us know what he does find out if he gets it fixed it might help someone else. 👍
    • PSU
      Thank you very much for your feedback Leech and Kettle. Very tough for me to help the neighbor when he doesn't respond to my messages.    Oh well, but thanks again for your help. 
    • Wanderer
      OnX in your hands?  Geez… nobody’s safe anymore! 😂   Need the waypoints for the deer tick hotspots? 
    • leech~~
      Speaking of the river. Got my onX app.  I might have to ride my dualsport up and check out that state land on the otherside to sluice up a bird!  🤣
    • Wanderer
      At least I know now that I should keep an eye out for the stealthy one flying through the water, rather than over it!!
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