Fishing Reports
33200 Fishing Reports
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Summer
Technique
Texas Rigs (Worming)
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
82°
VMC Worm Hook 2/0 / Black Nickel
Out of Stock
Daiwa Tatula Elite Casting Reel Right / 7.1:1
Out of Stock
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Neko Rigs
Structure
Open Water/Basin
Forage
Bluegill
Water Temperature
70°
First time really fishing the fuzzy dice/ urchin baits and actually got quite a few bites on this bait. The bait held up really good rigged it a couple different ways too.
Species
Smallmouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Umbrella Rigs
Structure
Reef
Forage
Crawfish
Water Temperature
54°
Cruising bottom with the Minnesota rig
Species
Smallmouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Ned Rigs
Structure
Boulders
Forage
Crawfish
Water Temperature
58°
Smallies are up cruising, making beds. Sight fishing was key.
Species
Smallmouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Frogs/Toads
Structure
Rock Pile
Water Temperature
69°
Fishing above Jubilee Park in the shoals.
Species
WalleyeSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Vertical Jigging 10-19'
Structure
Reeds
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
53°
Fished shoreline breaks in 9 to 14ft. Pitching 1/8 and 1/4oz jigs with shiners and rainbows did well and so did the ned head rig with the Northland eye candy shiners. 4 year old was jigging up walleyes like a pro!
Species
WalleyeSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Soft Jerkbaits
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Forage
Perch
Water Temperature
53°
Casting jigs and fishing bobber rigs on the weed edges brought in some nice eater walleyes. Caught a few over 23" as well. Pictured is a 27.25 incher.
Species
Smallmouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Hard Jerkbaits
Structure
Rip Rap
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
48°
Jerkbait in the spring is killer 🔥
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Frogs/Toads
Structure
Boulders
Forage
Minnows
At one set of rocks I caught 7 fish on 8 casts.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Structure Jigs
Structure
Laydowns
Forage
Crawfish
The best day of fishing of my life. Hammered fish all day from first light till sunset, lost count around thirty between the two of us. Tiny glides, jigs, chatterbaits, Texas rigs. Brown/red jig with a menace on the back was the deal though. Super hot day, very sunny, little wind. Coves, laydowns, and shallow hard bank slopes. Some were cruising for breakfast in the morning, most were pulled outta pretty thick wood cover though.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Soft Swimbaits (Lg)
Structure
Points
Forage
Shad
A few minutes past first light, glass calm water. stopped by the bridge and saw a couple busting up chasing shad. Tossed the Nessie to em and within a few twitches this one smashed it. Another good smallie hit a karashi on my brother’s next cast as well.
Species
Smallmouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Hard Jerkbaits
Structure
Boulders
Water Temperature
54°
Birch Lake was cool and windy, water temps were 49 in the morning, warming to 53-54 in the afternoon. Windblown points and shorelines with mixed rock. Used full size, jr. and small jerkbaits.
Species
Smallmouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Hard Jerkbaits
Structure
Rock Pile
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
51°
Fished the Sturgeon bay open and found most fish to either be spawning way back in the warmest and shallowest water or out staged around spawning habitat. We targeted the larger fish still staged up with the Mavrik jerkbait. Slower retrieve was surprisingly the deal with the water still pretty warm.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Ned Rigs
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Water Temperature
43°
casting around a protected bay on a very wind day and let the ned rig sit for 20 seconds and it felt like weeds it was dead weight but ended up catching a 21 incher
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Damiki Rig
Structure
Lily Pads
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
83°
Unseasonably warm today, highs in the low 90°s, bass were moving up super shallow (less than 2' of water), i caught a ton of fish throwing the shad and swim/twitching it around weed lines and sunken trees/brush. (Not scoping)
Species
WalleyeSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Crankbaits 7'-12'
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
48°
Walleye Fishing It has been a cold spring, but warm, summer-like weather is in the forecast and very much welcomed. Water temperatures are still in the mid-40s, and the majority of walleye anglers are getting it done with a jig and minnow. Those traditional jig colors — gold mixed with glow white, pink, orange, or chartreuse — continue to produce. There are also some good reports coming in from anglers trolling crankbaits at 1.8–2.5 mph, which is a great way to cover water and locate fish as conditions improve. It is good to remember that not every walleye in the system is doing the same thing. Fish are targeting forage in various areas. Some fish are still on the Rainy River and in Four Mile Bay. Others are spread across the south shore of Big Traverse Bay, where near-shore structure like rock piles and sand-to-gravel transitions are holding fish. Up at the NW Angle, points and areas where the water is just a bit warmer have been holding some very nice fish. As the water continues to warm through the week, expect fish to become more active and the bite to get better across the board. Guides and charter boats have found good fish and despite the cold weather, wind and pressure systems, nice catches have been coming in. Pike Fishing Big pike have been showing up for anglers across the lake this week. Often under the radar given the incredible walleye fishery here, Lake of the Woods is home to a truly strong population of trophy pike. Shallow bays, leeward shorelines, and near-shore structure are all worth targeting. The season is open year-round, making pike a great option any day of the week regardless of conditions. Pike regulations: limit is 3 fish per day with one over 40 inches allowed. All pike 30–40 inches must be released immediately. Smallmouth Bass Smallmouth bass have been showing up on rock piles in 6–15 feet of water. Like pike, bass fishing often gets overshadowed by the outstanding walleye fishery on Lake of the Woods, but the bass are here in good numbers from north to south. The Rainy River, reefs across Big Traverse Bay, and the waters amongst the 14,552 islands of the NW Angle all provide excellent habitat. If you're looking to mix things up, it's a great time to target them. Sturgeon Season Update The sturgeon catch-and-release season went through May 15th. The fishery will close from May 16 through June 30, and the harvest season will resume July 1. Catch and release: May 8–15, 2026 Closed: May 16–June 30, 2026 Harvest season resumes: July 1–September 30, 2026 Muskie Opener — Mark Your Calendars Muskie anglers have a date to circle: Saturday, June 20th, 2026 is the muskie opener for both the Minnesota side of Lake of the Woods and Ontario Zone 5. Lake of the Woods is renowned as one of the premier muskie fisheries in North America, and the opener is always an exciting event. Start getting your gear ready — June 20th will be here before you know it. Know Your Limits The combined walleye and sauger limit is 6 fish total, with up to 4 being walleyes. All walleyes between 19.5 and 28.0 inches must be released immediately, with one walleye over 28.0 inches allowed. A 2026 Minnesota fishing license is required. Fishing Guides Available Fishing guides from Rainy River and Lake of the Woods resorts are ready to put you on fish. Everything is provided — boat, tackle, bait, and the local expertise that makes all the difference. Book now, as prime dates fill quickly. For resort information, lodging, and guide services visit lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging/ and for complete fishing information visit lakeofthewoodsmn.com. Stay connected on social media for daily updates all week long!
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Went out of the Colvill launch on the MN side. Fished the back waters, the fish were tight to the bank and on beds. they were better on the cleaner non windblown side. A 3/16 stupid tube and speed craw with a 3/8 weight did the trick. Got the bigger ones we couldn't see in the weeds just off the bank using the same baits, most with the craw. I believe they were also on beds
Species
CatfishSeason
Summer
Technique
Live Bait Rigs
Structure
Open Water/Basin
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
65°
4 cats over day trip, biggest at almost 13lbs
