Episodios

  • Lake of the Woods Fishing Update: Walleye Bite Stellar, Pike Action Heating Up

    Lake of the Woods Fishing Update: Walleye Bite Stellar, Pike Action Heating Up
    May 24 2025
    Howdy folks, Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing update for this fine Saturday morning, May 24th, 2025.

    The walleye bite has been stellar these past couple weeks despite some unpredictable weather systems moving through. Most anglers are having great success targeting walleyes in 15-31 feet of water all across the south shore. The fish have been spread out a bit, but that's typical as different walleyes are chasing different forage right now.

    The most productive method continues to be the tried-and-true jig and minnow combo while anchored up or using your spot lock. With our stained waters, brighter colors are producing best - gold, orange, chartreuse, pink and glow white are all solid choices. If you're fishing with buddies, start with different color jigs and minnow types to figure out what the fish want. Some folks are sticking with frozen emerald shiners, while others are having luck with lively fatheads or rainbows.

    For those looking to change things up, drifting spinners with two-hook crawler harnesses and 1.5-2 ounce weights has been effective, especially in deeper water. Some anglers are also running lead core or downriggers with crankbaits at 2-3 mph in the deeper sections.

    Hot spots this weekend include the stretch from Pine Island to Long Point in 12-18 feet, and for bigger walleyes, try the triangle of deep water from Long Point east to the US/Canadian border and up to Garden Island in 34-36 feet.

    Pike action has been heating up too, with some real lunkers being caught both by pike enthusiasts and unsuspecting walleye anglers. The shallow bays are prime territory for trophy northerns right now.

    Weather-wise, we're looking at typical late May conditions - expect some fluctuations but nothing that should keep you off the water. Water temps are warming nicely, putting these fish in an active feeding mood.

    Don't forget, with Memorial Day weekend upon us, the lakes will be busier than usual, so courtesy on the water goes a long way.

    For you early birds, sunrise is just before 5:30 AM, giving you plenty of daylight to work with, and we've got sunset around 9 PM these days.

    This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines, folks, and I'll see ya on the water!
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    3 m
  • Lake of the Woods Walleye Bonanza - Hot Spots & Proven Tactics for May 2025

    Lake of the Woods Walleye Bonanza - Hot Spots & Proven Tactics for May 2025
    May 23 2025
    Hey folks, Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for this beautiful Friday morning, May 23rd, 2025.

    The walleye action continues to be strong across the south shore of Lake of the Woods. After that excellent Minnesota Fishing Opener a couple weeks back, the bite has remained steady despite some fluctuating weather systems rolling through the area.

    Most anglers are finding success in a pretty wide range of depths, anywhere from 15 to 31 feet of water. The fish aren't all targeting the same forage right now, so you might need to move around a bit to find the active schools.

    The most effective method this past week has been the tried-and-true jig and minnow presentation while anchored up or using your spot lock. With our stained waters, bright colors are your best friend - gold, orange, chartreuse, pink, and glow white have all been producing. If you're fishing with buddies, start with different color combinations to see what the fish prefer that day.

    As for bait, frozen emerald shiners are working well, but some folks are having better luck with lively fatheads or rainbows. The fish seem to be a bit picky, so having options is smart.

    For you pike enthusiasts, there are some big ones being caught too - both by those targeting them specifically and by surprised walleye anglers!

    Hot spots this week include the areas from Pine Island to Long Point in the 12-18 foot range. There's also been a nice deep water bite in that 34-36 foot zone from Long Point straight east to the US/Canadian border and up to Garden Island. That triangle has been holding some chunky walleyes and saugers.

    If you're looking to try something different from jigging, drifting spinners with crawler harnesses has been effective. Use 1.5-2 ounce weights to get down to those deeper fish. Some anglers are also having luck running lead core or downriggers with crankbaits at 2-3 mph.

    The shorelines are fully open now, with spring meltwater having done its work through early May. Water temps are climbing nicely, keeping those fish active and feeding.

    For you early risers, sunrise is around 5:30 AM, and we've got daylight until about 8:45 PM, giving you plenty of time on the water.

    So grab your tackle, get out there, and enjoy some of the best fishing Lake of the Woods has to offer right now! This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines, everyone!
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    3 m
  • Walleye Bonanza on Lake of the Woods - Anglers Cashing in on Hot Bite Across the South Shore

    Walleye Bonanza on Lake of the Woods - Anglers Cashing in on Hot Bite Across the South Shore
    May 21 2025
    Howdy anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for this fine Wednesday morning, May 21, 2025.

    Folks, the bite is hot right now across the south shore! This past week has seen excellent walleye and sauger action, with most boats limiting out. Walleyes are currently scattered, being found anywhere from 8 to 31 feet of water depending on where you're dropping lines[1].

    The Minnesota Fishing Opener was a real beauty this year with anglers reporting hot walleye action across the board[3]. If you're heading out today, I'd recommend trying various depths as the fish aren't all targeting the same forage right now.

    Your best bet remains the tried-and-true method of jigging with a minnow. Either anchor up or use your spot-lock feature[2][3]. Remember, with our stained waters, brighter colors are working best - gold, orange, chartreuse, pink and glow white have all been producing. Mix and match to see what's working for you today[3].

    If you're fishing with buddies, start with different colors and even different minnows. Some locals are sticking with frozen emerald shiners while others are having luck with lively fatheads or rainbows[3].

    For hotspots, I'd recommend trying the area from Pine Island to Long Point, particularly in that 15-31 foot range. Another productive area has been east to west across the south shore - just about anywhere has been producing if you find the right depth[3].

    Keep an eye out for those big northerns too! Several trophy pike have been caught recently, some by pike anglers and others by walleye fishermen who got a surprise on their line[3].

    For those wanting to try deeper water, there's been a nice deep-water bite in the 34-36 foot range. The triangle from Long Point straight east to the US/Canadian Border and up to Garden Island has been holding some big walleyes[5].

    Water temps are warming up nicely, which has these fish active and hungry. The traditional fish frys are happening all around the lake as folks are bringing in nice catches[1].

    Remember to bring a variety of tackle and be willing to adjust your presentation throughout the day. The fish are biting, it's just a matter of finding where they're holding and what they want to eat today.

    Tight lines and good fishing to ya! This is Artificial Lure signing off from Lake of the Woods, where the walleyes are always biting and the stories keep getting bigger.
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    3 m
  • "Walleye Blitz on Lake of the Woods: Hot Action from Pine Island to the Deep Water Triangle"

    "Walleye Blitz on Lake of the Woods: Hot Action from Pine Island to the Deep Water Triangle"
    May 19 2025
    Good morning from Lake of the Woods, this is Artificial Lure bringing you the latest fishing report for Monday, May 19, 2025.

    The fishing has been nothing short of excellent since the Minnesota opener, and the action is still hot across the south shore and the islands. The walleyes are biting strong, with many anglers reporting limits and plenty of saugers mixed in. Most of the fish are coming from 12 to 18 feet of water along the shorelines from Pine Island to Long Point. For those looking to find the bigger eyes, head out to the deep water triangle from Long Point east toward the US-Canadian border and up to Garden Island, where depths around 34 to 36 feet are holding larger schools.

    The top tactic right now is anchoring up or using spot lock and dropping a jig tipped with a shiner or fathead minnow right over the side. Bright colors like gold, chartreuse, and pink are putting the most fish in the boat. Drifting spinners with a two-hook crawler harness and a one-and-a-half to two-ounce weight is also producing, especially when moving at 1.5 to 2 miles per hour. Some folks are running crankbaits on leadcore or with downriggers in the deeper stretches for bigger fish.

    The smallmouth bass bite is heating up around the islands, especially as we move further into May. These bronzebacks get overlooked this time of year with all the attention on walleyes, but numbers are strong and now’s your best shot at a trophy. Try casting soft plastics, twister tails, or swimbaits near rock piles and points.

    Sturgeon season was hot on the Rainy River through May 15, and anglers landed some true giants, including a potential new state record at a whopping 78.25 inches. While that season just closed, the river action for walleye and pike is still solid in the lower reaches.

    Weatherwise, expect partly cloudy skies today, highs near 68 degrees, and light winds—just about perfect for a full day on the water. Sunrise was at 5:24 AM and sunset will be at 8:53 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to fish the morning and evening peak hours.

    Bait shops report that shiners and fatheads are in good supply, and crawlers are working especially well on spinners. For lures, stick to those bright jigs, crawler harnesses for drifting, and don’t forget a few deep-diving crankbaits if you want to try for that monster walleye.

    Hot spots to target today: try the south shore from Pine Island to Long Point for numbers, and the deep water triangle up to Garden Island if you’re chasing size. The islands themselves are your go-to for smallmouth action.

    That’s the report from Lake of the Woods. Lines tight, hope to see you on the water pulling in a full stringer!
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    3 m
  • Lake of the Woods Fishing Report: Walleye, Smallmouth, and Sturgeon Action Heating Up

    Lake of the Woods Fishing Report: Walleye, Smallmouth, and Sturgeon Action Heating Up
    May 18 2025
    Howdy anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for this fine Sunday morning, May 18, 2025.

    Folks, we've been having some dandy fishing since the Minnesota opener earlier this month, and the action hasn't slowed down one bit! The walleye bite has been nothing short of excellent on the south shore. Most anglers are bringing in their limits with a good mix of walleyes and saugers.

    The go-to method right now is still a jig and a minnow over the side of the boat while anchored up. Remember, the combined limit is 6 fish (walleyes and saugers), with no more than 4 being walleyes. Anything in that 19.5" to 28" protected slot needs to go right back in the drink, but you can keep one trophy over 28 inches if you're lucky enough to hook into one.

    For you smallmouth enthusiasts, now's your time to shine! May and June are absolutely lights out for smallies among the islands. These fighters don't get the attention the walleyes do, but they're here in big numbers and ready to put up a scrap.

    Hot spots this week include the shorelines in 12-18 feet of water from Pine Island to Long Point. The big girls are post-spawn now and have been active. If you're looking for some bigger walleyes, try the deep water triangle from Long Point straight east to the US/Canadian Border and up to Garden Island in about 34-36 feet. That area's been holding some real nice ones.

    For tackle, drifting spinners with two-hook crawler harnesses and 1.5-2 ounce weights has been producing well. If you're a troller, try running lead core or downriggers with crankbaits at 2-3 mph in those deeper spots.

    Don't forget the Rainy River is still a solid option and Four Mile Bay continues to hold fish. The sturgeon action was hot through May 15th, with some real dinosaurs being caught, including a potential state record of 78.25 inches just a couple weeks back!

    For you muskie chasers marking your calendars, remember the opener is coming up on June 21st for both Minnesota and Ontario Zone 5.

    Water temp's been in the mid-70s, making for active fish throughout the system. With this beautiful May weather we're having, it's the perfect time to get out on the water.

    That's the scoop for today, folks. This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines and full livewells to ya!
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    3 m
  • Lake of the Woods Fishing Report: Walleyes, Smallmouth, and a Potential State Record Sturgeon

    Lake of the Woods Fishing Report: Walleyes, Smallmouth, and a Potential State Record Sturgeon
    May 17 2025
    Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for this fine Saturday morning, May 17th, 2025.

    Folks, we've been having an excellent season since the Minnesota Fishing Opener earlier this month. The action has been hot, especially for walleyes and saugers, with most anglers finding good success throughout the south shore area.

    The walleye bite continues to be strong, with the post-spawn females active and feeding. Remember, Lake of the Woods has a combined limit of 6 walleyes and saugers (with up to 4 being walleyes). Don't forget that 19.5" to 28" fish must be released, but you can keep one walleye over 28 inches per day if you're lucky enough to hook into one of those trophies.

    The go-to method right now remains the classic jig and minnow presentation. Most successful anglers are anchoring up and fishing over the side of the boat. Simple but effective! Water temps are warming nicely, and the fish are responding.

    If you're looking to mix things up, don't overlook the smallmouth bass fishing opportunity. May and June can be absolutely lights out for smallies amongst the islands. While walleyes get all the attention, the bronzebacks are plentiful and aggressive right now.

    For you muskie hunters marking your calendars, the muskie opener in both Minnesota and Ontario Zone 5 is coming up on June 21st, so you've got about a month to get your gear ready.

    Sturgeon fishing has been excellent in the Rainy River, though the season is winding down with the special season ending on May 15th. We even had a potential state record sturgeon of 78.25 inches caught recently!

    For hot spots, I'd recommend trying Four Mile Bay where there are still good numbers of fish, or heading out to the main lake areas near Pine Island or around Knight and Bridges Islands for a mixed bag of walleyes and smallmouth.

    The Rainy River mouth is another solid bet, especially if the wind picks up and you need some shelter. The current areas are holding nice numbers of active fish.

    Lake of the Woods is absolutely full of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, smallmouth bass, muskies and sturgeon right now. Weather looks favorable for the weekend with light winds, making it a perfect time to get out there.

    So grab your minnows, stock up on 1/4 to 3/8 oz jigs, and hit the water. The fish are biting, and there's no better time than now to experience some of Minnesota's finest fishing.

    This is Artificial Lure signing off. Tight lines, everyone!
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    3 m
  • Lake of the Woods Fishing Report: Walleye Bonanza, Muskie Madness on the Horizon

    Lake of the Woods Fishing Report: Walleye Bonanza, Muskie Madness on the Horizon
    May 16 2025
    Hey there, folks! Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for this beautiful Friday morning, May 16th, 2025.

    The walleye action has been excellent since the Minnesota Fishing Opener last weekend! Reports from the south shore show anglers having great success finding both walleyes and saugers. Most folks are having luck with the tried-and-true jig and minnow combo, vertically jigging over the side while anchored up.

    Over on the Rainy River, the walleye fishing continues to be productive with a nice mix of big fish, slots, and eaters being caught. Four Mile Bay has been particularly hot, along with various stretches upriver. Just a heads-up: the sturgeon season is closing today (May 15th) but will reopen on July 1st, so plan accordingly if you're after those prehistoric monsters.

    Up at the Northwest Angle, anglers are finding walleyes on shoreline structure - points, weed edges, and neckdown areas between islands are all producing fish. With so many islands up there, you've got endless structure to try. The jig and minnow remains king this time of year.

    For those of you who enjoy targeting other species, the multispecies action has been strong with jumbo perch, pike, and smallmouth bass all in the mix. The smallmouth fishing in particular can be absolutely lights out this time of year among the islands. They don't get as much attention as the walleyes, but they're there in big numbers if you want to switch things up.

    Hot spots to try: Pine Island to Long Point shorelines in 12-18 feet of water have been productive. If you're looking for bigger walleyes, try the deeper water (34-36 feet) from Long Point east to the US/Canadian border and up to Garden Island - that triangle has been holding some real beauties.

    Remember that the muskie opener in Minnesota and Ontario Zone 5 is coming up on June 21st for both areas, so mark your calendars if you're after the fish of 10,000 casts.

    For weather today, it'll be typical mid-May conditions - check your local forecast before heading out. Bring layers as mornings can still be chilly on the water.

    Whether you're after walleyes, saugers, perch, pike, smallmouth, or looking ahead to muskie season, Lake of the Woods is full of opportunities right now. Just grab your jigs and minnows, find some structure, and you'll be in business.

    That's all for today, folks! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time. Tight lines and good luck out there!
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    3 m
  • Opener Success: Walleyes, Saugers, and Trophy Sturgeon on Lake of the Woods

    Opener Success: Walleyes, Saugers, and Trophy Sturgeon on Lake of the Woods
    May 14 2025
    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!
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    3 m
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