Minnesota Fishing Opener Weekend Recap: Warm Temps, Great Bites, and Plenty of Smiles

The 2025 Minnesota Fishing Opener this past weekend was one for the books. Anglers across Lake of the Woods were greeted with warm, sunny skies and unseasonably pleasant weather. Combine that with cooperative fish and strong action across the board, and it made for a great start to the open water fishing season.

Whether you were fishing the south shore, up the Rainy River, or in the island-studded waters of the Northwest Angle, most groups reported good catches of walleyes and saugers, along with plenty of bonus jumbo perch, pike, and other species.

South Shore Success

Fishing was excellent across the entire south shore of Lake of the Woods. Anglers found active walleyes and saugers spread out in depths ranging from 8 to 31 feet. That’s a wide range, but it’s not unusual early in the season as fish are targeting different forage and transitioning between shallow spawning areas and deeper feeding zones.

Most anglers stuck with the tried-and-true method of anchoring up or using spot lock and jigging vertically with a jig and minnow. This technique continues to be the go-to presentation, especially with the stained water found on Lake of the Woods.

Bright colors worked best, as usual. Gold, chartreuse, pink, orange, and glow white—or any combination of these—produced fish. Many groups found that experimenting with different jig colors and types of minnows helped dial in what the fish wanted. While frozen emerald shiners are a long-time favorite, some anglers had no issues catching walleyes and saugers using live fatheads or rainbows.

In addition to walleyes and saugers, some anglers tangled with large northern pike—either while targeting pike specifically or while fishing for walleyes. That’s one of the great things about Lake of the Woods: you never know what’s going to hit your line.

Anglers are reminded that the daily combined limit of walleyes and saugers is six fish, with no more than four walleyes. The protected slot is 19.5 to 28 inches; those fish must be released. One walleye over 28 inches may be kept per day.

Rainy River Report

The Rainy River produced some excellent walleye fishing for the opener. Many fish, including plenty of eaters, slot fish, and even some big trophies, remained in the river following the spring spawn. Four Mile Bay was productive, as were various stretches up and down the river.

Just like on the lake, vertical jigging with a jig and minnow was the most effective method. The river offers a quieter, scenic option for opener anglers who enjoy fishing in more protected waters, and it delivered this year.

Sturgeon fishing also remained strong heading into the final days of the spring season, which runs through May 15. Anglers continue to catch these prehistoric giants with a simple bottom rig using nightcrawlers or a combination of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners. Sturgeon fishing will reopen on July 1 for the summer harvest season.

Northwest Angle Action

Up at the Northwest Angle, fishing was excellent as well. Walleyes were found along shoreline structure like points, weed edges, and narrow current areas between islands. With so many islands and miles of structure, the Angle offers endless options for anglers looking to target walleyes—and it didn’t disappoint.

Most anglers at the Angle also used jig-and-minnow presentations, and they reported not only walleyes and saugers but also jumbo perch, big northern pike, and even a few smallmouth bass. The multispecies action is a bonus for anglers who enjoy a little bit of everything.

Speaking of smallmouth bass, May and June are prime months for bass fishing in this part of the lake. With walleyes getting most of the attention, the smallmouth often go unnoticed—but they’re there in big numbers and ready to fight.

The muskie season for Minnesota and Ontario’s Zone 5 opens on June 21. Until then, anglers will enjoy targeting Lake of the Woods’ many other species, including the famed walleyes, trophy pike, jumbo perch, and aggressive smallmouth.

A Great Start to a Promising Season

The 2025 Minnesota Fishing Opener delivered everything anglers could have hoped for—great weather, great fishing, and memories that will last all season long. Lake of the Woods once again proved why it’s considered one of the best fisheries in the Midwest, if not the entire country.

Whether you’re an experienced angler or a beginner, there’s never been a better time to plan a trip north. For fishing reports, resort info, charter guides, and lodging options, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com. We hope to see you on the water soon!