On the south end…  A great week of walleye fishing.  Jigging with a frozen shiner vertically jigged in 14-25 feet of water has been the ticket for most walleye anglers.

Some anglers locating fish shallow, especially in current areas or on a wind blown shoreline.  There are also good numbers of fish being caught anchored up in deeper water.  Different schools of walleyes are often tuned in to different bait, hence, not all walleyes are doing the same thing.  It is good to trust your electronics, try an area and if no luck, move on.

Jig colors, gold, orange, glow, pink, chartreuse or a mix of these colors on the same jig.

Some good reports of trolling crankbaits where walleyes are roaming.  Crankbaits allow you to cover water and put your lure in front of a lot of walleyes.  Trolling shorelines, even if nobody else is, can produce good results.

As is the case in a strong pike fishery, some big pike being caught but unsuspecting walleye anglers.  Many pike over 40 inches boated this week.

On the Rainy River…   There is always a resident population of walleyes that live in the river even after the annual spawning run is over.  Some nice walleyes are being caught up and down the river.  

Most are still jigging with a minnow.  Try current breaks or holes in the stretch of river you are fishing.  There are 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale 30 miles east of Baudette.  The river offers many species of fish in a setting second to none.

Up at the NW Angle…  Great walleye fishing this past week around the Angle.  Fish coming from 5 – 25 feet of water.  A big variance but fish the goto spots.  Neck down areas with a bit of current, points and deep edges of bays producing nice fish.

Most anglers jigging with a minnow.  Gold and brighter colors in the stained waters have worked well.

With the Canada border still closed, there are many ways to get up to the Angle.  

1.  The LOW Passenger Service, charter boat shuttle service from the south end, is open and running.  2.  If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option.  3.  And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.

A complete list of lodging and fishing packages available in Baudette, on the Rainy River, south shore of Lake of the Woods and up at the NW Angle at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  What a beautiful opener.  Lots of fish were caught despite the beautiful weather being sunny and calm!  No complaints.

As predicted, the go to bait for walleyes and saugers was a jig and frozen shiner vertically jigged in 14-20 feet of water.  Many caught limits and most caught walleyes for a hearty fish fry.  A healthy mix of small fish, eaters, slots and trophies reported.

Jig colors, gold, orange, glow, pink, chartreuse or a combo of these colors.

Some reported trolling crankbaits for the opener with success.  Crankbaits trolled slowly, 1.5 – 2.0 mph this time of year can really put a lot of fish in the boat.

Plenty of pike made an appearance this weekend for walleye anglers with fish of all sizes boated.  Amazing how these fish love a jig and minnow while walleye fishing.  

On the Rainy River…   Some nice walleyes caught in the river this weekend.  Between the fish left over from the spawn and the fish making the Rainy River their home, good fish were boated.  There are 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale to fish.

Sturgeon season is closed until the harvest season opens up again on 7/1/21 – 9/30/21.

Up at the NW Angle…  Beautiful weekend up at the Angle.  Some commented in the morning everywhere they stopped, they caught fish.  The go to presentation was a jig and a minnow.  Some actually did well on crawlers already.  Besides small fish and nice eaters, a lot of walleyes 20-24 inches made for good photos.  

The walleye limit on the MN side of LOW and Rainy River is a combined limit of six walleyes and saugers, with up to four being walleyes.  The protected slot is 19.5 – 28.0 inches must be released.  Anglers can keep one walleye over 28 inches.

With the Canada border still closed, there are many ways to get up to the Angle.  The LOW Passenger Service, charter boat shuttle service from the south end, is open and running.  If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option.  And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.  A complete list of lodging and fishing packages available in Baudette, on the Rainy River, around Lake of the Woods and up at the NW Angle at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  On the lake, the focus is on the May 15, 2021 Fishing Opener for walleyes.  There is much optimism as fishing in the Rainy River this spring was excellent and reports of good fishing from the spring season on the lake was also good.

The limit for walleyes and saugers during the open season is a combined limit of six fish, up to four of the six can be walleyes.  There is a slot limit in which all walleyes 19.5 – 28.0 inches must be released.  One can be kept over 28 inches.

Pike anglers are still catching fish in back bays. The pike season is open year-round on LOW and the Rainy River.

On the Rainy River…   Sturgeon anglers are enjoying catch and release through 5/15/21.  Closed 5/16/21 – 6/30/21.  Harvest season opens up again on 7/1/21 – 9/30/21.

Good numbers of sturgeon have been running in the Rapid River near Clementson just east of Baudette this past week.  These fish are incredible to see up close, but are also very much protected and respected.

Anglers looking to this weekend and the opener.  Typically, there is some good walleye fishing in the river early in the season, such as this weekend.

Up at the NW Angle…  A few anglers fishing pike in back bays but most looking forward to the May 15th fishing opener.  The go to walleye spots come the opener will be shoreline and island structure and underwater points.  The technique, a jig and a minnow!

With the Canada border still closed, there are many ways to get up to the Angle.  The LOW Passenger Service, charter boat shuttle service from the south end, is open and running.  If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option.  And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.  A complete list of lodging and fishing packages available in Baudette, on the Rainy River, around Lake of the Woods and up at the NW Angle at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Pike anglers catching fish in back bays. Deadbait on a quick strike rig under a bobber, spoons, spinnerbaits and crankbaits are the go to presentations.  The pike season is open year-round on LOW and the Rainy River.

The pike limit is 3 fish per day, 30-40 inches must be released, one over 40″ allowed.  Most practice catch and release with a nice photo on big fish, and there are a lot of big pike being caught.

On the Rainy River…   Sturgeon anglers looking to keep a sturgeon have through May 7th.  After that catch and release kicks in again.  Catch and release 5/8/21 – 5/15/21.  Closed 5/16/21 – 6/30/21.  Harvest season, 7/1/21 – 9/30/21.

A 3-5 ounce no-roll sinker combined with a sturgeon rig (18″ snell of 60 lb test with a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook) with a glob of crawlers, frozen emerald shiners or both is the most common setup.  

Good numbers of fish, all size ranges, being caught.  Sturgeon have been active.

Up at the NW Angle…  A few anglers fishing pike in back bays but most looking forward to the May 15th fishing opener.  The go to walleye spots come the opener will be shoreline and island structure and underwater points.  The technique, a jig and a minnow!

With the Canada border still closed, there are many ways to get up to the Angle.  The LOW Passenger Service, charter boat shuttle service from the south end, is open and running.  If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option.  And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.  A complete list of lodging and fishing packages available in Baudette, on the Rainy River, around Lake of the Woods and up at the NW Angle at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Most attention right now is with sturgeon and pike with anglers looking forward to the May 15th walleye opener.  The pike season is open year-round on LOW and the Rainy River.  Backwater areas and back bays are all over LOW and the Rainy River and are where pike are being caught.  Deadbait on a quick strike rig under a bobber, spoons, spinnerbaits and crankbaits are all working.

The pike limit is 3 fish per day, 30-40 inches must be released, one over 40″ allowed.  Most practice catch and release with a nice photo on big fish, and there are a lot of big pike being caught.

On the Rainy River…   Sturgeon fishing is in full swing and fishing is good.  Now through May 7th is the sturgeon harvest season (45-50″, or over 75″)  Catch and release 5/8/21 – 5/15/21.  Closed 5/16/21 – 6/30/21.  Harvest season, 7/1/21 – 9/30/21.

A 3-5 ounce no-roll sinker combined with a sturgeon rig (18″ snell of 60 lb test with a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook) with a glob of crawlers, frozen emerald shiners or both is the ticket.  Local bait shops / resorts have rigs and bait available.

Find a deeper spot or hole in a stretch of the river, anchor up and still fish the bottom.  Your bait sends a scent trail the sturgeon will find!  Some huge sturgeon being caught in excess of 70 inches.

Up at the NW Angle…  The NW Angle is ice free and everyone is looking forward to the May 15th fishing opener.  There are many ways to access Angle resorts.  The LOW Passenger Service, charter boat shuttle service from the south end, is open and running.  If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option.  And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.  A complete list of lodging and fishing packages available in Baudette, on the Rainy River, around Lake of the Woods and up at the NW Angle at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Lake of the Woods is ice free!  Walleye anglers are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener on May 15th.  Based on the big fish in the Rainy River this spring, there is a lot of excitement!

The pike season is open year-round on LOW and the Rainy River.  Backwater areas and back bays are where pike spawning activity is taking place.  The pike limit is 3 fish per day, 30-40 inches must be released, one over 40″ allowed.  Most practice catch and release with a nice photo on big fish, and there are a lot of big pike being caught.

On the Rainy River…   The spring walleye season closed with good success.  Despite varying clarity and some spring rains pushing debris into the water, hearty walleye anglers still pulled some very good fish last week.  Now looking toward the walleye opener.

Sturgeon fishing this past week was excellent.  Sturgeon of all sizes being caught which bodes well for the health of the fishery which is very strong.  Sturgeon catch and release season through 4/23/21.  Keep season 4/24/21 – 5/7/21, (45-50″, or over 75″)  Catch and release 5/8/21 – 5/15/21.  Closed 5/16/21 – 6/30/21.  Harvest season, 7/1/21 – 9/30/21.

A 4-6 ounce no-roll sinker combined with a sturgeon rig (18″ snell of 60 lb test with a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook) with a glob of crawlers, frozen emerald shiners or both is the ticket.  Local bait shops / resorts have rigs and bait available.

Find a deeper spot or hole in a stretch of the river, anchor up and still fish the bottom.  Your bait sends a scent trail the sturgeon will find!

Up at the NW Angle…  The NW Angle is ice free and everyone is looking forward to the May 15th fishing opener.  There are many ways to access Angle resorts.  The LOW Passenger Service, charter boat shuttle service from the south end, is open and running.  If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option.  And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.  A complete list of lodging and fishing packages available in Baudette, on the Rainy River, around Lake of the Woods and up at the NW Angle at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end… The lake is still ice covered with big stretches of open water which is expanding daily.  Anglers fishing the lake are fishing in front of the Lighthouse Gap where the Rainy River enters LOW.  Anglers are allowed a limit of walleyes and saugers on the lake, but catch and release only on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River during the spring walleye season which lasts through April 14.  The walleye season opens again on May 15th.

Pike Fishing.  Open water is available in the back bays such as various Four Mile Bay, Bostic Creek, Zippel Bay and backwaters on the Rainy River where pike spawn.  Some nice pike being caught in shallow water areas.  These areas are off of the main lake and perfect for small boats.  The pike season is open year round on LOW and the Rainy River.  3 fish per day, 30-40 inches must be released, one over 40″ allowed.

On the Rainy River…   This past week was nothing short of incredible for walleye fishing on the Rainy River.  Large numbers of big walleyes were caught and released.  Many fish 30 – 33+ inches in the mix.  Exactly why anglers love the Rainy River in the spring.  

Good reports up and down the river including Four Mile Bay.

A 3/8 – 1/2 ounce jig is working nicely tipped with a minnow or a plastic.  Bright plastics and frozen shiners working best on jigs.  Some anglers trolling crankbaits with success to cover water.

Sturgeon fishing continues to be good with good numbers of sturgeon being caught.  Most anglers targeting holes in the river.  Some sturgeon being caught on rolling sand dunes with fish laying in the depressions. Wherever there is food and a bit of slacker water!

With lower current, a 3 ounce no-roll sinker combined with a sturgeon rig (18″ snell of 60 lb test with a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook) with a glob of crawlers, frozen emerald shiners or both is the ticket.  Local bait shops have rigs and bait available.

Up at the NW Angle…  Locals are able to get their boats from the mainland (Angle Inlet) to most areas of the islands.  Looking ahead to open water, there are various ways to travel to the NW Angle this summer without crossing the border.  If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option.  There is also the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (charter boat shuttle to Angle).  And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.  A complete list of lodging and fishing packages available on the Rainy River, around Lake of the Woods and up at the NW Angle at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end… Ice fishing is all finished up on the main lake.  The focus is on back bays for big pike and areas of open water on the lake for walleyes.  The pike season is open year round on LOW and the Rainy River.  3 fish per day, 30-40 inches must be released, one over 40″ allowed.

Anglers are allowed a limit of walleyes and saugers on the lake, but catch and release only on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River through April 14.  A limit of walleyes and saugers is a combined limit of 6 fish with up to 4 being walleyes.  Walleyes 19.5-28.0 inches must be released with one allowed over 28 inches.  The walleye season runs through April 14th and starts up again May 15th for the MN Fishing Opener.

On the Rainy River…   Five boat ramps are open on the Rainy River and there are 42 miles of open water for fishing.  Nelson Park in Birchdale, Frontier, Vidas (near Clementson), Timbermill Park in Baudette and the Wheeler’s Point access at the mouth of the river 12 miles north of Baudette are all open.  

River fishing has started out strong.  Good numbers of walleyes are being caught by some with trophy fish in the mix.  A 3/8 – 1/2 ounce jig is working nicely tipped with a minnow or a plastic.  Walleye season is catch and release only on Rainy River and Four Mile Bay through April 14th.

Sturgeon fishing continues to be excellent with big numbers of sturgeon being caught.  Sturgeon catch and release season through 4/23/21.  Keep season 4/24/21 – 5/7/21, (45-50″, or over 75″)  Catch and release 5/8/21 – 5/15/21.

With lower current, a 3 ounce no-roll sinker combined with a sturgeon rig (18″ snell of 60 lb test with a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook) with a glob of crawlers, frozen emerald shiners or both is the ticket.  Local bait shops have rigs available.

Up at the NW Angle…  Looking ahead to open water, there are various ways to travel to the NW Angle this summer without crossing the border.  If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option.  There is also the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (charter boat shuttle to Angle).  And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.  A complete list of lodging and fishing packages available on the Rainy River, around Lake of the Woods and up at the NW Angle at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end… Most resorts have pulled off fish houses for the season with a few resorts adjacent to better ice conditions still ice fishing.  Big pike are active and staging adjacent to spawning areas. Most fish are being caught on tip ups with live sucker minnows or a dead bait like a tullibee.  Most pike angling taking place in 5-15′ of water.

Walleye anglers finding fish 15 – 30′ of water.  A morning / evening bite shallower, walleyes and saugers during the day in deeper water.

On the Rainy River…   The Rainy River is starting to open!  Some small boats pushing over shoreline ice at Nelson Park in Birchdale.  The middle of the river is open with the boat ramp still ice covered as of 3-16-21.  It may open in coming days.  

Safety first.  Life preservers, warm weather gear, a knife to cut anchor rope if drifting ice gets caught in rope, and of course common sense.  Please have patience for your fellow anglers when the accesses open up.  Use slower speed and caution on Hwy 11 near access points.  Do not block approaches to fields, etc. when parking.  

Up at the NW Angle…  Looking ahead to open water, there are various ways to travel to the NW Angle without crossing the border.  If you have the right boat and expertise, boating across is an option.  There is also the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (charter boat shuttle to Angle).  And finally, Lake Country Air flying service, a float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.

The majority of ice fishing is finished up at the Angle.  Some locals are still fishing but most are looking forward to open water.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Lots of ice fishing is still happening in some areas while other areas are dealing with ice upheavals due to temperature fluctuations.  Some parts of the lake are very accessible, but It is a good idea to call ahead or watch the Facebook page of the resort or outfitter you are fishing with for any updates.

Mixed reports.  Some catching lots of fish with quite a bit of sorting for keepers happening while others are catching one here, one there.  Some nice slot fish (between 19.5 – 28.0 inches) being caught and released.  Also some trophy walleyes (28 – 33 inches) caught this week.  24-32 feet has been the best bite.  Lures with some noise such as jigging spoons or small lipless crankbaits with rattles are helpful.  Gold, glow, glow red, pink and green solid colors this week.  On the deadstick, a colored hook with a live fathead has been effective.

Big pike being caught on tip-ups with a quick strike rig and either live sucker or large dead baitfish in 5 – 15′ of water.

On the Rainy River…   Morning / evening bite the best.  Remember, March 1st – April 14th, catch and release only for walleyes on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.  As warmer temps and melting happening, use extreme caution on the river.  River east of Birchdale showing some open water, spring fishing is around the corner.

Up at the NW Angle…  With the border closure, there are four ways to travel to the NW Angle without crossing the border.  1.  NW Angle Guest Ice Road from south shore up to the Angle.  2.  Snowmobile trails across the lake.  3.  Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (bombardier).  4.  Lake Country Air flying service.

Nice walleyes caught this week up at the NW Angle.  Fish have been finicky, try downsizing presentations and using some noise to attract them and fire them up.  Walleyes in 22 – 31′ of water.  Some big pike caught both on tip ups and by walleye anglers.  Communicate with your favorite NW Angle resort for specifics.  Ice fishing on LOW through March.  Remember, a new MN Fishing License is required March 1st.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing packages available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging