On the South Shore…  Great news for this weekend’s MN Fishing Opener as the ice has disappeared!  There could be a few chunks this time of year still floating around but the satellite view shows open water as do the webcams from around the lake.  What a great site to see.

A couple of tournaments this past weekend showed off some big fish from Lake of the Woods and Rainy River.  The Annual Zippel Bay Resort Pike Tournament took place with good numbers of pike registered.  A good number of pike tipped the tape at over 40 inches long.

The annual Sportsman’s Lodge Sturgeon Tournament took place with the winning sturgeon, a 78.25 inch monster taking the top spot.  This, pending verification with the MN DNR, would be the new catch and release state record!

There are lots of fishing opportunities right now, but for most, the focus is all about the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday and walleyes!

The outlook for walleye fishing is excellent.  It is going to be an epic opener and there is still plenty of lodging available.  Think about this…

-The fish will be close to shore.
-The Rainy River and Four Mile Bay will still be holding fish
-It will be a jig bite
-A very strong population of walleyes and saugers in the lake
-Big females will be post spawn

On the May 10th opener, Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River enjoy a combined limit of walleyes and saugers of 6, with up to 4 being walleyes.  The protected slot is 19.5″ – 28.0″, those fish must be released.  Anglers can keep one walleye over 28 inches per day.

On the Rainy River…  Sturgeon fishing is in full swing through May 15th and the bite has been excellent.  Anglers are catching good numbers of these prehistoric giants, and the Rainy River is one of the best places in North America to hook into one.  As mentioned, this past weekend, the potential state record sturgeon of 78.25 inches was caught.

They are sturgeon throughout the entire river.  Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the river has been holding good numbers of nice fish.  Otherwise, most anglers are targeting holes up and down the river.

With the late ice out, there will be plenty of walleyes, and some big walleyes, in the river for the opener.  A jig and minnow will be the ticket for most.  Some may still use a jig and larger plastic as many do during the spring walleye season.  Whatever you decide to use, there will be some good action to be had.

Up at the Northwest Angle…  There is open water up at the Angle.  We have had some days in the 80’s as well as some wind and that really took care of the ice just in time.

Traditionally, the fish will be near shore and on shoreline structure like points and neckdown areas.  With the many islands in this area, there is a lot of structure and a lot of spots to fish.  Just like the south end, it will be a jig bite this weekend for the walleyes.

Given the strong ice fishing season and healthy lake conditions, expectations for good walleye catches are good up at the Angle and across the lake.

Whether it is for the fishing opener or later in the summer, now is the time to book!  For fishing reports, resort info, and trip ideas, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.