Lake of the Woods MN Fishing Report April 6, 2023.
Springtime trophy Walleye fishing on the Rainy River is an experience that every angler should have on their bucket list. The Rainy River is known for its abundant Walleye population, huge sturgeon, and a mixed bag catch of big fish. The spring season is the perfect time to catch trophy-sized fish.
The Rainy River continues to open her way towards the big waters of Fourmile Bay and Lake of The Woods. In fact, she’s made nearly 20 miles over this past week.
Even with the heavy snow that pounded our area Wednesday night into Thursday morning, the progress on the Rainy has reminded consistent. She rests just outside of Clemestson. That’s only 8 miles east of Baudette.
This means that she will be wide open in no time. Currently Nelson Park boat ramp in Birchdale and the Frontier boat ramp are open. It’s reported that all sized boats are able to launch at these two locations.
It isn’t a secret, fishing is currently going strong on the Rainy River. Many 10lbs+ walleye are being landed daily. The mixed bag of fish being reeled in consist of walleye, sauger, sturgeon, northern pike and (hang on to your hat) the allusive lake trout. If that wasn’t enough, perch, crappy and a few suckers also have found their way into the nets.
Jigging with plastics or with a minnow is the go-to technique. Bright colored jigs and larger plastics with twister tail or paddle tail this time of year are effective.
If you are headed this way – which we highly recommend you do – its catch and release only for walleyes and saugers through April 14th on Fourmile Bay and the Rainy River. The big lake is still open for harvesting walleyes and saugers through April 14th.
Many anglers have been landing sturgeon while fishing walleyes. A great time to catch sturgeon is now through May 15th. Keep in mind that the sturgeon keep season runs from April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – Sept. 30. The catch and release season runs May 8th – May 15th and Oct. 1 – April 23rd.
Even though plenty of good ice still exist out on the big water of the lake, and some ice anglers are still getting out ice fishing, roads and trails are not being monitored. So please make your safety a priority.
This time of year, however, the attention swings away from the walleye out on the lake. Monster northern pike becomes the target. The longer days of spring are telling the pike to gear up for the spawn. In other words … time to put on the feed bags.
Tried and true method for finding these beauties? Start in 5 feet of water and work your way out. Live sucker rigged on a quick strike has been the ticket. I have read that using a “fatty” hotdog is also working.
The walleye and sauger season extends through April 14 and the pike season never closes. Perch, eelpout, tullibees and crappies are also in season.
Mark your calendar May 13th is the 2023 walleye opener. Most anglers in the “know” are betting and predicting that there will be a good bounty of walleye in the river on the opener.
We look forward to helping you enjoy this tremendous time of the year. Trophy season is here. You certainly don’t want to miss out on all the action.
We are running a spring sale on our nightly cabin rate – in addition we are offering a 3-night special on our cabins at the Resort and our rooms at the Walleye Inn – if you purchase 2-nights, you will get the 3rd night FREE! Starting right now and running until May 12th, 2023. Don’t just sit around and watch the ice melt. Give us a call and book your trophy season trip today.
In addition, we do offer online booking for those who wish to do so. We are a simple call or “click” away from getting you set up and fishing with us on beautiful Lake of The Woods.
Until next week … Keep a Tight Line! Bugs & Fishes ≤º))~{
