Last Cast Before Freeze-Up: Lake of the Woods Fishing Report 2025

Artificial Lure here with the Lake of the Woods fishing report for Wednesday, November 26th, 2025. Sunrise this morning was around 7:30 a.m. with the sun setting at 4:26 p.m. No tidal movement to mention, but the main event lately has been that cap of cold air finally settling in after a string of milder weather. Water temperatures have dropped to around 36°F on the South Shore, and folks are already watching the forecast with ice gear at the ready. Lows in the single digits are coming by the weekend, which means the late open-water bite won’t last much longer and those spear houses for pike will be heading out soon. Still, for those hardy souls slipping out one last time before freeze-up, you’re in for a treat. Very few boats are out on the main lake right now, as deer hunters and folks prepping for Thanksgiving have thinned the traffic, but those who made it out were rewarded in a big way. The best bite remains just off the south shore, in 15 to 25 feet of water. Vertical jigging is the way to go—there’s no need to overthink it this time of year. A basic 3/8 or 1/2 ounce jig tipped with either a frozen emerald shiner or a live minnow is catching good numbers of walleye and sauger. Some anglers are mixing in gold or glow patterns when the sun is higher or skies are grey. The Rainy River is still holding rare late-season open water. According to Outdoor News and others, walleyes are loaded up in the current as they stage for ice. Anglers are keying in on current breaks, outside bends, and the edges of deeper holes. Again, a simple jig and minnow is all you need, focusing on those classic winter transitions. Catches are strong. You can expect to boat limits of eater-sized walleye, and there’s been a decent number of slot fish in the mix. Sauger are plentiful and mixed in. Though most folks are walleye-minded, don’t forget you can pick up jumbo perch and the odd pike as well. On the tackle front, stick with what works: basic chartreuse, pink, or gold jigs tipped with shiners have been best. Some folks are running a stinger hook if the bite is short, especially with the colder temps. If you fancy plastics, paddle tails or twister grubs in white or motor oil work, but live bait is the ticket now. As we’re waiting for the main lake ice-up, a couple of hot spots to highlight: try Morris Point Gap out to Lighthouse Gap, staying in that 18-22 foot range. Up the Rainy, check the stretch from Baudette east to the International Bridge along those current edges. Up at the Northwest Angle, the story is similar. Some back bays and protected marinas have started icing up, but a few thin spots will lock up with the coming cold. The resorts and outfitters are watching conditions closely and will update when marked trails open for safe travel. Whether you’re chasing the tail end of open water or just counting days till the first set, it’s a special time to fish the Woods—quiet, peaceful, and full of opportunity. That’s your report from Artificial Lure. Th This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.