Late Fall Fishing on Lake of the Woods - Walleyes, Pike, and Saugers Still Biting

Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for November 4, 2025. With late fall settling in, anglers still have plenty of reasons to get out on the water, thanks to favorable weather and some hot bites. Let’s start with the **weather**. It’s clear and crisp this week, with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s up to the low 50s today. It’ll warm a bit as the day goes on, peaking near 12°C by mid-afternoon, and winds will be modest from the west at 8 to 13 knots according to the PredictWind forecast. You’ll want a good jacket in the boat, but it’s not bitter by Northern Minnesota standards. November is expected to stay warmer and drier than usual, despite some flurries teasing the region over the coming days, as Northern Newswatch predicts. **Sunrise** was at 7:14 a.m. and **sunset** comes early at 4:59 p.m. Keep an eye on that afternoon window; late daylight’s become prime time for a fall bite. For fish **activity and recent catches**, walleye are still giving folks a show both out on Big Traverse Bay and in the Rainy River. Joe Henry’s Lake of the Woods report from October 29 makes it clear: fall walleyes remain aggressive and are being caught near shorelines and in 10-20 feet of water—typical for this time of year as water temps cool and fish push shallow to chase bait. Conservation officers, as seen in the latest Minnesota DNR report, have checked several anglers bringing in a few nice pike and walleyes from the river systems. There’s also word from Outdoor News that the perch and pike bite is still chugging along, with bonus saugers in the mix. What about **lures and bait**? Local guides and outlets like Outdoor News are seeing the biggest successes with jigs in orange/chartreuse, gold/orange, or solid gold paired with a splash of pink, plus glow white for low-light periods. Give your jig a fathead minnow or frozen shiner, and you’re in business. If you want action, try a frozen emerald shiner on a plain hook under a slip bobber during those midday lulls. Anglers upping their odds in deeper holes are vertical jigging with 3/8 oz. jigs—don’t be afraid to tip with a whole minnow for extra scent. For those after **predators**, the musky bite’s cold but not shut down—try a slow-rolled Magnum Bulldawg or a natural-color swimbait, as the Musky Shop’s late-season advice suggests. Pike are still lurking at weed edges and river mouths, ready to chase big spoons or shiny jerkbaits. Looking for **hot spots**? Give Fourmile Bay and Lighthouse Gap a try if you’re after walleyes shifting up the Rainy River. Morris Point Gap and out along Pine Island’s drop-offs are holding good numbers now—especially on the edge of that 15-20 foot range. For pike, Zippel Bay’s weed beds and the mouth of the Warroad River are perennially productive in November. One local tip: keep an eye on the moon times. According to SolunarForecast, today’s best fishing periods are from about 2:12 to 4:12 p.m., and there’s a minor spike just after sunrise. Pla This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.