Late Fall Walleyes and Pike on Lake of the Woods - November 25, 2025

This is Artificial Lure, coming to you with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for November 25, 2025—it’s late fall on the Rainy River, and ice is starting to settle in, but open water still lingers in some bays and near river mouths. Weather this morning is classic up north: 16°F with light snow and a brisk northwest wind at 12 mph, so bundle up and plan for windchill. Sunrise was at 7:36 AM, and sunset will fall around 4:30 PM, giving us just enough daylight for a solid session. No tides to worry about on freshwater, but the lake’s early-ice conditions mean extra caution—use spud bars and check thickness before venturing out. If you’re in that magical window right now, fish activity is strong, with walleye and sauger moving shallow chasing what’s left of this year’s baitfish. Reports from Ballard’s Resort and muskie shop blogs agree: the big walleye bite is concentrated from 9 to 15 feet, especially near Pine Island and Zippel Bay. Anglers are icing good numbers, with limits not unheard of—walleye up to 27 inches and plenty of eater saugers in the buckets. The Rainy River east of Wheelers Point is another current-driven honey hole this week. For tactics, experienced hands are still sticking to good old 1/8 to 1/4-ounce jigs, tipped with shiners. Don’t overlook frozen emerald shiners if you can’t get live—both work well vertically jigged or on a dead-stick rod. Glow or chartreuse are the best colors for this stained water. If the bite slows, switch to a smaller profile or plain hook with a lively minnow. The northern pike are staging just outside weed edges and at creek mouths. If toothy critters are your thing, big spoons and jaw spreaders are a must. Dead bait under a tip-up is the ticket—smelt or sucker minnows set just off the bottom should draw their attention, especially in Fourmile Bay and just north of Rocky Point. Crappie activity is picking up in sheltered back bays with slightly thicker ice. Use small tungsten jigs tipped with plastics or waxies, and keep moving until you find them suspended—these fish are tight to cover and structure. Hot spots this week: - Pine Island's south side is delivering steady walleye action, especially around midday. - Zippel Bay is seeing a mixed bag of both walleye and sauger—easy access and plenty of houses going up. - Fourmile Bay is a favorite for big pike and bonus perch, especially if you’re working tip-ups near the river mouth. Most recently, Minnesota fishing forums have lit up with folks reporting “plenty of action, especially right at sunrise and again from 2 to 4 PM.” Word is, several groups iced limits yesterday, with surprise jumbo perch in among the walleyes. Water clarity is moderate—nothing fancy needed. If you’re after numbers, focus offshore structure in 11-15 feet. Want a shot at a trophy? Try the transition zones at dusk, or take a run up the river before it freezes solid. A quick reminder—be safe out there with early ice. Let someone know where you’re fishing, and don’t pus This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.