Fishing Report May 2025
May 30, 2025
The walleye bite on Woman Lake has been decent, but somewhat spotty based on wind and weather patterns. Nice weather days have generated good fishing, with plenty of larger walleyes and northerns being caught. I will post a few of our fish photos in the "Catch Photos" section of this website. The majority of our large fish were released. It has not been an agressive bite, but once we find the walleyes location, we stick with them and the perseverence pays off. We are fishing larger shiner minnows on live bait rigs in 19 - 23 feet of water on shoreline related structure. Water temps have crept up to the 60-61 degree range but will likely take a bigger jump soon with a string of 80+ degree days forecast for the weekend.
May 26, 2025
Surface water temperatures on Woman Lake main basin have now reached 59 degrees, with warmer water in some of the bays, and the walleyes are gradually dispursing from their post spawn patterns. Walleyes are still holding primarily on shore related structures (points, shoreline breaks, and sand flats). Minnows are still the preferred forage (bait) and will likely remain so for another week or maybe two.
May 11, 2025 - Minnesota Walleye Opener Weekend
Blue skies, very warm temperatures, and plenty of wind were the Woman Lake weather conditions this weekend and both the walleyes and crappies were actively feeding. We focused on the walleye bite and managed to catch 20+ fat healthy fish from 16 - 24 inches in length. Surface water temperatures were 55-57 degrees in the main lake basin, with warmer temps in the bays. Most of our fish were caught either early in the day (before 10 AM) or after 8 PM in the evening. We were rigging shiner minnows 20-24 feet deep over sand bottom bays during daylight, and in the evening we were either casting crankbaits or bobber fishing with shiners over 5-9 foot sand flats. Plenty of northern pike were also chasing our shiner minnows, our largest was 29 inches. All of our walleyes over 20 inches were released, as well as all the northern pike. I will post some of our fish photos in the "Catch Photos" section of this website. The crappies are still quite active and catchable fishing with small fatheads in the shallow water around black bottom bays and channels. Our kept crappies ranged in size from 11-14 inches, and not much tastes better than freshly caught deep fried crappie.
May 6, 2025
Spring is now slowly starting to appear around Woman Lake with leaf buds just starting to pop open, loons staking out their nesting territories, and ducks and songbirds in full breeding plummage. The weather has been unseasonably warm this last week and the water is warming at a fast pace. The feeding frenzy that occurs this time of year in the shallow, black bottom bays and channels has begun. Surface water temperatures over 50 degrees and bright sun has started the micro algae blooms, which brings out the zoo plankton, which draws in the minnows, which are followed by the crappies, bluegills, bass, and other game fish to the warmer waters. The shallow water crappie bite is absolutley in full swing.
The Minnesota Walleye Opener arrives Saturday and the weather forecast is for sunshine, blue skies, and daytime high temperatures well north of 70 degrees. You won't be needing your rain suits and long underwear for this years fishing opener. The fishing outlook is about as good as it gets, so pack up your gear and let's go fishing!