Early Ice Bonanza on Lake of the Woods: Walleyes, Saugers, and Jumbo Perch Stacking Limits

Hey folks, Artificial Lure here with your Lake of the Woods fishing report for this crisp December 21st morning. We're deep into early ice season up here in Baudette, Minnesota, and the bite's heating up fast. Outdoor News reports ice fishing along the South Shore is off to an excellent start as of December 16th, with solid walleyes, saugers, and jumbo perch stacking limits. A YouTube trip from December 16-17th had anglers filling out full limits of walleyes and saugers right from sleeper shacks—no foolin'.

Weather's cooperative today: highs around 20°F, light winds from the northwest at 5-10 mph, mostly sunny skies. Sunrise kicked off at 8:24 AM, sunset at 4:28 PM—short days mean prime twilight bites. No tides on this big ol' lake, but water temps hover near 34°F under 11-12 inches of clear ice in the smooth bays, per Lyback's Ice Fishing update from the 20th. Slush is forming after recent snow, so watch your step—ATVs and side-by-sides only for now, no trucks yet.

Fish activity's strong on shallower reefs and current breaks. Limits are common: walleyes 14-20 inches, saugers mixing in, and those perch tipping the scales at jumbos. Recent reports from Outdoor News on December 9th and 17th confirm good early-ice action statewide, with Lake of the Woods leading the pack—one of the top 18 US fishing lakes for 2025 per Bring Me The News.

Best lures? Glow jigs like Northland Buck-Shots or 1/8-oz spoons in gold or pink, tipped light. Deadstick a lively minnow head over live minnows or chunks of 'em for bait—walleyes inhale 'em on the drop. Lipless crankbaits like Rat-L-Traps shine if you're mobile, ripped slow off grass edges for reaction strikes.

Hot spots: Zippel Bay reefs in 12-18 feet for perch and 'eyes, and the Gap near Long Point for sauger stacks. Bundle up, drill smart, and respect the ice.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI