Open water has been sighted within a few miles of Baudette, Minn., so it shouldn't be too many days before the river is open in Baudette. Conditions change daily this time of year, so anglers should check the Lake of the Woods Tourism website or Facebook page for the most up to date ice-out reports.

Fishing reports are a mixed bag. Some anglers reportedly have done well, while others are struggling. The jig bite has been tough, for some, while other anglers have gotten on fish by pulling deep-diving crankbaits or crankbaits behind three-way rigs or bottom bouncers. So far, at least, water clarity remains good.

Anglers should remember that spring fishing on the Rainy River and Four-Mile Bay at the mouth of the river is catch-and-release only for walleyes and saugers through April 14, the last day of the spring season.

Lake of the Woods also is open for walleye and sauger fishing through April 14, and anglers can keep an aggregate limit of six, of which no more than four can be walleyes, on the lake. All fish from 19½ to 28 inches must be released, and one walleye longer than 28 inches is allowed in the limit. Pike fishing on Lake of the Woods is continuous.

To read the original article and see related reporting, follow this link to the Grand Forks Herald website.  https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/outdoors/4594756-outdoor-report