FeWO_4 nanorods were synthesized through a hydrothermal progress with the assistant of L-cysteine. The synthesized FeWO_4 nanorods were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The optical property, photocatalytic activity and magnetic property of the synthesized FeWO_4 nanorods were investigated. The photodecomposition of Methyl orange for FeWO_4 nanorods depends on the wavelength of the irradiating light. Under ultraviolet-visible light irradiation, FeWO_4 nanorods show higher photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of Methyl orange than that of ultraviolet light irradiation. A possible mechanism of FeWO_4 on the decomposition of Methyl orange was proposed. The value of Néel temperature is lower than that of bulk FeWO_4, which is associated with the size effects and the shape of the synthesized FeWO_4 nanorods. FeWO_4 nanorods were synthesized through a hydrothermal progress with the assistant of L-cysteine. The synthesized FeWO_4 nanorods were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive The optical property, photocatalytic activity and magnetic properties of the synthesized FeWO_4 nanorods were investigated. The photodecomposition of Methyl orange for FeWO_4 nanorods depends on the wavelength of the irradiating light. Under ultraviolet-visible light irradiation, FeWO_4 nanorods show higher photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of Methyl orange than that of ultraviolet light irradiation. A possible mechanism of FeWO_4 on the decomposition of Methyl orange was proposed. The value of Nel temperature is lower than that of bulk FeWO_4, which is associated with the size effects and the shape of the synthesized FeWO_4 nanorods.