As many Midwesterners who enjoy ice fishing are in the heart of the ice fishing season, it is good to look ahead at a month of ice fishing that many don’t really consider when it comes to targeting walleyes and pike, March!  You see, in most of the great state of Minnesota, March ice fishing is somewhat limited.  Fish houses cannot be left overnight on the ice after February 28th, the walleye season and pike season closes and ice fishing for those targeting predators appears to be over. 

March on Lake of the Woods, however, is very different.  Fish houses are allowed overnight through March 31st.  The walleye and sauger season continues on through April 14th and the pike season is open continuously.  Being farther north, the ice typically is good and thick throughout the month, and even if some melting is taking place, ice fishing is happening in areas of the lake less affected by runoff, flow of water and current.  On Lake of the Woods, ice fishing for March walleyes and pike is the norm and allows an extra month of excellent fishing.

Some resorts actually extend the life of the ice by blanketing ice approaches to the land access with saw dust or hay.  For those of you with more history under your belt than others, this is much in the same way ice was kept for ice boxes.

What a great time of the year.  The sun is out longer, the fish are active and in some cases staging for the spawn and some days anglers actually need to wear sunscreen.  Other days seem more like winter with snow and cold.  It’s March w alleyes and pike on Lake of the Woods and it’s tradition.

This is an interesting place.  One one end of Lake of the Woods, people are catching walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, world class pike and mo nster eelpout through the ice.  Fish have the feedbag on gaining energy for the upcoming spawn.

On the other end of the spectrum towards mid or late March, the Rainy River is open and people are fishing in boats.  This is the time of the year that big numbers of walleyes from Lake of the Woods slide up the Rainy River on their annual spawning run.  This is also the time of year an angler can catch a walleye of a lifetime, not to mention big numbers of fish.

Most anglers will be using jigs and minnows for walleyes.  More popular are jigs and plastics.  The brighter colors of chartreuse, orange, pink and white are all popular colors depending upon many factors, the color of the water being one.

The walleye season on Lake of the Woods continues through April 14th.  The regulations on the Rainy River for March through April 14th is different than the lake as the walleye season is catch and release only.  As most anglers aren’t here for the fillets, the chance at a monster walleye, big numbers of walleyes and a chance to splash your boat for the first time this year is all what draws anglers the end of March and through April 14th.

Limits on Lake of the Woods remain consistent with a combined limit of 6 walleyes and saugers, with up to 4 of the 6 being walleyes.  Any walleye between 19.5″ – 28.0″ must be returned to the water immediately, with anglers being able to keep one fish over 28″.

Limits on pike are three with a protected slot limit of 30″ – 40″ having to be returned to the water immediately.  Anglers are allowed one pike over 40″.

If you decide to start planning a spring Rainy River trip, there are numerous boat access points along the river.  Click here for a myriad of info about the Rainy River.

If you decide you want to get in some bonus March ice fishing, here is a list of resorts and outfitters from the south end of the lake up to the NW Angle.

Whatever you decide, fishing for predators in March and April on Lake of the Woods is in full gear and as a trophy fishery for both walleyes and pike, might be worth a trip!

Click here to return to the Lake of the Woods Tourism website.

Click here to view Lake of the Woods lodging options.

Thousands of ice anglers flock to Lake of the Woods every hard water season.  As anglers make their way to the Walleye Capital, there are a variety of expectations that make for a successful trip.  In many cases, catching fish and having a fish fry are somewhere on the list.   Saugers are often a part of this equation.

Comedian Rodney Dangerfield coined the phrase, “I don’t get no respect.”  One of the fish that doesn’t get respect, yet day in and day out keeps anglers busy and fills buckets is the sauger.  This smaller cousin to the walleye is sometimes taken for granted.

When headed up to Lake of the Woods, many anglers’ focus is on the fish that has made LOW famous, the walleye.  On days when going after those walleyes is a test in great patience, saugers play a big part in what makes Lake of the Woods such an enjoyable fishing destination.  Here are ten good reasons to love saugers.

1.  Consistent action.  In between schools of walleyes or if the walleyes are not biting well that day, saugers normally bite well and keep the activity level high.  There have been many days ice fishing that saugers have saved the day and certainly preserved the evening fish fry.  If the walleyes aren’t dialed in that particular day for whatever reason, having saugers whacking the lures and dead sticks really adds to the enjoyment.
2.  High population and good sized.  Sauger numbers at Lake of the Woods fluctuate year to year.  One thing we know, right now, there is an extremely high population of saugers in the system and many of them big.  When I say big for sauger, I am talking up to 17 or 18 inches.   This creates a perfect scenario for a lot of action, that exciting red line appearing on your electronics and that heart-pounding “tap” at the end of your ice rod.
3. Living Quarters.  Saugers will coexist with walleyes.  It is common to come in with a bucket of walleyes and saugers mixed.  As a rule, though, saugers tend to prefer a bit deeper water than walleyes.  In addition, they normally hug the bottom vs walleyes that will utilize more of the water column, often suspending while targeting tulibees and other baitfish.
4. Great for kids.  Depending upon the day, walleye fishing can take some patience.  Saugers are typically more cooperative and help to bring consistent action to a fish house.  Kids want and need action and saugers will typically keep electronics lit up and bobbers bouncing.
5. Saugers are unique.  Many waterways throughout the Midwest do not have saugers.  Saugers traditionally live in waterways associated with a river system and do well in stained water.  Thus, most anglers do not have the opportunity to catch saugers on a regular basis.  Looking at the sauger vs the walleye, there are differences.  Saugers do not have the white tip on the bottom of the tail, they have splotches on their skin, are browner, do not have a dark area at the base of their dorsal fin and have spots on their dorsal fin.
6. Delicious.  The firm white meat of a sauger is very much sought after.  Some locals will tell you they like the sauger better than even the walleye, as they believe the meat is a bit sweeter.  Regardless of opinion, one thing is for sure, they taste good.
7. Liberal daily limits.  There is a strong population of saugers in LOW.  In the winter months, anglers are allowed a combined total of six walleyes and saugers per day.  Of these six, up to four can be walleyes.  With these limits, it lends itself well to filling a bucket of fish for an evening fish fry and bringing a few fish home.
8. Saugers bite all winter.  In some lakes when the oxygen levels decrease in February, fishing really shuts off.  Lake of the Woods keeps on trucking in February.  It is big water and luckily, there are so many saugers in the system some fish seem to cooperate every day making for a successful outing.  March can be incredible fishing for both walleyes and saugers as it is the month fish are putting on the feedbag for the upcoming spawn and catching fish can literally be nonstop.
9. Season open into April!  For the avid ice angler who cannot fathom the end of ice fishing, no worries.   Lake of the Woods season for walleyes and saugers is open until April 14^th.  Ice houses can remain on the lake until March 31st.  Depending upon the year, we are often still ice fishing and catching walleyes and saugers through the ice until the end of March.
10. Fun to catch!  Sauger fishing is much like walleye fishing.  The fish are typically hugging the bottom of the lake and they are normally a bit deeper.  Jigging your favorite lure with a minnow head in one hole and having a dead stick down the second with a live minnow suspended 6 inches from the bottom will usually do the trick.  Much like walleyes, every day is different.  One day they will be chasing down your jigging lure with wild abandon.  On other days, the jigging line will attract them, but if in more of a neutral mood, they may prefer a wiggling minnow on a plain hook or small ice jig.

Although walleyes receive most of the attention, saugers play an important role in the overall fishing success during the ice fishing season on Lake of the Woods.  Saugers are fun to catch and swim the waters of Lake of the Woods in abundance.  More often than not, when you come for that epic walleye trip, saugers will be happy to pay you a visit!

To learn more about Lake of the Woods, check out the Lake of the Woods Tourism website.

To find a guide, charter boat or lodging, check out our lodging page.

When looking for a vacation experience, travel to the area of Minnesota to where the largest fresh water lake next to the Great Lakes in the contiguous United States is.  It is the northern-most spot in the United States. We also have the privilege of being  located on the border of Canada and the United States with a border crossing right in town. That town we’re mentioning is Baudette, MN.  It’s one of the finest destinations you could ever visit, but how do you get to Lake of the Woods?

Most people travel to this area by automobile with good roads and scenery that is beautiful.  As you travel north in the state of Minnesota, you will be crossing a large portion of land that is the biggest bog area in the contiguous United States also. There you will not find billboards galore, but instead you will find great natural forest areas with giant pines and cedars and fields of peat moss.

Let’s look at distances to get to Lake of the Woods. We are 126 miles from Winnipeg, MN, Canada; 211 miles from Duluth, MN; 232 miles from Fargo, ND; 308 miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN; 476 miles from Sioux Falls, SD; 608 miles from Milwaukee, WI; and 680 miles from Chicago, IL.  Driving these distances are great adventures but also take time. When traveling to the Northwest Angle, be sure to have proper documentation such as passport, passport card or enhanced driver’s license.

We are fortunate in this area to have access to Commercial airports in close proximity of Baudette.  International Falls Airport is 70 miles East of Baudette and has daily flights to and from MSP using Delta airlines. Rental car companies are available there. For more info call 218.283.4461 or at www.internationalfallsairport.com. Bemidji is 102 miles south of

Baudette and also has daily flights to and from MSP using Delta Airlines at Bemidji Regional Airport. For more info here call 218.444.2638 or www.bemidjiairport.org. Rental cars available. Grand Forks International  Airport is 178 miles to the west of Baudette and also has flights using Delta and Allegiant Airlines. Information can be obtained at 701.795.6981 or at www.glkairport.com.

Before you arrive, be sure you have obtained lodging using our webpage at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging.  Make your travel plans now to explore this great area.

Click here for Lodging info around Lake of the Woods.

Snowmobile trails are in excellent shape throughout Lake of the Woods.  The area boasts hundreds of miles of groomed and staked trails.  Some of the most beautiful

scenery available awaits sledders with very little snowmobile traffic.  Trails extend both through the forests as well as over the lake up to the NW Angle.

The lake trail connecting the south shore to the NW Angle is a groomed and staked trail.  It not only provides snowmobilers a beautiful ride of about 42 mi

les north but access to some very good ice fishing spots not fished by anglers on the south shore of the lake.

The land trails both on the south end of the lake as well as up at the Angle are second to none.  Most comment about the good shape the trails are in, lack of snowmobile traffic and beautiful scenery.

Snowmobile maps are available at Lake of the Woods Tourism in Baudette and other resorts and area businesses.  Maps are also available online.

The Lake of the Woods Drifters Snowmobile Club out of Baudette grooms trails on the south end of Lake of the Woods where the famous Northern Connection Trail travels through the forests along Highway 11 and south. This includes travel through the city of Baudette.  The club is actively grooming and marking hundreds of miles of trails through forested areas and on Lake of the Woods.

Their website and  Facebook page is a great source of up to date info and a place to inquire about info. 

The snowmobile club up at the Northwest Angle and islands is the Northwest Angle Edge Riders Snowmobile Club.  It grooms trails at the Northwest Angle, south to Warroad and also most trails on Lake of the Woods. They have a wonderful website as well as Facebook page for a variety of info and current trail reports.

There is additional info about snowmobiling the Lake of the Woods area on the Lake of the Woods Tourism website.  Stop in to Lake of the Woods Tourism to obtain both snowmobile maps before you ride, a visitor guide and info about the area.  Need a list of lodging around Lake of the Woods, we can assist with that as well.  Have fun and be safe by checking with locals resorts for ice conditions before you go.

Click here to learn more about snowmobiling the Lake of the Woods Area.

Click here for Lodging info around Lake of the Woods.

It’s a fishing tournament dreams are made of.  The MN Tournament Trail once again hosted the MTT walleye championship on Lake of the Woods September 12 and 13.  This is a tournament anglers have to qualify for by either fishing at least 4 one day tournaments and a two day tournament or finish in the top 75 for the overall regular season points to qualify.  The grand prize was a Skeeter WX1910 boat package powered by a 200 Yamaha Outboard and the competition amongst this talented group of walleye anglers was friendly but fierce.

Like any tournament, the MTT championship had MN DNR rules to follow and also the MN Tournament Trail rules to follow.  For this tournament, each team of two anglers were allowed six fish (walleyes and saugers) to the scales.  The minimum length per the tournament was 14″.  The slot limit on Lake of the Woods is 19.5 – 28″ which must be released immediately.  Anglers were allowed two “over” fish for the two day tournament.  An over fish is over 28″.  After day one, it was evident, big fish were a must to place well in this championship.

Day one saw strong south winds with cloud cover.  Anglers threw a number of presentations at walleyes all around the lake.  Jigging with frozen shiners, pulling spinners and crawlers, and pulling crankbaits were the most common methods.  Lake of the Woods held true as a trophy walleye fishery in this tournament.  Numerous teams caught one and in some cases two big walleyes on day one.  The majority of the big fish were caught in the basin pulling crankbaits.

Day two brought strong winds and big waves.  In true MTT style, anglers found walleyes and some big ones.