Preheat oven to 200°. In a large bowl, whisk together Bisquick, milk, eggs, and brown sugar.
Add 1/4 cup batter to the pan and cook until golden and edges bubble, about 2 minutes per side. Working in batches, repeat with remaining batter. Place pancakes on a medium sheet and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Place in preheated oven while you make your eggs and bacon.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, turning halfway through, about 7 minutes. Brush bacon generously with the maple syrup and let cook until the syrup thickens glazing the bacon, about 30 seconds more. Transfer the slices to a plate to cool.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Wipe skillet clean and return to stovetop and heat to medium, then add 1 tablespoon butter. When butter is foamy, add egg mixture. Reduce heat to medium low, and stir eggs with a spatula, until cooked to your liking. Gently stir in chives and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
Build tacos: Divide eggs and bacon evenly among pancakes. Garnish with more chives and serve.
Perhaps we should call this the COVID – 19 fishing report. As you can imagine, some really cool annual traditions with Mother Nature are happening right now around Lake of the Woods.
With the current times, other than some local anglers fishing in their own backyard where they have private access, things are pretty quiet. Let’s get through this chapter and look ahead as the walleyes are definitely waiting, willing and able!
As many of you have read, in response to the COVID – 19 situation, the City of Baudette has closed it’s two public access points on the Rainy River, Koochiching County has closed their four access points to the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods County has also temporarily closed their access points. These closures are temporary in nature and are being reviewed often. Kooch County will review again April 14th which is the last day of the walleye season on LOW and the Rainy River.
We want to express our sincere appreciation and thanks for all who come up to the Lake of the Woods area throughout the year. Our community and small businesses are very tourism focused and dependent. This is a tough time for many for a variety of reasons. We look forward to getting this chapter behind us and creating wonderful memories with you again in the near future. Be safe and thank you.
On the south end… Ice conditions this March have held very well. As mentioned, low amount of traffic due to the times. Anglers out have been catching big pike as is traditional this time of year as well as walleyes and saugers.
On the Rainy River… The Rainy River is starting to open with a few local anglers with private access getting on the open water. As you can imagine, some big walleyes in the river. The spring walleye season goes through April 14th and will not be available to most this year. Looking forward to sturgeon season and the MN fishing opener May 9th!
Up at the NW Angle… A few locals still ice fishing. Walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch and an occasional pike or eelpout in the mix. Looking forward to open water. A complete list of lodging and guides available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging
It has been a good winter for ice anglers fishing Lake of the Woods. There are still a couple of weeks left of some of the best ice fishing of the year. On top of that, the annual spring fishing traditions on the Rainy River for optimistic spring walleye and sturgeon anglers are within a couple of weeks. Mother Nature offers a bounty of opportunities year round in these parts. And then COVID – 19. Each lodging facility is handling this season and these times differently. Many Lake of the Woods businesses are adapting to the times.
The local lodging community is taking the COVID – 19 situation very seriously, both for their guests and employees. Some resorts were on the verge of shutting down for the spring season as the winter was winding down and they did just that. Some would have stayed open for another couple of weeks but decided to pull the plug a bit early under the circumstances. Others decided to take all legal and necessary precautions and adapt by continuing to offer services allowing guests to come up ice fishing and soon enough, spring Rainy River fishing.
There are many adaptations lodging facilities have implemented. Some include expanded and more thorough cleaning regimes within rooms, cabins, fish houses, and lobbies of resorts.
Some resorts are working with customers over the phone and online as much as possible reducing person to person contact as much as possible. Some examples include emailing and talking on the phone vs in person regarding details of the trip, where fish houses are, where their room or cabin is located, etc.
Some resorts are still offering meals and meal plans with delivery and take out. Some resorts have placed menus within cabins and customers can place orders with either delivery to the door of their room or cabin or having one person of the groups pick up the meals.
Walleye in the Hole
Some resorts are dropping off breakfast, minnows and a fish house map at the cabin door each morning.
Some folks are choosing to bring their own fish house and utilize the ice roads still open on Lake of the Woods.
These are unprecedented times for all and guidelines put out by various branches of our government and CDC need to be adhered to. Fishing and enjoying the outdoors can be a way to take care of ones mind and spirit and for some is very important. It can also be done in very small groups with limited interaction with others. Adapting has and will continue to take place to ensure safety.
The best way to understand which resorts are still open and will be open for the spring fishing season, check out their Facebook pages or give them a call.
Lake of the Woods resort and lodging owners and outfitters are some of the most resourceful and caring people in the industry. It is no surprise these hard working folks are finding a way and adapting to the times!
These are unprecedented times. The COVID – 19 situation has our regular lives, events and for many, anxiety levels in a place we are not used to. There are, and will be challenges for many of us in the days ahead, but not challenges we cannot overcome. As the saying goes, without our health, what do we have? With that being said, it is especially important to keep an eye on our mind, body and spirit during these times. With adhering to the recommendations of the CDC and other medical experts for our safety and the safety of others, there are a number of outdoor activities that can help us as outdoors mined people through this chapter of life. Get outdoors for cheap psychology.
Social distancing is a phrase widely used in preventing the spread of COVID – 19. In essence, it refers to staying at least six feet away from others. Getting into the outdoors adheres to these requests but also allows our minds and bodies to experience fresh air, the healing qualities of nature and often times, providing food for our families (a phrase I often use with my wife when I express that I am headed out fishing).
I had the opportunity to clear my head recently by heading out to do some ice fishing. I was alone in my travels, but had proper safety gear such as a float suit, ice picks, ice cleats, etc. to ensure safety. Upon arriving, it appeared some other folks had the same idea.
While I picked away at some average sized fish, I could feel the stresses of life lift away. I know for myself and many, getting outdoors is good for the soul. It makes me a better man, both personally and professionally.
In these times, I found myself paying closer attention to the sounds of nature. Canada geese, cranes, swans, robins and cardinals were active in the area creating a wonderful backdrop for a few hour adventure.
Something about getting some exercise and breathing in the fresh air just makes me feel better and sleep better.
These times are an opportunity to be thankful and reflect on the many riches we take for granted. Living in America. Our loved ones. Our economic status wherever we are in life. Our pets. The opportunities. The medical expertise. The government’s resources to help people through this crisis. No matter where we are in life, we could have it worse. This is a good time to be thankful.
It isn’t everywhere one can have access to lakes, forests, prairies, walking and biking trails as part of living where we live.
It isn’t everywhere we can breathe fresh air. Have confidence in the quality of food we purchase. Know that our water is safe.
These are unprecedented times. These are also times for many of us who value spending time outside amongst nature can have great benefits to our overall health and well-being. As long as you can do so in a safe manner, make a point to spending some time outdoors. As many will agree, it is cheap psychology.
Lake of the Woods is the biggest fresh water lake next to the Great Lakes in the United States and is located at the top of Minnesota and borders Canada. The lake itself is known as the Walleye Capital of the World™. Besides the beauty of the area,
Baudette, MN, in Lake of the Woods County, is an excellent place to live and raise your family. When you Choose to Reside at Lake of the Woods, you will find many great assets. Baudette is the county seat and the Government Center here and offices are ready to provide services in all branches of needs whether passports, driver’s licenses or registrations of all sorts.
Lake of the Woods School
has a population of about 500 students K-12. The facility itself is state of the art with three gyms, a 400 seat auditorium, a food court and an Olympic-size swimming pool. The school has been known for many years as being at the top of the list of excellent education in the state of Minnesota. You can be assured of a good education for your children as you Choose to Reside in Baudette.
The downtown area features a grocery store, pharmacy, two hardware stores, VFW, American Legion, a clothing/souvenir store, three banks, a museum, a hospital, clinic and extended care facility as well as consignment shops and dining facilities. Two great
LakeWood Health Center
hardware stores and two great auto parts stores provide a person with all the necessities one might need to repair anything. Our furniture store is one of the largest in this northern area and has an incredible variety of things to choose from and is very beautifully decorated to enhance your shopping. A huge asset to the area is the ANI Pharmaceutical Company employed over 100 people and hiring constantly. Lake of the Woods is also the home of 50+ resorts who offer a variety of lodging options and most resorts also have dining available while enjoying the great views of Rainy River and Lake of the Woods.
If you Choose to Reside at Lake of the Woods you will find many realtors to help you choose your forever home in the city or the country. One of our new assets the Maple Gate Apartment building which is just over 1 year old.
It contains 1-2 and 3 bedroom options. The local Housing Authority also oversees 20 low income housing units. There are also 5 other apartment rentals in town as well. Employment is available in the area in local businesses, resorts and also manufacturing entities in neighboring towns.
This northern country is known for its winter sports and Baudette is the home of three ice arenas, one being the new International Ice Arena built in 2019, and one arena used as a Curling Facility.
Choose to Reside at Lake of the Woods and Get Hooked on Life, living near pristine forests and waters and providing your family with a safe and nurturing environment.
Ice fishing is still happening on Lake of the Woods. Some resorts / hotels / outfitters are open and have adjusted their business model to adhere to the new rules with COVID – 19. Additional cleaning and disinfecting is in place. Fish house rentals, lodging, ice roads and take out or delivered meals are available by some resorts. Contact resorts directly or look at their Facebook pages for helpful info.
On the south end… Some great March ice fishing continues. Anglers fishing anywhere from 27 – 33′ of water. Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent with freezing temps keeping ice firm. Some good colors overall, pink / gold, glow, red glow, green glow. Work lures on jigging line with a live minnow on an ice jig or plain hook on second line. Electronics a big plus. Try mixing it up with small lures, swim baits, rattle baits. Keep baits active for best results. Pike fishing very good this week with many fish over 40 inches. Tip ups with big baits on quick strike rigs the norm. Fish houses can be left overnight on the ice through March 31st, walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th and pike season never closes.
On the Rainy River… As spring approaches, extra caution needed on the river. Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette. We are watching open water line progress from east to west. No open water fishing as of yet due to colder temps.
Up at the NW Angle… A good week of ice fishing reports up at the Angle. A mix of nice walleyes, big jumbo perch and pike in the mix. Resorts in 20 – 32′ of water targeting both structure and mud. Glow colors, gold and pink effective. Plain hook on the deadstick. The snowmobile trails groomed and are still in good shape. A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging
Pike Season on Lake of the Woods gives anglers something to shoot for every season of the year. As the winter season starts coming to an end in this border region, anglers hit to the bays and start using tip-ups to catch fast fighting fish called the
Northern Pike. The mixture calls for the tip-up, a lawn chair, a bucket for your catch, sunshine, sunglasses and and enthusiasm for the catch.
Lake of the Woods is known as a trophy pike lake with many, many big pike over 40 inches caught each year. Right now as the ice is going out and the pike are beginning to stage for the spawn is a popular time for anglers to catch pike in their pre-spawn areas as the not only get congregated, but the feed bag is on.
Pike season on Lake of the Woods is open all year long. As mentioned, right now during the pre-spawn, ice fishing for huge pike is happening with good results. As the ice starts to move out, bays come into
play. Back bays of the Rainy River, 4 Mile Bay, Bostic Creek, Zippel Bay and shoreline areas with ditches along Muskeg Bay near the Rocky Point areas can be big pike magnets. One of the local resorts offers an Ice-Out Northern Pike Tournament where people from all around team up to catch these great fighters. Now Lake of the Woods is known for its walleye and there are anglers who don’t want to save the northerns, however, this writer knows first hand how great those cold water northerns can taste in that fry pan. Check out one of our recent blogs at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com for tips from Target Walleye on using tip-ups for the catch.
During challenging times, it is nice to have a psychological outlet. Congrats on a beautiful pike. March is a month pike are putting the feedbag on for the upcoming spawn. They congregate adjacent to spawning areas. The pi
ke season on LOW does not close. Angler Ty Sjodin fished Lake of the Woods just days ago and caught this incredible Northern. He said “What A Tank!!…today I landed what may be the biggest pike I’ve ever caught!! In a time of C-19, social distancing and quarantine, I recommend taking a break and get up to Lake of the Woods and hook into a fish of a lifetime!!”
Cook beef over medium heat in a large skillet until no longer pink. Drain meat and add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions.
Add meat to a greased 9×13 pan and set aside.
Beat eggs and milk in a large bowl. Stir in one and a quarter cup biscuit mix and pepper, and mix until combined well. Pour over meat and bake until golden brown (about 20-25 minutes).
Let cool for a few minutes and then spread on sour cream.
Top with lettuce, tomato, cheese and olives. Serve warm and ENJOY!
March in MN is the end of ice fishing for much of the state, especially when it comes to walleyes and pike. The season closes at the end of February and fish houses have to be off the ice early in March. The rules are different for Lake of the Woods as it is border water with Canada and benefits from extended seasons. Fish houses can remain overnight on the ice through March 31 and the walleye season remains open through April 14. That means March walleyes!
This extra month of March to enjoy ice fishing can provide some of the best ice fishing of the year. The days are longer, sun is stronger and the fish have the feedbag on for the upcoming spawn. It is fun to see flocks of geese making their way back up north to their nesting areas and seagulls starting to return and land on the ice around fish houses.
Having a few extra weeks of good ice fishing on the front end of the season and an extra month on the back end is one reason Lake of the Woods is a premier ice fishing destination. This special body of water provides some of the best ice fishing of the year for many guests including
March walleyes.
Check out ten reasons Lake of the Woods is such a good ice fishing destination…
1. Long ice fishing season. Resort ice fishing houses typically get on the ice in early December and remain out through the month of March.
2. Fish houses are allowed to be left overnight on the ice through March 31st on LOW as it is border water with Canada.
3. The walleye / sauger season is open through April 14th.
4. There are literally millions of walleyes and saugers
5. The water in LOW is stained, meaning the walleyes bite during the day
6. There are strong numbers of trophy walleyes in LOW
7. Pike season never ends
8. LOW is home to a big number of trophy pike over 40″ long
9. The resort community creates an infrastructure for ice fishing that allows for everyone to fish in comfort
10. In addition to walleyes and saugers, anglers will catch pike, jumbo perch, tulibees, eelpout, crappies and sturgeon through the ice
As a way to highlight March walleyes through the ice, Greg Jones of Midwest Outdoors TV and myself (Joe Henry) of Lake of the Woods Tourism recently had the chance to get out and do some fishing from one of the many resorts offering fish houses. The chance to catch nice walleyes and saugers from the comfort of a 70 degree fish house that is placed in good fishing areas, the holes are drilled and cleaned and all we had to do is step inside and fish.
The fishing was good like it normally is. We picked away at the walleyes and saugers throughout the day. It was a fun day with steady action and a variety fish caught, even a crayfish! That’s right, I actually caught a crayfish while Greg Jones at the same moment hooked into a nice sauger. Coincidence, I say not.
Ice fishing takes place on Lake of the Woods based on Mother Nature, but the month of March is that bonus month that is just special. Longer days, hungry fish and the last chance to hit the ice until next December! To explore resorts, hotels, sleeper fish houses and full service ice fishing around the lake, check out our lodging page at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.
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lakeofthewoodsmn.com
July 11, 2025
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