Those who are traditionalists might ask the question, “why would an angler not use live bait?”  Well, there are a number of reasons why.  There are also an absolute plethora of great plastics that can put fish in the boat just as good, and in some cases, even better than live bait.  Let’s look at a few.

Why use artificial?  In some cases, it is required.  CFIA, the Canada Food Inspection Agency, created a new law in October, 2020 that prevents Americans from transporting any bait, alive or dead or frozen or freeze dried, across the border.  Without getting into the weeds about their intent for such a wide sweeping regulation, fortunately, we have some very good options.

In other cases, plastics might trump live bait when it is very expensive.  When in remote areas, what are you willing to pay?  In today’s world, artificial bait options are effective and much less expensive.

Artificial baits can be more convenient, easier to carry and always available despite the temperature.  It doesn’t die.  It doesn’t have a “knock you out” odor when it gets hot.  You can often catch more than one fish on artificial lure.  So hopefully we have at least established some legitimate reasons for considering artificial bait.  Let’s discuss actual options.

Without getting into companies too deep, there has been some wonderful work being done with plastics.  Companies like Storm (Rapala), Berkeley and Northland are certainly leaders in this field.  There are many others that are good too.

Jigs and plastics.   Great technology has been implemented in today’s plastics.  Color, scent, action, today’s baits have them all.  Let’s talk swimbaits.  These are oftentimes lifelike lures that anyone can use as they are simple.  Cast them out and reel them in.  You can cover water.  They create their own action.  They are a multispecies lure.

Plastics, as they are called, have many different variations.  One of the variations is the tail.  There are split tails, twister tails and paddle tails.  The tails will determine what kind of action and vibration the plastic has.

On any given day, fish may prefer one tail over the other.

Fish also may prefer a certain action on a given day.  During cold water or cold fronts when fish are lethargic, they might prefer a very simple presentation of slowly reeling in the bait, nice and steady.  On other days, they may need to be fired up more, basically getting the reaction bite with an aggressive jigging motion.

That is part of the fun of fishing is figuring the fish out.  I am a big fan of working together to figure the fish out.  When I say working together, I am referring to each person in the boat using something different or maybe doing something different with action.  Let the fish tell you on that give day, or that given hour, how they prefer it.  You then can mimic what is working the best.

Leeches.  I sometimes wonder, just like crawlers, how much walleyes really desire eating an actual leech but rather, the combination of the swimming motion and scent that at times of the year make them desirable.  There are some good knockoffs to nature in the leech category as well.

If you are trolling with an imitation leech, in my opinion, you can get away with a lot.  If you are presenting the leech, for instance, under a bobber on a small jig head, it is important to have an imitation that moves on it’s own in the water.   In a recent Head2Head fishing tournament that doesn’t allow live bait, Max Wilson, a pro angler used a newer product called Liquid Leech in such a manner and crushed the walleyes.

Spinners or crawler harnesses.  When walleyes are spread out, it is sometimes helpful to cover water.  One technique that is super effective for catching walleyes is trolling or drifting with a snelled spinner and a crawler or other live bait.  If you don’t, or cannot use, live crawlers, what are your options.  No worries, there are plenty of options.

A variety of lure companies make imitation crawlers or plastic worms that are lifelike and have scent, color and action to attract walleyes with this presentation.  Don’t get me wrong, it is really hard to replace the qualities of a live crawler.  However, there are actually times when an artificial worm is better.

One is when you are in a body of water with lots of panfish that are constantly stealing your live crawler.  Another is when you are using a harness in weedy conditions.  Much of the time when you pull out of a weed, you lose your crawler.  This is a scenario when artificial crawlers shine.

Change isn’t always easy.  Plastics have really come a long ways and if you are notorious for fishing mainly live bait, I encourage you to try some plastics.  They are versatile, long lasting, effective and in many cases, a great alternative to live bait.

Information about Lake of the Woods

Lodging around Lake of the Woods

Considering an ATV-riding destination? Come explore all Lake of the Woods has to offer. Nestled in Northwest Minnesota, where western prairie and farm fields merge with the forests of the east. Home to all-terrain vehicle manufactures Polaris and Arctic Cat. It’s no surprise 270,000 ATVs are registered with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Lake of the Woods boasts 1,400 miles of ATV trails and accessible roads.

One part of the equation for a fun and successful ATV trip are the trails. Another part is a nice variety of lodging or perhaps camping.  Another key to a great trip for many is a wide variety of restaurants and bars. And finally, some groups like to mix up activities and let’s say catch a bunch of walleyes.  Whatever your equation for a fun ATV trip, Lake of the Woods might be a nice fit.

Off-highway vehicles can be driven on all state forest trails that are not designated as off limits for environmental or safety reasons.  Lake of the Woods area has literally has thousands of acres of prime ATV destinations, a variety of nice resorts and hotels and of course great places to eat and drink while on vacation.

Greater freedom has been given to all-terrain vehicle riders choosing to ride in Minnesota state forests in our region. Off-highway vehicles can be driven on all state forest trails that are not designated as off limits for environmental or safety reasons.

Beltrami Island State Forest West of Baudette spans 66,903 acres, it’s Minnesota’s second largest state forest. It’s the water source of  five rivers—the Roseau, Warroad, Rapid, Winter Road, and Moose. Contains seven scientific and natural areas (SNAs), the state’s largest WMA, Hayes Lake State Park, and Big Bog State Recreation Area.

Pine Island State Forest is east of Baudette and is the largest of Minnesota’s 58 state forests, encompassing 878,040 acres.

Northwest Angle State Forest is located at the north end of Lake of the Woods county and has 144,412 acres to explore. While motoring the roads of this state forest you will see tamarack, black spruce, white and red pine, cedar, and birch.

Getting on the trail can be the best way to leave civilization behind and witness wild places—not to mention the birds, deer and other creatures that call these areas home.

The Bankton Road–south of Williams and Roosevelt it provides 238 miles of trails.  Much of this trail system follows county roads, township roads, ditch banks and existing trails.

Carp’s Pit Recreation Area–a popular picnic and resting area for trail riders.

Lake of the Woods County has recently announced that they will be expanding the ATV trails in the area and improving the ones that already exist. Because ATV use is so popular for people of all ages, the county wants to provide this great opportunity to explore the many areas that contain such natural beautiful in this county.

This county is still the home of beautiful natural pine forests that have been kept from the early settlers’ homesteads and historical sights. There will be more information coming very soon and updated maps available as well. Keep posted for this new venture of the Lake of the Woods County Board. Local adventurers and vacationers alike will benefit from this great new undertaking.

The DNR has really upped the quality of many of their maps and online tools for many public areas, State Forests and Recreational Areas.  For more information and trail maps check out our ATV PAGE or the MN DNR website

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.

After two summers of the border being shut down, Canada opened it’s border to Americans.  This border opening included the waterways and that means guests staying at one of the 14 resorts up at Minnesota’s NW Angle can now choose to fish either MN waters or Ontario waters.  After not being able to fish some of the best freshwater fishing this planet has to offer for two years, NW Angle guests are enjoying fishing Canadian Waters.

“They were like kids in a candy store.  They left the dock at just before 7am and were back by 8:30am just giggly.”  This was an example of what happens when anglers who really love fishing the Ontario side of Lake of the Woods that borders the NW Angle get out after a long pause in something they cherish.  The fish have been cooperative.  After all, they haven’t been fished, for all practical purposes, for two years.

The reports across the board have been excellent.  Big numbers of walleyes are the main draw.  After all, this is The Walleye Capital of the World, and walleyes are the most sought after fish.

Muskie anglers have also reported seeing, catching and releasing good numbers of fish.  Seeing 30-40 fish a day is not outside the realm of a day of chasing muskies.

Smallmouth bass and pike are also prevalent, just not targeted as much.  For the avid bass anglers, there is no doubt with 14,552 islands, you would have an absolute ball along and probably catch your limit of walleyes accidently while targeting smallmouth.

Boating into Canada and not touching land.  The rules to cross into Canada via boat are similar to before the border was restricted.  If you boating into Canadian waters from America and don’t touch land, a dock, etc., you do not have to report into CBSA.  Here is how the rule reads from the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) website.

You can now enter Canada for leisure and touring, including pleasure fishing, sightseeing and other discretionary purposes (known as loop movements).

However, you must:

• continuously remain on your boat while in Canadian waters
• not land in Canada
• not make contact with another boat
• not moor or anchor while in Canadian waters

If at any point, you land on Canadian soil, come in contact with another boat or drop anchor, you will be required to report to the CBSA and if you’re eligible to enter Canada, you will become subject to all entry requirements including pre-arrival testing and submitting your mandatory information into ArriveCAN. Travellers engaged in transit or loop movements are not required to report to the CBSA.

Boating into Canada and touching land.  If you boat into Canada from the NW Angle and are planning on touching land, you must check in with CBSA.  They way to do this is to call the 888-CAN-PASS phone number.  Just like crossing into Canada by land, they will require you to have the ArriveCAN app, have your vaccination card uploaded, and have a PCR (also called molecular) COVID test that is less than 72 hours old from when you took the test showing a negative result.

Here is how the rule reads from CBSA.

Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents and French citizens and permanent residents of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon (SPM) are eligible to enter Canada by boat for discretionary purposes and can come on land, anchor, moor, or come alongside another vessel in Canada. However, they must:

• 1) be asymptomatic;
• 2) have a valid pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test result taken in the U.S. for U.S. boaters, or in SPM for SPM boaters (antigen tests are not accepted)
• 3) submit their mandatory information via ArriveCAN, including proof of vaccination in English or French (both vaccination doses, if applicable), and a quarantine plan; and,
• 3) be admissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents must also:

• reside in the U.S.
• be travelling from the U.S.

Fishing the beautiful waters that are full of fish that border the NW Angle can be fishing nirvana.  Contact your favorite NW Angle resort for fishing guides, lodging, questions and details.

Boating and fishing Canadian waters for Americans is now available again.  So far, the fishing has been nothing but spectacular.

A list of NW Angle Resorts

Learn more about the NW Angle

Learn more about the Lake of the Woods area

September and October are great months in the Midwest, especially if you like to hunt and fish.  Often times, the areas that are the best for hunting and fishing are distances apart.  There is a very special area, however, that offers both world class hunting and fishing all on the same trip.  This place…Lake of the Woods.

Let’s start with the fishing.  There are so many options for fantastic fall fishing.  As the water cools on the lake and on the Rainy River, the walleyes really start to put on the feed bag.  With millions of walleyes and a healthy population of trophies, charter boats are having their way with the fish.

For some, it makes sense to book a charter.  It is easy.  These resorts and guides are on fish, have the big boats, the right equipment and some even offer a delicious shore lunch.

The other option is to bring your own boat.  Resort owners and bait shops are very generous in providing good info to get you started in the right direction.

Fall is a time when a variety of techniques will work.  Anchored up and jigging with a frozen shiner is by far the most common and many days, the most effective.  There is something about watching the migration of waterfowl take place throughout the day while setting the hook on walleyes and saugers.  Very special.

A nice bonus while jigging for walleyes in the fall are the jumbo perch.  Jumbos up to 15” are often swimming the same waters as the walleyes and are absolutely massive.  They call them “humpbacks” as there is actually a big hump behind their head due to the massive size of their bodies.

Many anglers are still trolling cranks.  Walleyes will inhale a crankbait well into the late fall.  With the fish bulking up for the winter, larger cranks are often the baits of choice for the monster walleyes in the system.

I recall a fall trip on the Rainy River that opened my mind a bit.   I was jigging and catching plenty of fish when two boats came trolling by with IA licenses on their boat.  While we exchanged pleasantries, I kidded around and said that the water was too cold for a walleye to eat a crank.  They knew where I was going with this and mentioned they had pulled a 28” and 29” walleye in the last hour.  This was a tradition for the group every year and it was because of the massive walleyes they catch.

Lake of the Woods is also known for big fall muskies.  With so much water and few anglers, this is a great time to see a lot of fish and potentially boat a monster over 50”.  Most anglers will stay at a NW Angle resort and fish the adjacent islands both on the MN side and Ontario side as they are only a stone’s throw away.   With over 14,000 islands, muskie nuts keep very busy.

Very strong numbers of smallmouth bass, pike and crappies also are on the prowl if you want a break from the norm.  These fish are often overlooked and folks that go after them typically do very well.  The pike and bass can be caught all over the lake, whereas the crappies are more prevalent fishing out of the NW Angle amongst the islands.

Hunting!  So much of the time, fishing is the conversation around the lake, but hunting is incredible.  The one fact to really appreciate is the thousands of acres of public land.  The areas around Lake of the Woods are loaded with public hunting opportunities and very few hunters.  Right off the bat compared to many other areas, this is a win.

Grouse Hunting.  Based on what you like to hunt, there are so many opportunities.  Let’s talk grouse.  The area features three species, ruffed, spruce and sharp tailed.  Some hunters like the challenge of trying to achieve the triple header all in the same day.

Maps of the area can be accessed online at the MN DNR or Lake of the Woods Tourism.  Beltrami Island State Forest is a great place to start.  It has a myriad of dirt roads, ATV trails and designated walking trails, perfect for grouse hunting.

The Ruffed Grouse Society and MN DNR have worked together to create some wonderful walking trails throughout Beltrami Island State Forest.  A nice parking area, signage at the head of the trail and a wonderful trail amongst prime grouse habitat that loops around back to your parked vehicle.

Waterfowl hunting.  There is a nice migration of ducks and geese that comes right through this country.  The birds use the lake and follow it south.

For the diver ducks, there is plenty of open water with adjacent bays for food.  For the puddle ducks, shoreline areas of wild rice, reeds, and other aquatic vegetation with few people make it ideal.

Key spots for duck hunting include various bays of the lake and river.  Up at the Angle, around the many islands can be excellent hunting.  Setting up decoys on a point amongst the flyways leads to some memorable shoots.

On a recent south shore hunt, a few of us simply hit 4 Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River.  We landed our 16’ aluminum boat at the Wheeler’s Point Landing before light.  After we set up decoys in the bay close to a reed patch, we hid in our boat floating in the reeds.  A great shoot was had with many divers coming through.  Thousands of divers were rafted on the north end of Big Traverse Bay and small groups would break off and make their way across the water, over Pine Island to the bay.  We left at 10:00am and birds were still flying.  As these ducks fly fast, let’s not talk about the many missed shots!

Goose hunters often hunt the thousands of acres of crops and fields just off of the lake on the south end.  Field hunting with decoys is easiest working through one of our resorts and guides as much of this land is farmed and is private.

As geese have to have water, they are constantly flying back and forth.  With a bit of scouting, many public water opportunities exist.

Big game hunting is all around.  Deer and bears are the most common big game species.  When the laws allow, wolves are prevalent as well.  All three animals are very abundant in the area and can be targeted through a guide or through your own efforts.

In speaking with some bow hunters at Beltrami Island State Forest, they were passing on a lot of deer waiting for a north woods big buck.  They are out there and every year, some monsters are harvested.

Up at the Angle, some deer hunters work through the NW Angle resorts and hunt the many islands in Ontario waters.  With the proper Ontario licenses, thousands of islands are at your calling.  Monster bucks live on these islands as there is less pressure from predators.  This type of hunting requires a boat to island hop and typically is very successful.

The fall is a outdoors person’s paradise in the Midwest.  When you add world class fishing and so many hunting opportunities in the same location, I think they call this “Nirvana”.

More information about the Lake of the Woods Area

LOW Area Lodging Information