Grouse hunting season starts back up on Saturday, September 14, 2024!  Lake of the Woods is known for its walleyes, but the grouse numbers are phenomenal in the area. With hundreds of thousands of acres of public land even the most avid grouse hunter will never run out of land to hunt.

There is an area just to the west of Baudette, Beltrami Island State Forest has thousands and  thousands of acres of land, dirt roads, ATV trails and walking trails which is very good grouse habitat. There is so much habitat and such a variety of habitat that grouse have everything they want and need to flourish.

Whether you own a dog or not, grouse hunting success can be had by all. The grouse boom to bust cycle is continuing its cycle up and the numbers are great.  Getting off the trail is key to getting more flushes in this area. Not many hunters will go break brush so many of the birds go unseen and don’t flush.

It seems there are two criteria very important for grouse hunters looking to bag some “chickens of the northwoods”.   First is the availability of public hunting land.  The second, a lot of grouse.

Getting out with some friends in the forest during a grouse hunting season Typically does not disappoint.  Most hunters shoot mainly ruffed grouse with a couple of spruce grouse thrown in.  With such a beautiful area, hunting is a success from just the sheer beauty and getting out into the woods.

While there are plenty of nice trails to walk, it can help to walk on the edges of trails or if you are hunting with more than just yourself, spread out a bit with someone walking the trail and other hunters spread out into the woods.  Ideally, keep a good eye on where your other hunters are and try to keep parallel one another when moving through the woods and foliage.

It also helps to just stop once in a while.  When grouse cannot hear you, they tend to get nervous and this can cause a flush.

Stopping periodically also provides the chance to look up into the trees.  There have been many a time grouse have been looking back down at me.

The area offers 3 different type of grouse along with snipe.  The Ruffed Grouse is by far the most popular and to most hunters, tastes the best.  Some say it is the best eating game bird out there, but of course that is personal opinion.

The second type of grouse is the spruce grouse.  As a rule, ruffed grouse and spruce grouse roam the same type of habitat.  Spruce grouse prefer more of the coniferous forest or pine trees.  The meat is darker than a rough grouse and some consider it a stronger or “piney” taste.  There are a few in the north country who enjoy a good spruce grouse.

The third variety of grouse around Lake of the Woods is the sharp tailed grouse.  Sharpies primarily hang out in more agricultural settings, hence, are a bit more challenging to target as private land is best.  It is also helpful to have an idea where the sharpies are living as there are tens of thousands of acres of farmland across the Lake of the Woods region.

As The Walleye Capital of the World, Lake of the Woods is known for it’s fishing.  Consequently, grouse hunting does not garner the attention.  Many, however, have discovered an area off the radar screen to most that is absolutely a hunting gem.  There is a huge amount of quality public hunting land, lots of birds and fewer hunters.

The ability to go smack a limit of walleyes and enjoy ruffed grouse hunting in the same area the same day is enough to get sportsmen and sportswoman blood pumping. Fall is a a neat time up at Lake of the Woods.  A combo of great fishing and hunting speaks highly of the wonderful natural resources in this neck of the woods.  Grab your shotgun and head north to hunt grouse at Lake of the Woods.

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Are you ready for an exhilarating winter adventure? Whether you’re a seasoned snowmobile enthusiast or a first-time rider, Lake of the Woods offers a winter playground like no other. With 100s of miles of groomed trails and endless opportunities for exploration, this is the perfect destination to discover the thrill of snowmobiling while soaking in the breathtaking beauty of a winter wonderland.  But there is one thing, what if you don’t own a snowmobile?

We are excited to announce that XCAPE boat and snowmobile rentals are now renting snowmobiles and they are available for rent online through their platform!  Their booking system is LIVE, making it easier than ever to plan your winter getaway. So why should you book your next snowmobile adventure at Lake of the Woods?  Let’s dive into all the reasons why this is the ultimate destination for your next winter escape.

Explore the Beauty of Lake of the Woods on Snowmobile

One of the biggest draws of Lake of the Woods in the winter is the extensive network of groomed snowmobile trails that wind through stunning landscapes. These trails provide access to the serene, snow-covered wilderness, allowing you to experience the lake and its surroundings like never before. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely ride through the woods or want to challenge yourself with a longer trip, the area has something for every rider.

With XCAPE’S snowmobile rentals, you have the flexibility to explore these trails at your own pace. Ride through frozen forests, along scenic shorelines, or venture out to explore the lake itself. There’s something magical about zooming across the frozen expanse with snow crunching beneath you and a crisp breeze on your face.

Snowmobiling + Ice Fishing: A Perfect Combination

Lake of the Woods is renowned for its world-class ice fishing, and combining snowmobiling with a day of ice fishing makes for an unforgettable adventure. Renting a snowmobile gives you the freedom to move around the lake, finding the best fishing spots and exploring different areas without the hassle of staying in one place.

Imagine starting your day by snowmobiling across the lake to a heated fish house, dropping your line into one of the best walleye fisheries in the world, and then heading back to your snowmobile for more exploring. Snowmobiles make it easy to cover more ground, reach remote fishing locations, and truly immerse yourself in the winter experience.

Lake of the Woods has extensive trails across the ice, enabling ice anglers to fish in areas nobody else is targeting.  The groomed and staked trails go from the south end of the lake all the way up to the NW Angle on both the west and east sides of Big Traverse Bay.  This is the perfect opportunity to get away from traffic, target small pieces of structure and hone in on nice schools of walleyes.

Take a Bucket-List Trip to the Northwest Angle

Lake of the Woods is home to one of the most unique and sought-after destinations in the country: the Northwest Angle. As the northernmost point in the contiguous United States, this remote and picturesque area is accessible by snowmobile during the winter. With a snowmobile rental, you can check off that bucket list item and make a day trip to the Northwest Angle with friends or family.

Capture the moment with a picture at the famous northernmost point buoy, marking your adventure into this rare and beautiful corner of the country. Whether you go guided or explore on your own, the journey to the Northwest Angle offers breathtaking scenery and memories that will last a lifetime.

Ideal for Groups and Extended Stays

Planning a trip with a larger group? No problem! XCAPE’s fleet of snowmobiles includes multiple units, and each snowmobile comfortably seats two riders. Whether you’re bringing along family, friends, or both, everyone can join in on the fun. Plus, their multi-day discounts make it easy to extend your stay and enjoy everything Lake of the Woods has to offer at a great price.

They also provide helmets, so you’ll have everything you need for a safe and exciting ride. For even more convenience, they offer free delivery up to 35 miles from their location near Wheeler’s Point.

Book Your Winter Adventure Today!

With their easy-to-use online booking system, planning your winter adventure is simple and stress-free. Just select your dates, choose your snowmobiles, and let XCAPE Rentals take care of the rest.  Their multi-day discounts are automatically applied, so you’ll always get the best price.

Don’t miss out on this chance to experience the thrill of snowmobiling on Lake of the Woods. Whether you’re here for ice fishing, exploring the wilderness, or taking a day trip to the Northwest Angle, snowmobile rentals provide the flexibility and excitement you need for an unforgettable winter adventure.

Have questions? Want to learn more? Visit XCAPE Snowmobile Rentals to get all the details and book your snowmobile today.

Life is short – fill it with adventure! Come XCAPE with us this winter!

Go to the Lake of the Woods Tourism website for info about the area

Go to the Lake of the Woods lodging page for a list of resorts, hotels, charters and guides

Fall Fishing is a tradition many anglers in the north country look forward to. Each fall, there is a run of emerald shiners up the Rainy River that flows into Lake of the Woods.  The shiners are headed upstream, driven by biology but we are not exactly sure why.  The DNR Fisheries office in Baudette point out fish will not expend energy for any reason, so they are after something. Possibly it is a good food source, possibly a different temperature of water.  Whatever the reason, they typically move upstream in the fall and it can lead to some hot and heavy walleye action.  With this tradition, plan for some epic fall fishing on the Rainy River and all around Lake of the Woods.

Every year is different.  Based on weather, flow of the river, how much daylight remains throughout the day, etc.  Some years the shiners run so thick it looks like you could walk on them at times.  This is when you hear splashing fish busting up through the schools of minnows.  Other years, the run of shiners is more tamed down.  Either way, there are walleyes that come out of the lake and enter the river and this leads to some great fall fishing.

There are a number of methods to catch these walleyes, but the most common is a jig and minnow.  Anchoring up on the edge of some structure and vertically jigging while watching the migration of a variety of waterfowl is a great day to spend a fall day.  Some anglers use fatheads or rainbows.  Others prefer a live emerald shiner if available.  The second choice for anglers wanting to match the run is a frozen shiner.

This is the time of the year local bait dealers are busy working to net these shiners supplying ice anglers with a supply of frozen shiners through March.

From the mouth of the Rainy River near many of the resorts up-river through Baudette all the way over to Birchdale to the east, there can be great fall fishing.  There is about 42 miles of very navigable Rainy River.  This provides anglers with many great opportunities.  Some walleyes will be moving upstream using current breaks, holes and rocks as they migrate upstream.  Others will be staged feeding heavily in areas where the emerald shiners are hanging out.  There is lots of water to fish and many techniques to catch fall walleyes.

Wheeler’s Point has a great boat ramp at the mouth of the Rainy River.  Lots of ramps, docks and ample parking amongst many resorts make this access handy.

The next public access up river is located along HWY 172 adjacent to Bayview Lodge is the Wabanica Creek Boat Launch.  Wabanica Creek runs into the Rainy River half way between Baudette and Wheeler’s Point.

The next ramp up river is located in the town of Baudette. Near the Canadian Border crossing, you will find a popular public dock at the rest area known as Peace Park. There is a boat ramp with ample parking for boats and trailers at this site.

Moving into the center of town on the Baudette Bay is a boat dock where you can tie up your boat and walk up Willie Walleye Hill to get a coffee or find groceries and supplies at the local grocery store.

At the eastern side of Baudette at Timbermill Park you will find a great place to dock your boat and again there is plenty of parking area available.  This access is directly on the Rainy River.

Further down Hwy 11 at the town Birchdale, Nelson Park is located on the road traveling north off of Hwy 11. Here again, you’ll find a great access point for your boat and the campground is one of the most beautiful spots along the river. (Be sure to stop in to the Birchdale Store while in the area. It is probably one of the most unique country stores to be found in the state.)

If you have your own boat, the Rainy River is small water compared to the lake.  Even on a windy day, there are opportunities to get out of the wind and find fish.

Now is a good time to start planning a trip.  Grab some loved ones or friends and experience a beautiful time of the year and some of the best fishing of the year.  Plan for some epic fall fishing on the Rainy River!

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If you like fall fishing for walleyes, perhaps you have heard something about shiners and walleyes running on the Rainy River.  It is a tradition for anglers that is, well, just special.

Fall along the beautiful Rainy River is an incredible spectacle all by itself.  “Sweatshirt weather” as some call it features the changing colors of the leaves, the migration of birds coming from the north and in these parts, the shiner run and world class walleye fishing.

When will the shiner run start?  Has it started some?  With the colder nights and warmer days, Mother Nature has a way of kicking things into gear.  Is it any surprise there were a number of boats starting to fish Four Mile Bay and the mouth of the Rainy River?  Every year, good early September reports from the river start circulating.

As the daylight becomes less and less and temperatures are beginning to drop, many believe Mother Nature is about to get things rolling, if they are not rolling already.

It’s a fall tradition for many.  Coming to the Rainy River to take advantage of the fall run of walleyes chasing the millions of emerald shiners running up the river.  Something about the leaves changing and the smell of fall in the air.

Fall on the river is also a fun opportunity for those with smaller boats to access some of the best fall walleye fishing in the Midwest.  The river is small in comparison to the lake and even on windier days, there are plenty of twists and turns where a person can find a nice break out of the wind and jig for some fall gold.

If you chat with a resort owner or bait dealer, they talk about the shiners in terms of “gallons”.  This is the time of the year folks in the bait business really to stock up on the effective and popular bait that is used four seasons per year.  Emerald shiners are an awesome bait both alive and frozen.  These minnows are normally netted off the ends of docks with big lights at night.  When the shiners are running, literally huge schools of bait will swirl under the lights.  As we have seen over the past couple of weeks, walleyes and pike are often mixed in with these minnows.

 

Anglers are excited as there have been reports of both emerald shiners and walleyes in Four Mile Bay and up the river.  Walleyes are being caught from the mouth of the river all the way up river to Birchdale.  These fish are a combination of local fish that live in the river along with the new walleyes coming in from the lake.

Most anglers will go after these walleyes with a jig and minnow.  Often a frozen shiner is the bait of choice.  The shiners are a staple for Lake of the Woods walleyes, they are flashy and have a great stink to them in which the walleyes can hone into in the stained waters of this body of water.

Some anglers will actually pull crankbaits for these fish.  A few years ago on a nice fall afternoon while I was jigging up a few walleyes jigging, a couple of Ranger boats slid by me trolling.  The boats had Iowa boat licenses and were consistently catching walleyes as they approached.  In a kidding manner, I commented to them, “You can’t catch walleyes trolling now, the water is too cold.”  They smiled as they reeled in another fish, “Yeah, we know.  And so do the two trophy walleyes and dozens of other fish we caught today.  We actually target the Rainy River trolling each year as we have such good luck.”

Charter boat captains comment they can tell when a shiner run has entered the bay and river as they drive out in the morning, they can see clouds of bait on their electronics.  There has been a decent number of walleyes in the river all summer.  To nobody’s surprise, there has also been a good amount of bait in the river.  Is is because of the higher water, perhaps more current?  Nobody really knows, but the fact is most think this will all contribute to some excellent fall fishing.

This activity in the river also bodes well for ice anglers for the upcoming ice season.  It seems with good activity in the river, a portion of those walleyes anyways, will eventually slide out to the lake to waiting ice anglers.

Many anglers enjoy the small water experience of the river vs the big open water of Big Traverse Bay, especially if they have a smaller boat.  The river is a great asset for small boats.

Fall is a great time on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River.  The fish are biting nicely.  A mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch and pike are being caught on a consistent basis right now.  Fall is clipping along and now is a good time to get that last special fishing trip in.

For more info on fall fishing on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, check out some of the great fall specials offered by area resorts.

 

Go to the Lake of the Woods Tourism website for info about the area

Go to the Lake of the Woods lodging page for a list of resorts, hotels, charters and guides

Every year, there is magic. The environment is created with much attention to detail, which sets the stage. It is veterans spending time with other veterans, however, that creates the magic. Such was the case for 90 veterans at this year’s 2024 Pay It Forward Veterans Event up on Lake of the Woods this past week.

This was the 11th Annual event which began in 2014.  The purpose of Pay It Forward is to honor, recognize and celebrate all veterans. Organizers, Lake of the Woods Tourism and Fishing For Life, set the stage with two days fishing on charter boats, a variety of delicious meals, lodging at area resorts and some guest speakers who speak about topics pertinent to veterans.

Initially, one might think this event is for veterans severely physically or mentally wounded from combat. And it is, but it is also for those who never saw combat, stayed stateside and served with our armed forces in any way, shape or form.

This event is for all who served. Some veterans who are doing relatively well often defer opportunities like Pay It Forward so those who are “more in need” can attend. Very considerate of course, but what we see more often than not, is there is healing or perhaps a boost of life not anticipated, but appreciated and enjoyed by all veterans who attend.

A variety of passionate guest speakers helped shape this event discussing topics ranging from successfully managing PTSD to overcoming obstacles and living a purposeful life.  Veterans were invited to say a few words if they liked and many spoke, sharing their stories, resources that have helped them and providing testimonials.  It is veterans rubbing elbows, sharing stories, hardships and camaraderie with other veterans that really creates the magic of this event.

Hall of Fame angler and outdoor communicator, Terry Tuma and his wife Karen once again greeted and fished with veterans.  “Tackle Terry”, as many know him, and his wife are long time supporters of this event and have been part of it since it’s inception.

Veteran organizations present included Fishing For Life, Elks Veterans Services, Every Third Saturday, Eagles Healing Nest, various VFW’s and American Legions.

A highlight for veterans at the Pay It Forward event is fishing on Lake of the Woods for two days on a charter boat. Licensed charter captains lead the fishing and it was tremendous with most, if not all, limiting out on walleyes and saugers with a variety of pike, bass, and perch in the mix.  Not only were there good numbers of walleyes caught, but some true trophies reaching lengths over 28 inches long.

This three-night, two-day fishing extravaganza with meals included is complementary to veterans thanks to the generous donations from Lake of the Woods area resorts, guides, various small businesses, organizations and individuals.​

Midwest Outdoors TV was present and filmed the event, capturing messages and stories from veterans.  The 2024 Pay It Forward episode will air sometime around Veterans Day in November.

If you would like to learn more about Pay It Forward, submit an application for the 2025 event or donate to this veteran’s event, check out the event website at www.PayItForwardLOW.org.

Media Contact:

Joe Henry

Executive Director, Lake of the Woods Tourism

Joe.Henry@LakeoftheWoodsMN.com

320-260-7727

Pay It Forward is an event under the 501(c)(3), Walleye Master Charity Events | PO Box 42 | Baudette, MN 56623

Info about the Lake of the Woods Area

Lodging and Fishing in the Lake of the Woods Area

Information about the Pay It Forward Veterans Event

Plan your trip now to experience Fall colors in the north country of Lake of the Woods. World Class fishing is still in the mix but temperatures are dipping in the evening and leaves are starting to turn. We are seeing golden grasses in the ditches and golden leaves on the poplar trees as well as the sumac turning their gorgeous red. Harvested field are showing golden stubble and soybeans are turning from green to golden brown.

Fall invites many visitors to see the parade of the fabulous fall colors throughout the north land. The North Shore is a popular place to visit this time of year so why not plan a trip from east to west to satisfy your eyes. Check out the Fall Color Guides found on the Dept of MN – Forestry Division.

Explore Minnesota is another great website to explore for your fall adventures.

Forestry across the north land is still prevalent and you will find many logging trucks traveling to bring their product to market or storing it up to sell before freeze-up. Erickson Timber and Jake’s Saw-Mill of Baudette are always busy as trucks are in and out hauling their product from the north, south, east and west.

One popular fall excursion at Lake of the Woods is to travel on Wilderness Drive south of Baudette through the virgin forest areas of Beltrami Forest. This is the sight of many past homesteads and the popular Faunce Tower Area is a great place to visit, explore or picnic. Enjoy the tall white pines that sing in the wind. The Beltrami Island State Forest is a state forest located in Lake of the Woods, Roseau, and Beltrami counties, Minnesota are the prime sites for the fabulous fall colors

Named after Italian explorer Giacomo Beltrami, it is the second-largest state forest in the Minnesota system after Pine Island State Forest. The largest wildlife management area in the state at 321,149 acres, the Red Lake Wildlife Management Area, is located within the forest. The majority of the forest is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, although a significant portion are tribal lands belonging to the neighboring Red Lake Band of Ojibwe. This great forest area is perfect in the fall for hiking, exploring and ATV travel.

Another great spot to travel for the fabulous fall colors at Lake of the Woods is Zippel State Park. This is located northwest of Baudette and is full of birch and poplar trees as well as beautiful pines. It has many trails and its sandy beach on the shore of Lake of the Woods is especially calm and serene during the fall season. Again, golds, whites, reds, and browns along with the green pines is an exquisite sight at dawn or during the astounding sunsets.

One of this authors favorite things is the Tamarac pines that turn golden during this season. Yes, these pine trees turn the most beautiful shade of gold and then lose their needles. Highway 72 which runs north to the top of Minnesota features these beautiful trees. If you pick a day when the sun is shining, these trees literally sparkle like diamonds.

Here’s another suggestion to try to see these great trees. Why not turn into the Big Bog Drive located about 30 miles south of Baudette off of Hwy 72 also. It’s a one mile walk on an highly engineered durable trail with nice places to rest along the walk and also educational plaques describing much of the undergrowth there and naming parts of the forestry.

Plan your trip this fall all around Minnesota and end up at Lake of the Woods for a climax of your tour.

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