On the South Shore… Ice fishing is going great on the south shore of Lake of the Woods, with resorts and outfitters reporting thickening ice conditions with two feet of ice in some areas. Many ice roads are now open to 1 ton vehicles pulling a wheelhouse. Every road has different weight limits, check with each resort for details before traveling up and out on the ice.
Some good fishing this past week. As a rule, fishing activity is happening in 28 – 32 feet of water. Resorts do just about everything they can to get customers on fish and this past week, some resorts made some long runs, resetting fish houses in new areas miles off shore. Most are reporting good fishing as a rule.
Huge Eelpout
It is common to sort through some small walleyes and saugers to get your keepers on LOW. Naturally, some big fish are showing up, especially in deeper water. In addition, this has been a very good year for jumbo perch with good numbers being caught. Other fish in the mix are eelpout (burbot), pike, tullibees and an occasional sturgeon.
Anglers are using the one-two punch of jigging in one hole and deadsticking the second hole. In the jigging hole, a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head or tail in gold / pink, gold / glow red, glow white / pink, or Wonder Bread have worked well.
Especially in the deeper water, some anglers are finding success on rippin raps or using jigging spoons with a rattle as well.
On the deadstick, a small jig with a live minnow hooked behind the dorsal fin set 6 inches – a foot off of the bottom is working well. One day the jigging line catches most of the fish, the other day a deadstick is hot.
Electronics are very helpful to see suspended fish, know when fish are coming through and adjust your presentation to the mood of each fish. Most resorts, outfitters and bait shops in the area rent electronics by the day.
On the Rainy River… The Rainy River is still producing some nice walleyes and saugers, primarily in the mornings and evenings. A jig and minnow working well.
Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing continues to be good for those targeting them. An oversized hole, or three holes drilled together, with nightcrawlers or frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig fished on the bottom are what anglers are using.
Ice conditions on the river can vary significantly due to the current. To stay safe and maximize success, always work with a local resort or outfitter familiar with river conditions.
Up at the NW Angle… Ice fishing continues to be very good up at the Northwest Angle. Resorts have fish houses set up on various pieces of structure as well as adjacent to structure in deep mud. A consistent mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike and tullibees in the mix.
Shallow structure is best right away in the morning and as the sun starts going down in the late afternoon. Mud is more of a slower bite but all day.
The ice road from Jerry’s on the mainland (Angle Inlet, MN) to island resorts (as of this past week) was open to 1 ton vehicles. Guests drive right to their island resort after picking up a road pass at Jerry’s or Point North Services. Venmo is also available at all resorts. Work through your resort for specifics.
Ice fishing is in full swing across Lake of the Woods and there are openings for lodging, fish house rentals, sleeper fish house rentals and meal plans across the area. Ice fishing is extended on LOW with fish houses allowed on the ice through March 31st, walleye / sauger season open through April 14th and a pike season that never closes.
For more information on fish house rentals, lodging, and helpful information, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.
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Get ready for an unforgettable experience as the 1st Annual Minnesota Resort, Lodge & Outdoor Products Show makes its debut at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN! From January 17th to 19th, 2025, outdoor enthusiasts will gather to explore the best in resorts, lodges, fishing, hunting, and outdoor gear from across the Midwest, Canada, and beyond. This exciting event promises something for everyone, whether you’re an avid angler, a dedicated hunter, or simply someone who loves the great outdoors.
Who would have thought you could find two bars on the frozen Lake of the Woods!?!? Yes, indeed, Lake of the Woods has it all. Two resorts have seen the need over the year and have set aside a facility ON THE ICE to serve beverages at their special ice-house/bar.
Yes, two bars. The Igloo Bar on the ice is a sensational place to experience the best of Lake of the Woods.
Setting Up the Igloo
Who ever thought of placing establishments like this on ice?!?! Well, there are many entrepreneurs around and Lake of the Woods is no exception.
The Igloo Bar, in particular, has earned quite a reputation. You see, this bar looks like an igloo. It is located out on frozen Lake of the Woods. It is loaded with big screen TV’s, electric lights, running water, a bar, limited hot food menu, and heated porta-potties that look like little igloos. It’s unlike anything else on the lake. This year the bar is located in its usual position out on the lake on Zippel Bay Reef.
Decked out with satellite TV, propane heat, running hot water and hoodie-clad bartenders, the arc-roofed bar also serves soup, sandwiches and pizza. The bottled beer, shots and mixed drinks flow for six nights a week until the ice softens in late March. That’s when tractors haul it back to shore in two pieces.
Couples have been married in this bar and snowmobilers drive miles to use the heated outhouses. And for a few dollars an hour, you can lift up a section of the tavern’s insulated floor and jig for walleyes from your bar stool.
“If you are looking for something different, this is different.” “It gets a little crazy in here when someone catches a big one,” offered Nick Painovich, owner of the Igloo Bar. He usually situates the Igloo miles out from shore above a walleye hot spot in the Zippel Bay fish house village.
The Igloo is licensed as a mobile food court, fish house and caterer, the Igloo requires electricity (supplied by a gas generator) to heat food and pressurize hot and cold water. All waste-water gets hauled to shore in holding tanks and poured into the resort’s own disposal system. Each morning and evening workers haul out huge generators on wheels that send power to the big Igloo Bar and also the heated lavatories. If traveling by snowmobile, a “spur” of the trail goes right to the bar from the Zippel Bay State Park trail as well as the trail on the lake.
The Angry Walleye is operated by Cyrus Resort . This bar will be on the ice this week. It’s located just off of Cyrus’ Ice Road and is open at 2 p.m. daily.
They feature beer, drinks and pizza to add to a great day of fishing on the lake. Bring back your limit and celebrate at the bar with friends all around. This is a great destination to add to your fishing experience.
The bar itself has been built inside of a large fish house and has a delightful and inviting atmosphere. Last year they had a celebration for a 90 year old fisherman who has fished Lake of the Woods quite frequently over the years. Party up!
You can see that this addition to the attributes of the lake is exceptional and very
inviting for all anglers. Bring in your fishing stories to the Angry Walleye to add to those being already told there.
Winter is a happy and busy time up at Lake of the Woods. The area is buzzing with activity. In these parts, winter is celebrated and welcomed. Ice fishing is an absolute culture in Northern Minnesota. Anglers from all ability levels and all walks of life come up to partake in some of the best ice fishing in the world at Lake of the Woods.
The owners of these bars had to jump many hoops with the MN DNR when first done. They have passed the tests and they have proven to be “hot spots” for anglers to frequent during their trip to Lake of the Woods. Ice roads are well marked, plowed and maintained when heading to these locations.
It is quite the entrepreneur who is able to organize and operate a business like these. It takes on greater than normal financial risks and staffing to run these bars. Another interesting feature on the ice is a yellow food truck often seen on the lake named Walleye Bites. Now that’s catchy and the food they serve from walleye bites to cheese curds is some of the best around.
A great success story each year is about bartender Jennie who daily places tip ups in a hole during morning hours before she preps the Igloo.
History has shown that Jennie is an avid fisher-woman as the picture shows. She has landed some monster northerns through the holes of the Igloo to “bring and brag” to other anglers that frequent the spot. So, have a beverage and pizza and lift up the table to drop your line in a hole in one of the biggest “fish houses” on the lake.
Let’s don’t forget about the great comradery to be had with anglers at both of these great locations. Come soon!!!
On the South Shore… Ice fishing is in full swing on the south shore of Lake of the Woods, with resorts and outfitters continuing to report solid ice conditions and some good fishing. Many ice roads are now open to 1 ton vehicles pulling a wheelhouse. Every road has different weight limits, check with each resort for details before traveling up and out on the ice.
Most fishing activity is happening in 26 – 32 feet of water. Most anglers are sorting through some small fish to catch their keepers with an occasional slot or trophy walleye. Most buckets have some good quality walleyes and saugers. Jumbo perch, northern pike, and large eelpout are also adding excitement to the mix, with a few sturgeon showing up as well.
Beautiful Perch at the Northwest Angle
Anglers are using the one-two punch of jigging in one hole and deadsticking the second hole. In the jigging hole, your favorite small to mid sized jigging spoon in gold, glow red, glow white, pink, chartreuse or a combo of these colors tipped with a minnow head. Rattles can help as well in the stained water.
Some anglers are finding success on jigging raps and rippin raps as well. More aggressive techniques at times are really getting it done.
On the deadstick, a small jig with a live minnow hooked behind the dorsal fin set 6 inches – a foot off of the bottom is working well.
Using electronics is very helpful to see suspended fish, know when fish are coming through and adjust your presentation to the mood of each fish.
On the Rainy River… The Rainy River is still producing some nice fish but the good walleye bite has slowed some. Anglers are catching some decent numbers of walleyes and saugers, with several nice-sized sturgeon showing up nicely for those angling for them. However, caution remains crucial on the river, as ice conditions can vary significantly due to the current.
Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing continues to be good. To stay safe and maximize success, always work with a local resort or outfitter familiar with river conditions.
Up at the NW Angle… Ice fishing is going very well up at the Northwest Angle. Resorts have fish houses out with anglers already enjoying excellent success.
The NW Angle is delivering its usual consistent fishing, with a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, and pike being caught. Resorts and outfitters in the area are working hard to place fish houses on points, reefs and over deep mud.
Ice fishing is in full swing and there are openings for lodging and fish house rentals on both ends of the lake.
For more information on fish house rentals, lodging, and updates on ice conditions, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.
Broil red peppers 4 in. from the heat until skins blister, about 15 minutes. With tongs, rotate peppers a quarter turn. Broil and rotate until all sides are blistered and blackened. Immediately place peppers in a large bowl; cover and let stand for 15-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, brush corn with 1 tablespoon oil. Transfer to an ungreased 13×9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° until tender, 30-40 minutes. Peel off and discard charred skin from peppers. Remove stems and seeds. Finely chop peppers. Cut corn from cobs.
In a shallow bowl, combine the cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper and cayenne. Coat walleye in cornmeal mixture.
In a large skillet, saute mushrooms in butter until tender. Add peppers, corn and remaining salt; saute 2-3 minutes longer.
In another large skillet, fry fillets in remaining oil for 2-3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with corn salsa
