Charter Boats Being Prepped for Open Water-Plan Now!

charter fishing lake of the woods, mn

Charter Boats are being prepped for the open water, even though there’s still ice on the lake and ice fishing has been incredible.  Resort owners are filling their books fast and NOW is the time to plan.

Even though fish houses are still out on the ice up at Lake of the Woods, very soon they will be replaced by charter boats being moved to their respective resort docks.

This year, consider fishing on a Lake of the Woods charter boat.  They are a great way to plan a trip to Lake of the Woods when you don’t know the lake, don’t have the right boat, are a novice angler, or want something family friendly?  A guided fishing trip aboard a big charter boat is a great solution to all your worries. Here are the TOP TEN reasons to book a charter trip when you visit Lake of the Woods.

charter
Charter Boats Heading to the Lake
  1. Incredibly easy!  Whether you have a family that needs a little extra guidance, a novice angler yourself, or just really want to be on vacation and not worry about a thing; charter fishing is the way to go. Guides and their resort take care of you all day from when the boat leaves at 8 from the dock, until after hours when they even clean the fish for you if that is what you choose. Families with children, guys and girls getaways, even those with special requests love the luxuries of a charter boat.
  2. Don’t know the lake like the back of your hand? No problem! Many anglers, even if they bring their own boat, will rent a charter for the day to get a feel for the lake and a “lay of the land,” if you will. Having a lake large enough to have charters can be a little unsettling to maneuver, but with a charter, it is one less worry.
  3. charter Fish ANYWHERE on the lake. Always a smooth ride anywhere on Lake of the Woods or Rainy River. Starting in the spring, walleyes feast in more shallow water off of Pine Island. Mid-summer, walleyes are very deep and charters travel across the lake to find fish with ease. Windy days they slip into the river for a sheltered day.
  4. Jigging to Down Rigging. All types of fishing are welcome on a charter. Jigging and spinners in the spring and summer. Down rigging is a special feature on charter boats in the late summer and fall the options are endless. Pick your favorite method and set the hook.
  5. BATHROOMS. Yes ladies, you read correctly! A “potty” is available in the lower deck of the boat.
  6. All equipment is provided. This includes rods, reels, bait, life jackets and more to make fishing a breeze! When fishing on a charter you only have to ask yourself 2 questions:
  7. What should I wear and what should I eat?? Lunch is always an option. If you want to hit the water all day, choose a sack lunch including a sandwich, cookie, chips, and a pop made fresh that morning so you never miss the bite. Option two is the Traditional Shore Lunch special to Lake of the Woods. A picnic made fresh of the morning’s catch cooked on shore with a million-dollar view! To learn more about a shore lunch, read it HERE.
  8. Boy hoisting big walleye Arnesens Rocky Point 072224 Large or mixed groups. Charter fishing is great for groups. Each boat can carry 6 passengers plus their guide, plenty of opportunity for lots of limits! If you are a smaller group of two or three or four and want to save a buck; the resort may mix you with another small group to fill the boat. This is also a great way to meet people!
  9. Always on the fish! With over 50 resorts on Lake of the Woods, licensed captains are always on the move to find the day’s hot spot. Guides are constantly networking while on the water to ensure as much success as possible for anglers on the boat.
  10. The American Plan. It has never been so easy to plan a vacation. The American Plan is an all-in-one package that includes your stay (cabin or room), charter rental, and even your meals if you so choose. Check out our Hot Deals link on our website.  No one wants to mess around with multiple bills, with the American plan you pay one package amount, show up… and the rest is history!
  11. Cook up your fish! After fishing on the charter all day, who wants to cook? Good news here, guides will clean your fish for you and deliver the to the resort kitchen. Staff will then cook up a delicious meal for all to enjoy, especially when you know you caught them. What a great way to spend a vacation!!!

Here’s another option. Book a trip across the lake on Lake of the Woods Passenger Service to the Northwest Angle or to the Islands of Oak or Flag. charter Gregg do the driving for you while you enjoy the great scenery on this immense lake. From there, guides in those locations can take you out on their charter boats and bring you back to the respective resorts for great evenings of relaxation and great food and sunsets.

If you would like to book a charter fishing trip, contact one of the many resorts around Lake of the Woods. Remember there are two things you need to plan for a day on a charter, “What to wear and what to eat”.  Everything else is taken care of! Also check out our Availability Form on our Lake of the Woods website’s Lodging page. Fill it out and that will be sent to all the resorts and they will respond to you.

General info about LOW

Lake of the Woods Lodging Options

Check out our facebook page at: www.facebook/lakeofthewoodsmn

Stuffed Walleye

walleye recipe

Walleye is the No. 1 game fish in the Midwest. It’s a thrill to catch and tastes fantastic, too. This recipe, created by my husband, is a favorite of my family. Recipe by Kim Leonard. Photo by Taste of Home.

Prep Time 20 min

Cook Time 20 min

Yield 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 bacon strips, halved
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 2 celery ribs, finely chopped
    walleye
    Stuffed Walleye
    Photo by Taste of Home
  • 1 can (6 ounces) crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed or 1 cup imitation crabmeat, flaked
  • 1/4 cup butter, cubed
  • 4 cups crushed seasoned stuffing
  • 1-1/2 cups boiling water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 4 walleye fillets (about 8 ounces each)

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels; drain. In the same skillet, saute the onion, celery and crab in butter until vegetables are tender. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the stuffing, water, salt, pepper and cayenne; toss to moisten.
  2. Place fillets in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Spoon stuffing mixture over fillets; top each with 2 pieces of bacon. Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 20-25 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Fishing Report 3.11.2025

ice fishing lake of the woods, mn

On the South Shore…  The big question:  “How is the ice up at Lake of the Woods?”  That is for each individual resort or outfitter who operates an ice road or trail to answer, but overall, ice conditions are still very good and ice fishing is going strong!  As always, stay on the marked ice  roads and trails for safety. 

Being up on the Canadian border, the colder temps Lake of the Woods enjoys vs much of the region combined with three feet of ice makes a big difference.  Fish houses are allowed unattended overnight through March 31st and it sounds like a good number of resorts will be fishing through the month, but ultimately, Mother Nature will determine that.  

Regarding the fishing, overall, very good reports for walleyes, saugers and perch.  There is a strong population of smaller walleyes and saugers in the lake which bodes well for the future, but in the meantime, anglers are sorting through them to catch their keepers.

fishing
Nice Walleye

The one-two punch of jigging and deadsticking remains the most effective technique. Jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head or a lipless crankbait on the jigging line is the ticket.  On the deadstick, a live minnow a foot off the bottom on a plain red hook or medium sized ice fishing jig is catching a lot of fish.

Using electronics is super helpful.  Many nice walleyes are swimming through suspended, keep an eye out.  

Anglers tip-up fishing for pike have had a great week and it should continue to get even better.  Suckers, frozen alewife and smelt are working well. Putting baits 1 foot under the ice or right off bottom seems to be effective this week.  Most common depths, 9 – 15 feet.

On the Rainy River…  The Rain River is still frozen with no signs of open water yet.  Every year can be different, but on average, the Rainy River will start opening up around the third week of March.  The first boat ramp suitable for larger boats is Nelson Park in Birchdale.  We will keep you posted. 

As of March 1st, walleyes and saugers are catch and release only on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.  

Make plans now for sturgeon season.  Once the open water appears, the fish are super active.  Here are the seasons…

-Catch and Release Season: May 8th – May 15th and October 1 – April 23rd.
-Harvest Season: April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – September 30.
-Closed Season: May 16th – June 30th. 

Up at the Northwest Angle…  Fishing remains very good up at the Angle and the ice is in good shape as well.  As on the south end, resorts monitor ice roads and trails daily and there are still some great ice fishing opportunities available.  

Walleyes, saugers, perch, and pike are showing up in good numbers.  Those targeting crappies are reporting good numbers of fish.  Work through a NW Angle resort for ice fishing opportunities on this part of the lake.

The walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th. Pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well. Whether booking a day house rental, sleeper fish house, or resort stay, there is still plenty of time to plan a late-season ice fishing adventure. For more information, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

New Episode: Dialing in Spinners for Walleyes on Destination Fish

Joe Henry netting a walleye caught pulling spinners for Jon Thelen of Destination Fish

New Episode: Dialing in Spinners for Walleyes on Destination Fish

Table of Contents

Joe Henry netting a walleye caught pulling spinners for Jon Thelen of Destination Fish

Pulling Spinners for Lake of the Woods Walleyes with Jon Thelen and Joe Henry

Jon Thelen and Joe Henry recently teamed up to film an exciting episode of Destination Fish, showcasing one of the most effective walleye techniques on Lake of the Woods—pulling spinners. This tried-and-true method, also known as trolling or drifting with a crawler harness, is a go-to presentation during the summer months for putting fish in the boat. Thelen and Henry, both experienced anglers, shared valuable insights and strategies on how to effectively cover water and trigger strikes from hungry walleyes and saugers.

Why Spinners Are So Deadly for Walleyes

Trolling or drifting with a spinner rig is a proven tactic for catching walleyes. This method not only allows anglers to cover a lot of water, but it also puts their presentation in front of a high number of fish. Crawler harnesses have multiple triggering elements that make them irresistible to walleyes. The blade provides flash and vibration, attracting fish from a distance, while the color choices allow anglers to adjust based on water clarity and light conditions. Finally, the scent of the live bait—whether it’s a nightcrawler, leech, or minnow—seals the deal. When walleyes are feeding aggressively, they can’t resist the combination of movement, scent, and visual appeal that a well-presented spinner rig provides.

The Go-To Setup for Summer Success

On Lake of the Woods, charter boats and experienced anglers alike rely on spinner rigs throughout the summer months. The classic setup includes a two-ounce bottom bouncer paired with a two-hook harness.  If you are fishing in deeper water or it is windy, don’t be afraid to go to a three-ounce bouncer.  The key is to maintain a 45 degree angle.  Being way out from the boat will not catch as many walleyes.  The “angle of the dangle” is important. 

The blade color is an important choice, and hammered gold, pink, orange, glow, and chartreuse are all top producers. These colors have been proven to stand out in the lake’s stained water, catching the attention of hungry walleyes and saugers.

During the episode, Thelen and Henry experimented with blade colors, speeds, and bait options. They emphasized the importance of adjusting trolling speed to find the optimal presentation. Typically, a speed between 1.0 and 1.3 mph is best, though some days a faster or slower approach works better. If the fish are aggressive, speeding up the presentation can trigger reaction bites. On the other hand, slowing down and giving fish more time to react can make all the difference when they are in a more neutral mood.

Locating Fish and Covering Water

One of the biggest advantages of pulling spinners is the ability to cover large areas efficiently. Instead of sitting in one spot waiting for fish to come to them, Thelen and Henry used this method to find active fish. Lake of the Woods has an abundance of walleyes and saugers spread across a massive system, with many schools of fish roaming the main basin, known as Big Traverse Bay, as well as the island-rich NW Angle.

Thelen and Henry used electronics to locate key areas such as transition zones, underwater humps, and soft-bottom flats where walleyes were feeding. Once they identified fish on the graph, they could pull spinners through these areas and adjust their path to stay on top of the school. This ability to stay mobile is one of the reasons spinners are a top choice during the summer.

Why Spinners Are a Charter Boat Favorite

Charter boats on Lake of the Woods rely heavily on spinner fishing which enables clients to catch nice walleyes consistently throughout the summer.  It’s also an easy technique for beginners to learn, making it a favorite for guides who want their guests to have a successful day on the water.

Thelen and Henry highlighted how simple but effective this method can be. With the right setup, proper speed control, and a little experimentation with blade colors and bait options, anyone can have a banner day on the water pulling spinners.

Plan Your Next Trip to Lake of the Woods

The action-packed day on Destination Fish was a perfect example of why pulling spinners is a go-to method for catching walleyes on Lake of the Woods. With strong walleye and sauger populations, diverse fishing locations, and experienced guides available, this legendary fishery is a top destination for anglers looking to put fish in the boat.

For more information on summer fishing opportunities, including lodging, guided trips, and fishing reports, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.

Joe Henry and Jon Thelen, Destination Fish on Lake of the Woods pulling spinners
General info… Lake of the Woods Area
Lodging and Fishing Options
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Walleye Dinner with Seasoned Red Potatoes

potatoes recipe

Ingredients

  • 12 to 14 small red potatoes, quartered
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powderpotatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°. Place potatoes in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. In a small bowl, combine butter, oil and seasonings. Drizzle over potatoes; stir to coat.
  2. Bake until tender, 55-60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

about 8 pieces: 216 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 460mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.

Keep It Clean Needs Your Feedback

Keep it Clean fishing lake of the woods, mn

keep it clean The sport of ice fishing is booming! And thanks to better technology, better equipment and wheelhouses, it’s now more comfortable than ever to stay on the ice for extended periods.

As a result, lakes in the ice belt have seen a dramatic increase in winter activity. With the increased activity has come more pressure on the natural resources, including an increase in the amount of garbage and human waste left on the ice.

Although it’s exciting to see more people enjoying the sport of ice fishing, the removal and safe disposal of garbage and human waste from frozen lakes is reaching unmanageable proportions.

To help address these issues, Lake of the Woods started the Keep It Clean campaign. More recently, Upper Red Lake and Mille Lacs Lake came on board. As news about the unique partnership between these lakes — and the work they are doing together — spreads, other lakes seeking solutions are joining Keep It Clean. keep it clean

During the 2022-2023 ice fishing season, the Keep It Clean Coalition grew from three lakes to over 50 lakes and Soil and Water Conservation Districts! Some of these include: Big Sandy Lake; Big Sauk Lake; Cass County SWCD; Fairmont Chain of Lakes; Kandiyohi SWCD; Lake Vermillion; Leech Lake Chamber of Commerce; Meeker County Association of Lakes; Prior Lake; Spring Lake; and West Battie Lake.

The Keep it Clean Coalition began addressing the growing problem of garbage and waste on ice of state waters due to winter angling and recreation over twelve years ago. We have worked hard since then to educate and to bring awareness to the problem of human leftovers in our frozen waters, but it is not enough.

keep it clean With the popularity of ice fishing in today’s world, leaving just a little keep it clean bit behind multiplied by tens of thousands of ice anglers, equates to tons of garbage.  This newly passed Keep It Clean bill will help to eliminate a good amount of that.  It is not a hard lift, as they would say, but a measure that will really make a positive impact on our waterways.

In addition, it helps those out of the ice to plan ahead as to where they will use the bathroom when Mother Nature calls.  If you are staying at a resort, many offer facilities out on the ice.  If you are on your own, it is important to have a realistic plan.

The Keep It Clean Coalition has been hard at work.  Not only is the organization growing, as it now represents more than 50 areas and over 1,200 lakes, it has also introduced a couple of new bills at the MN State Legislature.

As you may know, the “Keep it Clean 2.0” bills, authored by Representative Andrew Myers and Senator Aric Putnam, have been referred to respective committees in the House and the Senate for further consideration.

keep it clean The bill is garnering bi-partisan support, and would require agencies like the DNR and the Pollution Control Agency to add a state-wide KEEP IT CLEAN program to their portfolios.

Our coalition recognizes that users will have to bear the increased cost of managing and enjoying winter fishing and recreation. The bill requires a $10 surcharge on ice shelters, deposited in a KEEP IT CLEAN Account to cover administrative costs and establish a grant program for locally led efforts.

So… we need your help. The following is a link for you to fill out if you would. https://keepitcleanmn.org/keep-it-clean-survey/. 

Basically, we need feedback from people who ice fish or recreate out on the ice somewhere in Minnesota.  The responses will help us move the bills along at the legislature.

keep it clean Most anglers and other who use the ice really do a nice job of picking up their trash.  The slogan “pack it in, pack it out” is especially known with this topic.

Many, including the many unsung heroes called ice guides across Lake of the Woods and other lakes in MN, go out of their way to pick up after others on a regular basis.  If you are one of these conscientious folks, kudos to you and thank you.

We also want to thank the many organizations and legislators who assisted and backed up this legislation.  Various legislators, a variety of people from the MN DNR, MN Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers, MN-FISH, various members of Keep It Clean across the state and others.  This is the type of legislation that makes good sense and will have a positive lasting impact on the waterways of Minnesota.  Kudos to all of you!

For More Information on Lake of the Woods and Lodging see: www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Also see our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/lakeofthewoodmn

See Keep It Clean on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/keepitcleanMN or at www.keepitcleanmn.org

Survey: https://keepitcleanmn.org/keep-it-clean-survey/

Fishing Report 3.4.2025

ice fishing lake of the woods, mn

On the South Shore…  Ice fishing remains strong on Lake of the Woods, with resorts and outfitters continuing to offer both day houses and sleeper fish houses. The bite has been good in most areas, and ice conditions are among the best in recent years. 

Some ice roads now extend more than 20 miles out, with resorts and outfitters working hard keeping anglers on schools of walleyes and saugers. With nearly 40 inches of ice in many areas, auger extensions are necessary for those fishing on their own. The March forecast predicts daytime temperatures above freezing and overnight lows below freezing, helping to maintain solid ice conditions through the month.  Resort guides and outfitters are on the ice daily monitoring conditions where they travel and fish.

Anglers are sorting through smaller fish but are consistently catching limits of walleyes and saugers, along with jumbo perch, eelpout, pike, tullibees, and even a few crappies. The one-two punch of jigging and deadsticking remains the most effective technique. Jigging spoons with rattles, lipless crankbaits, and jigging rap-style lures are producing well, while deadsticks with a live minnow a foot off the bottom are catching less aggressive fish.

fishing
Big Pike through the Ice

March is prime time for trophy northern pike, with tip-up fishing proving to be highly productive. It was a great week for big pike and should only get better through March and into April.

On the Rainy River…  As it has been most of the winter, walleye fishing has been best in the mornings and evenings using jigs and minnows. Sturgeon fishing has been solid, with some large fish being caught. Anglers should check with resorts before heading out, as ice conditions on the river can change quickly due to current and runoff during the day.

Up at the Northwest Angle…  Fishing remains very good. Resorts continue to move fish houses to keep guests on active schools of walleyes, saugers, perch, and pike. Big crappies are still being caught just over the border in Canada, and those interested should check with resorts for the latest conditions and guide services.

Lake of the Woods being border water with Canada has an extended ice fishing season, with fish houses allowed on the ice through March 31st.  In addition, the walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th. Pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well. Whether booking a day house rental, sleeper fish house, or resort stay, there is still plenty of time to plan a late-season ice fishing adventure. For more information, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.