Besides the great walleye, jumbo perch are also caught in the great waters of Lake of the Woods!!
Ingredients
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 pound perch or fish fillets of your choice
1 tablespoon butter, melted
Directions
In a shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, paprika and basil. Brush fish fillets with butter, then dip into the crumb mixture. Place in a greased baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 500° for 10 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Add a little Cayenne pepper if desired for some extra zest.
When the leaves start to change and the mornings turn crisp, it’s a sign that fall is on the way in the Lake of the Woods area. While many visitors come for the incredible fishing, early fall is also one of the best times of the year for hunting. From ducks and geese to grouse and deer, the area offers a wide range of opportunities for hunters of all ages and skill levels.
Whether you’re a lifelong outdoorsman or new to the sport, Lake of the Woods offers the space, scenery, and wildlife to make your hunt both exciting and memorable.
Waterfowl Hunting
Early fall marks the start of waterfowl season, and the Lake of the Woods area is a prime location for it. The lake’s sprawling bays, marshes, and connecting rivers create perfect habitat for ducks and geese.
As northern birds begin their migration, they stop here to rest and feed, providing hunters with excellent action.
Popular duck species in the area include mallards, teal, wood ducks, and ringnecks. Goose hunters often find Canadian geese flying low over harvested fields and
along river corridors. Hunters can set up in a boat blind along the shoreline, use a layout blind in a field, or wade into shallow marsh areas. The variety of hunting styles means you can choose the experience that fits your preference.
Grouse and Woodcock Hunting
The forests and trails of Lake of the Woods are perfect for upland bird hunting. Ruffed grouse and woodcock are both plentiful in the area during early fall. Grouse can often be found along trails, logging roads, and the edges of clearings. Woodcock are more likely to be found in low, damp areas with thick cover.
Walking the trails through Beltrami Island State Forest is a favorite method for many hunters. It’s not unusual to see grouse flush while you’re driving the forest roads, so having a shotgun handy (and following all safety rules) can lead to quick action. If you enjoy hunting with a dog, these birds offer great opportunities to watch your pointer or flushing dog work the cover.
Beltrami State Island Forest
Deer Hunting Scouting
While firearm deer season doesn’t open until later in the fall, early autumn is a perfect time to scout for deer. Archery season starts earlier, and hunters often use this time to pattern deer movement, check trail cameras, and prepare stands. Lake of the WoodsCounty has a
healthy deer population, and early season hunts can offer mild weather, less hunting pressure, and the chance to take a deer in beautiful fall scenery.
Scouting now can also pay off later in the season. You might spot key feeding areas, find fresh scrapes or rubs, and discover travel routes between bedding and feeding zones.
Small Game
For those looking for a relaxed hunt, early fall small game opportunities include squirrel hunting. Gray and red squirrels are abundant in the area’s forests, and hunting them can be a great introduction for youth or new hunters. The slower pace and lighter gear requirements make small game hunting a perfect way to spend a fall afternoon outdoors.
Tips for a Successful Early Fall Hunt
1. Know the Regulations – Minnesota hunting seasons and regulations change from year to year. Check the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)hunting regulations before heading out.
2. Dress for the Weather – Early fall mornings can be cold, but afternoons may still be warm. Dress in layers so you can adjust as temperatures change.
3. Scout Before You Hunt – Whether you’re after ducks, grouse, or deer, scouting can make a big difference. Look for fresh sign, feeding areas, and cover that will hold game.
4. Respect the Land – Much of the best hunting is on public land, but if you hunt on private property, always get permission first
5. Safety First – Wear blaze orange when required, follow firearm safety rules, and let someone know where you’ll be hunting.
More Than Just Hunting
One of the great things about early fall in the Lake of the Woods area is that there’s so much to do beyond hunting. You can combine a morning of grouse hunting with an afternoon of walleye fishing. Or, after a duck hunt, enjoy a meal at one of the many local restaurants. The scenery alone—bright fall leaves, calm water, and crisp air—makes the trip worthwhile.
Many local resorts and outfitters cater to hunters just as they do to anglers. Some offer lodging, guided hunts, or advice on where to start your adventure. With over 50 resorts to choose from, you’ll find plenty of places to lodge, to gear up, get bait and tackle, buy other sporting goods, ammunition, camouflage clothing, and hunting supplies.
There are three strategic areas of Lake of the Woods including the Rainy River, the South Shore area and the Northwest Angle. Plan your hunting accordingly and be ready with all your needs and lodging availability.
Plan Your Early Fall Adventure
If you’ve never experienced early fall hunting around Lake of the Woods, this year is the perfect time to try. The combination of abundant wildlife, diverse habitats, and beautiful scenery makes it a destination worth visiting again and again.
Whether you’re calling in a flock of ducks, walking a trail in search of grouse, or sitting quietly in a tree stand as deer move through the woods, you’ll be making memories that last long after the season ends.
Pack your gear, grab your license, and head north—your next outdoor adventure awaits at Lake of the Woods.
On the South End – Big Traverse Bay Walleye fishing is on fire this week, with the deep mud basin holding huge numbers of fish. Reports from anglers and guides have been nothing short of glowing:
“We have been drifting for 3 hours and are still catching walleyes.”
“Some of the best walleye fishing we have ever had.”
“The kids really enjoyed catching a good number of slot fish with an occasional trophy.”
Most of the action is taking place in 32–34 feet of water, where large schools of walleyes are roaming. These fish are aggressive, and both primary techniques—pulling spinners and trolling crankbaits—are putting plenty of gold in the boat.
For spinners, most anglers are running a two- or three-hook harness tipped with a crawler. Some have switched it up with frozen emerald shiners on the spinner, with excellent results. In these depths, don’t be shy about using a 3-ounce bottom bouncer to maintain a solid 45-degree line angle and keep your presentation near bottom. Spinner colors, gold / red, gold / chartreuse, orange, firetiger, gold / pink.
Trolling crankbaits has also been lights-out. While some charters are running downriggers, many anglers are using more common approaches such as leadcore line, snap weights, or pairing a 4-ounce bottom bouncer with 6 feet of mono or fluorocarbon leader and a shallow-diving crankbait. All of these will get your lure down to where the walleyes are feeding.
On the Rainy River Water clarity has improved recently, and walleye action has picked up. The river is producing a true mixed bag—walleyes, sturgeon, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and even some crappies. Sturgeon anglers are reporting plenty of action, with lots of smaller fish in the mix. Remember, the keep season is open; anglers with a tag may keep one sturgeon per calendar year 45 – 50 inches or over 75 inches.
Up at the NW Angle Both the Minnesota and Ontario sides are producing good numbers of walleyes. Around the islands, jigging, pulling spinners, and trolling crankbaits are all catching fish. Like the south end, the NW Angle offers a great multispecies opportunity—strong smallmouth bass fishing, active northern pike, and some crappies in the mix.
Muskie anglers are also seeing consistent action throughout the islands, with multiple follows and hookups being reported.
Plan Your Trip Whether you’re looking for a limit of eaters, a chance at a trophy walleye, or a multispecies adventure, now is the time to be on Lake of the Woods. Lodging, charters, and guides are available. The bite is hot, the scenery is unbeatable, and with the lake fishing this well, you might just land your personal best.
New Resource – Real-Time Wave Buoy Data Lake of the Woods Tourism has installed three wave buoys across the lake to help anglers and boaters make informed decisions before heading out. Locations include:
Celebrate Labor Day Weekend at the 2025 NW Angle Buoy Bash!
Table of Contents
Fun, Fishing, Food, and the Northernmost Point in the Contiguous U.S.A.
Labor Day Weekend is always a special time up at the Northwest Angle, but this year’s 2025 NW Angle Buoy Bash promises to be the best celebration yet! Whether you’re into fishing, live music, local history, or simply enjoying time with friends and family, the Buoy Bash is full of can’t-miss events for everyone.
This multi-day celebration is centered around the iconic northernmost point buoy, a true symbol of adventure and community spirit. The event kicks off Friday, August 29, and runs through Sunday, August 31, with events held both on the mainland and across the beautiful islands of the NW Angle.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 – A Night of Legends and Lore
The weekend gets started on a high note Friday evening at 6:30pm with “History, Mystery, and Legends” under the white tent next to the buoy. Join David Fuller, Mitchell Johnson, and Vanessa Powassin as they share fascinating stories and local lore that make the NW Angle one of the most unique and storied areas in the Midwest.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30 – All-Day Fun on the Mainland and Islands
Mainland Events
5AM: Angle Outpost Max Foundation Fishing Derby – Rise and shine! Anglers of all ages can join the walleye and musky tournament supporting the Max Marvin Foundation. Details and registration can be found at facebook.com/MaxMarvinFoundation.
All Day at Jerry’s Restaurant – Enjoy food specials, Buoy Beer, and outdoor games next to the tent. It’s a great gathering place and the heart of the action.
10AM – 2PM: Farmers Market – Under the circus tent near the buoy, this market is packed with local crafts, produce, jams, jewelry, pickles, bagels, breads, cookies, and more. Stop by for chair massages, up north nutrition, and a visit to the Man Cave Tour Booth!
1PM: Artist & Youth Class – Join local artist and social media creator Lara Stovern for a youth painting class and presentation about her channel “Northwoods Barbie.” A great family activity held near the buoy.
2 – 4PM: History Tour at Prothero’s Post – Dive into the legacy of founder Houston Lockwood and his enduring impact on the Angle.
9AM – Noon: Open House at Sage’s Resort – Tour this historic NW Angle resort and learn about its roots.
10AM – Noon: Root Beer Floats at Jake’s – Stop by Jake’s for a cold root beer float and stories about the area’s history and Jim’s Corner, the iconic check-in station for U.S. visitors.
Island Events
Scavenger Hunt at Oak Island Resort – Find and snap pics of 5 buoy souvenirs from various island resorts and be entered to win a Buoy Bash shirt and koozie prize.
3 – 5PM: Walsh’s Bay Store – Swing by for a blueberry cheesecake tasting and a peek into the resort’s fascinating history.
7PM: DJ Party at Sunset Lodge – Dance under the stars at Sunset Lodge’s Second Chance Prom with music by DJ Josh.
11AM – 4PM: Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge – Enjoy party barge drink specials both Saturday and Sunday!
All Day at Cyrus’s Flag Island Resort – Expect drink and food specials, plus unique buoy-themed souvenirs.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31 – A Thoughtful Close
9:30AM: St. Luke’s Church Service – Wrap up your weekend with a peaceful service across from the NW Angle School.
Win Big – Buoy Bash Punch Card Drawing!
Here’s a fun incentive for exploring all that the Buoy Bash has to offer. Pick up a Buoy Bash punch card and get it punched at 5 different events. Then return it to any participating resort by Sunday at 2pm to enter the drawing for a decorative boat for your cabin! It’s free to participate and a great way to enjoy even more of the weekend’s offerings.
Why Attend the Buoy Bash?
The Buoy Bash isn’t just a party—it’s a celebration of place. With unmatched scenery, rich history, and tight-knit community, the NW Angle is a gem of Minnesota. Whether you come for the fishing, the food, or just the fun, this weekend is about creating new memories and connecting with the spirit of the north.
Bring your family. Bring your friends. Most importantly, bring your sense of adventure.
NEW! Real-Time Wave Height Data Now Available Lake of the Woods Tourism has deployed wave buoys on Lake of the Woods! Boaters, anglers, and guides can now check real-time wave height data from three key locations: Big Traverse Bay West, Big Traverse Bay East and the Northwest Angle.
Whether you’re planning your next trip across the lake, a charter outing, or just curious what the lake is doing, this is a great new tool!
Big Traverse Bay… The Deep Mud Bite is Hot! Summer fishing continues to shine on Lake of the Woods, and Big Traverse Bay is delivering excellent walleye action!
Double Header Big Walleyes
The current trend? Targeting walleyes over the deep mud basin in 30 to 35 feet of water. Anglers are watching their electronics closely and finding big schools of fish scattered across the basin.
The go-to technique this week has been drifting or trolling crawler harnesses at speeds of 1.0 to 1.25 mph. Hammered gold blades paired with red, pink, orange or chartreuse continue to be solid producers. Not only are anglers catching good numbers of fish, but plenty of slot walleyes (19.5″ – 28″) and trophies are also in the mix.
Trolling crankbaits is also catching fire. Anglers are using leadcore line, snap weights, or downriggers to get their cranks down into the strike zone. This technique is not only helping to cover water but is producing some of the biggest walleyes of the season so far. In the stained waters of LOW, firetiger, pink UV, chrome/blue, and gold are go-to colors.
Those who enjoy forward-facing sonar are finding good numbers of big walleyes over the deep mud basin. The basin is loaded with walleyes, and for those wanting to work on their electronics game and land some giants, now is the time.
Rainy River… Mixed Bag and Sturgeon Season. Summer on the Rainy River offers something for everyone. Anglers are catching a nice variety of walleyes, smallmouth bass, and pike, especially near current breaks, deeper holes, and shoreline structure.
Sturgeon fishing is also in full swing. The keep season is open through September 30. Anglers with a valid sturgeon tag can harvest one sturgeon per calendar year that measures 45–50 inches or over 75 inches. Soaking a combination of nightcrawlers and frozen shiners on a sturgeon rig continues to be the best presentation.
Northwest Angle… Consistent Action. Up at the Northwest Angle, both the Minnesota and Ontario sides are producing excellent fishing. Anglers are targeting walleyes with a mix of techniques: Pulling spinners with crawlers, trolling crankbaits around reefs and points and jigging with minnows or plastics in neckdown areas, around structure, and on the edges of mud and rock transitions.
Bonus species like smallmouth bass, pike, perch, and crappies are showing up as well, providing exciting multi-species action.
Muskie anglers are tight lipped, but reports have been consistent with anglers seeing and boating good fish. Some fish are exceeding that 50 inch mark.
Now’s the Time to Visit! Whether you’re chasing your personal best walleye or looking to enjoy a classic shore lunch with family and friends, Lake of the Woods is firing on all cylinders. From the basin to the river to the NW Angle, the fishing is excellent, the scenery is stunning, and the memories are waiting to be made.
