NW Angle Edge Riders Set to Host 2026 Snow Rally at Cyrus’s Flag Island Resort

Cyrus's Flag Island Resort from the ice road, NW Angle, Lake of the Woods MN

Snowmobile enthusiasts across the region have a reason to mark their calendars. The Northwest Angle Edge Riders snowmobile club will hold their 2026 Snow Rally on Saturday, February 28th from 11 AM to 4 PM at Cyrus’s Flag Island Resort in the Northwest Angle area of Lake of the Woods.

The rally promises a full day of winter fun set up across two large heated outdoor tents, keeping the festivities warm and lively no matter the temperature. Activities throughout the day include ice golf, floor raffles, door prizes, a 50/50 drawing, and lunch. The 50/50 drawing and door prizes will be going on all day long, so there will be plenty of chances to walk away a winner from the moment you arrive.

Radar Runs and Goosebump Jump

snowmobiling Lake of the Woods, MN

At 1 PM, the action kicks into high gear with radar runs, where riders put their sleds to the test for speed with prizes awarded to the fastest machines. Then at 3 PM, the crowd-favorite Goosebump Jump takes center stage — the ultimate test of courage, giving brave participants the chance to jump through a hole in the ice into the frigid waters of Lake of the Woods. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.

The Grand Prize Raffle Drawing

The star attraction of the event is the grand prize raffle drawing, featuring a 2026 Polaris 850 Adventure Ultimate snowmobile and a Star North Big Boy Commercial Duty Sled. Raffle tickets are available at select businesses throughout Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties. The club will also have 150 raffle tickets reserved for sale on the day of the event, so there will still be a chance to get in on the drawing even if you haven’t picked up tickets ahead of time — but arrive early, as they’re sure to go quickly.

When the main event wraps up Saturday afternoon, the weekend is far from over. Several Northwest Angle bars will be hosting a DJ that evening, making this the perfect excuse to extend the celebration into the night.

Sunday Rally Trail Ride

Snowmobile trail riding with Northwest Angle Edge Riders logo

On Sunday morning at 10 AM, the club will host a Rally Trail Ride departing from Cyrus’s Flag Island Resort and heading to the Shoal Lake gold mine for a bonfire and hotdogs. With entertainment lined up from Saturday afternoon through Sunday, this is shaping up to be a full weekend destination event. Area lodging is expected to fill up, so booking a room sooner rather than later is highly recommended.

The Northwest Angle area is renowned for its exceptional trail system, which connects riders to trails stretching south to Baudette and Roseau, and north into Ontario and Manitoba. Trail conditions heading into the rally weekend have been reported as good.

For more information on the rally and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders, visit www.nwaedgeriders.org or follow the club on Facebook at facebook.com/NorthwestAngleEdgeRiders.

For more information on snowmobiling the Lake of the Woods area, visit https://lakeofthewoodsmn.com/snowmobiling/

Beer Battered Walleye

Beer Battered Walleye

Ingredients

Oil for deep-fat frying

1 cup all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 cup very cold beer or nonalcoholic beer

1 large egg, lightly beaten

Make your own tartar sauce using sweet pickle relish and mayo

Directions

  1. In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 375°. In a shallow bowl, combine flour, baking powder and seasonings. Stir in beer and egg until smooth. Dip fillets in batter; allow excess to drip off. Now dip the fish fillet in the flour mixture.
  2. Fry fish in hot oil in batches until golden brown, 2-3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels.

Tips:

Excess moisture causes the batter to run off, so the secret here is to pat your fish fillets dry before

dipping them in the batter.

Sides served with this delicious walleye include wild rice pilaf, fried potatoes with onions and pork and beans. Enjoy!!!

More Reasons Than Ever to Ice Fish Lake of the Woods Through March

Joe Henry with walleye ice fishing in a fish house on Lake of the Woods MN

For most Minnesota anglers, March signals the end of the road. Walleye and pike seasons close, fish houses have to come off the ice, and the long wait until open water begins. But if you haven’t made the trip north to Lake of the Woods, you’re missing out on some of the best ice fishing of the entire season — because up here, March is just getting good.

Because Lake of the Woods is border water shared with Canada, it operates under a unique set of regulations that are a gift to ice anglers. Fish houses are permitted to remain on the ice overnight all the way through March 31st. The walleye and sauger season runs through April 14th. Pike season never closes. While anglers across the rest of Minnesota are pulling their gear off the ice and hanging it up until next winter, LOW anglers are still out there drilling holes and loading coolers.

And here’s the thing — the fish are fired up. March brings longer days, stronger sun, and fish that have the feedbag on in a big way as they prepare for the spawn. Walleyes and saugers that have been finicky through the cold depths of January and February seem to flip a switch. The action gets faster, the bites get more aggressive, and the days get more enjoyable. There’s something special about sitting in a warm fish house while sunlight streams across the ice, watching geese wing their way northward and seagulls circle back to land around the houses — it feels like a bonus season, because it is.

Trophy March pike at Arnesen's Rocky Point, Lake of the Woods MN ice fishing

Ten reasons Lake of the Woods belongs on your March calendar:

1. The season simply doesn’t end. Resort fish houses typically go out in early December and stay put through all of March — that’s four full months of ice fishing opportunity that few lakes in the country can match.

2. Fish houses are legal on the ice overnight through March 31st. As border water with Canada, LOW enjoys special regulations that keep the ice fishing infrastructure in place well after the rest of Minnesota has called it a season.

3. The walleye and sauger season runs through April 14th. You’re not just fishing a technicality here — you have a legitimate, full-length season with no pressure and hungry fish.

4. Millions of walleyes and saugers. Lake of the Woods is one of the most productive walleye fisheries in North America, with a population that gives anglers consistent action day after day.

5. Stained water means daytime bites. Unlike clear-water lakes where walleyes only cooperate at dawn and dusk, LOW’s darker water keeps fish active throughout the day. You can sleep in, fish all afternoon, and still fill the bucket.

6. Trophy walleyes are a real possibility. The lake holds strong numbers of big fish. A 28-inch, 30-inch, or better walleye is always in play, and March is no exception.

7. March is prime time for trophy pike. This is where things get exciting. Northern pike have the feedbag on in a big way heading into their spring spawn, and they are actively feeding and staging near their spawning areas. Pike this time of year are aggressive, hard-fighting, and often concentrated — exactly the combination that leads to trophy fish and memorable catches. LOW is home to exceptional numbers of pike over 40 inches, and March is arguably the best month to target them.

8. Pike season never closes. No season restrictions, no closure dates — pike anglers can fish right through March and beyond without a care.

9. The resort infrastructure makes it effortless. This might be the most underrated part of the Lake of the Woods experience. Resorts have fish houses already out on the fish, holes drilled and cleaned, heaters running, and everything ready to go. Openings are often available in March as the crowds thin out — meaning you can book a trip, show up, and start fishing. No scouting, no drilling, no hauling equipment across the ice. Just fish.

10. The variety is unmatched. Beyond walleyes, saugers, and pike, LOW anglers regularly catch jumbo perch, tulibees, eelpout, crappies, and even sturgeon through the ice. March gives you a legitimate shot at filling your time with action from a half dozen different species.

The beauty of March at Lake of the Woods is that it rewards both the dedicated ice angler and the occasional weekend warrior who just wants one more good trip before the season is gone. Resorts typically have availability, the fish are active, and the days are getting longer and more pleasant with each passing week. It is, quite simply, a great time to be out on the ice.

Don’t let the season slip away without making the drive north. To explore resorts, sleeper fish houses, and full-service ice fishing packages around the lake, visit www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.

Fish house under the northern lights, Arnesen's Rocky Point, Lake of the Woods MN ice fishing

Lake of the Woods in Minnesota is the most popular ice fishing destination in North America. It has a consistent healthy population of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, eel pout, and crappies.

The lake enjoys stained water meaning, the water is very clean but has a light coffee tint to it. This “tint” makes fishing all day very productive versus fishing in a lake with clear water.

The Lake of the Woods resort community provides full service ice fishing, taking the work out of ice fishing. Resorts and outfitters create well marked and groomed ice roads, they shuttle people to heated fish houses that are all ready to fish and are moving fish houses often to stay on the fish.

Some Anglers fish out of a day house and go back to shore at night to sleep at a resort and eat at the many restaurants and bars.

Others enjoy staying in a sleeper fish house, where they stay overnight on the ice in a nice warm sleeper fish house equipped with a strong furnace, cooking facilities and the opportunity to wake up in the morning with your favorite cup of coffee and start jigging.

Ice skates will clean your fish and if you like, Resorts will even cook up your fresh catch.

When you are up ice fishing, don’t forget to check out the two bars out on the ice. The first is the igloo bar located out of Zippel Bay Resort. The second, is the Angry Walleye located out of Cyrus Resort. Both are located off the south shore of Lake of the Woods.

Lake of the Woods is one of the best places in North America for beginners to experience ice fishing, even if you have no equipment, no experience, and no idea where to start. Unlike many lakes where you must bring your own gear, drill your own holes, and navigate the ice on your own, Lake of the Woods offers a complete full-service ice fishing experience designed for first-time anglers, families, and groups.

Our resorts and outfitters provide everything you need, including:

  • Heated rental fish houses (warm, comfortable, fully set up)

  • Pre-drilled holes

  • Transportation to and from your fish house

  • Bait, gear, and tackle

  • Fish cleaning services

  • Lodging, meals, and snacks

  • Guides and expert advice

  • Safe, maintained ice roads

This means you can simply show up, walk into a warm fish house, drop a line, and start catching walleyes.

What makes Lake of the Woods perfect for beginners is the simplicity and safety of the experience. You don’t need to own augers, GPS, heaters, rods, or a snowmobile—our professional resorts make it effortless. They place your fish house on productive walleye and sauger areas, monitor the ice conditions daily, and ensure everything is ready for you.

With one of the largest and most abundant walleye populations in the Midwest, Lake of the Woods also gives first-time anglers an excellent chance to catch fish right away—something that builds confidence and creates unforgettable memories.

For anyone searching online for “best beginner ice fishing lake,” “easy guided ice fishing trips,” “ice fishing without gear,” or “where to try ice fishing for the first time,” Lake of the Woods consistently ranks as a top destination. It combines world-class fishing, highly experienced outfitters, and a stress-free, all-inclusive setup that makes ice fishing enjoyable for everyone.

In addition, there are a wide variety of lodging options including cabins, villas, suites and lodge rooms.  

Eat out or cook your own meals.  Many of the resorts offer great food and fun bars.  There is also the option of cooking your own meals in your cabin.  Some guests do both!

Planning an ice fishing trip to Lake of the Woods, Minnesota is simple, even if it’s your first time. The region is designed for visitors, with full-service resorts, professional guides, heated fish houses, and easy trip-planning support. Here are the key steps to get started:

1. Choose the part of Lake of the Woods you want to experience.

Each area offers something unique:

  • South Shore (Baudette–Williams area): Most popular, easy access, lots of resorts and ice roads.

  • Rainy River: Great early and late ice, plus excellent walleye and sturgeon action.

  • Northwest Angle: Remote, scenic, and famous for world-class walleye ice fishing and thousands of islands.

2. Pick a resort or outfitter.

Lake of the Woods is known for its full-service lodging and fishing options. Most resorts provide:

  • Heated day houses or sleeper houses

  • Pre-drilled holes

  • Transportation on the ice

  • All gear, bait, and advice

  • Fish cleaning

  • Meals and comfortable lodging

This means you don’t need to bring equipment—everything is ready when you arrive.

3. Decide whether you want a day house or sleeper house.

  • Day Houses: Fish during daytime and return to the resort at night.

  • Sleeper Houses: Stay overnight on the ice in a warm, fully equipped fish house—an unforgettable Minnesota experience.

4. Pick your dates.

Ice fishing typically runs early December through late March, depending on conditions. Many anglers book early, especially around weekends and holidays.

5. Purchase a Minnesota fishing license.

You can buy your license online in minutes before your trip.

6. Dress warm and bring personal essentials.

Resorts provide the fishing gear, but you’ll want warm clothing, snacks, and a sense of adventure.

7. Arrive and let the experts handle the rest.

Your resort will transport you to your heated fish house, show you how everything works, and get you fishing within minutes.

For anyone searching “how to plan an ice fishing trip,” “Lake of the Woods trip planning,” or “best way to book an ice fishing vacation,” this destination is ideal because it offers complete, beginner-friendly, all-inclusive experiences. With world-class fishing and seamless service, planning is easy—and the adventure is unforgettable.

Lodging Options

Ice Fishing Packages

Sleeper Fish Houses

Lake of the Woods offers one of the most diverse and productive fisheries in North America. Anglers can catch a wide variety of species all year long, which is one of the reasons the lake is known as The Walleye Capital of the World® and a top destination for both open-water and ice fishing.

Here are the primary fish species you can catch on Lake of the Woods:

Walleyes

The signature species of Lake of the Woods. Known for high numbers and impressive trophy potential, walleyes are the most targeted fish year-round.

Saugers

Common alongside walleyes and often caught in large numbers, especially during winter. Many anglers enjoy catching walleye–sauger “combo limits.”

Northern Pike

A top predator with incredible size potential. Lake of the Woods consistently produces trophy pike over 40 inches, especially during late ice and spring.

Yellow Perch

Abundant throughout the lake. Jumbo perch are a favorite among ice anglers.

Lake Sturgeon

A prehistoric giant found mainly in the Rainy River and Four Mile Bay. Strict seasons apply, but catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is a major draw in spring and fall.

Muskie (Muskellunge)

The Northwest Angle is world-renowned for muskie fishing, offering some of the best trophy muskie opportunities anywhere.

Smallmouth Bass

Strong populations throughout the islands and reef areas, especially in the Northwest Angle.

Crappies

Black crappies can be found mainly in the Northwest Angle, offering excellent spring and winter opportunities.

Why the variety matters

For anyone searching “what fish are in Lake of the Woods,” “species to catch,” “best fishing in Minnesota,” or “multi-species fishing destinations,” this lake stands out because anglers can target multiple species on the same trip—often in the same day.

With millions of acres of water, endless structure, and world-class habitat, Lake of the Woods offers one of the most complete freshwater fishing experiences anywhere.

There are some ice anglers that target sturgeon through the ice, primarily on safe stretches of the Rainy River.

Up at the NW Angle, in addition to walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, eelpout and pike, there are resorts that specialize in targeting big crappies!

The best time to go ice fishing on Lake of the Woods, Minnesota is generally mid-December through late March, depending on ice conditions. Early ice offers excellent walleye and sauger action, with fish feeding aggressively in shallower water. Mid-winter provides consistent daily catches across Big Traverse Bay, the South Shore, and the Northwest Angle. Late winter—late February into March—is prime for trophy northern pike, perch, and suspended walleye patterns.

Because Lake of the Woods has one of the longest and most stable ice seasons in the Midwest, anglers enjoy reliable fishing for nearly four months. Resorts and outfitters monitor ice thickness daily and ensure safe access, making any time between December and March an excellent choice.

You can ice fish with or without a guide, but most visitors—especially beginners—choose a full-service resort or outfitter. Lake of the Woods is famous for making ice fishing incredibly easy. Resorts provide heated day houses or sleeper houses, transportation on marked ice roads, pre-drilled holes, gear, bait, fish cleaning, and expert advice.

If you have your own gear and experience, you can also explore the lake on your own using public ice roads and your own equipment. However, guided or resort-assisted trips are the preferred and safest option, offering convenience, comfort, and the highest chance of success.

The best bait for catching walleyes during winter on Lake of the Woods is the emerald shiner—either live or frozen. This is the lake’s primary forage, and walleyes respond extremely well to it throughout the entire ice season.

Anglers typically use:

  • Jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head

  • Jigging raps / glide baits for aggressive fish

  • Plain hooks or small jigs on a deadstick with a full minnow

A combination of a jigging rod and a deadstick is the most effective setup. Bright colors like gold, glow red, glow pink, and green are popular choices in the stained waters of Lake of the Woods.

We are happy to provide general fish limits on the Minnesota side of Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, but the Minnesota DNR sets the rules and they should be consulted officially.

Here is a helpful link to the MN DNR Fishing Regulations page.  Please note, Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River are considered border water with Canada and have special regs and in some cases, extended seasons.

Because most resorts supply fishing gear, augers, heaters, and transportation, your packing list for Lake of the Woods is simple. Bring:

  • Warm layered clothing (thermal base layers, fleece, insulated jacket, bibs)

  • Winter boots, hat, and gloves

  • Snacks and beverages for the fish house

  • A camera or phone for photos

  • Fishing license (Minnesota license required)

  • Optional: Favorite jigging rods, tackle, or electronics

If you stay in a sleeper house, also bring sleeping bags, pillows, toiletries, a cooler with food, snacks, beverages, and any overnight comforts you prefer. Resorts provide clear packing guidance for each type of trip.

Plan Your Ice Fishing Adventure

Warm fish houses, friendly faces, and world-class walleye fishing—Lake of the Woods makes winter easy and unforgettable.

Explore Resorts & Outfitters

Head North for Exciting March Snowmobiling at Lake of the Woods

snowmobiles parked at a NW Angle resort on Lake of the Woods. Snowmobiling

There’s still time to plan a March snowmobiling adventure at Lake of the Woods — and being this far north has its advantages. Thicker ice, more snow, and extended seasons mean the fun keeps going long after other destinations have packed it in. Fish houses are currently sitting on 30 inches of ice, and most areas are blanketed in roughly two feet of snow. Overnight fish houses can stay out through March 31st, and the walleye season remains open through April 14th.

March is a special time to ride in the northland. The brutal cold has typically eased up, and sunny, warmer days start making an appearance. Pike anglers love chasing flags in the crisp late-winter air, and snowmobilers consistently call this their favorite time of year to explore wooded trails and wide-open lake routes. As the saying goes up here: “If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life — but still the same amount of snow.” That mindset captures the spirit of Lake of the Woods perfectly.

300+ Miles of Groomed Trails

Groomer keeping snowmobile trails groomed and in good shape on Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods offers over 300 miles of beautifully groomed snowmobiling trails. On the south end of the lake, land trails trace throughout the county, including some groomed routes through Zippel Bay State Park. These trails are maintained by the local LOW Drifters Snowmobile Club, a fantastic resource for current trail conditions and club events.

Up at the Northwest Angle, the Edge Riders groom an impressive 152 miles of trails across some of the most breathtaking landscape in the entire United States. Bordering Canada and winding through island-dotted terrain, full-service resorts, and scenic backcountry, it’s a ride unlike anything else in the Midwest.

The trail system connects it all — running from the Rainy River up to the NW Angle, across to Warroad, and back along the South Shore. The trail from the south end of the lake to the NW Angle runs entirely within Minnesota and stretches over 40 miles across the lake itself. There’s even a warming house on Garden Island, a perfect spot to stop, take in the scenery, and refuel before continuing on. Once you reach the Angle, resorts, gasoline, food, and other services are all available.

snowmobilers hitting the lake trail on Lake of the Woods MN. Snowmobiling.

Don't Have Your Own Sled? No Problem.

Whether you’re a first-timer or just don’t want to haul your machine up north, rental options are available at both ends of the lake. On the south shore, Xcape Rentals has you covered with well-equipped sleds ready to hit the trails right from the south end — check them out at xcapeboatrentals.com/snowmobile. Up at the NW Angle, Backcountry Guide Co. offers snowmobile rentals on well-maintained, current machines — all with a safety briefing and local route suggestions included. They also offer fully guided backcountry snowmobile tours for those who want to explore the Angle’s remote terrain with an experienced guide leading the way.

Stop In at the Ice Bars

Igloo bar on the ice, Zippel Bay Resort, Lake of the Woods MN

One of the most unique things about snowmobiling Lake of the Woods is the chance to pull up to a bar — right out on the ice. The Igloo Bar, accessed through Zippel Bay Resort, is a beloved local landmark and a perfect mid-ride stop for a cold drink and some warm conversation.

Right down the shoreline a few miles is the Angry Walleye, accessed through Cyrus Resort.  This bar out on the lake is another fan favorite with plenty of character and a welcoming crowd. Stop in and have a homemade pizza or your favorite drink. 

Both make for memorable waypoints on any Lake of the Woods snowmobile route, and honestly, stumbling across a lively bar in the middle of a frozen lake is something you simply can’t experience anywhere else.

World-Class Resorts, Food, and Fun

Sunset Lodge, NW Angle, Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods is home to a fantastic collection of resorts scattered around the entire lake — from the south shore to Baudette, out to Warroad, and all the way up to the Northwest Angle. Many feature cozy taverns, live entertainment, and seriously delicious food that hits the spot after a long day on the trails. These aren’t just places to sleep — they’re destinations in their own right, full of friendly locals and fellow adventurers swapping stories over a hot meal.

And while you’re here, even the most dedicated snowmobiler would be hard-pressed not to take at least one day to wet a line. Lake of the Woods is known as the Walleye Capital of the World for good reason, and ice fishing is going strong right now. It would be a shame to pass through without giving it a try.

When it's melting down south, head north!

Being located on the Canadian border has it’s advantages.  With the colder weather and thick ice, most years, the Lake ofd the Woods area enjoys additional weeks of snowmobiling enjoyment.  

Get those sleds out for one last trip before putting them in storage for the winter.  Come north to Lake of the Woods.

For lodging options, visit lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging.

For trail maps and more snowmobiling info, visit lakeofthewoodsmn.com/snowmobiling