Minnesota DNR seeks public input on updates to Lake of the Woods Fisheries Management Plan

MN DNR Lake of the Woods Fisheries Management Plan

Minnesota DNR seeks public input on updates to Lake of the Woods Fisheries Management Plan

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MN DNR Lake of the Woods Fisheries Management Plan

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites people interested in Lake of the Woods fisheries to share their thoughts on a draft update of the fisheries management plan for the lake.

This opportunity differs from the scoping survey released in February 2024. The scoping survey guided the management planning process, while this is an opportunity to comment on the draft plan.

The Lake of the Woods Fisheries Management Plan was last updated in 2018. It is important for this update to reflect current public values and attitudes about how the lake should be managed.

The updated master plan will be used to guide management of Lake of the Woods fish populations. It will include management goals, objectives and strategies for the lake for the next 10 years.

Public input opportunities

Minnesota DNR staff will host a joint in-person and virtual public meeting to provide an overview of the plan and its purpose, answer questions, and collect public input. Registration is not required.

The meeting will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Baudette Ambulance Garage Conference Room, 113 1st Ave. SW, Baudette, MN 56623. For people who would like to join virtually, a link to join the webinar is available on the Lake of the Woods page (mndnr.gov/lakeofthewoods) of the Minnesota DNR website.

Review and comment on the plan

The public can obtain a digital copy of the draft update on the Lake of the Woods page (mndnr.gov/lakeofthewoods). Comments may be submitted by:

The DNR is accepting comments on the draft master plan through Sunday, Feb. 16.

About the lake

Lake of the Woods is a large lake that is located on the United States-Canada border. Approximately 300,000 acres of Lake of the Woods are located within the U.S. The Minnesota portion of Lake of the Woods includes several distinct basins, including Muskeg Bay, Big Traverse Bay and Little Traverse Bay. Lake of the Woods is a popular recreational fishing destination for both summer and winter anglers. Some of the more popular species anglers target when visiting the lake include walleye, sauger, yellow perch, lake sturgeon and northern pike. Intensive monitoring of the fish populations occurs on an annual basis due to the popularity of this resource.

More information about Lake of the Woods is available on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/lakeofthewoods).

Fish abound year-round

Nearly one third of this 951,337-acre northwoods lake that drains north to Hudson Bay lies within Minnesota, making it our largest lake. Lake of the Woods offers some of the best year-round fishing you can find. Fish the ice early December to late March. Dive right into fishing the Rainy River in spring and fall. Venture out to lake for the warm summer bite. You’ll find walleye, northern pike, sturgeon, sauger, perch and more.

Lake of the Woods management planning

The Lake of the Woods Fisheries Management Plan is being updated. This plan will guide Lake of the Woods fisheries management.


The Lake of the Woods plan was last updated in 2018, and the 2025 update addresses environmental changes, updates in fisheries management and changes to reflect current public values and use.
The public comment period on the 2025 Lake of the Woods Fisheries Management Plan will be open from Monday, Jan. 13, to Sunday, Feb. 16.

Get additional information

Use the following information to join the public meeting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5. DNR staff will provide an overview of the plan and its purpose, answer questions and collect public input.

Submit comments

Submit comments during the planning process by completing the online questionnaire, sending an email to baudette.fisheries@state.mn.us , leaving verbal comments by calling the Baudette fisheries office at 218-395-6040 or by sending U.S. postal mail to Baudette Fisheries; Lake of the Woods comments; 204 Main St. E; Baudette, MN 56623.

Ice Fishing Lake of the Woods MN
General info… Lake of the Woods Area
Lodging and Fishing Options
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How To Get There: The Northwest Angle at Lake of the Woods

Drone Image of Flag Island Resort_summer

How To Get There: The Northwest Angle at Lake of the Woods

Drone Image of Flag Island Resort_summer

If you’ve ever tempted a walleye with a jig and a minnow, then you’re probably aware of the walleye factory in northern Minnesota called Lake of the Woods. This big body of water is bordered by two provinces on the Canadian side and features a unique part of the United States called an “exclave.” An exclave is a portion of land or territory surrounded by a foreign land. In this case, we’re talking about the Northwest Angle.

View the Entire Fish Hunt Forever Blog

To view the full article, along with some very interesting videos, click here!

NW Angle on Map
General info… Lake of the Woods Area
Lodging and Fishing Options
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1st Annual Minnesota Resort, Lodge & Outdoor Products Show: Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN

1st Annual 2025 Minnesota Sportsmen's Show

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.

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My First Day in a Lake of the Woods Fish House This Year… Awesome!!

Joe Henry in a Lake of the Woods fish house with a limit of walleyes and saugers

My First Day in a Lake of the Woods Fish House This Year… Awesome!!

Joe Henry in a Lake of the Woods fish house with a limit of walleyes and saugers

It Never Gets Old

There’s something magical about ice fishing on Lake of the Woods. From the beauty of the frozen expanse to the thrill of reeling in walleyes and saugers, it’s an experience that captures the essence of Minnesota winters. On a recent day out on the south end of the lake, Joe Henry shared his ice fishing report from the warmth of a heated fish house, detailing a strategy that led to an exceptionally productive outing.

Light ice rig, full service ice fishing, Lake of the Woods
Border View Lodge fish house on Lake of the Woods

The One-Two Punch Strategy

The key to success on this particular day was employing the “one-two punch” technique, a tried-and-true method for ice fishing on Lake of the Woods. This approach involves using two fishing holes: one for jigging and the other for deadsticking with a live minnow. This combination covers a variety of fish moods and behaviors, making it highly effective for catching both active and finicky fish.

Joe and his fishing partner relied on two jigging lures that proved to be incredibly effective:

Lindy Rattling Flyer Spoon in red and glow red: The loud rattles and bright colors attracted fish from a distance, enticing strikes.


The Rapala Rippin’ Rap in gold: Its vibration and rattles, combined with the gold color made it irresistible to hungry walleyes and saugers.


Meanwhile, the deadstick setup did the heavy lifting, accounting for the majority of their catches. Joe used a Lindy Tungsten Toad jig in chartreuse, tipped with a lively fathead minnow. The bait was placed about six inches off the bottom, a prime position to tempt walleyes and saugers cruising the lakebed. This setup proved especially effective for the more cautious fish, resulting in steady action throughout the day.

A Day of Nonstop Action

The fish were biting, and the anglers were reeling in walleyes and saugers at an impressive pace. By the day’s end, they had caught more than two limits of fish, a testament to the health and abundance of Lake of the Woods’ fishery. The combination of jigging and deadsticking ensured that they could adapt to the fish’s behavior, maximizing their success.

But the day wasn’t just about the fish—it was about the overall experience. The camaraderie between Joe and his fishing partner, the comfortable warmth of the fish house, and the joy of being out on the ice made for an unforgettable outing.

Comfort and Convenience on the Ice

One of the unique aspects of ice fishing on Lake of the Woods is the full-service experience provided by the local resorts and outfitters. From the moment they arrived, Joe and his fishing partner were treated to top-notch service.

The heated fish house, prepped and ready for their arrival, featured holes that had been drilled and cleaned, with the thermostat set to a cozy 70 degrees. Throughout the day, their ice guide checked in to ensure everything was running smoothly, offering tips and assistance as needed.

At the end of the day, the guide returned to help them pack up their gear and transported them back to the resort in a heated light ice trailer. Once back, their fish were cleaned for travel—a service that makes the transition from lake to home seamless. For those staying overnight, the resort even offers to cook fresh catches, turning a successful day on the ice into a delicious meal.

General info… Lake of the Woods Area
Lodging and Fishing Options
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