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.
Fry fish in hot oil in batches until golden brown, 2-3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine all tartar sauce ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
In another bowl, combine coleslaw mix and dressing.
On each bun bottom, layer fish, prepared coleslaw and tartar sauce. Replace tops; serve with lemon wedges, if desired.
On the South Shore… There is still some ice fishing taking place in a few areas of the lake along the south shore but most resorts and outfitters have pulled their fish houses and called it a good year. Make sure to call ahead to the resort or outfitter for current conditions if you plan on getting on the ice. Safety first always.
For those still fishing, some are still targeting walleyes. There continues to be a good morning / evening bite along the south shore just prior to sunset. Quality fish are being caught in a number of areas.
Most still ice fishing are targeting trophy pike. It was another great week with some big fish caught. Another week of big fish tipping that 40 inch mark with big girths. Suckers, frozen alewife and smelt set about a foot under the ice or just off of the bottom have proven effective.
On the Rainy River… Spring open water fishing has begun! The
Nice Spring Walleye
Rainy River is open in many areas and as of Monday, March 31st, there are two boat ramps open. The Nelson Park boat ramp in Birchdale and the Frontier Access (about 8 miles to the west of Nelson Park) are both clear of ice. Boats are running the river and the ice pack is deteriorating by the day.
Initial reports for walleyes are very good with some big fish being caught. Most are jigging with either plastics or minnows. Use bright plastics such as chartreuse, orange, pink and white. for minnows, emerald shiners, fatheads and rainbows have all been productive.
Trolling crankbaits against the current is also effective and will catch fish. This is also a good technique to cover water if you are not on fish.
Rainy River walleye fishing is catch and release from March 1st through April 14th on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.
Initial reports for sturgeon are also good. Anchored up in a hole or on the slope of a hole with a no roll sinker and sturgeon rig is the ticket. Lots of walleye anglers reporting sturgeon hookups as well. Here are the seasons for sturgeon fishing…
-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… It has been a great ice fishing year up at the Angle. While there are a few locals still getting out, resorts have pulled off their fish houses and called it a year.
Plan for the MN Fishing Opener which is Saturday, May 10, 2025!
The walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th. Pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well. You can fish for sturgeon through May 15th. For more information, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.
Pike season on Lake of the Woods never ends. As we are the border water with Canada, the season is continuous or another way of saying it is it goes all year long. This gives anglers a fantastic opportunity in April and early May to take advantage of these monsters who are somewhere along in their spawning ritual. And in Lake of the Woods, there are a lot of big pike!
The 28th Annual Ice Out Northern Pike Tournament on Zippel Bay will take place on the weekend of April 26-27th this year. Anglers are already excited and planning for this big event. This past winter of ice fishing has proven that there are monster pike hiding under the waters especially at Zippel Bay. This bay seems to attract the northerns and the spring tournament has seen great success over the past years. Get ready….it’s coming very soon. Check out these winter trophies.
Anglers pull these awesome fighters out of various bays on the lake all spring and Zippel Bay is definitely a go-to spot. Sometimes mother nature can throw some cold curve balls in the spring month but that’s what makes this stretch of water so special. Zippel Bay is quite secluded from the main lake, making it easier to hide from cold winds, and anglers will not require the larger boats like on the main lake. The tournament still has spots available and all are welcome.
Some anglers have had success with dead bait on the bottom or just off of the bottom with a quick strike rig. There will be others in the tournament who prefer trolling shallow diving crankbaits or casting spoons. Whatever your flavor, these fish will be ready.
Zippel Bay has a lot of spots to fish but no big water, meaning, most small boats will do just fine in the bay. That opens things up and levels the playing field for these tournament anglers
MN DNR’s lake survey verifies the presence of a healthy trophy pike fishery. Lake of the Woods is managed for a high-quality northern pike population, with a significant component of “trophy” northern pike over 40 inches long. To monitor the size structure of the northern population, it is sampled every 5 years using trap nets at known spawning sites. The northern population continues to be one of high quality, with 19% of the adult population at least 35 inches long, and 5% of the adults 40 inches long, or longer.
During the spawning season, pike head to shallow bays, ditches and streams to find the right conditions to lay and fertilize eggs. There are many areas around the lake and on the Rainy River the northerns spawn, and one of them is Zippel Bay.
The tourney is made up of two person teams and is a two-day tournament based on weight. This is a fun tournament with locals and visitors alike coming together to target big toothy. Most teams troll and cast crankbaits.
Others use dead bait under a bobber in 1 – 8 feet of water. Most years, dozens and sometimes hundreds of these fish are weighed in and many more caught in the slot (30-40 inches) that were not weighed in but immediately released.
The northern pike regs on Lake of the Woods are as follows:
Lake Of The Woods and Rainy River to dam at International Falls
Northern Pike
Continuous
3, all northern pike from 30-40″ must be immediately released. Only 1 northern pike over 40″
Anglers are already getting their boats ready for this year’s tournament. If you want to have a blast, check out this tournament at Zippel Bay Resort or just go fish pike on your own. You truly have an opportunity to catch a trophy of a lifetime.
Combine 1 cup flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. In another bowl, combine egg, water and 1/3 cup lemon juice; stir into dry ingredients until smooth.
Place remaining 1/3 cup lemon juice and remaining 1/2 cup flour in separate shallow bowls. Dip fillets in lemon juice, then flour, then coat with egg mixture.
In a large skillet, heat 1 in. oil over medium-high heat. Fry fillets until golden brown and fish flakes easily with a fork, 2-3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. If desired, serve with lemon wedges.
Lemon-Batter Fish Tips
How do you get batter to stick to fish?
Battered fish is made through a dipping process called dredging, which alternates between wet and dry ingredients. In this recipe, the fish is first dipped in lemon juice, then a flour mixture and finally coated in egg. These three steps provide layers for the batter to properly adhere to the fish, protect the fish from the hot oil and and seals in moisture.
On the South Shore… There is still some good ice fishing taking place in a few areas of the lake along the south shore but many resorts and outfitters have pulled their fish houses and called it a year. Make sure to call ahead or check social media pages for current conditions.
For those still fishing, some are still targeting walleyes. There has been a good morning / evening bite along the south shore just prior to sunset. Some very quality fish are being caught. Some good walleye fishing along Pine Island as they make their way into the Rainy River and various spots along the south shore for those who spawn in the lake.
Big WalleyeHuge Pike
It was another great week of pike fishing for most. Fish are starting to transition closer to spawning areas as the days get longer. A number of big fish tipping that 40 inch mark coming topside. Suckers, frozen alewife and smelt set about a foot under the ice or just off of the bottom have proven effective. Most pike anglers are fishing in depths, 9 – 15 feet.
On the Rainy River… The Rain River is still frozen from Nelson Park at Birchdale, MN (30 miles east of Baudette), which is the first full sized boat ramp that opens up, but there is open water appearing and progress has been made. Things are happening, stay tuned as with the warmer weather, the river should open quickly.
A good reminder, as of March 1st, walleyes and saugers are catch and release only on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.
Sturgeon fishing. Once the open water appears, sturgeon are 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… There is a bit of ice fishing still happening at the Angle, but most resorts have pulled off their fish houses and called it a year. Call ahead if you plan on getting on that last ice fishing trip as some areas with current are opening up and ice guides will keep you safe.
Fishing remains very good up at the Angle. The evening bite for walleyes has been super solid. The pike are active and big, ready to spawn. Still big numbers of jumbo perch throughout the area. Very good fishing reports for late ice. Safety first, please work through a resort or outfitter if you plan on getting out.
Plan for the MN Fishing Opener which is Saturday, May 10, 2025!
The walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th. Pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well. You can fish for sturgeon through May 15th. For more information, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.
Even though Mother Nature blanketed us with 6 inches of snow this past Tuesday, anglers are already excited for spring fishing on the Rainy River. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources put out great information each spring about fishing during this season. There is still lots of ice on the lake and resorts / outfitters still providing some great ice fishing. Fish houses can remain on the lake through March 31st (depending on Mother Nature), anglers are already getting their boats and their gear ready for the spring run of walleyes on the Rainy.
The Rainy River forms the border between Ontario and Minnesota for its entire length of about 90 miles. Anglers intending to fish Ontario waters of the Rainy River should refer to the Ontario Fishing Regulations Synopsis for details (https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary). The Rainy flows from the east to the west finally arriving at the famous Lake of the Woods known as the Walleye Capital of the World™.
Huge Walleye
Walleyes go up-river in the fall chasing shiner minnows and then again in the spring to do their spawning. Here’s when the trophies show up. Whether there are ice burg size chunks of ice floating on the river or it is totally clear, anglers line up along roads and access points waiting to dawn the beautiful waters of the Rainy River.
Rainy River flows out of Rainy Lake near International Falls and forms the border between the United States and Canada at the top of Minnesota. It flows into the famous Lake of the Woods known as the Walleye Capital of the World.
Here’s some great information for the Rainy River Spring Season which extends from March 1-April 14th.
For Walleyes and Saugers: On Fourmile Bay of Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, catch and release fishing is allowed during this time period. All Walleye and Sauger must be returned to the water immediately.
For Northern Pike: There is no closed season for northern pike on the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. The possession limit for northern pike is three. All northern pike from 30 through 40 inches must be immediately released; only one northern pike over 40 inches may be possessed.
For Lake Sturgeon: Anglers see and often land many sturgeon while fishing the Rainy. However, no harvest is allowed from Mar 1 through Apr 23. Anglers are allowed to catch-and-release lake sturgeon during this period.
Each spring anglers and local residents watch this body of water for the signs of liquid water to show up. Each year this “ice opener” is documented by the local newspaper and has been recorded since 1934. The recording place is near the International Bridge connecting the United States and Canada between the towns of Rainy River, Ontario and Baudette, MN. This early ice out is a welcomed sight for spring fishing where anglers are chomping at the bit to get their boats out into the open water. The Northern Light Region is the official reporter of first “ice-out” over the years.
When planning a spring fishing trip to the Lake of the Woods area, it’s always good to have information on access points. Here is a diagram of all the access points along Highway 11.
Rainy River Access PointsSpring Trophy Walleye
Koochiching County is our neighbor to the east and they are always ready to go to open up the first access point which is at Birchdale MN. This is known as Nelson Park and is a beautiful spot for anglers and early campers to park. This access with a double ramp is north of Birchdale on Koochiching County Road UT 118, which runs from State Highway 11 to Nelson Park. Parking is allowed on the east side of UT 118.
Note: When in that area, be sure to check out the Nelson Store. The only store in Birchdale, it is probably one of the last greatest “all-inclusive” stores around. Because of it’s remote area, they carry a little of everything and is a great pleasure to visit.
Vidas Access:This access with a double ramp is located 1.5 miles east of Clementson at the end of Koochiching County Road UT 392. Signs have been installed to direct traffic and reduce congestion. Parking is allowed on both sides of UT 392. No camping is allowed from March 1 through April 15.
Frontier Access :This access with a single ramp is located approximately 17 miles east of Baudette along State Highway 11. No parking is allowed along Highway 11. Parking is restricted along Koochiching County Highway 4. No camping is allowed from March 1 through April 15.
As mentioned, Koochiching Country clears accesses in their county along Hwy 11 for spring fishing and then a hand-off is made to workmen in Lake of the Woods County. A great thanks goes out to these laborers who are able to help get spring fishing available.
Pike is a freshwater fish that are more commonly found in Northern parts of America. Pike dish texture is firm, flaky and it also offers a mild flavor, comparable to that of salmon and chicken. The key to having a perfect and enjoyable pike slab is cooking it well. Treating it with spices and herbs brings out its full flavor.
Ingredients
2 pounds of northern pike fillets
1/4 cup of lemon juice
1 dash of bottled hot pepper sauce
1/2 cup salad oil
2 tbsp parsley cut up
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
Instructions
Step 1. Cut pike into 6 pieces.
Step 2. Combine lemon juice, salt, hot sauce, oil, parsley, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl then mix for 15-20 seconds.
Step 3. Place the 6 pieces of northern pike in a shallow dish and cover with mixture. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes. Turn once and marinate for another 30 minutes.
Grilled Northern Pike
Step 4. Once done marinating, take out pike fillets and set aside. (Do not throw out the remains of the marinade. This will be used later on.)
Step 5. Place fish in a well-greased broiler basket and sprinkle with salt.
Step 6. Grill over medium-hot coals or grill setting Now use the leftover marinade for basting the pike fillets and turn.
Step 7. Grill for 5-8 minutes until the pike flakes easily with a fork.
Step 8. Sprinkle paprika, and enjoy your tasty pike!
On the South Shore… There is still some good ice fishing to take advantage of if you still have that itch and want to ice some walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, maybe an eelpout and certainly big pike.
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. Some resorts have called it a season, but other resorts still have fish houses out, are still fishing and have availability.
Nice Walleye
Fishing reports have been good. Numbers of walleyes, saugers and perch. Using electronics is super helpful with some larger walleyes swimming through suspended.
41 Inch Pike
It was a great week of pike fishing for most. Good numbers of fish and some big fish tipping that 40 inch mark coming topside. Suckers, frozen alewife and smelt are working well. Putting baits 1 foot under the ice or right off bottom has been effective. Most pike anglers are fishing in depths, 9 – 15 feet.
On the Rainy River… The Rain River is still frozen from Nelson Park at Birchdale, MN (30 miles east of Baudette) and to the west, which is where most anglers spring fish. The ice is showing signs of deteriorating in places. The river is open water about 20 miles east of Birchdale near Loman. Things are happening.
A good reminder, as of March 1st, walleyes and saugers are catch and release only on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.
Sturgeon fishing. Once the open water appears, sturgeon are 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. There is still some ice fishing happening with some, and others have called it a season. Call ahead if you have that itch for one last ice fishing trip.
Walleyes, saugers, perch, crappies and pike are in good numbers.
The walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th. Pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well. You can fish for sturgeon through May 15th. For more information, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.
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 Boats Heading to the Lake
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.
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.
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.
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.
BATHROOMS. Yes ladies, you read correctly! A “potty” is available in the lower deck of the boat.
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:
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
