Book your Ice Fishing Trip NOW!! It’s not too early! Requests are coming in and resorts are already taking reservations for that once in a lifetime ice fishing trip to Lake of the Woods. Did I say, “once”? No, many anglers frequent the waters/ice of Lake of the Woods many times during the winter months. Why? Because this Walleye Capital of the World™ is a first-class fishery and continues to be so. Permanent fish houses, sleeper fish houses, and day wheel houses make up an entire village with plowed roads and sectioned off areas that are continually being groomed by experienced ice staff.

Summer fishing is great as anglers of all ages enjoy the shimmering waters of Lake of the Woods. Soon, however, those shimmering waters start cooling down and currents slow and before you know it, you’ll see a skim of ice forming on the bays, the big lake and the river. Then, Winter is on!!!

Yes, winter is right around the corner. The standard joke in northern MN is that we have two seasons. Winter is coming and Winter is here. Resort owners are already prepping their ice houses with fresh paint and accessories and moving them closer to the road so that they’re ready for launching as soon as the ice is on. When the ice first forms on the lake, resort owners and guides are out there immediately measuring the depth of the ice.

The process of forming roads over this big water is amazing. It is no small task to forge those roads so that ice depth goes deeper and can allow travel to Four Mile Bay, or over Pine Island to Big Traverse, or around Morris Point onto the big water. Hats off to those who have to move with great wisdom so that anglers can enjoy a great experience on the ice.

Outfitters want to keep all the visitors to the area safe and won’t allow anyone on the ice until it’s safe. The MN DNR has a great page showing guidelines for safe ice travel and it needs to be adhered to by all.

Lake of the Woods features three distinctive areas. The Northwest Angle is an extremely beautiful area featuring the northernmost point marked with a buoy. This area builds roads across the lake to the other beautiful islands of Oak and Flag. Both islands run full-time resorts winter and summer. What a great way to experience this winter wonderland. The Northwest Angle, where our 14,552 islands begin, is the is the home of excellent ice fishing. The diversity of fish is unbelievable in this area of the lake.

The Rainy River features resorts that travel their ice houses up the road and then onto the lake when the ice will hold them. Check out what each resort has to offer by going to www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging. Yes, the Lake of the Woods website is brand new and full of great information with even a virtual vacation guide to view there.

South Shore Resorts often forge their own roads and it’s amazing what seems to be four-lane highways on the lake. Then, of course, streets are mapped out so that anglers know right where to travel. It’s not too early to book your ice fishing (hard water) trip. Planning your next ice fishing trip should be a breeze. Picture waking up in the morning, getting some grub, then hoping into a heated snow bomber which brings you to your fish house which is already heated. Then proceed to catch fish all day long. It doesn’t get any better than that. Book now!

When clicking on the Lodging Tab, please notice that there is a white icon there that says “ice fishing”. By clicking that icon, you go directly to resorts that feature their ice fishing opportunities. Visit our Lodging Availability Request on that page and fill out the form and get your reservation made early. By the time Christmas rolls around, people of often hard pressed to be able to get a reservation.

Search out our Hot Deals Page on the Lake of the Woods website. Here you can check current or future promotions for our resorts and lodges. We update the hot deals page often and will post new deals as they show up. There are deals for everyone. Deals for lodging only or for a fishing and lodging package, will be featured for you to explore.

It’s time!! Winter is beautiful and Exciting especially when you come to Lake of the Woods ice fishing.

Check out our website at: www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging or click on the ice fishing tab for all your ice fishing information.

See our Face Book page at: www.facebook.com/lakeofthewoodsmn