It started out as an idea to “give back” to those who have given and still give so much. The name we chose for the Lake of the Woods Area veteran’s event was “Pay It Forward”. We thought it was appropriate for many reasons. This past August, for the seventh year, 70 veterans converged on Lake of the Woods for a 3 night, 2 day all expenses paid fishing trip.
They arrived from all over the U.S., but mainly neighboring states and all across MN. When it’s all said and done, veterans of all types, male and female, various branches of the military, some in the heart of conflicts overseas, many with a physical and/or psychological ailments such as PTSD or TBI come together and rub elbows with other veterans. Veterans spending time with other veterans on and around Lake of the Woods in a loving and supportive environment. This recipe is what makes the Pay It Forward event so magical.
There are so many touching stories. Some are happy stories. And honestly, some are not so happy. Like many veterans discuss, for many, even though back home, the “battle” is still real, maybe just in a different form. Like one veteran put it, “I may have left Vietnam, but Vietnam has not left me.” This quote is deep and resonates with many veterans regardless of when they were in and what they were involved with.
Pay It Forward allows veterans to forget about challenges, at least for a few days. Hand picked speakers help shed light on a variety if issues, resources and solutions affecting our veterans. How to peruse the VA medical system? Where can I go for a job? Who can I reach out to if I feel like I am falling through the cracks? What does a veteran’s service officer do and how can I reach one? Are their support groups? How can I receive help for my specific struggles? What is my purpose in life? In many cases, there are resources or groups that can be helpful in some way to veterans.
Of course this event does take place up at Lake of the Woods, hence, one of the activities that veterans really look forward to is the walleye fishing. The fishing guides from a number of resorts did an excellent job putting our veteran guests on fish.
Midwest Outdoors TV filmed this year’s event and gives you just a glimpse of some of the activities, conversations and new friendships formed way out on Lake of the Woods on a charter boat!
This year, and since the outset, Fishing For Life has assisted as a partner of Pay It Forward. They are a group based out of the Twin Cities but reaching out to folks throughout the region helping tremendously with bringing veterans together, identifying issues and providing solutions, creating veterans events that are key to fostering support and so much more.
Pay It Forward is made possible through the generosity and giving nature of sponsors. This includes resorts who donate lodging, charters and meals, small businesses and veteran organizations who believe in helping veterans enjoy a fishing trip aboard a charter boat in this loving, caring environment along with the positive outcomes we see year in and year out. Thank you to all sponsors who make this event happen.
This past summer’s event, like every event, brought very special people who happen to be veterans to Lake of the Woods. And once again, magic happened.
If you are interested in yourself or perhaps a company being a sponsor or if you are a veteran or know of a veteran who may be interested, check out www.payitforwardlow.org or our Pay it Forward page. You can also email Joe Henry at Joe.Henry@LakeoftheWoodsMN.com or give a call to 320-260-7727.
Thank you to all veterans and all who protect and serve!
Eelpout, really? Absolutely! This fish has gained popularity, is in great abundance in Lake of the Woods, fights hard and is delicious.
Lake of the Woods in Northern Minnesota offers an abundance of different species of fish to catch. Anglers have plenty of choices as to what kind of fish they wish to target, but as the Walleye Capital of the World, most are after that golden predator, not eelpout. As a diverse fishery, often anglers may catch a species or two they were not planning for. When ice fishing up at The Walleye Capital of the World and you set the hook on what seemingly feels at first like a trophy walleye, don’t be surprised if what appears in your fish hole is a big burbot, aka, a bout with a pout!
The burbot or eelpout as some call them are loved by some and disliked by others. Some hope they catch a few and can’t wait to eat the firm white flesh many call “poor man’s lobster”. Others cut their line to avoid having to touch the fish. One thing is for sure, Lake of the Wood is a top eelpout fishery, whether you like them or not! With the numbers of pout and size of pout, is Lake of the Woods also the “Eelpout Capital of the World”?
The eelpout or burbot’s scientific name is Lota Lota, which is French for “codfish.” The burbot is the only species of cod that lives entirely in fresh water. Its appearance has been described as “eel-like” or “a cross between an eel and a cod.” It sports one barbel on its chin as well as a barbel-like, tubular extension near each nostril. Burbot inhabit deep, cold lakes in Minnesota but are rarely spotted in the summer months due to their deep water habits and relative inactivity in the warm months.
Burbot spawn while there is still ice covering lakes. They can grow up to 30 inches long and on average weigh 2 pounds but can weigh up to 19 pounds (the current MN record caught on Lake of the Woods). Burbot can live as long as 15-20 years and are known to wrap their tail around an anglers arm when being unhooked. Burbot are opportunistic hunters and are considered the garbage gut of the lake. They will essentially eat anything they can fit in their mouth.
Lake of the Woods not only has a strong population of eelpout, they grow big in these parts. In fact, the majority of the Minnesota state record eelpout have been caught in Lake of the Woods.
Feb. 3, 1980: 14 pounds, 1 ounce, Deer Lake in Itasca County, Leonard Lundeen of Duluth.
March 7, 1982: 14 pounds, 1 ounce, Lake of the Woods, Norman Flagstad of Roseau, Minn.
Jan. 22, 1983: 17 pounds, 8 ounces, Trout Lake in St. Louis County, Allen Lindgren of Virginia, Minn.
March 30, 1998: 18.3 pounds, Lake of the Woods, Robert Wilmes of Nisswa, Minn.
Feb. 17, 2001: 19 pounds, 3 ounces, Lake of the Woods, John Galles of St Paul.
Feb. 24, 2012: 19 pounds, 8 ounces, Lake of the Woods, Aaron Guthrie of Bemidji.
Dec. 19, 2016: 19 pounds, 10 ounces, Lake of the Woods, Brent Getzler of Roosevelt, Minn.
Do all of these record burbot make a case for Lake of the Woods as The Eelpout Capital of the World?
Delicious Fish! Eelpout or burbot are freshwater cod and have earned a long-overdue respect not only for their strong fight, but their taste. Despite their size, eelpout don’t provide a very big filet. The meat comes from both the backstraps and both sections of meat just in front of the tail of the fish.
Back in the day, burbot didn’t have a very good reputation. In fact, many ice anglers would through them out on the ice for eagles and ravens to scavenge up. Over the years, things have changed and the word is out burbot are delicious.
Cooking Burbot. There are many ways to cook “poor man’s lobster”. Some will cube the meat and boil it in Seven Up, Mountain Dew or simply salt water and dip it in melted butter. As burbot is really cod, the meat is firm and it has a nice taste. Others will broil or fry it which is good but doesn’t provide that unique taste and texture as boiling does.
Most burbot are caught by walleye anglers. Many a burbot have spoiled the big walleye fantasy of ice anglers. Don’t be surprised when the fish will actually come topside tail first once in the ice hole. They can really twist and turn, but can’t really wrap around your arm as some describe.
Typically late afternoon into the dark are the best times to target burbot. Your best lures will be rattle type baits with glow colors tipped with a minnow. Burbot can barely see and sense their prey rather than see it. Set your lure anywhere on bottom to 2-3 feet above bottom.
Anglers have come to understand the good eating these fish provide. If you want a great fight through the ice and a great meal after, get hooked up with an eelpout and tell your friends you had a “bout with a pout”! Come up and catch some pout on The Eelpout Capital of the World!?
Lake of the Woods, the Walleye Capital of the World™, is well known for its excellent fishery and is a destination well worth visiting. It does get “frosty” up in this north country, but that doesn’t stop anyone from enjoying the great outdoors. So, we celebrate each season.
Lake of the Woods and Baudette, itself, serve up some great celebrations throughout the year. Willie Walleye Day takes place the first weekend of June with vendors and concerts and a street dance to celebrate Willie Walleye, our famous icon of the area.
July 4th is a great national day to celebrate our country’s freedom and Baudette knows how to celebrate that day for sure. As a matter of fact, it is known to have the very best display of fireworks in the northern area. Again, there are vendors, food vendors, children’s activities, entertainment, a parade and the traditional street dance.
People from all over travel here and many people travel home for this great event. Many celebrate school reunions during this period of time. The park in the center of town known as Willie Walleye Park is on Baudette Bay where thousands of people sit on the grounds to watch this great display of fireworks over the bay. This alone is a site to behold and gives a nostalgic feeling of days past and families gathering to spend time together.
Lake of the Woods County Fair Board has chosen over three days of entertainment to celebrate the county fair. Horse Shows, outside entertainment, races and the like, happen at the fair grounds located right in the city of Baudette. The Chamber of Commerce also features outdoor movie nights and Crazy Daze to help celebrate.
Speaking of the Chamber of Commerce, this volunteer organization is instrumental in establishing the protocol for many of these celebrations. It sells buttons to raise monies for many events and these monies also pay for the great displays of fireworks. They sponsor an Easter Egg hunt for children in the spring and also serve the community at Halloween with treats for the kids.
This brings us to this great winter season. To celebrate the upcoming Christmas Season, the community offers a huge annual Craft Fair called Holiday Extravaganza held at Lake of the Woods School Commons. The Fair will be held November 20th with doors opening at 9:00 a.m. at the School located on Hwy 11 west of Baudette about 1 mile. Crafters from all over display their wares and many many people attend from across the northland.
As the tempe
ratures drop everyone gets excited to celebrate Frost Fest. This year’s Frost Fest is set to celebrate the oncome of winter on December 4th. A winter parade complete with decorated fish hous
es will lead off at 2:00 p.m. traveling through the Main Ave of town. At 3:00 p.m. Santa will make his appearance at the restoredBaudette Depotlocated at the north end of Main Ave. Visitors will be treated to refreshments provided by the Depot Preservation Committee as they serve in the beautifully decorated building.
The Women of Today/the Chamber/ and the Rotary will be serving a supper from 4-6:00 p.m. at the Moose Club. All are welcome. Also while dinner is being served, the annual tree lighting will happen downtown at 5:00 p.m. Everyone looks forward to the beauty that this tree brings to celebrate the season. Button sales have been available during this time as well as local businesses decorating their windows for a contest. At the tree lighting ceremony, winners of both the button sales and the decorating contest will be announced. Winners of the button sales will receive Chamber Bucks in the amounts of $150.00, $75.00 and $50.00.
The huge climax of this great celebration will happen at 7:00 p.m. when a fireworks display will be shot off over the Baudette Bay much like that of July 4th. Do you like to celebrate? Well, come to Baudette for this sweet time and stay at one of our 50 plus resorts. Maybe the ice will be one and fishing will also be something to celebrate.
Lake of the Woods Foods in Baudette, MN has completed $3M in renovations that have turned this grocery store into a destination all of it’s own! Major improvements to all areas of the store along with the addition of Caribou Coffee is really turning heads, let alone the quality and wide variety of food choices.
Chuck Lindner, owner of Lake of the Woods Foods, explains he wants his grocery stores to have a connection to each town they are in. “I get a lot of pride when someone says ‘my supermarket’ because they take ownership and they feel it is something they are proud in,” explains Lindner. This is one of the reasons he chose to keep the current location in Baudette which is on the main drag, HWY 11 and International Drive, the road that heads to the International Bridge to Canada. This is also right across the street from Willie Walleye and Willie Walleye Park.
“We added a lot of nice services, the biggest one, one of my biggest requests, was a Caribou Coffee. A little taste of a big city in a small town”, explains Lindner. “We expanded our perishables department, more produce offering, fresh foods. We basically touched every part of the store so aside from starting up from scratch, we have a brand new store.”
Check out the newly remodeled Lake of the Woods Foods and the brand new Caribou Coffee in the Lakeland PBS story below.
Are you aware that it is now November and November brings hunters everywhere chasing after white tail deer!!!
Lake of the Woods, known for its great fishery, is also notable for the whitetail deer population. If you were to take a drive down any road it is very common to see dozens of deer in ditches and fields. Lake of the Woods has a healthy the whitetail population and several trophy bucks.
With hundreds of acres of State and Public land, deer hunters can find large areas to hunt where there is virtually no pressure while having the opportunity to harvest a large buck or any deer of your choosing.
The deer hunting season is upon us at Lake of the Woods. The Whitetail Deer is abundant in the Lake of the Woods area and many are harvested each year. The 2021 firearm hunting season runs from November 6th-21st With the abundance of public land and thousands of deer around the area, it is important that everyone in the field wears hunter’s orange!
The MN DNR does a nice job of listing deer hunting seasons and regulations on the MN DNR website. Please refer there for specifics.
Hunters are keenly away that during hunting season safety precautions should not be taken lightly and should most definitely be followed. Adhering to the standards of safety hunting is of utmost importance and could actually be your ticket to a great and successful hunting experience. Wearing the hunters orange is a safety law in most hunting areas and there are a multitude of reasons why you should never neglect this law.
Be aware that wearing the blaze orange or hunter’s orange is for your safety as a hunter and in addition, having clothing that has a bright hue can help rescuers find you easily in case you get lost. During the rifle hunting season laws require to wear gear that has at least 20 inches of hunters orange in it. The main point of it is to be seen in the woods and fields by others and prevent other hunters mistaking you for a deer or shooting at your direction altogether.
The deer can’t tell! Deer can’t exactly see things like we humans do. They are only able to see colors with smaller wavelengths like dark
green, dark blue and even ultraviolet light! And more importantly, deer may be color blind but they are able to differentiate the environment from humans through shapes so the more blaze orange there is on your clothes, the more noticeable you are likely to become for the deer. The deeper you are in the woods, the harder it is to see you even if you’re wearing a full blaze orange jacket.
All in all, a deer’s eyesight isn’t the same as humans. They are able to see shorter wavelengths down to the ultraviolet light, but not bright red and orange. This is the reason why hunters wear blaze orange for safety purposes when hunting. It appears brown or gray to the deer but is very bright and clear to the human eye. Not only does blaze orange help other hunters distinguish game from humans, but it can also be helpful when being rescued. Safety first is always the motto for a safe hunting season at Lake of the Woods.
Whether you are traveling by car, walking the dog, working in the woods or on your property you also must be keenly aware of the dangers during this season. When traveling highways be aware that this is the season of deer being in rut and that means that the deer are running. They are crazed during this season and are not looking out for people driving the roads. However, YOU must be aware and keep a watchful eye out for these animals every minute.
Why not go shopping now for your blaze orange and wear it whenever you’re out and about. This will make others aware that you are aware of the season. Besides, it’s always a celebration to wear this color during this “National Orange Holiday”. (author’s humor)
If you’re looking for public hunting land, Lake of the Woods offers literally thousands of acres of state land, nearly all of which is open and available for hunting. Some popular areas to begin are Beltrami Island State Forest, Red Lake Wildlife Management Area, Pine Island State Forest and Lake of the Woods State Forest are just a few places to begin. Some hunters prefer to stay at Northwest Angle Resorts and hunt the islands.
Hunting season questions can be fielded by the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or (888) 646-6367 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For information on hunting lands, guides or lodging, see our website at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
As the leaves are starting to come down in big numbers and we begin experiencing some of the first light snowfalls of the season around Lake of the Woods, life encourages us to look ahead. For some, looking ahead means cold winters. To others, it means a winter wonderland of opportunities. One of those opportunities that often times gets overlooked in these parts because of the world class ice fishing is snowmobiling, and this exact topic was featured in MN Snowmobiling Magazine!
In past years, myself and a couple of friends had the chance to embark on this snowmobiling adventure around the area and it has been fantastic. It was something we wanted to do for a long time. With a busy schedule and also out of fairness, being a walleye nut, never made the time for.
Here is the text of the article, enjoy!
Sleeper Snowmobiling Destination Will Have You Coming Back
By Joe Henry
Lake of the Woods for snowmobiling? Absolutely. There is no doubt in these parts there is a lot of attention focused on ice fishing. Consequently, what flies under the radar screen are the incredible snowmobile trails. Hundreds of miles of nicely groomed trails through some of the most beautiful scenery the state has to offer. For those who enjoy trail riding where there aren’t hundreds of sleds, this area might be just what you were looking for.
If you like to snowmobile, think about this…
-There are staked and groomed snowmobile trails extending from Wheeler’s Point at the lake south to Baudette on the Rainy River, 42 miles north to the NW Angle and west to Warroad.
-There are 273 miles of land trails on the south end of Lake of the Woods alone.
-The trails extend from Baudette east to Birchdale and then to Big Falls. This is probably the most wilderness type trail in the state. It goes for 87 miles one way and only crosses two roads. There are gas stations in Birchdale and in Big Falls. The stretch from Birchdale to Big Falls is 53 miles.
-Trails also extend west from Baudette to Williams, Zippel Bay State Park and over to Warroad. You can also go south from on that trail and hit Roosevelt and enter part of Beltrami Island State Forest.
-To the south, trails go from Baudette south all the way to Washkish.
-There are staked and groomed trails across the lake to the NW Angle from both Warroad, Rocky Point and Wheeler’s Point. Not only is this a quick ride across the lake, for sledders, this provides an opportunity to visit the NW Angle and save both driving around the lake via automobile and checking through at customs as the snowmobile trails across the lake are in MN.
-While up at the NW Angle, land trails extend through the wilderness from Angle Inlet throughout the northernmost point of the contiguous U.S.
Local Snowmobile Clubs. There are two local snowmobile clubs in Lake of the Woods County that do a great job. The Lake of the Woods Drifters Snowmobile Club is on the south end of the lake. Up at the NW Angle the NW Angle Edge Riders keep the trails groomed and in good shape. Both clubs connect trails to neighboring clubs who do a nice job with trails as well. What this means for sledders is a variety of quality trails.
Snowmobile Shelters. There are a variety of different shelters available to snowmobilers along the trail. These are for both safety and an area to take a break, warm up or simply regroup with your party. It is good to know where these shelters are before you begin your trip.
Variety of area resorts. Lake of the Woods is home to dozens of resorts, hotels and a variety of sleeper fish house outfitters. Resorts and hotels on the Rainy River, in Baudette, along the south shore and up at the NW Angle are a good place to start. Depending upon who is in your group and how you roll, there are lots of options.
Bon appetite! For snowmobilers, one of the fun experiences is sampling the variety of good food and drink throughout the area. Some resorts are small, quaint and have specialties like hand pressed cheeseburgers or homemade pizza. Some of the larger resorts have salad bars and more elaborate food such as prime rib and shrimp. Take your pick as it is fun to have options.
Visit the Igloo Bar! When snowmobiling around Lake of the Woods, consider a stop at the Igloo Bar on the lake ice in front of Zippel Bay. This bar has big screen TV’s, electric lights, bar, hot food and heated porta-poddies. Oh, and if you would like, you can actually fish in the bar! For many, this is nirvana. For snowmobilers, the igloo bar is sure a fun stop.
Working together for great snowmobile trails! Local snowmobile clubs, like in a lot of areas, put much planning, time and effort making the border trails in this region so special. They take great pride in summer clearing, opening and grooming trails weekly, making sure there is good signage and creating access trails to resorts, restaurants and bars.
Some of the trails in this area are funded by the DNR through the Grant-in-Aid program using license fees and gas tax monies. The State of Minnesota, Lake of the Woods County, Koochiching County, Roseau County and private landowners are the people that make these great trails possible.
As in many areas, local trails cross the property of many private citizens, as well as lands which are administered by various levels of government. As snowmobilers, we owe the landowners our thanks and advocate respecting their property.
Although ice fishing receives most of the attention in these parts during the winter months, snowmobiling opportunities abound and fly under the radar screen. With not nearly the traffic as more cosmopolitan snowmobile areas and with a climate a bit colder than most Midwest destinations, the trails stay in nice shape often into March.
Lake of the Woods is an epic place to snowmobile. Think of the variety. There are land trails across the south shore going through some of the most beautiful forests the state has to offer as well as established trails providing accessibility to all parts of the lake.
The trail on the Rainy River connects the City of Baudette and all of its amenities with the resorts on the Rainy River, resorts along the south shore of the lake as well as the 42-mile-long trail across the lake up to the NW Angle.
The Lake of the Woods area isn’t known as your cosmopolitan snowmobiling destination which is perfect for those who would prefer to have the trails to themselves. The trails are beautiful, provide a variety of different snowmobiling experiences and are very well maintained. Those who have experienced snowmobiling in these parts usually come back.
If you like snowmobiling, a destination on your list needs to be Lake of the Woods. The two snowmobile clubs, the Lake of the Woods Drifters in the south and the NW Angle Edge Riders on the north end of the lake, are active and do a great job of maintaining the trails. The trails go through some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes around.
There are seven shelters along the trails to stop and take a break. These, for many, are nice places to stop, talk about the trails, plan on next stops and just pause for a moment to appreciate the beauty of being in the woods.
Are you seeking a change? Maybe your are an adventure seeker? Work up at Lake of the Woods! Many resorts, hotels and others are Now Hiring. Did you know most people regret not taking enough chances in life and simply settling? Are you someone who has visited Lake of the Woods and thought, “I could live here?” This is a great time to consider Lake of the Woods.
Lake of the Woods isn’t just a great place to fish, hunt and enjoy the great outdoors, it’s an excellent place to find good employment and do business. Not only is there a steady flow of visitors, there is a thriving local economy that boasts an educated workforce, world-class technology and an abundance of resources for those interested in opening, relocating or expanding a business. This area is a dream getaway. Lake of the Woods employment opportunities abound.
People visit Lake of the Woods County for the stunning international waters and the breathtaking scenery of Northern Minnesota. Lake of the Woods offers four seasons of world-class fishing, a hunter’s paradise and a vast array of outdoor recreation. Winter is actually the busiest season at Lake of the Woods. The world class ice fishing, consistent ice conditions, daytime bite, millions of walleyes and saugers, and great resort community cater to anglers from many regions.
Many couples have found success working amongst the resorts as there are a number of important jobs available. This is hospitality at it’s finest. Imagine the possibilities, ice guide, front desk, housekeeping, cook, servers, marketing and business managers, and bartenders. Lots of opportunities right now across the lake as resorts have openings and are staffing up.
Do you have a favorite resort? If so, give them a call and inquire directly about openings. Opportunities await across the lake (and river).
Employment Opportunities! Have you ever thought about working in an area you love to vacation? There are a variety of opportunities and many have taken the step to work where they play and area businesses are hiring. Imagine fishing, hunting and simply living in an area people travel across the country to get to!
Right now, area resorts are looking for valued employees for a variety of positions. Whether it is an ice guide, working the front desk, cleaning rooms, food service, various hospitality positions, outside maintenance, marketing and the list goes on.
A listing of local resorts can be found on the Lake of the Woods Tourism lodging page. Resorts are hiring on their resort websites, some on Facebook, and some positions may not be listed at all but there is still a need.
It is sometimes good if you are looking for work, to simply pick up the phone, call and inquire about open positions. It has been said about 80% of potential open positions are not advertised for. As a candidate for employment, this is also a good technique that also shows your willingness to work.
Quality healthcare and education. People stay in Lake of the Woods County because of the community. We take pride in our outstanding healthcare and nationally-recognized education with Lake of the Woods Schools ranking very high in Minnesota schools. There are positive things happening in town, such as the new Lake of the Woods International Arena, a new international bridge to Canada, a major remodel of Lake of the Woods Foods, addition of a Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bagels, a new distillery on Main Street and more.
As the winter months approach, many of the resorts are looking for good people to take advantage of excellent Lake of the Woods employment opportunities. Again, winter fishing on LOW is known to be some of the best in the world. Look no further thanHere for many of the employment vacancies!
Right now there are openings and various area employers would love to meet with you. Visit www.gethookedforlife.com for more valuable information and also www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com. Another good option is to look at the Lake of the Woods Tourism Lodging page. Many of the resorts and hotels are hiring for a variety of positions, email them or give them a call. You can also email Lake of the Woods Tourism at info@LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.
Seasons come and go and are always changing at the Walleye Capital of the World, Lake of the Woods. Sportsmen have great adventures all year long whether it’s catching their favorite fish, duck hunting, white tail deer hunting, or exploring the beautiful forest areas by ATV travel. If you’re planning a vacation and bringing the whole family, it’s important to plan your schedule and be able to entertain them with great food options.
I believe one of the best kept secrets of our area is all of the dining availability here. Between the City of Baudette and the resort area, there are enough dining places for you to eat at a different location every night of the month if you so desire.
Walleye is good during any season
Although this season of COVID-19 has changed some things, proprietors of dining facilities have taken this opportunity to add special areas to comply with social distancing and safety. Those precautions are still in effect but it doesn’t affect the “Minnesota Nice” type of hospitality that each establishment offers. Many facilities have outside dining, patio areas and deck areas or picnic tables to enjoy the warm seasons.
Of course, now mother nature is changing the season so we get to enjoy the comforts of inside dining with fireplaces blazing and great fragrances from the kitchen. Did you know that when you catch your limit of fish whether in the summer or the winter, that dining facilities will not only clean your catch, but will prepare your catch of the day with all the fixings for a great dining experience.
Let’s take a dining journey to see what there is to offer. Of course, I will not be able to mention all the possibilities, but I can assure you, each business has excellent choices. If you are interested in pizza, there are many options both in the City of Baudette and at the resort community. Subway, Teco’s Tacos and McDonalds are available for quick take out items. The city also has some great “Ma and Pa” restaurants where you can order great breakfast menus, specialty coffees, baskets to eat in or take out, and especially prepared steak dinners.
If you head towards the lake area this season, locals will tell you to try the pizza at a couple of resorts where one night is set aside as pizza
night that features especially homemade crusts loaded with whatever toppings you enjoy. Resorts offer specials to the local clientele and their customers whether it’s prime rib, shrimp, blackened walleye, or liver and onions. The summer season boasts of two “all you can eat” walleye feeds served out in the open air. Resorts have additions that have enhanced the wonderful décor of each establishment.
How about sitting on a beautiful patio on the Rainy River and enjoy the view, the sunshine and watching the boats come and go. Don’t forget about the dining areas where you can watch the beautiful sunsets over Lake of the Woods. The dining experience features facilities that serve up baskets or full meals while gazing at the beautiful waters of Big Traverse. You can see water for miles and miles and the sight is only enhanced while dining on steak sandwiches, shrimp baskets or even walleye cheeks.
Views are very important to enhance the dining experience. Lake of the Woods is divided into three strategic areas: the Rainy River area, the South Shoreand of course, the beautiful Northwest Angle. Each season brings its own beauty and can be enjoyed by your company group or family group.
As the waters and currents slow and the lake begins to freeze over for its winter season, it’s always so welcoming to come in from fishing the
big lake to the warm atmosphere of fireplaces and the smell of good food and warm beverages to warm up the body and sooth the soul while dining at some of the best places in the world.
One very unique experience on Lake of the Woods near Zippel Bay is the Igloo restaurant. A local gentleman designed this facility to look exactly like an igloo. They serve sandwiches and pizza to clientele and after the lunch happens, the table lifts and you can fish through the holes drilled through the ice. There are even heated outhouses on the lake. Now, no visit to the area is complete without seeing and experiencing this dining opportunity during the beautiful winter season.
Friends, family and travelers from many locations are excited to hear the news that the United States Border will be opening up on November 8th. The border crossing we are mentioning here is located at Baudette, MN, a gateway into our neighboring country of Canada.
When Covid 19 hit in March of 2020 both the US and Canadian governments decided to close their borders allowing only those who were essential workers to cross.
Beautiful Rainy River forms the Border between the United States and Canada
Canada opened its border recently to travel into Canada and now the US has followed suit and will open to travelers very soon. The reason the borders were closed was to help stop the spread of Covid 19 between the two countries. We in this northland were saddened by this event because the towns of Baudette, MN and Rainy River, Ontario, Canada have been great neighbors and have shared jobs, sporting events and travelers between the two.
The Northern Light Region, the local newspaper in town, has just published an excellent article in this week’s paper by Reporter Robert Hopwood. The following is some information obtained from that publication.
“Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced this week that nonessential travelers vaccinated against Covid-19 will be allowed to enter the United States at land and ferry border crossings. The policy goes into effect November 8, according to the white House. Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minneapolis, who worked earlier this year to ease travel restrictions for Northwest Angle residents and recently called on the Biden Administration to end land-crossing restrictions, praised the decision. ‘As chair of the Senate group working with the Canadian parliament, I’ve long advocated to safely open up both land and air travel between the United States and Canada.’”
The community of Baudette, Lake of the Woods, was hit hard when the border was closed. Traffic across the international bridge which is the port of entry into the United States from Canada fell sharply as trucks crossing the border and also personal vehicles. The ripple effect hit retail sales, theater attendance, high school sports, liquor
stores and the like. Lake of the Woods School, especially suffered since students from Canada were invited to participate on the school’s football, baseball, ice hockey and cross-country teams at both the junior high and varsity levels.
Baudette is excited to see the border open because during this season, many improvements have been made to the community. Lake of the Woods Foods has been remodeled with new concrete parking lots and the store added space as well as Caribou Coffee. The whole Main Ave of town has new sidewalks with trees and decorative corner containers for beautification added on a newly paved street. The American Legion has redone the front of the building making it a very attractive addition to the street. Ronnings Department Store remodeled their store and added a beautiful storefront showing off their wares. Decorative signs adorn the front of the building.
Another feature to the city of Baudette is ongoing as there is a new distillery being built inside one of the current buildings.
All of these features are here to welcome travelers to our area. Sporting more than 50 resorts, lodging is abundant and pristine waters of both the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods contain an abundance of fish for the avid sportsman.
More information on crossing the border is oncoming, however, Canada has put some regulations in place for entering their country. One must download an app onto your phone called ArriveCan. People can use this app to download your vaccination card showing you have received the vaccines against Covid. They also require all nonessential travelers to show officials a negative Covid-19 test to visit or re-enter the country. Those tests are available at Thrifty White Pharmacy in Baudette from Monday to Friday for a fee. This must be taken within 72 hours of crossing the border.
The United States will also require that nonessential travelers be vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be issuing guidance on what that means for the federal government.
All in all this northern border is rejoicing that friends and family will be reunited, businesses will prosper and even better, the welcome mat is once again extended to all travelers. Keep watching the Baudette Northern Light Region for more information or contact www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comto keep abreast of regulations.
Many anglers look forward to a longstanding tradition created by Mother Nature, the fall run on the Rainy River. Now, it could be argued if the actual “run” is referring to the emerald shiners that make their way from Lake of the Woods up the Rainy River each fall, the walleyes that love the shiners and follow them up or both. Either way, anyone with an average sized boat and a liking to jig for walleyes will enjoy this adventure.
There is nothing better than getting together with some friends and jigging for fall walleyes. On a recent trip to the Rainy River, I had the chance to do just that. John Bergsma is the host of Fisherman’s Digest, an outdoors TV show that originates out of Michigan but is seen across the U.S. on a variety of outdoor channels as well as more local channels in Michigan. John and I have known each other for a number of years and always enjoy getting out on the water together. This was a nice opportunity.
Interestingly enough, our guide for the day was another great angler many might be familiar with, Greg Jones of Midwest Outdoors. To have two TV hosts, great anglers and friends in the boat at the same time was a treat. As you can see, they are obviously good sticks as well.
John has a history of fishing various pro walleye tournaments. For a good number of them, his partner was Brian Ney of Adrian’s Resort. Consequently, John, in addition to loving the Lake of the Woods area and having fond memories of fishing tournaments here, loves coming back and seeing his old fishing partner.
As many anglers, I feel pretty confident in my fishing abilities. I will say, on this given day (can’t wait for another chance), John had the hot hand. He has a ton of experience on a variety of water and I wish I had more time in the boat with him.
I think if someone has the right attitude, they can learn from other anglers. When the fish are biting, almost anyone can catch them. When they are a bit more finicky, that is when the little nuances become a much bigger deal. Trust me, I was watching John trying to pick up any little tool for my walleye toolbelt.
One thing was interesting was he knew exactly which jig he wanted to use and stuck with it. He had caught so many walleyes over the years on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River he just knew this was the right jig.
On this given day on this given year, the bite wasn’t great honestly and there weren’t a ton of walleyes in this stretch of river we decided to fish. But, it is fall and it’s the Rainy River so compared to most bodies of water, even on a day that was mediocre, it was pretty darn good.
From the mouth of the Rainy River to Birchdale there is 42 miles of navigable river. As a reference, the City of Baudette (which has some great fall spots in proximity to the city) is 12 miles from the mouth of the river called Wheeler’s Point. Birchdale is approximately 30 miles east of Baudette.
There are many public boat ramps along the river. Depending upon where you want to fish and how you roll, some anglers enjoy going for a nice boat ride to the stretch of river they are fishing while others would rather trailer their boats to the stretch of river they plan on fishing.
The Rainy River is our international dividing line with Canada. Technically, half way across the river, shoreline to shoreline is the line. When navigating, you are allowed to cross the line for safety reasons, such as avoiding other boats or perhaps shallow water.
If you want to fish the Ontario side of the river, you must have an Ontario fishing license, adhere to different fish limits, and cannot possess any bait that you brought into Canada from the U.S. That means live, frozen, dead, etc, are off limits if brought from the U.S. Since Canada implemented this rule in October, 2020, U.S. anglers who boat into Ontario waters from Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River have been using plastics on their jigs and spinners. There is plenty of water and good spots on the U.S. side, but this info might be helpful nonetheless.
The Rainy River in the fall is special for a lot of reasons. The fishing, scenery, migration, and peacefulness. John Bergsma with the Fisherman’s Digest will tell you, it’s one of his favorites.
