Lake of the Woods is known as an exciting vacation spot for many many reasons. Of course, fishing is #1, but did you know we have a great location for mountain biking? Load up your bike and plan to spend time alone with nature or do a family outing. Then check out Beltrami Island State Forest.

Mountain biking is a sport of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, usually using specially designed mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain, such as air or coil-sprung shocks used as suspension, larger and wider wheels and tires, stronger frame materials, and mechanically or hydraulically actuated disc brakes. Mountain biking can generally be broken down into five distinct categories: cross country, trail riding, all mountain, downhill, and freeride.

Mountain bikes are a fun way to exercise and connect with nature. Compared to road bikes, they have the following characteristics:

• fatter tires with rugged tread for stability and durability on off-road terrain
• a more upright cycling position that lets you enjoy the view
• suspension systems on some bikes absorb shock for a more comfortable ride

There are many ways to enjoy mountain biking, and you don’t even have to be in the mountains. Trails vary from pleasant rides on wide, flowing logging roads to high-adrenaline challenges on technical singletrack.

Snowmobile trails are generally not suited to bike travel since many of these trails travel through very wet areas. With the invention of fat tire bikes early ice fishing is accessible on the lake. Can you believe it?!? Ride a bike on the ice?!? See this great picture for proof that it can be done. Fat tire bikes allow anglers or hunters to travel long distances where foot travel is difficult to reach.

While there are no mountains near Lake of the Woods “and even small hills are scarce” the area does offer several routes for mountain biking. The forest roads surrounding the Faunce State Forest Campground, about 13 miles south of Williams, offer several loop routes up to about 30 miles in length.

Potential users of these roads should be aware that forestry is a major industry in this area, and logging trucks frequently use these roads during the week, so weekends may be a better choice than week days. Also, there are several hunter walking trails in the area that are open to non-motorized vehicle use.

The Beltrami Island State Forest is a state forest located in Lake of the Woods, Roseau, and Beltrami counties, Minnesota. Named after Italian explorer Giacomo Beltrami, it is the second-largest state forest in the Minnesota system after Pine Island State Forest. The largest wildlife management area in the state at 321,149 acres (129,964 ha), the Red Lake Wildlife Management Area, is located within the forest.

The majority of the forest is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, although a significant portion are tribal lands belonging to the neighboring Red Lake Band of Ojibwe.

The majority of land in the forest is coniferous swamp dominated by species such as black spruce, tamarack, and northern white cedar, although red pine, jack pine, and aspen exist in upland areas. Much of the pine that characterizes the upland acreage were planted by the federal Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, based out of Norris Camp now located in the Red Lake WMA portion of the forest.

This beautiful area is also used by many as a resource for bird watching. It is virtually a paradise for the eye to feast on and wildlife is abundant. This is also the sight of many first homesteads of the early settlers to Lake of the Woods County. Some of those are still marked and are worthy to be looked for.

Nearby Zippel Bay State Park and has facilities suitable for camping.^[1]   Other Lodging is available at the 50+ resorts in the area.

For more information see our website at: www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging.

The NW Angle has gotten it’s share of publicity this year.  Unfortunately, not for always the right reasons.  The Angle has been cut off from civilization as the Canadian border has been closed.  This has prevented tourists, cabin owners and even in some cases, residents from traveling the 40 mile road through Canada to get there.  As the rest of the United States is getting back to normal, the Angle is facing it’s second summer of being “Cut Off”.

You see, if you are not familiar with the NW Angle, it is an exclave, one of four across the U.S. / Canada border.  An exclave is a destination in which you must travel through another country to get back to your country.  One must travel 4o miles through a portion of Manitoba up the western edge of Lake of the Woods before entering back into Minnesota up at the Angle.

Yes, one can access the Angle by traveling across the big open waters of Lake of the Woods.  It is 40 – 50 miles from the south end up to various resorts across Big Traverse Bay.  That stretch of water is 30 miles by 25 miles.  It is big water that can whip up in a flash.  When it does, waves can be in excess of 8 feet.  For this reason, many don’t feel comfortable taking their own boats across in order to stay in MN waters.

Another option for getting across is the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service.  This is a charter boat service departing from the south end of the lake at Sportsman’s Lodge on the Rainy River.  It drops you at whatever resort you are headed to up at the Angle.

And finally, Lake Country Air.  This is a flying service that has a plane in Baudette.  It amphibious meaning it can land on both land and water.  This is a quick 10 minute flight across the big lake.

Any of these options will get you up to the Angle where the fishing is great, hospitality second to none and the air just smells different.  These are a few of the reasons people make the effort to get up.

You may recall, this winter a group of NW Angle resort formed the NW Angle Guest Ice Road.  This never before ice road allowed vehicle traffic across Lake of the Woods on an ice road that stayed in Minnesota.  The ice road was a success, allowing those resorts who ice fish, to gain a portion of their winter revenue, enough to help keep them going.  It also gave them some hope.

Not every resort does ice fishing however.  Out of the 12 resorts up at the Angle, eight of them ice fish.  For those who did, it wasn’t like a normal winter, but it helped.

And now, we are at a place nobody ever thought we would be.  Into a second summer “Cut Off” from civilization for all practical purposes.  Things are pretty quiet up at the Angle.

This small but incredible community has seen it’s share of media this year.  It’s not all of the time a community is cut off from it’s customer base by another country.  It also isn’t all of the time a group of resorts (which technically are competitors) join together to create a solution in the NW Angle Guest Ice Road that saved many of their businesses.

Last week, CTV, a television broadcasting company across Canada interviewed a couple who own a resort.  There have been many others across the U.S. and Canada as well.  And now, the NY Times.

They say publicity is good, even if it is bad.  I think it is safe to say most Angle businesses do understand the value.  At this chapter of life, being 14 months in since the border has been closed, maybe just welcoming back visitors is really what the Doctor ordered.  A mere sliver of the trillions of dollars coming through for COVID reasons would help folks at the Angle sleep better at night as well.

Click Here to read the NY Times Article about the NW Angle

More info about the NW Angle

Lodging around Lake of the Woods

The Golden Years.  For many, they are golden, for others, not so much.  With the physical body and mind not being as fit as they used to be, once loved activities like getting on the water used to be simply about memories.  Lake of the Woods Senior Boating is doing their best to change that.  A local non-profit has been working to rekindle boating for seniors across the Lake of the Woods region for the past 14 years, brining happiness and joy to many of our finest throughout the northland.

As mentioned, there are a number of volunteers.  Currently, there are 30 drivers and first mates helping guests enjoy  26-30 trips per year on the Rainy River.

As many things this past year, the trips had to be put on hold due to COVID.  This week trips resumed after a long break.  “This is almost a symbol for many of that COVID is starting to get better.  This is the first trip since 2019 and really provides many of us healing for our souls,”  explains Topp.  The group follows the CDC guidelines for COVID safety protocols for all staff and guests.

Minnesota’s State Flower is the Showy Lady Slipper and Lake of the Woods is the spot to view this spectacular flower.  Since 1925, the state has regulated the collection and commercial sale of this species. The showy lady’s-slipper is one of 43 orchid species that grow in Minnesota. Many people consider it the most beautiful flower in the state.

This wild flower is a brightly-colored orchid that has one or sometimes two blossoms on a single stem. White petals sit on top of a white pouch (slipper) streaked with pink. Hairy oval leaves clasp the stem. It usually grows one to two feet tall.  It features the colors of pink, red, white, and green.

The lady’s slipper flowers from early June to mid-July. It flowers best in bright sunlight, although it will grow in semi-shaded areas. In its first year, this orchid grows only as tall as a pencil point. Each year, the lady’s slipper may produce a half-million seeds, which are as fine as flour dust. This flower has a long life span; some may be 100 years old.

The lady’s slipper grows in spruce and tamarack bogs, swamps, wet meadows, wet prairies, and cool, damp woods. It may be found anywhere in Minnesota where these habitats exist.

They became the state flower of Minnesota in 1902, where there were favored adornments of rural, church alters until it became illegal to pick the flowers or dig up the plants in 1925. It has been adopted as a border on the state flag.

Another favorite along roadsides is the “yellow lady slipper”. It has a bright yellow lower lip, the slipper, that is red-spotted inside. The upper sepals are light to dark burgundy and twist outward in spirals. Deer love to eat this plant. The plant varies per region as to the size of the flower and leaves and the amount of hairiness on the leaves and stems.

Each year the Williams Garden Club of Lake of the Woods sponsors a Wildflower Tour featuring flowers of all kinds that are native to this area. Of course, the feature flower is the Lady’s Slipper but many many other species of flowers are noted and ready for view. This year’s Wildflower Tour will happen on June 19^th. People from all over the country travel to this area to take part of this event.

As mentioned before, the Pink Showy Lady Slipper is always the star of the show. The Williams Gardeners go around the tour route in Williams, MN a few days before the event. They always hope to find them in bloom. Sometimes Mother Nature cooperates and sometimes not! The Lady Slipper’s bloom is spectacular with three white, pointed, upper petal-like sepals and one large, inflated petal and white lower petal often veined in deep pink and hairy flowering stalks. They love wet areas, lots of sun and swampy soil, moist woodlands and are frequently found in the ditches along our railroad tracks.

These precious flowers that are protected by the state take 15 years to mature and produce flowers. Therefore, these flowers should never be handled. When road construction happened years ago, gardeners had to receive permission from the state in order to transplant these precious flowers so they wouldn’t be destroyed.

Lady Slipper Park in Williams, MN is a great place to view this spectacular flower and will also be the spot to register and start your tour. Registration will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and you can come any time during that time frame. You will be given a map of the self-guided tour which is approximately 4 miles long. You will be able to view over 100 types of wild flowers that will have stakes by them. A Garden member will be stationed throughout the route for education and pamphlets will be available.wild-flower-map-2021

A new Scavenger Hunt for flowers will be available also as well as a water station and goodies. Did you know that even poison ivy is considered a flower? Yes, and education will be given out concerning that as well. For more information contact Pat at 1-218-783-2091.

Why not plan an outing to Lake of the Woods!?! We have over 50 resorts to serve you with great accommodations, great restaurants and of course, there’s always great fishing here. Check out all of your options at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging

One of the very common navigation routes used by anglers up at Lake of the Woods is traveling from the mouth of the Rainy River through Four Mile Bay to Lake of the Woods through the Lighthouse Gap.  It is important to be aware and use caution along this route.  That means knowing and understanding a few basic principles of boating and navigation to navigate safely along this route.

First off, to navigate safely, there are a number of tools used in navigation that if used in unison, can greatly increase safety.  Using just one tool is dangerous because if it fails or isn’t accurate, there is risk.  Common navigation tools are…

GPS

Using a GPS is very helpful to successfully navigate, especially with a chip in it that adds detail to the map.  Please know navigation using a GPS can be off due to lost signal, map chips being inaccurate and a myriad of other reasons.  Overall, a GPS with the proper map chip that matches the body of water you are on is very helpful.

Another tip, make sure to zoom in enough to be able to see details but not too close that you cannot see on your map where your vessel is headed.

Visual aids to navigation

These can be visual markers on the water or adjacent to the water aiding in navigation.  Again, these are helpful but only one tool in navigation, such as the case in the Lighthouse Gap.  Imagine if you use red and green buoys on the water as your sole source of navigation and a storm blew them away from the correct spot of placement.  The results could result in an accident.

As a rule, when boating through red and green buoys, remember the saying, red right return.  What this means is when you are navigating, you want the red buoy on your right side and the green buoy on your left side.

This is also helpful if there is only one color buoy in an area.  Remember red right return, meaning if you are returning to harbor, the red needs to be on your right.

The rule is then reversed when headed out to the lake or away from port.  When headed out, have the red buoys on your left, the green on your right.

Be aware and use common sense

There are many clues that if you are paying attention while boating, can tip you off to avoiding danger to navigate safely.  In some cases, logs or other hazards can be floating in the water.  Watching the waves breaking or a bird that looks like it is standing on the water are clues of an obstruction.  Both sides of the Lighthouse Gap are perfect examples as they are shallow sand bars.

Pay attention to where other boats are safely navigating.  It doesn’t necessarily mean they are in the right area, but again, it can be a good clue to assist in the overall assessment while navigating.

Reduce your speed

Slower speeds allow boaters to have more time to assess situations and react if necessary.  When navigating through the Lighthouse Gap or anywhere, be aware of your surroundings and navigate safely.  It probably isn’t a good move to all of a sudden stop if you are on plane with a boat right behind you.  Plan your route, use your tools and make good decisions.

Paul Johnson of River Bend Resort does a nice job of illustrating how to navigate the route from the Rainy River through Four Mile Bay and the Lighthouse Gap to Lake of the Woods.

Navigation on any body of water is about safety first.  The Lighthouse Gap is a narrow area where boat traffic coming from the Rainy River and Wheeler’s Point area get constricted before entering the big open waters of Lake of the Woods.  Knowing a few of the rules to navigation will help wherever you might be boating.  Be safe on the water!

Click Here to return to the Lake of the Woods Tourism website.

Click Here for a list of Lake of the Woods Lodging.

Take a Kid Fishing has been an exiting event for the past several years at Lake of the Woods and it is no different for 2021. Minnesotans 15 and younger don’t need fishing licenses any time of the year. Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is a way for adults and kids to fish together without the step of buying a license. This year the Take a Kid Fishing event is excited to offer the opportunity for 14 and 15 year old participants to win a Minnesota Lifetime Fishing license. The licenses, funded by several local businesses and individuals, will be awarded as part of a 150-200 word essay contest titled: “What a lifetime fishing license would mean to me”.

Please encourage your 14 or 15 year old child to submit an essay with their Take a Kid Fishing registration by the June 1st Early bird deadline. Winners will be announced on the day of the event.

Minnesota’s DNR helps sponsor Take a Kid Fishing all over the state. It provides an incredible opportunity for young children to experience the beauty of the lake, the sport of fishing and the thrill of that first catch.

Lake of the Woods is known as the Walleye Capital of the World™. The lake is known for its great fishery but also for the vast beauty of the waters. The lake itself is the largest fresh water lake in the contiguous United States next to the Great Lakes. It boasts of 14,000 islands and 65,000 miles of shoreline. There are 50+ resorts in the area to accommodate any length of visit to this beautiful area.

It is no wonder that Take a Kid Fishing is one of the greatest opportunities for young people to experience these beautiful waters. There are many kids that take part in this event who have never boated or fished or even been on this great lake. Here’s some great information.

            Top 3 tips for Taking Kids fishing in MN

1. Make sure that the goal is to have fun. Catching fish is a bonus.
2. Keep it simple. Simple tackle, techniques and locations.
3. Keep the focus on the kids. Be a hero by helping them enjoy the day.

Lake of the Woods hopes to entertain 120 kids between 9-15 years of age. This program has been designed to teach kids the joy of fishing – a lifelong activity! This year’s event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 23. The day begins with all participants meeting out at Sportsman’s Ldge at 9:00 a.m. and meeting up with their guides for the day.

Each young fisherman or fisherwoman will receive a bag of goodies which includes pop, snack and a variety of prizes. All boats will return to shore by 4:00 p.m. to enjoy a delicious cookout for everyone, including family members. This is a great time to hear all the wonderful fish stories.

Each child will receive a prize for participating. There are openings available to the first 120 registrants. Organizers are happy to continue this fine tradition here in Lake of the Woods and look forward to seeing the young people very soon.

There is no charge for this great program and it is of great importance to mention that many volunteers step forward to make this a very exciting day for the youngsters. Guides volunteer their time with their great expertise of navigating the lake as Coast Guard approved Captains. The resort and the meal offered are also volunteer contributions, along with other community members who donate time, prizes and monies to sponsor this event.

Take a Kid Fishing will follow any and all guidelines set by the State of Minnesota. Organizers will keep you updated by the Take a Kid Fishing Website, Facebook, Cable TV and the Northern Light Region newspaper.

Register online at sportsmanslodges.com/take-a-kid-fishing or registration forms will be available in the Main Office of Lake of the Woods School or a the Pool office at the school. There will be an early bird registration prize drawing for all registrations received by June 4^th.  Registration deadline is June 15^th.

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Beckstrand at 218-634-2735 ext. 1101  or lisa_b@lakeofthewoodsschool.org.

Why not make it a whole family event by staying at one of the great resorts in the area. See our website at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging for any information you might need.

If you have not fished Lake of the Woods during the open water seasons, it can be intimidating.  There are so many different areas to fish, a wide variety of resorts and hotels to stay at around the lake as well as the sheer size of the fishery.  Like any new body of water, the first time is the most difficult, but after that first time, it is so much easier.  If you have never been to The Walleye Capital of the World or perhaps only ice fished it, open water is an incredible experience.  Check out these tips for anglers new to Lake of the Woods.

The first time, make life easy.  One of the best tips for anglers fishing Lake of the Woods is there are a number of great options for fishing on a charter boat or with a guide.  Especially the first time to the big water, some anglers who own their own boats even find it helpful to jump on-board a charter or with a guide the first time out to get a lay of the land.  When you step aboard, nearly everything is provided.  Rods, reels, tackle, bait, expertise in navigation and getting you on fish.  This make life easy as all  you need to do is dress for the weather, bring sunglasses and a camera to record the adventure.

A guide or charter boat makes it so nice.  Jump into a vehicle with a few others and drive up.  You can focus on each other rather than the weather, navigation and fish.

On the south end…  When talking about tips for anglers, charter boats are an enjoyable and successful way to fish the big water.  Charters for the most part are on the south end of the lake fishing the Rainy River and Big Traverse Bay which is the big water of Lake of the Woods.  When I say big water, I am talking about 25 miles north south by about 20 miles east west.  If Lake of the Woods was a great lake, it would be the sixth largest.  This can be intimidating and certainly requires a healthy respect.

The thing about the basin is it is loaded with millions of walleyes and saugers.  The basin also boasts a strong population of big trophy walleyes as there is a good number of tulibees in the big water.  Walleyes will focus on tulibees when they reach that 25 inch mark and these fish enable walleyes to get bigger faster.

Charter boat captains do a good job of sharing info with one another about fish movements, where there are active fish and other variables ultimately leading to a successful trip.  Most trips produce walleyes, it’s just a matter of how many and how big.

The basin reaches a maximum depth of about 36 feet deep.  This makes the entire body of water fair game for fishing.  This is one great big aquarium of life and a big part of Lake of the Woods.

Up at the NW Angle…  When considering tips for anglers new to Lake of the Woods, one very enjoyable experience is spending time up to the NW Angle.

Traveling to the Angle is part of the experience and adventure.  When driving to the Angle, travelers transit through Canada for about 40 miles before re-entering the U.S. up at the Angle.

Another option is to avoid customs and boat across the lake.

Some use their own boats if their boat is large enough and they have a competent captain used to big water.  Others use the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service on the lake run through Sportsman’s Lodge which will shuttle you across to your favorite NW Angle resort.

When driving to the NW Angle, anglers must be knowledgeable about credentials to cross into Canada and back into the U.S. again when up to the Angle.  A passport, passport card, enhanced driver’s license or combo of a government issued photo ID with a birth certificate are necessary.  It is also important to note Canadian Customs looks at a DUI as a felony and you may want to check ahead before crossing the border if someone in your group has a DUI in their past.  

The NW Angle is the northernmost point of the contiguous U.S., is where the 14,552 islands begin and boasts about 12 resorts, some on the mainland, some on islands.  The fishing is excellent for multi-species and the scenery and wildlife are even better.  Angle resorts have excellent guides that will fish in U.S. waters, Ontario waters or both, depending upon what you are targeting, etc.  These guide typically run about a 20′ boat that can navigate to the best and most scenic fishing spots on both sides of the border.  If you like fish, most guides to a noon shore lunch that will mess up any fish fry you have at home ever again because they are so delicious and fresh.

Bring your own boat…  For anglers who own their own boat and enjoy the challenge of new water, Lake of the Woods has so many good options.  Boat ramps are available on the Rainy River, south end of the lake and up at the Angle.  Some are public and resorts also offer nice boat ramps with sheltered marinas for a nominal fee.

Do you homework.  Another set of helpful tips for anglers, check out Navionics or your graph in your boat prior to coming  up.  Get an idea of where you will be staying, launching and fishing.  It is nice to have a game plan.  Resorts and bait shops can be great resources for local info.

Regarding where to stay, Lake of the Woods Tourism has a complete list of lodging options on all sides of the lake.  There are Ma and Pa resorts to brand name hotels, small to large, self service where you make your own meals to full service with full restaurant and bar.  Lots of options on where to stay.  One thing you will find, whether you jump on a charter, in with a guide or fish on your own, prices up at Lake of the Woods are reasonable and have not caught up to the more cosmopolitan resort areas yet.  That means more can enjoy The Walleye Capital of the World, perhaps for multiple trips!

To find out more tips for anglers or anything about Lake of the Woods, check out the Lake of the Woods Tourism website, feel free to give us a call at 218-634-1174 or call a resort.

The open water season is excellent for fishing.  So many anglers have never experienced the open water bite.  Do yourself a fishing favor, come on up.  You won’t regret it!

To learn more about Lake of the Woods, check out the Lake of the Woods Tourism website.

To find a guide, charter boat or lodging, check out our lodging page.

Traveling this summer? Whether traveling through the northland or taking your great vacation at Lake of the Woods, check out the beautiful parks in Baudette.  Baudette is fortunate to be located on the waters of Baudette Bay off of the great Rainy River that flows from Rainy Lake at International Falls to Lake of the Woods. This forms the border between the United States and Canada. So, whatever park you visit, you are able to feast your eyes on beautiful waterways.

There are three major parks within the City of Baudette. As you travel into the city on Hwy 11, you first come to Timbermill Park which is the city park. Here you will find a great campground equipped for tent camping or RV camping with full water and electric hookups. Great amenities at the park include a boat ramp onto the Rainy River, a fish cleaning house, a beautiful shower house, and an outside water spicket.  There is a sand volleyball court, basketball hoops, softball fields and a state of the art children’s playground.

Local people enjoy the park for its great pavilion that hosts many parties and even wedding receptions. There are also places to grill your favorite meat. The other feature of this beautiful park is the incredible walking trail. This surrounds the park and is paved and kept free of debris and even snow in the winter. Adults and children alike enjoy this track.

Within the park is also our new Veteran’s Memorial that was dedicated July 4^th of 2020. Each branch of the service is represented and a beautiful statue in the middle that represents a soldier reading a letter from home.

Adjacent to the park is also a great skatepark where all ages find their skills using skateboards or even small bikes.

Further into town at the junction of Hwy 11 and 172 north is Willie Walleye Park. This park is a beautiful area to sit on benches there and enjoy the scenery. There is a pier that juts out into Baudette Bay where people jump off to swim or cast a line to see what species frequent the Bay. This park is the site of many events throughout the summer.

The Chamber hosts outdoor movie nights there and the most famous event is the fireworks display on the eve of July 4^th. Hundreds of people arrive to take their spot sitting on the hill to capture this sight.  Willie Walleye Park also has a fairly new boat ramp so people can tie up their boat and run to the grocery store or get a bit to eat.

The third beautiful park is known as Peace Park and is very unique as it sits on the land right next to the Canadian Border Crossing. Locals enjoy this park all year round as they gaze on the Rainy River, the new International Bridge and also the land of Canada. It’s not unusual to find people enjoying their lunch break there or having an ice cream while enjoying the view in the evening. There are a number of cement picnic tables available and also bathroom facilities.

The greatest feature of Peace Park is the boat ramp. It’s quite a sight to see the boat ramp full of boat trailers parked in a line at the parking area. The City of Baudette has just put in a new ramp to tie up your boat and have totally renewed the larger ramp where boats are launched. It’s also a great spot for local families to jump off the dock and use Peace Park as their local swimming hole. The view is spectacular and the park is always a great place to drive through just to gaze at the water and the bridge.

The city has also created three smaller parks for children to play on. One is located in East Baudette, one on the north side of Baudette and one located on the south side of Baudette about two blocks from Hwy 11. Each neighborhood is fortunate to have these areas for children to play safely. The city maintains them beautifully and have provided excellent playground equipment.

This is your invitation to stop on your way through to visit our parks, but better yet, plan to stay at one of the 50+ resorts in the area. See our website at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging to make your plans today.

Looking for Fun Events this Summer? Come to Baudette, MN at Lake of the Woods County for great activities for the whole family. Many organizations with volunteers galore put together an array of events throughout the summer. The Lake of the Woods Fair Board, the Baudette-Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce, the Women of Today and others ban together to create this inviting menu of activities people of all ages to enjoy.

Of course, the number 1 Fun Event at Lake of the Woods is fishing on the big lake. With over 50 resorts and an exciting fishery, visitors can expect enjoyment of pristine waters and the great taste of walleye at the Walleye Capital of the World™. This is true fun!

Families are especially welcome at Lake of the Woods and an invitation is given to all to enjoy the fun events planned. The first event scheduled is Willie Walleye Weekend put on by the Lake of the Woods Fair Board. This event will take place the weekend of June 4^th-5^th. Food vendors and merchandise vendors will be on hand for great food tasting and shopping. Entertainment (TBA) will be held using the new grandstand bleachers. Horse Shows, Car Shows, 5K run, and often a famous walleye fish fry round out the fun.

June 23^rd will be an annual event called Take a Kid Fishing. Resort owners, guides, and other volunteers from the Chamber invite youth of all ages to have a fun time as they jump on to launch boats and learn the fine art of fishing as well as having fun. For most, this is the first time they get to experience this sport. A fine meal is prepared after the day for these young folks

June 24^th, the Baudette-Lake of the Woods Chamber will feature free movie night. They have purchased an outdoor screen, projector and sound system and set up shop on the famous Willie Walleye hill. What a fun experience! Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and sit back and enjoy a great family film. A small concession stand is usually available also. In case of inclement weather, the evening will still happen but the location will be changed to the Baudette International Ice Arena located at the LOW School on Highway 11 West of Baudette.

July 3-4 is one of the most fun times to be in Baudette, Lake of the Woods. This year we will once again have the annual July 4^th parade through the city streets. The main street will have both food and merchandise vendors and fun events for the kids. Women of Today usually have kid races at the Willie Walleye hill provide that kind of fun. Arm wrestling, bouncy toys and entertainment are all happening throughout the day. That weekend will also feature the annual fun street dance and a 5K run. The best fireworks around are displayed over the Baudette Bay with hundreds of people sitting on the hill. Fun indeed!

July 14-17 is the annual Lake of the Woods County Fair held at the fairgrounds right in Baudette. Car Races, Demo Derby, Horse Shows, Barrel Racing, 4-H exhibits, food and merchandise vendors and a great carnival will provide fun for the whole family. Special entertainment is brought in and again the new grandstand bleachers will be used for the first time at the fair.

Kids day is July 15^th at the Fair and another Free Movie will be offered there by the Chamber. They will set up right at the fairgrounds and use the great pavilion there for the feature. Also at that pavilion will be local entertainment throughout the days. Great fun!!

August 19^th will be the date for another Free movie night for the family on Willie Walleye hill.

August 28^th will be the date for a City Wide Rummage Sale in conjunction with Baudette’s Crazy Day sales. Remember that each Saturday of the summer a beautiful Farmer’s Market is held at the parking lot of Hometown Hardware. Vendors there are talented and very friendly to stop and chat with.

As you can see, summer is a fun time to visit Baudette and Lake of the Woods County. Another website you might want to check out is Explore Minnesota at www.exploreminnesota.com where festivals and events are listed for times and locations.

Come stay at our beautiful resorts for some of the best accommodations and food around with great hospitality. See our full website at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging.

It is a sight to see!  Imagine dozens of huge sturgeon reaching lengths of over 70 inches and some tipping the scales at over 1oo lbs. all in front of you in 1-3 feet of water.  Well, it is happening right now just eight miles east of Baudette at the Clementson Rapids of the Rapid River.

The Rapid River spills into the Rainy River and each year, good numbers of mature sturgeon make their way upstream as far as they can to spawn.  The sight for spectators is amazing.

Bryan “Beef” Sathre captured some amazing video and images this week of the sturgeon in the river.  These fish with prehistoric roots are a big hit with anglers on the Rainy River, doubling over the heaviest of fishing rods.

A sturgeon is often times the largest freshwater fish an angler will ever catch and the Rainy River is loaded with them.  The sturgeon population has taken off as has the average size of fish.  Getting some teeth into the Clean Water Act allowed the Rainy River to really clean up compared to the day of old.  Anglers from days past tell stories of fishing in the Rainy River, having to clean their line off every couple of minutes due to the pulp and other debris floating down from upstream.

Clean water has led to success with these massive fish spawning this time of year.

Another key factor was stopping commercial netting.  At one point in time, Lake of the Woods produced a good portion of the world’s caviar!

Sturgeon are a success story on the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods.  Anglers and people who love a conservation “feel good” story are happy about their success.  If you want to see this incredible fish up close and personal, now is the time to head to the Baudette area and check out the spawning sturgeon in the Clementson Rapids of the Rapid River eight miles east of Baudette.

Learn more about Sturgeon Fishing

Learn more about the Lake of the Woods area 

Lodging on the Rainy River, Baudette and Lake of the Woods