Good News! We have snow at Lake of the Woods!! The winter season has finally come in in full force and with it has come a very important element. Ice is of utmost importance for anglers of all ages that come to Lake of the Woods, to the Walleye Capital of the World, however, the next most important element here is snow!
Today was the day. 12.15.2020. It snowed all day and at this writing there are about 4 inches of white powder on the ground. It’s very interesting as the seasons change to watch the traffic through this area. We go from vehicles pulling boats for their open water experience to vehicles with trailers hauling sometimes multiple snow machines.
This area is very fortunate to have two dealers offering two very famous brands of snow machines. These machines are not only durable but are set up with some of the most impressive features for pleasurable riding.
We are also fortunate to have two great snowmobile clubs who not only ride for fun, but work very hard at maintaining trails and bridges before the season starts and grooming many many miles of trails throughout the season.
Groomer and Warming Cabin
Lake of the Woods Drifters Snowmobile Club is located in Lake of the Woods County. They are a very active club and have their own website at www.lakeofthewoodsdrifters.org and FaceBook page at www.facebook.com/lakeofthewoodsdrifters. You can also contact them at lakeofthewoodsdrifters@gmail.com. Each of those sites will provide you with great current information about the trails and great photos that the club has taken. The Northern Connection Trail is very famous as it was carved out of the forest area going east and south of Baudette.
Lake of the Woods Drifters is a non profit community organization that welcomes members at any time. They also own and maintain shelters throughout the trails to warm up or stop to have lunch and fellowship on the ride. The Club produces a great snow map which is available through the club or through requesting one from Lake of the Woods Tourism. There are over 273 miles of groomed trails to offer adventure through this winter wonderland.
Edge Riders Snow Trail Groomer
Further north in Lake of the Woods County at the northernmost part of the United States you will find the home of the Northwest Angle Edge Rider Snowmobile Club. Their website is: www.nwaedgeriders.org. There you will find information about the club, about snow conditions, trail conditions, club events, and even places to stay at Angle Inlet. Their FaceBook page is www.facebook.com/NorthwestAngleEdgeRiders.
This snow club proudly proclaims they groom over 172 miles of trail during the season. As of 12.15.2020 they state that they are “chomping at the bit” to get out onto the frozen waters of Lake of the Woods and travel many many miles over the frozen waters. This Snow Club stakes trails and produces a great snow map of trails throughout the lake, up to Oak and Flag Island and even into the Canadian part of the lake. The map even features depths of the lake which even open water anglers find very helpful. You may contact them for a free map or also contact Lake of the Woods Tourism for one.
This club also hosts a great event during the winter season. This year’s event being hosted is the 20th Annual Northwest Angle Edge Riders Snowmobile Rally on February 27, 2021 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Flag Island. Food, fun, and door prizes will be available.
Now you ask, have the snow trails been groomed yet? Sorry, the answer to this date is no, but it is coming very very soon. Winter took awhile coming but it is most assuredly here!!! So….let is snow, let it snow, let it snow.
Have you ever heard someone say, “Yesterday we couldn’t keep them off of the hook. I wonder what happened?” There are a lot of things that could have happened that changed the bite and caused walleyes to go into a neutral mood. Regardless the reason the walleyes decided eating isn’t on the top of their list on any given day, there are some things an ice angler can do to get neutral mood walleyes to eat.
Why do walleyes get into a neutral mood? When it is all said and done, only Mother Nature truly knows. One phenomenon that happens often that changes the bite is changing weather, even if it’s Lake of the Woods. One of the weather patterns that has known to make the bite shut down is an approaching cold front.
Another reason we believe walleyes get into a neutral mood is quick temperature changes, either warmer or colder.
It is also believed walleyes don’t eat every day, especially during the winter when their metabolism slows down vs warm water periods. If they are full, sometimes your offering just wont entice them as they are in that neutral mood.
Another tough time to turn walleyes is when there is just too much bait around. The thought is having a buffet non-stop takes the urgency away and creates a neutral mood.
It all sounds like doom and gloom for an ice angler looking to catch walleyes. No worries! There are things you can do to still be productive and catch more fish when walleyes are in a neutral mood.
Downsize. When walleyes and saugers are in more of a neutral mood due to weather changes like a cold front, downsizing your baits can often get more fish to take your offering. Whether it is your jigging line or your deadstick (a live minnow under a bobber stationary), go smaller. That might mean a smaller jigging spoon, tipping the spoon with a very small piece of minnow or maybe even a wax worm or euro larvae. For the deadstick, maybe you go to the smallest minnow in the minnow bucket vs the larger minnows or even use a dead minnow.
Get the reaction strike. On a recent ice fishing outing, this exact scenario of a cold front played out. After jigging with a spoon tipped with a minnow head, I switched my jigging line to a Rapala Rippin Rap. This certainly could have been another noisy or flashy lure but I have gained confidence in the Rippin Rap over the past couple of years and I have a hard time switching. The point of using a more aggressive lure and presentation is it not only draws fish in due to the flash, action and noise, but it creates some reaction strikes. Reaction strikes are often just what it says, a fish reacting by striking or eating the lure when otherwise they weren’t at all in the feeding mood. This more aggressive offering saved the day with a handful of bonus fish.
Slow down. Just as the suggestion above says to speed things up to get a reaction, another technique is to slow things down. Smaller jigging actions. Letting the lure sit in the strike zone longer rather than moving it around. Laying it on the bottom and slowly lifting it up. In some cases, switch from a lively minnow to a dead minnow on your dead stick. Even a frozen shiner for the additional scent.
When walleyes get into a “funk” or a neutral mood, no worries, there are things you can definitely do to still make it a good day on the ice. Time to implement your special “neutral mood walleye” techniques to implement to catch more fish. Try downsizing, getting the reaction strike and slowing down, all of which can put more walleyes and saugers into your bucket!
He is called the “Godfather” of ice fishing. Dave Genz of Clam Outdoors is known and respected throughout the ice fishing world regardless of where you live or what products you favor using. Dave is the inventor of the flip over collapsible fish house as well as an influencer in rods, reels and tackle in the ice fishing industry. This year marks 40 years since the flip over “Fish Trap” fish house was introduced. Recently, I had the privilege for the first time to spend some time in a fish house and actually ice fish with Dave Genz on Lake of the Woods.
When Dave first thought of the idea, he wanted warmth and didn’t want others to see what he was catching. The idea of the flip over was derived from the old baby buggies. Basically it was a wooden box with poles and fabric strategically attached so it could flip over. Dave’s wife would sew the fabric in the early days.
From the original Fish Trap to the flip overs we have today, there have certainly been some great modifications. Very hard durable sleds, state of the art fabrics, insulated fabric, additional doors for conveniences and many options to trick your fish house out just the way you like it.
It would be interesting to see where ice fishing would be if it wasn’t for folks like Dave Genz. Would we have the flip over fish house? What innovation did that spur on?
In the early days, Dave would take his fish houses to bait shops hoping they would purchase one for display. He mentioned often times the owners of the bait shops, who are normally very avid anglers themselves, often times would end up using that initial fish house for themselves and end up purchasing another to sell. In essence, they ended up being mini ambassadors for those early products. It started out by The Godfather selling one house at a time basically out of the back of his vehicle. What a neat story.
One of the things I so appreciate about Dave Genz is he is humble and a real guy. Despite his reputation in the ice fishing industry and notoriety, his down to earth nature and willingness to chat about ice fishing is refreshing. He is also one heck of a stick.
While I went with the normal lures and presentations that catch LOW walleyes for me, Dave was working some different methods I certainly had my eye on. Using a few wax worms on a new Clam jigging spoon was one of them. Yes, he definitely caught fish on it and with the huge expanse of mud basin with all of the living critters walleyes and saugers eat out of the mud, it made sense.
The event that brought us together was Ice Team University. Each year, Clam Outdoors has a university at a different location across the ice belt. It is an opportunity for participants to break up into small groups and fish with Clam pros. In the evening after dinner, the pros will put on seminars discussing different topics about ice fishing that as you can imagine, resonate well with this kind of audience. The learning that takes place rubbing elbows with guys and gals who are passionate about ice fishing is valuable. Let’s just say there is a lot of unconscious competence at an event like this.
This year’s predictions for ice fishing Lake of the Woods are most excellent. Lake of the Woods MN DNR department has stated that the walleye and sauger population is very healthy at Lake of the Woods and therefore ice anglers can expect a great product coming through the holes this season. Ice safety first has to be the message and constantly in the forefront of any ice fishing adventure. As we approach a new ice season, there are some ideas that overall will lead to safer experience up at Lake of the Woods. Here are just a few things to keep in mind when thinking ice safety.
Work through a resort or outfitter. It sure is nice to be able to head out ice fishing via an ice road, snowmobile or resort ice transportation. In many cases, people don’t realize all of the behind the scenes work that takes place to make sure visitors are safe. Ice workers are constantly monitoring the ice thickness and ice conditions. Ice roads are driven each morning. If there are problem areas that can occur in the ice, the resort either adds bridges or re-routes for safety. Resort ice workers are constantly monitoring, plowing and repairing ice and considering ice safety for their guests. Staying on the trail is your best bet. If you decide to venture out on your own, be sure to know the ice conditions first.
Be Prepared: Ice picks. They aren’t expensive and if the unthinkable would ever happen, could save your life or if someone else if you would toss them to someone else in distress. When people have fallen through the ice, one of the challenges is getting out of the water. The ice is wet and slippery. Picks allow someone to dig in and get a grip when pulling themselves out. Please, invest in a pair this week. If they don’t benefit you, perhaps someone else.
Ice Picks
Markings. When following a marked trail on the ice, double flags mean caution ahead, such as a big ice chunk, crack to avoid, etc. On snowmobile trails you might actually see a caution sign. Trails in good condition are marked with single stakes or flags. If you are ever in doubt, feel free to ask.
Who to contact in the event of an emergency. If you ever experience a situation in which you or someone else is in need of help, your first call should be 911. This call is routed to professionals who have an entire list of agencies and resorts for that matter who may be able to help. Resorts often times are right in the middle of assisting with emergencies, medial or otherwise. With this being said, your first call should be 911.
Be Prepared: cell phone. When you venture out on the ice, it is a good idea to have your cell phone charged up. Some people will actually carry the small portable battery packs that can plug into most cell phones for a good charge. Remember if you are out of cell range, a text can sometimes get through.
Be Prepared: Clothing. A good rule of thumb is to be over prepared. If you are venturing out on a snowmobile, in your car or even with a resort, having warm clothing, a hat and gloves can be crucial in the event of a breakdown, snow storm or other situation that can occur. The boy scout motto, “Always be prepared”.
Be Prepared: Vehicle. Whether you are traveling up to Lake of the Woods or headed out on the lake, it is a good idea to have your gas tank above a half a tank. This will help with extreme freezing temps and if you would happen to run off of the road while driving. Other good items to have are a tow strap, jumper cables, and a shovel.
Be Prepared: Snowmobile. In general, it is a good idea to keep you sled tuned up and in good working condition. Have plenty of fuel, an extra belt (know how to change it), have safety materials in the storage compartment. Some people will carry a rope along for a rescue situation or even a tow. Some anglers who use sleds invest in a Nebulus. In the event you sled goes through the ice, this device is attached to your machine and has a pull cord which inflates a raft. This raft can save you and keep your machine from going to the bottom of the lake or river.
Be Prepared: GPS. A GPS whether in your car or a handheld version can be handy. I like to turn it on when leaving shore so I create a plot line from shore to where I am headed on the ice. In the event of a whiteout, you will be able to follow your plot line back which will help to stay on the ice road or trail you came out of and obviously get you safely home. If conditions are extreme and you are in a fish house with ample heat, it is a good idea to stay put until the weather clears. Contact a resort or someone to communicate your whereabouts and game plan. In some cases, resorts may be able to assist.
Don’t take chances. There is always someone who is the first one to walk out, take out an ATV or drive a vehicle. Let the resorts who are trained, who are on the ice daily and have years of experience guide you in what can be used and what is too heavy for the ice conditions.
A big thank you to all of the resorts, ice workers, various agencies around Lake of the Woods including the police departments, fire fighters, local sheriff departments, the MN Highway Patrol, Coast Guard, Border Patrol, U. S. Customs, Canada Border Services Agency, MN DNR, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Valley Med Flight and anyone else who helps with ice safety and has ever assisted or is willing to assist in an emergency situation.
This quick video will give you an idea of near white out conditions and how the wind can whip up on the ice of Lake of the Woods and why it is so very important to be prepared, have the right equipment and have a plan of action while on the ice. Being prepared for this is part of ice safety prep.
This year is expected to be an excellent year of ice fishing. Let’s think ice safety first, walleyes second!
Lake of the Woods is a border water, shared with the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario. The Minnesota portion of Lake of the Woods has several regulations that differ from the general statewide regulations. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with these differences to avoid inadvertently violating any regulations. Make sure that you note the effective dates of the various regulations outlined in this summary. Regulations that apply to Lake of the Woods during the summer are different than those listed here.
Minnesota Waters Fishing Regulation Summary
Walleye and Sauger
Lake of the Woods
(May 9, 2020 – April 14, 2021)
The Walleye/Sauger aggregate limit is six (no more than four can be Walleye). Walleye from 19.5 through 28 inches must be immediately released. Only one Walleye over 28 inches total length may be possessed.
Rainy River and Four Mile Bay (May 9, 2020 – February 28, 2021) Same as Lake of the Woods (March 1, 2021 – April 14, 2021)
Catch and release fishing is allowed during this time period. All Walleye and Sauger must be returned to the water immediately.
Northern Pike
All Northern Pike from 30 through 40 inches must be released immediately, and only one Northern Pike over 40 inches may be possessed. The possession limit for Northern Pike is three.
There is no closed season for Northern Pike on Lake of the Woods or the Rainy River.
Yellow Perch
The bag limit is 20 Yellow Perch per day, with 40 in possession.
There is no closed season for Yellow Perch.
Lake Sturgeon
Lake Sturgeon cannot be harvested from Oct. 1, 2020 through Apr. 23, 2021. Catch and release fishing is allowed during this time period.
See the “Canada-Minnesota” Border Waters section of the fishing regulation booklet for more details about Lake Sturgeon fishing regulations.
Fish and Game Violations
If you witness a violation, please report it. Don’t let poachers steal your fish and wildlife. If you see someone violating a hunting or angling law, or hear about a violation, call the toll-free 24-hour TIP (Turn In Poachers) hotline at 1-800-652-9093
Creel Survey
Creel Survey is the tool used to estimate the number and pounds of fish anglers harvest from a water body. The value of a creel survey is twofold for Lake of the Woods. First, since a target harvest (a safe level of harvest that is based on the physical characteristics of the lake) has been determined for Lake of the Woods, creel survey gives insight into where harvest is relative to the target. Secondly, creel survey provides the ability to see what the consequences of management actions are on anglers and how anglers use the fishery. The most recent management action that has been undertaken on Lake of the Woods is the implementation of a reduced limit and the protected slot (for Walleye). This action was undertaken to reduce Walleye harvest below the target. In other water bodies, creel surveys may be used to gauge the effectiveness of regulations designed to improve the size structure or overall abundance of a fish population.
Summer creel surveys were conducted annually on Lake of the Woods from 1981 through 2007, and winter surveys were conducted most years between 1989 and 2006. Annual creel surveys on Lake of the Woods were discontinued after 2007 due to the funding shortfalls affecting the Fisheries Section. With the passage of the fishing license fee increase in 2013, funding again became available to conduct creel surveys on Lake of the Woods. The current plan is to conduct a winter creel survey during this winter (2020-21). Recently, creel surveys were conducted during the winter of 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20 the summer of 2016, 2018 and 2019.
The winter creel survey is conducted by a Creel Survey Clerk travelling on the lake by truck or snowmobile. During travels the clerk counts the number of fish houses and open-ice anglers. The clerk will also stop at a sample of the houses, to check for occupancy, and talks to the anglers. You will be asked questions about your fishing experience, including when you started fishing, how many fish you have released and how many you kept. You may also be asked to estimate the lengths of any fish you released, and the clerk may measure lengths of your harvested fish. Please do your part for fisheries management and cooperate with the survey.
Creel Survey Results are available for the surveys that were conducted during the winter of 2019-20, and from the summer of 2019 on Lake of the Woods.
The winter creel survey of 2019-20 started early December and ended late March. Already increasing annual fishing pressure coupled with less than favorable ice conditions on other large Walleye lakes led to record fishing pressure. Angler pressure was 2.8 million angler hours, above the six-year average (2 million). Since 2000, fishing pressure has exceeded one million angler hours with a steady increase (2017-2020 average is 2.3 million angler hours1).
Walleye and Sauger were harvested at an above average rate. Four-hundred sixty thousand pounds of Sauger were harvested last winter, which is well above the six-year average of 365,000 pounds. Walleye harvest was 240,000 pounds and just below the six year average of 260,000 pounds. A smaller harvest component of the winter fishery is Yellow Perch that resulted in 17,000 pounds, which is at the six year average of 20,000 pounds.
Fishing activity during the summer of 2019 was busy on Lake of the Woods. From the opening of Walleye season in May, until the end of September, anglers spent over 760,000 angler hours fishing on the lake (just above the six-year average). Walleye harvest was 270,000 pounds, and 95,000 pounds of Sauger, were harvested last summer. Walleye harvest was above the recent average (2013-2018) of 230,000 pounds. Summer Sauger harvest (95,000 pounds) was higher than the past three survey’s average of 70,000. In 2018 67,000 pounds were harvested.
1 An angler hour is a way to measure angling pressure. One angler fishing for 1 hour generates 1 angler hour of pressure. If 2 anglers in an ice-shelter fish for 1 hour they have generated 2 angler hours of pressure.
Lake of the Woods Fish Population Surveys and Status
What makes a healthy fish population? The number of year classes that are present is a major indicator of the health of a fish population. A year class is simply a group of fish that are of the same age; they were “produced” in the same year. A population of fish with a large number of year classes is considered healthier than a population of the same species, living in similar habitat, with fewer year classes.
So why is a population with many year classes healthier? There are several reasons. First, the presence of many year classes is an indicator of relatively low mortality. When a greater number of fish survive from one year to the next, they have a good chance to grow old and stay in the population longer. Second, a large number of year classes suggest the environment is suitable for that species. A suitable environment allows a species to successfully reproduce annually, rather than infrequently only when environmental conditions are highly favorable. Research has shown that large, old fish contribute more offspring to a fish population than small fish, especially during years when weather is not optimal for reproduction. In a fish population with many year classes, there are multitudes of young fish that will produce large numbers of eggs. These eggs tend to survive when conditions are ideal, but may not in years when conditions are not as favorable. Along with these small fish, there are large old fish that produce high quality eggs that will survive in less ideal conditions.
How is the health of the fish population monitored? The largest lakes in Minnesota are sampled every year, in order to closely monitor their fish populations. Lake of the Woods is one of the ten lakes included in this Large Lake Sampling Program. These lakes are at least 15,000 acres in size, and typically support the best Walleye fisheries in the state.
Anglers fish the Minnesota portion of Lake of the Woods for a variety of species, including Walleye, Sauger, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike and Lake Sturgeon. Due to the cultural and economic importance of Walleye and Sauger, a great deal of population monitoring effort is focused on them.
In the spring, at the end of April, spawning Walleye electrofishing is conducted at the Long Sault Rapids, near Birchdale, MN. This assessment monitors the size structure of the mature (spawning fish) segment of the Walleye population. Electrofishing is a non-lethal technique, in which electric current is applied to the water. Fish exposed to the current are stunned and float to the surface, where they can be picked up with a net. The length and sex of captured fish are recorded, and the fish are released unharmed.
The most recent samples depict a Walleye population that has changed a great deal since the first electrofishing survey was conducted in 1982. One of the highlights is that the current spawning population has more large fish in it. In 1982, the most common length of female Walleye sampled was about 17 inches. Recently, that has increased to about 26 inches. During that same period, the relative abundance of male Walleye sampled has declined quite a bit, which is of concern. In addition, earlier ice-out dates has led to a longer spring open-water fishery resulting in increasing fishing pressure. Trends in male abundance and increasing pressure led to the recent management decision of going to a catch-and-release season from March 1st to April 14th.
Smaller (younger) Walleye (from 8 to about 22 inches long) are sampled during fall gill net sampling. During the first three weeks of September gill nets are set at 16 sites around the Minnesota portion of Lake of the Woods. Biologists record the sex, stage of maturity, length and weight of each fish caught in the gill nets. Otoliths (“ear bone” structures used to determine the age of fish) are removed from a sample of the fish.
By sampling annually, and comparing the data to past years, changes in fish populations (age distribution and age of sexual maturity) can be described and monitored. Abundance is estimated from the average number of fish caught per gill net. More fish in the gill net suggests there are more fish in the lake. Fall gill net data also allows biologists to determine how many year classes of a fish species are in the lake, and the relative strength of those year classes.
The most important fish species on Lake of the Woods are managed with a target harvest as a major management component. The target harvest is based on a number of physical and chemical lake characteristics, and is simply the estimated poundage of fish that can safely be harvested in a year, on average. The harvest measured through creel survey is averaged across a number of years because environmental conditions can have a significant effect on angling success in any particular year.
Walleye forecast. Walleye catches in 2020 sampling averaged 13.5 Walleye per gill net. This level of abundance is below the 2002 to 2019 average of 16.8. Figure 1 is from a series of 52 net sites that have the longest history of being surveyed. All of these nets are located close to shore, in less than 25-feet of water. In 2002 we added 12 nets that surveyed the off-shore (33 to 37 foot deep water) portions of Lake of the Woods.
The off-shore nets can, at times, paint a very different picture of the Walleye population than the near-shore nets. For instance, in 2015 the Walleye catch rate in the off-shore nets was almost twice as high as it was in the near-shore nets In 2020, off-shore catch rates were lower than near-shore (9.8). Another difference between the near-shore and off-shore nets is that there tend to be more “large” Walleye in the off-shore nets.
Walleye catch rates tend to vary quite a bit. Some of this variation is due to environmental conditions during the fall sampling period (in 2016 walleye seemed to be unusually “catchable”), but most of it is attributable to the presence, or absence, of strong year classes.
The 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2018 year classes were strong, and the 2015 and 2016 year classes were of average strength (Figure 2). The 2017 year class is weak, being second weakest since 2004. The 2019 year class are predicted to be at the strong threshold. Due to sampling restrictions this past summer, a year-class prediction for 2020 cannot be made. With only two weak year classes in the past 10 years, the result is an abundant Walleye population. In combination, good growth and high abundance often indicate a strong year class. However, it’s not until Walleye are two years old and approximately ten inches when they become fully susceptible to survey gear. At that time biologists determine relative strength of a year class compared to other years.
Small Walleye, from 8 to 11 inches long, are abundant; a possible indication of an upcoming strong year-classes (2018 & 2019). Harvestable-sized Walleye were below the historic average for nearly all length categories (Figure 3). High harvest documented in 2019 and weak to average year-classes produced from 2015-2017 likely account for this distribution.
Figure 2 – Walleye year class strength from 2002-2019. Dashed lines represent the bounds for strong and weak year classes. Dashed bars (2019) are predicted.
Strong year classes can form the majority of what anglers catch for several years. During the winter of 2019-20, anglers can expect to catch fair numbers of “eater size” Walleye in the 14 to 17-inch size range. “Bait stealer” Walleye, less than 10 inches long, will be abundant. Trophy-size Walleye (longer than 28 inches) are about as abundant as anglers have come to expect, and Walleye up to 31 inches are caught annually.
Length Interval (inches)
Figure 3 – Walleye size distribution from 2020 fall gill net survey (gray bars). Black shaded area denotes the average length frequency from 1981-2019.
Describing the size of Walleye anglers can expect to catch is fairly simple, but predicting angler success is very difficult due to the variety of biological and environmental conditions that influence angling success. For instance, a major wind storm as the ice forms can make the water very turbid, and thereby reduce angling success.
Anglers are frequently interested in the age of Walleye they have caught. It is rather difficult to provide this information with a great degree of certainty, because individual fish can grow at different rates. Sex of a fish, stage of sexual maturity and various genetic factors all influence growth within a population. Differences in growth between lakes can also be due to climatic conditions and lake productivity.
In general, Walleye in Lake of the Woods reach 12 inches when they are three years old. Male Walleye start to mature when they are 12 inches long and three years old, but it is not until they are 16 inches long and five years old that most male Walleye are sexually mature. Female Walleye grow faster than male Walleye after they reach three years of age. They also mature at an older age. Female Walleye start to mature when they are four years old and 15 inches long, but all of them are not sexually mature until they are nine years old and, at least, 20 inches long. Generally, female Walleye that are 25 inches long are about 10 years old; 30-inch females are about 20 years old.
Sauger outlook. The Sauger population remains at a high level of abundance, at 23 Sauger per gill net lift in 2020 and is above the recent near-shore average of 2002 – 2019 (19/net; Figure 4). Sauger abundance was highest in 2008-10, primarily as a result of the strong year class produced in 2006.
Sauger abundance has been above the 1968-2019 average since 2006. This level of abundance has been maintained by the consistent recruitment of moderate to strong year classes, with relatively few weak year classes (Figure 5).
Sauger grow at a much slower rate than Walleye, do not get as large as Walleye, and do not get as old. Typical lengths for Sauger sampled during the fall assessment are 6 inches for age- 1, 8 inches for age-2, 10 inches for age-3 and 12 inches long for age-4 (Figure 6). The largest Sauger we sampled in 2020 was a 18 inch long female that was 11 years old.
Sauger from 11 through 17 inches were all above the historic average and is the result of excellent recruitment over the past decade.
An unfortunate side-effect of the high angler use in the winter is the disturbing amount of trash left on the ice, which then washes up on local beaches in the spring. A wide variety of objects, from aluminum cans, to wooden blocks, to plastic bags of human waste, all wash up on private and public shorelines.
To address concerns about the trash levels on the lake, Lake of the Woods County established a partnership with the Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau, private citizens and business owners, including resorts, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The charge to this group was to formulate workable solutions, and to educate resource users about the problem.
It is difficult to identify the reasons anglers would leave trash on the ice, but it is likely that some of it blows out of trucks and some may simply be lost in the snow when garbage is stored outside the fish house. To address garbage being lost by accident, consider being more careful when transporting the garbage back to shore. To make garbage easier to find after being stored outside the fish house, try to use garbage bags that are not white. Also, don’t store your garbage outside the fish house when the wind starts to blow. It would be simple to store it in the back of a truck. Finally, remove the wood used to block up your house, and don’t use treated wood for that purpose.
In past years, dumpsters have been provided at popular access locations. Due to hauling costs and other long-term budgetary influences, that program was discontinued. Please continue to do a good job taking your garbage with you, and make arrangements to dispose of trash when you get back to the resort or your home.
Eating fish on the ice?
Many anglers enjoy consuming a portion of their catch on the lake as part of their fishing experience. Since Lake of the Woods has size restrictions (protected slots) on Walleye and Northern Pike, there are some special rules to follow to stay legal. Recall that it is not normally legal to possess Walleye and Northern Pike on the water/ice in a manner in which the length of the fish cannot be determined. Adhering to the following will keep you legal:
While on the ice, all harvested Walleye and Northern Pike must be intact and measureable, unless the person is in the act of preparing the fish for a meal on the ice.
If Walleye or Northern Pike are prepared for a meal, anglers are required to retain the measureable carcasses, which count toward their limit for the remainder of the fishing day.
Do not allow the whole fish or carcasses to freeze together in buckets or bags, since both need to be measureable. Pack them in snow or ice shavings in a bucket or cooler inside the fish house, or vehicle, to prevent them from freezing.
Anglers are required to properly dispose of the carcasses before harvesting additional fish the following day. It is illegal to dispose of fish carcasses on, or under, the ice.
Lake of the Woods Fisheries Management
In December of 2017, DNR Fisheries in Baudette began a management plan review/revision for Lake of the Woods. Stated within the fisheries management plan is a brief background of management history, series of management goals and objectives and management actions. The plan is effective for five years and goals/objectives will be reevaluated in 2023. New to the process this year, we incorporated a Fisheries Input Group (FIG) to provide perspectives and angler expectations. The FIG included 14 individuals from various parts of the state and representing different interests. In the end, a revised management plan was produced that went out for public input. The final document can be found at: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries/largelakes/low/low_plan.pdf
Also during the summer of 2018, and parallel to the management planning process, the DNR modified a few Walleye and Sauger regulations (see page 1 of this document).
A brief summary of the modifications are as follows:
Lake of the Woods (May 11th – April 14th) – Effective March 1st 2019 the winter combined possession limit for Walleye and Sauger was reduced from eight to six, with no more than four Walleye. The protected slot of 19½ inches to 28 inches for Walleye remains in effect, with one fish over 28 inches allowed in possession.
Winter fishing pressure on Lake of the Woods has doubled since the early 2000s from one to two million angling hours annually. In addition, Sauger harvest exceeds management objectives with 80 percent of the harvest taking place during winter. Regulation modifications are a proactive approach to ensure the long-term sustainability of the resource and providing consistency between summer and winter regulations.
Rainy River and Fourmile Bay (May 11th – February 29th) – Same as Lake of the Woods.
(March 1st – April 14th) – Effective March 1st 2019, catch and release fishing is allowed during this time period. All Walleye and Sauger must be returned to the water immediately.
Similar to winter fishing on Lake of the Woods, fishing pressure during the spring on the Rainy River and Fourmile Bay has steadily increased. Annual monitoring of spawning Walleye has also indicated a decline in pre-spawn male Walleye. Regulation modifications are aimed providing protection to pre-spawn males and to reduce overall Walleye harvest from Lake of the Woods/Rainy River; while maintaining spring fishing opportunity.
The Northwest Angle is a very special area of the United States that as a result of the U.S. / Canada border closure, has been basically cut off from civilization and their customers since March. In order to travel there, one has to drive through Canada about 40 miles before entering back into the U.S.
It is the northernmost point in the contiguous United States.
It is where the 14,552 islands of Lake of the Woods begin. It is home to about a dozen resorts and the area boasts some of the best fishing in the Midwest. It is Minnesota’s NW Angle.
Most never imagined back in March when the U.S. / Canada border was shut down that things would last this long. So far, local fishing resorts have been cut off from customers since the last two weeks of March with no end in sight.
There is a way to travel to the Angle and stay out of Canada. It consists of crossing big Lake of the Woodswhich is the size of a great lake, about 40 miles to the resorts with the majority of it big open water, or in the case of this winter, ice.
There is a well groomed snowmobile trail across the lake which is a great option if you snowmobile. One could fly up but with no airport, landing on the ice isn’t realistic for most visitors.
Facing another season of virtually no revenue, the community has pulled together and come up with a solution, the NW Angle Guest Ice Road.
There have been ice roads on Lake of the Woods for many years allowing anglers access to good fishing areas, but never an ice road that extended from the south shore of Lake of the Woods all of the way up to the NW Angle. That is about to change.
When the ice is thick enough to accommodate vehicles, most likely in early January through March, visiting ice anglers will have the opportunity to purchase a pass and drive the road both over ice and then through a
forest up to the NW Angle.
“This is a monumental task and it is amazing to see the NW Angle area pull together to save their ice fishing season,” explains Joe Henry, Executive Director, Lake of the Woods Tourism. “This project is absolutely necessary to save some resorts who have had little to no revenue since March. Small business owners bringing to the table their entrepreneurial spirit, can-do attitudes, and decades of wisdom to make this happen. The NW Angle is special and this is community and teamwork at its finest.”
Beautiful Ice Forming the NW Angle Ice Road
The NW Angle Guest Ice Road will begin at Springsteel Resort just south of the Canadian border on the SW corner of Lake of the Woods. The ice road will make its way north staying on U.S. ice up to the border cut trail, a road through a forest where it will end up connecting to one of the main roads up at the Angle. From this road, NW Angle resorts and the incredible ice fishing experiences they provide will be accessible. Details and updates can be found on the NW Angle Guest Ice Road’s Facebook page @nwaiceroad.
For some, ice fishing is an activity far outside of their comfort zone. In many cases, they have never done it, never grew up with it, didn’t have an interest or maybe they grew up in another part of the country where ice on lakes didn’t exist. Regardless of the reason, ice fishing is an activity that is fun, simple, enjoyable and comfortable. Consequently, everyone can enjoy ice fishing.
Full service ice fishing makes ice fishing possible for the young, old, disabled, etc. What a great way to enjoy a Minnesota winter than catching walleyes, saugers, perch, eelpout, pike and a variety of other fish with friends and loved ones.
Most think of ice fishing as sitting outside on a bucket. These are the old days of ice fishing and they could get real cold real quick. Fun, right? Hardly. Not at Lake of the Woods. Ice fishing takes place in nice heated fish houses.
Resorts like to take great care of folks and make their ice fishing adventure easy and enjoyable. From heated resort to heated fish house with the holes drilled and set up on top of the fish. This is ice fishing Lake of the Woods style.
The heat is on and it is almost like stepping into a living room with a few holes in the floor to fish. Many families or groups enjoy bringing out their favorite snacks, some music, maybe a few beverages of their liking and the adventure is on.
There are so many fish in Lake of the Woods that normally there is action. In some cases, it is hard to keep the bobbers on top of the water the fish bite so good. And then there can be stretches when you wonder if there are any fish in the lake. By putting in a full day, normally there will be some different flurries of fish activity that provides excitement and of course at the end of the day, a fresh fish fry.
Resorts offer everything from just the lodging where you fish on your own to lodging and ice fishing where they provide the heated fish house to also including all meals. The package with lodging, fishing and meals is often called the American Plan.
Ice guides will clean your fresh catch. In many cases, the resort you are staying at will cook up your fresh fish, often consisting of walleyes, saugers and perch.
Why is ice fishing so popular? People often wonder why this winter activity is so popular at Lake of the Woods. One reason it is full service ice fishing and really takes the work out of it. In addition, millions of walleyes and saugers doesn’t hurt. The behind the scenes infrastructure make ice fishing easy for just about anyone regardless of ability. With this being said, ice fishing is warm, simple and easy.
The thermostat is set at around 70 degrees. Most only have to be in the cold a few steps into ice transportation and a few steps into the heated fish house. As the saying goes, there are two things you need to think about when you participate in full service ice fishing, “what should I wear and what should I eat”. Everything else is taken care of for you.
When you catch the fish, the guides will even clean them for you. Some groups enjoy making fish back in their cabins, while others consider vacation a time when they will simply let the resort cook the fish and provide the sides. Whichever way you roll, no experience necessary for a great fish fry.
Families, couples, business groups and longtime friends take advantage of these fish houses out on the ice. In between bobbers going down, good conversation, good food and even good drink is part of the atmosphere in a fish house. For some it’s the fishing. For others, it’s the social aspects. Either way, it is a great way to spend a beautiful winter day.
Sometimes it helps to actually see how it works rather than read about it. There are many ways resorts transport you out on the ice to their fish houses. Some even let you drive your own vehicles on their maintained ice roads. Check out our ice fishing videos here.
Most everything is provided for your ice fishing adventure. It is good to check ahead as most resorts expect you will bring or purchase for a nominal fee your short little ice fishing rods and a few key lures.
Some resorts rent electronics that help you see what fish are underneath you and how they are reacting to your baits. Although certainly not necessary, electronics to show you the fish below you is very helpful and will help you catch more fish.
Ice fishing is an incredible experience. Especially on a body of water, or in this case, sheet of ice that can stretch further than the eye can see. The air is crisp and fresh. The winter scenery is breathtaking. The memories you will make will be forever.
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?” Well, many local resorts and businesses are hiring and 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 and Baudette 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
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 being put in place, 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.
The City of Baudette is the county seat. Whether looking to raise a family, grow your company or just looking for a change in scenery, for many, Lake of the Woods offers a better way of life.
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.
Yes, I’m baiting the hook hoping to lure you to Lake of the Woods. Ice is on most of the bays and forming on the big lake. You want to be prepared when you come to the area to fish and shop. This area can satisfy the sportsman and woman as well as their family members who accompany them.
When you are looking for bait to use in your ice houses, you’ll want to stop at four of the most popular shops in the area. As you come into
Baudette from the east on Hwy 11, you’ll first see Steve’s Lucky Bait. This is an easy on, easy off location on the north side of the highway. Here you’ll see live bait and any kind of tackle that you’re looking for. Buy your fishing license and you’re ready to go.
Traveling to the center of Baudette on Hwy 11, you come to Outdoors Again.
This very large sporting goods store has such a variety of merchandise that it doesn’t take much to bait you into buying. Outdoors Again sells live bait fitted for our area but also contains shopping to hook other family members into buying special souvenirs of their visit to Lake of the Woods.
The large store features clothing, a large gun shop and ammunition galore. You will find frozen walleye fillets for sale, and ice cream counter, maps of the area and many other items to lure you into trying all sports. You will find trailers, deer stands and portable fish houses. Why not get your bait, your license and your Christmas Shopping done all in one stop?
Traveling out to the resort area on Highway 172, you fill first come to Log Cabin Bait and Liquor.
This attractive store also features any lures you might want, your fishing license, Vexilars, portable ice houses and clothing to fit every need. The clothing will suit your family for shopping and also the necessities of staying warm while fishing these fine waters. You might even be lured or baited into shopping for their liquid items as well.
A little further down the road you will come toBarclay’s Border Bait Companyabout 11 miles north on 172 from Baudette. Barclays Border Bait has everything you need from the Latest fishing gear and tackle to ice augers -every day essentials -groceries -hats -gloves- automotive section. New shipments are arriving daily to make your visit to Lake of the Woods memorable. They also want to remind you to renew your fish house permits before proceeding to the lake. Such a great location for visitors to pick up essentials for their ice house experience.
Many of you may not know that bait is abundant in Lake of the Woods. Local resort owners and bait shops harvest the very important shiner minnows during their fall run on the Rainy River. The harvesters spend many late or early morning hours hauling up nets, packaging and freezing those shiners that are in abundance so that they can be available for purchase as bait by individuals and resorts.
Now we must also mention that most all resorts that you might be staying at have the availability of selling you your fishing license. They outfit their fish houses with equipment and bait necessary for your success as you drop the lines in the pristine waters. They also are able to transport you or even lead you out the their fish houses and check on you throughout the day to make sure of your safety and that you have plenty of bait available to catch your limits.
Have I baited your interest? I certainly hope so because this writer is excited to bait a hook this winter also and enjoy the great beauty of the frozen waters of Lake of the Woods.
For more information and lodging see our website at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging
As area resorts and hotels prepare for ice fishing, it is good to reflect. It has been a year like no other. The pandemic kicking in this past March raised havoc on Americans who have never lived through something like this before. Area businesses have changed and in some cases, added new safety protocols to make sure your trip to Lake of the Woods is relaxing.
Up at Lake of the Woods, it all started out by cutting short ice fishing mid March. It then rolled into spring fishing and then with restrictions on charter boats, most of May. Businesses shut down for a time, were under a myriad of restrictions and had to learn how to run differently including new safety measures in order to protect both employees and guests.
With an entire spring, summer and fall of learning and implementing safety procedures different than ever done before, it is safe to say lodging facilities have learned and have implemented a variety of new procedures throughout their businesses to make your stay safe and enjoyable. Resorts and hotels up at Lake of the Woods have, and are continuing to make preparations to welcome ice anglers and winter guests. Everyone is looking forward to ice fishing.
Lake of the Woods County is one of the lower populated counties in the state with a population around 4,000. There are literally more deer than there are people. With that being said, there is so much land and in the winter, frozen lake to get away from it all. One still has to take precautions, but the wide open natural landscape while ice fishing gives anglers a chance to social distance to their heart’s content.
Safety measures area businesses are implementing come in many forms. In some cases, where you check in and check in procedures themselves have changed. Some guests feel the most comfortable to check in online.
Cleaning protocols throughout the lodges, cabins, guest rooms, kitchens, bars, boats, ice transportation and fish houses have changed. Like many things in life, there is a lot happening behind the scenes that nobody will ever see, but greatly benefits guests.
Adhering to the MN Department of Health regulations, resorts, hotels, guides and areas businesses up at Lake of the Woods have had the spring, summer and fall to get in place protocols and are ready to welcome guests this winter. The practice of using masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing are in place. There are also limits on how many people can be in restaurants at a time, how many can be seated together at a table and how many can sit at a bar in a group. This is certainly different that what anyone is used to, but very doable.
For some who want to avoid contact with others, there has been much more communication over the phone and online. Some examples include details of the trip, where fish houses are on the ice, where their room or cabin is located, having the door unlocked and your key(s) waiting for you inside your unit.
Resorts are still offering meals and meal plans, some with the option of delivery and take out. Many resorts have placed menus within cabins and customers can place orders with either delivery to the door of their room or cabin or having one person of the groups pick up the meals.
Walleye in the Hole
Some resorts are dropping off breakfast, minnows and a fish house map at the cabin door each morning. Again, an effort to limit exposure as much as possible for those who would prefer not to come into the lodge.
Some anglers choose to bring their own fish house and utilize the ice roads on Lake of the Woods. Whether it is a wheelhouse or a collapsible fish house, there are options for anglers who are do it yourselfers as well.
These are unprecedented times for all and safety guidelines put out by various branches of our government and CDC need to be adhered to. Fishing and enjoying the outdoors can be a way to take care of ones mind and spirit and for some is very important. It can also be done in very small groups with limited interaction with others. Adapting has and will continue to take place to ensure safety.
The best way to understand what each lodging facility has done regarding safety measures around COVID-19 for the ice fishing season is to check out their website, Facebook page or give them a call.
Lake of the Woods businesses in the hospitality industry are some of the most resourceful and caring people in the industry. It is no surprise these hard working folks are finding a way to create more safety in their businesses and are adapting to the times.
People of all types enjoy ice fishing. For some, it is about catching walleyes. For others, it is much more of a social affair, with good food and good company. More and more families are hitting the ice together. Regardless of what kind of group you come up with, social distancing and taking precautions around Lake of the Woods and enjoying the traditions of ice fishing in a safe manner is very doable.
The forecast for ice fishing this winter is very positive. The population of walleyes and saugers is good and we expect a great ice fishing season. Based on your level of comfort and how you prefer to handle precautions with COVID-19, we feel there is an option for just about everyone. We welcome you to Lake of the Woods. Come up, get away from it all and experience The Walleye Capital of the World!
Safety measures area businesses are implementing come in many forms. In some cases, where you check in and check in procedures themselves have changed. Some guests feel the most comfortable to check in online.
