Resorts and Hotels Welcoming Guests Back
The Rainy River has been showing off the great sturgeon population it has living in it’s waters. Anglers have been catching good numbers of lake sturgeon all spring. They also have been catching some nice walleyes while fishing for sturgeon.
As resorts and hotels start opening again, they have implemented a variety of safety precautions. Many believe, if both businesses and guests do their due diligence, the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors in a responsible manner is readily available.
Here are just a handful of changes resorts and hotels have implemented for this year’s fishing season.
Specialized cleaning and disinfecting. Lodging industry associations have done a nice job of sharing best practices known throughout the world in cleaning and disinfecting for COVID – 19. Consequently, properties around the lake have implemented new cleaning standards to ensure guests are entering safe environments in their cabin or hotel room. In some cases, this demands more time, different cleaning agents, additional laundering and just a different way of doing things to provide sterile conditions.
For some, this means public areas are cleaned, in many cases, numerous times throughout the day. Some resorts are taking special measures to clean rental, guide and charter boats, rods and reels, nets, bait containers, fish cleaning areas and other surfaces used in a day of fishing that people could be touching when charters and guided fishing are rolling again.
Remote Check In and Communication. Measures have been taken for social distancing as well as simply eliminating human to human contact when possible. Many resorts are doing check-ins and other communication via email or over the phone. That might include taking payment, discussing fish patterns, when and where to meet your guide or charter, etc.
In many cases, guests don’t even need to enter the lobby, but rather continue right to their room or cabin that staff has unlocked and ready.
Altering check in areas and flow. For some resorts, changing the way people flow into and through the resort for check-ins has been altered. Making sure there are only a couple of people at a time in the office and eliminating the need for guests to be in small confined areas together are just a couple of the tweaks resorts have changed as of recent.
Meal Plans. Meal prep has taken on a different look with kitchen facilities and employees implementing precautions in meal prep and distribution. Depending upon when the rules for eating in a restaurant or bar are allowed, resorts with meal plans are adapting nicely with pick up and in some cases, delivery available. Some resorts are taking orders over the phone and allowing pick up in the lobby or actually delivering meals to your room or cabin. Again, each property is different so it is good to check ahead, but for many, it is reassuring to know there are options that allow for relaxation, a variety of good food while minimizing exposure.
As some things are very different, some things will remain the same. The Minnesota fishing opener will be happening again up at Lake of the Woods as it has for generations. Walleyes, fish frys and memories.
We encourage anglers to communicate with the resort and hotel you are staying at ahead of time and do everything possible to be safe. See ya on the water!







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The logging industry was and is a big part of the area. A variety of saws, tools and sharpeners are displayed. Old time two person hand saws and chain saws that used to rip through massive trees in the area makes one think about the size of the trees our ancestors harvested. It doesn’t seem like it was an easy life compared to modern times.
Lake of the Woods County was known for it’s logging industry during the early 1900’s. In 1910, a big forest fire decimated much of the area and took over 30 lives. Similar to other forest fires, the disaster took place over dry, harvested land which was vulnerable to fires.
The next time you come up to Lake of the Woods, plan on taking some time and checking out the Lake of the Woods Historical Society across from the county building in east Baudette, you will not be disappointed.




