This past week, MN Governor Tim Walz began allowing resorts and hotels to open with numerous guidelines for safety.  Many Lake of the Woods resorts and hotels are welcoming guests back.  

Properties are taking a variety of safety measures in many aspects of their businesses to ensure guest and employee safety.

The US and Canada have agreed to keep the international border shut until May 20th.  Residents of the NW Angle and necessary supplies can travel across, others including visitors and land owners for the time being cannot.  Some resorts are offering transport service via boat across the lake in MN waters to the Angle prior to the border opening.

On the south end…  The majority of Big Traverse Bay is still ice covered, which is quite typical of this time of year.  Warm weather is in the forecast and more and more open water is showing up daily.  Things are looking very good for the opener May 9th.  Some big pike are being caught in the open water of bays.  The pike season on LOW never closes.  

On the Rainy River…   The Rainy River is open into Lake of the Woods.  The sturgeon bite has been strong with many boats out and successful this weekend.  Find a hole in the river, anchor up with a sturgeon rig loaded with crawlers or combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners.  The sturgeon “keep season” continues through May 7th.  May 8-15 is catch and release only.  May 16th the sturgeon season closes until July 1st.

Up at the NW Angle…  Ice is melting and open water is expanding quickly.  The larger basins are still ice covered.  Resorts are preparing and looking forward to the open water season.  A complete list of lodging and guides available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

The Lake of the Woods area is looking forward to welcoming guests back when the time is right.  Currently, Governor Tim Walz has implemented a Stay at Home order until May 4th.  This prevents travel outside one’s home area or staying at a lodging facility for recreation purposes.

Fishing in the State of MN is open, as long as you stay in your local area.   Bait shops are open.  Resorts have taken numerous measures in many aspects of their businesses to ensure guest and employee safety.  Everyone is preparing so we are ready when things open up again.

The US and Canada have agreed to keep the international border shut until May 20th.  Residents of the NW Angle and necessary supplies can travel across, others including visitors and land owners for the time being cannot.

On the south end…  The majority of Big Traverse Bay is still ice covered, which is quite typical of this time of year.  Warm weather is in the forecast and ice will continue to deteriorate.  

On the Rainy River…   The Rainy River is open through Four Mile Bay, through the Lighthouse Gap into Lake of the Woods.  Very few boats (locals) fishing sturgeon at this time.  

Up at the NW Angle…  There is open water in typical current areas between islands.  The larger basins are still ice covered.  Spring is progressing nicely.  Looking forward to the open water season.  A complete list of lodging and guides available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

Perhaps we should call this the COVID – 19 fishing report.  As you can imagine, some really cool annual traditions with Mother Nature are happening right now around Lake of the Woods.

With the current times, other than some local anglers fishing in their own backyard where they have private access, things are pretty quiet.  Let’s get through this chapter and look ahead as the walleyes are definitely waiting, willing and able!

As many of you have read, in response to the COVID – 19 situation, the City of Baudette has closed it’s two public access points on the Rainy River, Koochiching County has closed their four access points to the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods County has also temporarily closed their access points.  These closures are temporary in nature and are being reviewed often.  Kooch County will review again April 14th which is the last day of the walleye season on LOW and the Rainy River.

We want to express our sincere appreciation and thanks for all who come up to the Lake of the Woods area throughout the year.  Our community and small businesses are very tourism focused and dependent.  This is a tough time for many for a variety of reasons.  We look forward to getting this chapter behind us and creating wonderful memories with you again in the near future.  Be safe and thank you.

On the south end…  Ice conditions this March have held very well.  As mentioned, low amount of traffic due to the times.  Anglers out have been catching big pike as is traditional this time of year as well as walleyes and saugers.

On the Rainy River…   The Rainy River is starting to open with a few local anglers with private access getting on the open water.  As you can imagine, some big walleyes in the river.  The spring walleye season goes through April 14th and will not be available to most this year.  Looking forward to sturgeon season and the MN fishing opener May 9th!

Up at the NW Angle…  A few locals still ice fishing.  Walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch and an occasional pike or eelpout in the mix.  Looking forward to open water.  A complete list of lodging and guides available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

Ice fishing is still happening on Lake of the Woods.  Some resorts / hotels / outfitters are open and have adjusted their business model to adhere to the new rules with COVID – 19.  Additional cleaning and disinfecting is in place.  Fish house rentals, lodging, ice roads and take out or delivered meals are available by some resorts.  Contact resorts directly or look at their Facebook pages for helpful info.

On the south end…  Some great March ice fishing continues. Anglers fishing anywhere from 27 – 33′ of water.  Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent with freezing temps keeping ice firm.  Some good colors overall, pink / gold, glow, red glow, green glow.  Work lures on jigging line with a live minnow on an ice jig or plain hook on second line.  Electronics a big plus.  Try mixing it up with small lures, swim baits, rattle baits.  Keep baits active for best results.  Pike fishing very good this week with many fish over 40 inches.  Tip ups with big baits on quick strike rigs the norm.  Fish houses can be left overnight on the ice through March 31st, walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th and pike season never closes.

On the Rainy River…   As spring approaches, extra caution needed on the river.  Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette.  We are watching open water line progress from east to west.  No open water fishing as of yet due to colder temps.

Up at the NW Angle…  A good week of ice fishing reports up at the Angle.  A mix of nice walleyes, big jumbo perch and pike in the mix.  Resorts in 20 – 32′ of water targeting both structure and mud.  Glow colors, gold and pink effective.  Plain hook on the deadstick.  The snowmobile trails groomed and are still in good shape.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  A great week of March ice fishing. Anglers fishing anywhere from 27 – 33′ of water.  Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent with freezing temps keeping ice firm.  Work lures on jigging line with a live minnow on an ice jig or plain hook on second line.  Some good colors overall, pink / gold, glow, red glow, green glow.  Electronics helping to catch suspended walleyes.  Pike activity increasing with more big fish caught this week.  Tip ups with big baits on quick strike rigs the norm.  Fish houses can be left overnight on the ice through March 31st, walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th and pike season never closes.

On the Rainy River…   As spring approaches, extra caution needed on the river.  Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette.  We are watching open water line progress from east to west.  No open water fishing as of yet.  We report open water progress often on Lake of the Woods Tourism Facebook page.

Up at the NW Angle…  A great week of ice fishing reports up at the Angle.  A mix of walleyes, saugers, big jumbo perch and pike in the mix.  Resorts in 20 – 32′ of water targeting both structure and mud.  Glow colors, gold and pink effective.  The snowmobile trails groomed and with freezing temps, are still in good shape. 

On the south end…  An awesome week of ice fishing.  Most anglers fishing in 27 – 33′ of water.  Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent.  Use combo of jigging line and deadstick.  Work your lines, keep jigging and keeping minnow on deadstick active.  It will pay dividends.  Some good colors overall, pink / gold, glow, chartreuse / white.  Electronics helping to catch suspended walleyes.  Pike activity has increased with some big fish being caught.  Tip ups and big baits on quick strike rigs the norm.  This is bonus ice fishing on Lake of the Woods.  As a border waters area with Canada, fish houses can be left overnight on the ice through March 31st, walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th and pike season never closes.

On the Rainy River…   Local anglers continue to catch some walleyes in the river.  Extra caution is always needed on the river, especially with higher temps,melting and runoff.  Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette.  Work through resort or know ice conditions if ice fishing the river as ice thickness varies.

Up at the NW Angle…  Ice fishing reports good up at the Angle with a mix of walleyes, saugers, big jumbo perch and pike in the mix.  Resorts in 20 – 32′ of water targeting both structure and mud.  Jigging spoons with minnow head for jigging line, plain hook and live minnow on deadstick.  The snowmobile trails groomed and are in good shape.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  A great week of ice fishing with lots of fish frys.  Good fishing reports, most fishing in 27 – 33′ of water.  Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent at around 30 inches where most are fishing.  Use combo of jigging line and deadstick.  Try spoons or lipless crankbaits with rattles to pull fish in.  Pink hook with a minnow on deadstick effective this week.  Some good colors overall, gold, glow, pink, green, orange and chartreuse.  Don’t be afraid to downsize presentation on a tough bite day.  Small spoon with a minnow head, wax worm or euro larvae can catch extra fish.  Electronics will catch more fish.  Some nice walleyes showing up suspended.  Pike fishing continues to heat up.  Tip ups and big baits on quick strike rigs  the ticket.  

On the Rainy River…   Local anglers catching some walleyes in the river.  Most anglers fishing the lake.  Extra caution is always needed on the river, especially with higher current this year.  Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette.  Work through resort or know ice conditions if ice fishing the river as ice thickness varies.

Up at the NW Angle…  Ice fishing reports good up at the Angle.  Resorts in 26 – 32′ of water.  A mix of walleyes and saugers with big jumbo perch and pike in the mix.  The snowmobile trails both across the lake and in the woods are in great shape.  Jigging with a bait with rattles has helped to pull in walleyes.  Fish houses on the ice through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end…  Some big walleyes caught this week up at Lake of the Woods along with eaters and saugers.  Good fishing still happening 16 – 22 miles out on the ice and most reports are good.  Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent at around 30 inches where most are fishing.  Best colors vary but on sunny days gold has been consistent.  On cloudy days, glow pink, green, orange and chartreuse good colors.  Don’t be afraid to downsize presentation if fish are not active.  Small spoon with a minnow head.  A plain hook with a small minnow can be very effective.  Electronics helping anglers catch suspended walleyes.  Pike are getting more active and anglers reporting good success.

On the Rainy River…   The river is frozen over with snowmobile traffic on marked trail.  Some reports of local anglers catching a few walleyes in the river but most anglers hitting the lake.  Extra caution is always needed on the river, especially with higher current this year.  Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette.  Work through resort or know ice conditions if ice fishing the river as ice thickness varies.

Up at the NW Angle…  Ice fishing in full swing up at the Angle.  Resorts in 26 – 32′ of water.  A mix of walleyes and saugers with some jumbo perch and pike in the mix.  The snowmobile trails from south shore to Angle in great shape.  Jigging with a bait with rattles has helped to pull in walleyes.  Fish houses on the ice through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14.  A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging

On the south end… A lot of nice walleyes and saugers caught this week up at Lake of the Woods. Many resorts traveling 16 – 22 miles out on the ice and most reports are very good. Lots of big walleyes this week. Ice conditions on LOW remain excellent. Jig one line and don’t be afraid to use noise such as rattles or vibration to draw fish in. Have a deadstick with a live minnow in the second hole for neutral fish. Best colors vary but gold, glow, green, orange and pink good colors. Electronics tell you where fish are and how they are reacting to your bait and presentation. Pike anglers already pulling some trophy fish. Should only get better as month progresses.

On the Rainy River… The river is frozen over with snowmobile traffic on marked trail. Some reports of good fish in the river. Extra caution is always needed on the river, especially with higher current this year. Thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette. Work through resort or know ice conditions if ice fishing the river as ice thickness varies.

Up at the NW Angle… Some great reports from the Angle this week. Resorts in 26 – 32′ of water. The snowmobile trails from south shore to Angle in great shape. Jigging spoons and Rippin Raps in one hole. In second hole, plain red hook with live minnow working well. Fish houses on the ice through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14. A complete list of lodging and ice fishing options available at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging