On the South End… A strong late-fall walleye and sauger bite continues across the south shore of Lake of the Woods. Fish are staged and hungry, setting up beautifully for the start of the upcoming ice fishing season. On average, ice fishing kicks off around December 10, though Mother Nature will ultimately decide when it’s time.
Boy with nice Fall Walleye
Resort guides and outfitters who work the ice daily will monitor conditions closely and let everyone know when the ice they’re on is ready.
The best action remains in 15–25 feet of water along traditional fall locations from Pine Island to Morris Point Gap, Zippel Bay, Long Point, and over to Twin Islands. The water temperature has dropped to 45°F, and fish are actively feeding as they transition into winter patterns.
Brandi Johnson with a Fall Walleye on Lake of the Woods MN
Vertical jigging with a frozen or live minnow continues to be the top presentation. Gold, orange, and glow colors remain productive, with combinations of gold/orange and pink doing especially well. Some anglers are still covering water by trolling crankbaits, but most agree the jig bite is unbeatable right now.
The fall fishing is consistent and action-packed — expect a nice mixed bag of walleyes, saugers, perch, and occasional pike. This bite is also setting the stage for what looks to be another excellent early ice season!
On the Rainy River… Good numbers of walleyes have moved into the Rainy River and fishing has been strong. Anglers are catching a nice mix of “eaters” along with slot fish (19.5–28 inches). A jig and minnow remains the go-to bait choice, and anglers are focusing on current breaks, deeper holes, and river bends.
As tradition goes, the deer hunting season timeframe often produces some of the biggest walleyes of the year — while some folks are in a tree, others are on the river catching trophies!
Up at the Northwest Angle… Once again, fishing is excellent. Walleyes are stacked up on points, reefs, and mud-to-rock transitions, and when you find them, it’s game on. A simple jig and minnow is all you need for steady action on both walleyes and saugers, along with perch, crappies, and pike.
Anglers are reporting strong numbers of fish across both the U.S. and Canadian sides of the islands. Resorts and guides continue to offer lodging, late-fall open-water trips, and upcoming ice fishing packages as the season shifts.
On the South End… A good week of fall walleye fishing on Big Traverse Bay. Anglers reported nice numbers of fish. Fish continue to be found in different locations along the south shore in 15–22 feet of
Boy with a Huge Fall Walleye
water, setting up nicely for the upcoming ice fishing season.
Water temperatures continue to cool at a moderate pace. According to the Lake of the Woods Tourism Wave Buoys, the Big Traverse Bay surface temperature is now 49°F, down from 53°F last week. As water temperatures drop, walleyes are sliding shallower and feeding heavily in preparation for winter, which means the bite is only getting better.
The best presentation remains vertical jigging with a frozen or live emerald shiner. A few anglers are still finding success trolling crankbaits to cover water, but the classic jig-and-minnow bite is tough to beat right now.
Fall Walleye caught on a Charter
Hot jig colors this week include orange/chartreuse, gold/orange or solid gold combined with pink, and glow white.
Expect a nice mixed bag of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, and the occasional crappie or northern pike. The fall transition bite has been consistent and action-packed.
On the Rainy River… Emerald shiners have moved into the Rainy River, though large schools have yet to arrive. Still, walleye reports were solid this week with plenty of fish being caught. Anglers are working current breaks, deeper holes, and weed edges, primarily jigging with a frozen or live shiner. Others are trolling crankbaits to cover water and locate active fish.
Sturgeon fishing is good with many anglers catching multiple fish per trip. A classic sturgeon rig loaded with crawlers — and optionally tipped with a shiner or two — is effective. The catch-and-release sturgeon season is in effect.
Up at the Northwest Angle… Fishing continues to be excellent across the islands and reefs of the Northwest Angle on both sides of the border. A jig and minnow remains the go-to tactic on points, reefs, neck-down areas, and mud-to-rock transitions. Anglers are catching walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, crappies, smallmouth bass, and pike in good numbers.
Muskie anglers are also finding good success as cooling water temps have fish on the move. Fall is prime time for trophy muskies over the 50-inch mark, and anglers are reporting plenty of follows and hookups on both artificial and live bait.
Guides still have openings for that last fall trip, or, bring up your own boat. Lodging, guides and ice fishing packages at LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging.
On the South Shore… It was another great week of fishing on Lake of the Woods! A couple of days, anglers changed up where they fished based on weather, but overall, people caught fish.
Walleyes are active, but they’re also beginning to transition in how they’re
feeding and where they’re hanging out. The jig bite remains strong in many areas, but some anglers are now switching things up to spinners with great results.
Some anglers are still anchoring or spot-locking and jigging with frozen emerald shiners, which continue to be a top bait. A 3/8 to 1/2 oz jig is ideal. Some are experimenting with leeches on their jigs and finding good success, especially as water temps rise. Don’t forget to try those classic LOW colors—gold, glow white, chartreuse, pink, or combinations like gold/glow white/pink.
Some anglers are starting to pull spinners with good walleye success. Most are using crawlers on their spinner rigs, but switching over to a minnow once in a while can also produce better results some days. This time of year, it pays to be versatile. Good spinner colors are similar to jig colors, hammered gold combined with pink, glow white, orange and glow red are good options.
Some anglers have reported excellent walleye action in 14 to 18 feet of water, tied to a dragonfly hatch in some areas. Walleyes are feeding on these larvae that emerge from the bottom. Throughout the summer, various bug hatches around the lake can concentrate fish in specific areas—keep your eyes open for these fish catching opportunities.
Trolling crankbaits is also gaining momentum and is catching walleyes as water temps continue to climb. Crankbaits help anglers cover water quickly and find scattered fish. It’s a great way to target walleyes and can produce bonus species like pike, smallmouth bass and perch.
As for depth, fish are being caught everywhere from shallow sand in 8 feet to deep mud and rocks in 31 feet. That 14 – 18 and 25 to 29-foot range have been particularly productive.
On the Rainy River… The Rainy River is still holding some decent walleyes. As water temps rise and the current remains steady, a 1/2 – 3/4 oz jig tipped with a frozen emerald shiner remains effective, especially when vertically jigged in deeper holes and along the channel edges.
Looking to change things up? Spinners with crawlers or trolling crankbaits are great ways to explore and find active fish. Want even more variety? Casting crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or swim jigs along shorelines, docks, and back bays can always be a productive option producing a mixed bag that includes walleyes, pike, and smallmouth bass.
Reminder: The sturgeon season is currently closed, but will reopen July 1st. From July 1 through September 30, anglers with a sturgeon tag can harvest one sturgeon per year—either 45–50 inches or over 75 inches.
Up at the Northwest Angle… Fishing continues to be excellent at the Angle. Walleyes are being caught in 12 to 24 feet of water, particularly around shoreline structure, underwater points, and shallow reefs. The jig and minnow bite is still going strong, especially on rock and sand transitions.
Trolling crankbaits along shallow structure has also been productive. This approach is helping anglers cover water and locate schools of feeding fish. In addition to walleyes, many are catching jumbo perch, pike, and smallmouth bass.
Speaking of bass—now is a great time to target smallmouth. June is a month that can be really productive simply working shorelines. Focus on points, scattered rubble and small areas of structure.
Looking ahead: The muskie opener in both Minnesota and Ontario Zone 5 is coming up June 21st. With Lake of the Woods’ healthy muskie population and 14,552 islands to explore, anglers are getting ready for another great muskie season!
Plan Your Trip. Lake of the Woods continues to produce consistent catches of nice walleyes. Some anglers bring their own boats. Others prefer to board a charter boat or in with a guide. Whether you’re jigging, pulling spinners, trolling cranks, or casting for a mixed bag, the lake is healthy and good catches are being reported around the lake.
For more information on resorts, guides, charter boats, and trip planning, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.
My First Day in a Lake of the Woods Fish House This Year… Awesome!!
It Never Gets Old
There’s something magical about ice fishing on Lake of the Woods. From the beauty of the frozen expanse to the thrill of reeling in walleyes and saugers, it’s an experience that captures the essence of Minnesota winters. On a recent day out on the south end of the lake, Joe Henry shared his ice fishing report from the warmth of a heated fish house, detailing a strategy that led to an exceptionally productive outing.
The One-Two Punch Strategy
The key to success on this particular day was employing the “one-two punch” technique, a tried-and-true method for ice fishing on Lake of the Woods. This approach involves using two fishing holes: one for jigging and the other for deadsticking with a live minnow. This combination covers a variety of fish moods and behaviors, making it highly effective for catching both active and finicky fish.
Joe and his fishing partner relied on two jigging lures that proved to be incredibly effective:
Lindy Rattling Flyer Spoon in red and glow red: The loud rattles and bright colors attracted fish from a distance, enticing strikes.
The Rapala Rippin’ Rap in gold: Its vibration and rattles, combined with the gold color made it irresistible to hungry walleyes and saugers.
Meanwhile, the deadstick setup did the heavy lifting, accounting for the majority of their catches. Joe used a Lindy Tungsten Toad jig in chartreuse, tipped with a lively fathead minnow. The bait was placed about six inches off the bottom, a prime position to tempt walleyes and saugers cruising the lakebed. This setup proved especially effective for the more cautious fish, resulting in steady action throughout the day.
A Day of Nonstop Action
The fish were biting, and the anglers were reeling in walleyes and saugers at an impressive pace. By the day’s end, they had caught more than two limits of fish, a testament to the health and abundance of Lake of the Woods’ fishery. The combination of jigging and deadsticking ensured that they could adapt to the fish’s behavior, maximizing their success.
But the day wasn’t just about the fish—it was about the overall experience. The camaraderie between Joe and his fishing partner, the comfortable warmth of the fish house, and the joy of being out on the ice made for an unforgettable outing.
Comfort and Convenience on the Ice
One of the unique aspects of ice fishing on Lake of the Woods is the full-service experience provided by the local resorts and outfitters. From the moment they arrived, Joe and his fishing partner were treated to top-notch service.
The heated fish house, prepped and ready for their arrival, featured holes that had been drilled and cleaned, with the thermostat set to a cozy 70 degrees. Throughout the day, their ice guide checked in to ensure everything was running smoothly, offering tips and assistance as needed.
At the end of the day, the guide returned to help them pack up their gear and transported them back to the resort in a heated light ice trailer. Once back, their fish were cleaned for travel—a service that makes the transition from lake to home seamless. For those staying overnight, the resort even offers to cook fresh catches, turning a successful day on the ice into a delicious meal.
In a large bowl, combine olive oil, Worcestershire, garlic, salt and pepper. Add venison; turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.
Preheat grill to 350°. Drain venison, discarding marinade. Grill, covered, over medium-high heat until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°), 4-6 minutes on each side. Let steak stand 5 minutes.
On the South Shore… The focus for most this past week has been the ongoing deer hunting season and/or watching the forecast and feeling optimistic about the cold temps over the next couple of weeks.
The forecast shows temps staying below freezing and hitting the single digits many days. Depending upon the wind, this should make some ice and get things started,
The limited number of anglers still fishing are taking advantage of fairly mild weather for November, but that is changing quickly. Good numbers of walleyes, saugers and a lot of jumbo perch are staged across the south shore which bodes well for ice fishing.
No surprise this time of year, vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.
Resorts and outfitters are busy, continually getting ready for the ice fishing season. Fish house maintenance, light ice rigs, bombardiers, track rigs, augers, fish houses, sleeper houses, permitting, deep cleaning, remodeling, and the list goes on. All good stuff that helps to make the ice fishing season more enjoyable.
On the Rainy River… Very good fishing reports for those on the river this week, and there have been a few boats. Limits of walleyes was the norm for most.
Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners.
Having good numbers of walleyes in the river is desired by those who ice fish the south shore. It is believed some of the walleyes in the river make their way out to the lake as the ice fishing season progresses, providing additional fish to ice anglers out in front of Pine Island. All good stuff.
Up at the NW Angle… As temps are getting colder, most are finishing up deer hunting, processing venison or getting ready for the upcoming ice fishing season. For the few that got out, reports were excellent. A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught.
Very good muskie fishing for those who braved the colder temps. Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands. Late fall is known as a good time to catch muskies and this year has held true.
If you haven’t made reservations for ice fishing, now is a great time. Day houses normally get out mid December with an extended season on LOW, lasting through March. Mother Nature always dictates. Resorts and outfitters will be monitoring ice conditions, posting weight limits throughout the year.
For more information on lodging and ice fishing packages, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/Lodging
State Parks of Minnesota can be a great experience for people of all ages. This is particularly true of state parks within the Lake of the Woods area. Trails, trees, lakes and education make a great family excursion. Plan a whole trip visiting state parks in 2024 where you will find beautiful sites and education as well. Lake of the Woods is fortunate to have many state parks in the county and have a great neighbor south of us on Hwy 72, the Big Bog State Park.
The Minnesota DNR is the place to contact when looking to purchase your yearly sticker. A $35 year-round vehicle permit provides unlimited visits to all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas for a full year from the month of purchase. Day permits are $7.00.
By purchasing a vehicle permit, you help maintain and improve the natural resources, facilities, and education and outreach programs that make Minnesota’s state parks among the best in the nation. Vehicle permits are valid for one year from the month of purchase. Plus, you can receive a discount on additional year-round permits for other vehicles you own. In order to buy a permit you must follow one of two ways: Call: • DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 (Twin Cities area) • Toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367)
Lake of the Woods has a few state parks and forests. A year-round pass would be perfect with all the time you could spend inside these beautiful parks. A few of the closest ones include Zippel State Park, Franz Jevne State Park, and Beltrami Island State Forest. The outdoor activities you can do in the parks are endless, from fishing, canoeing, hiking, mushroom hunting, biking, camping, etc.
The Big Bog State Recreational Area is just a few miles south of Lake of the Woods County on Hwy 72.
This very unique and educational experience is one of a kind. The boardwalk itself is 1 mile long and reaches far into the swamp while having benches and teaching plaques along the way. It’s a must to put on your vacation list.
It’s time to get outdoors now and get some fresh air and sit and enjoy the beauty of creation as it comes to life in the springtime. Zippel Bay State Park is a beautiful spot to visit at any season, but springtime has special beauty. With miles of groomed trails, you will enjoy wildflowers peeking through the undergrowth and the aspens and birch trees coming alive with their bright green leaves and beautiful white bark. This State Park is located at 3684 54th Avenue Northwest, Williams, MN 56686 on Hwy #8 northwest of Baudette. This park provides a great opportunity to take the family on a walking tour.
The State Park at Zippel Bay is also known for its sandy beach reaching out into Lake of the Woods. It’s a perfect place for children to build sand castles and explore the shoreline. The bay itself is very shallow there so it is the best place for visitors to swim and walk out a long distance. You may obtain a State Park Sticker online before you visit or right at the entrance. A great family experience while practicing social distancing.
Zipple Bay State Park also manages the Blueberry Hill and Faunce campgrounds inside the Beltrami Island State Forest. For information on these units, please contact the Zippel Bay State Park office at (218) 783-6252. Blueberry Hill State Forest is located 3.5 miles west of Williams on the south side of Highway 11 and is one of the highest points of elevation in the county.
If you’re looking for remote, check out Franz Jevne State Park located on Highway 11.
Here there is primitive camping with access to the Rainy River. This is located a few miles east of Birchdale, home of one of the last unique General Stores.
Other state parks in the area include an excursion by boat to the northern-most park of Garden Island on Lake of the Woods.
Other recreation areas are also available in the Baudette, Lake of the Woods area. 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.
Timbermill Boat Ramp
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. The other feature of this beautiful park is the incredible walking trail. This surrounds the park and is paved for your walking experience. 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. A fairly new boat ramp allows you to tie your boat and shop around Baudette.
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 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 which accesses the Rainy River. It’s quite a sight to see the boat ramp full of boat trailers parked in a line at the parking area. The view is spectacular and the park is always a great place to drive through just to gaze at the water and the bridge.
Venture to the northland very soon to enjoy the rich beauty spring offers in state parks and recreational areas.
For more information and lodging availability, please see out website at ww.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging. Feast your eyes on the beauty nature has to offer.
See our Face Book page at: www.facebook.com/lakeofthewoodsmn
In a shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, paprika and basil. Brush fish fillets with butter, then dip into the crumb mixture. Place in a greased baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 500° for 10 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
It’s that time of year where snowmobile riders start getting that itch again to get out on the snow and ride. Now is the
time to start making plans to do so. Lake of the Woods and surrounding communities offer miles upon miles of riding trails for snowmobilers. Plenty of lodging makes staying and playing easy to be accommodated with. As of this writing, there is no snow on the ground but that just gives snowmobilers extra time to groom their machines.
Enjoy hundreds of miles of connected groomed trails. Our trails are true wilderness trails, as there is less than 5 miles of ditch riding on our trail system. Trails go as far up as the Northwest Angle, as far west as Warroad, south to Waskish and as far east as Big Falls and north up to International Falls.
To the west our trail system hooks up to the Roseau County groomed trails, as well as Kittson County groomed trails and on into North Dakota. To the south we hook up to Beltrami Island State Forest Trails, as well as hundreds of miles of logging trails.
Snowmobile Trail
Northwest Angle and Island areas are accessible from Lake of the Woods or the Can-Am Trail by snowmobile. To the east, the Northern Connection hooks up to the groomed Voyageur Trail West and Arrowhead Trail. Our area is unique by having Lake of the Woods and Rainy River, which both provide ample ice riding.
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. Polaris Industries is located in Roseau, a neighboring community, where snowmobiles are produced and shipped all over the country. Artic Cat is also produced and distributed in a nearby town and dealerships are available in Baudette.
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.
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.
NW Angle Edge Riders Groomer
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.
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 this writing, 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.
This club also hosts a great event during the winter season. Every year they host an Annual Northwest Angle Edge Riders Snowmobile Rally from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Flag Island. Food, fun, and door prizes will be available. Keep posted for the 2024 date of this great event.
Pumpkins are dotting the landscape during this fall season and letting our eyes feast on their beauty. However, let’s harvest those pumpkins for some great recipes. Here’s one.
Ingredients
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup canned pumpkin
topping:
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup salted pumpkin seeds or pepitas
1 tablespoon sugar
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and cinnamon; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in pumpkin. Pour into a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over batter.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
Don’t forget that if you’re a birding fanatic, you are able to see many species at this untouched landscape. 
out into Baudette Bay where people jump off to swim or cast a line to see what species frequent the Bay. A fairly new boat ramp allows you to tie your boat and shop around Baudette.
