Charter Boats and Restaurants Open for Business
On a normal year, charter boats on Lake of the Woods start hitting the water at the end of April and beginning of May. Some start targeting sturgeon in the Rainy River. Others are splashed just before the MN Fishing Opener. Guests staying at resorts and hotels in the area enjoy the variety of dining options around the river and lake. This year was different due to COVID – 19 and restrictions issued by the Governor of Minnesota’s Executive Order.
As various areas begin to gravitate back to more normalcy, June 1st charter boats and restaurants opened for business and on June 10th, indoor dining at our many restaurants is available as well. This is very much a welcomed site for business owners and guests alike.
Charter boats are a staple around Lake of the Woods. They provide access and success for people wanting to catch walleyes on this famed body of water. There are many reasons people enjoy a charter boat…
–Worry free. The licensed charter captain runs the boat so all guests have to do is relax, enjoy the experience and catch fish. Navigation and figuring out what the walleyes are doing from day to day can be a challenge for inexperienced anglers. While on a charter, there are no worries.
–Success. Walleyes move from day to day. Weather conditions change, forage changes, their mood changes for some reasons known, some unknown. With that being said, charter captains are knowledgeable and work together to provide guests the best experience possible. Charter captains are professionals and know Lake of the Woods and what it takes to catch walleye better than anyone.
–Easy. When you step aboard, most everything is taken care of. Rods, reels, tackle, bait are all covered. Some resorts will provide lunch if you would like one. What do you need to bring? Sun protection, sunglasses, rain gear, and of course dress in layers as Minnesota weather can be chilly in the morning and downright hot in the afternoon.
–Comfortable. Charter boats are typically 27 – 30 feet long and offer anglers lots of room to move around. The boats handle the lake well. This enables folks not quite as fit to fish in a smaller boat to have an enjoyable day of fishing on a boat that is. There is also an area to get out of the sun or elements out on the lake. There are also and a bathroom on board most vessels making life just a little bit easier.
The Restaurant scene around Lake of the Woods is diverse and delicious. Some settings are overlooking the Rainy River or Lake of the Woods. Others are in the woods and in the heart of nature. 
Each place has it’s own feel. From cute, small places with that log cabin feel to larger dining options. Currently, outdoor dining on decks and patios are available. As time goes on, the indoor portions of restaurants and bars will be coming online. Menus offer visitors much variety.
Lake of the Woods is home to delicious homemade pizza and ice cream, fresh taco nights, fish frys, smoked wings and some more finer dining options such as steak, prime rib and seafood. Some may envision the northwoods as a place with not so many choices but in actuality, the choices are many.
Area businesses have gone to great lengths incorporating extensive cleaning procedures and protocols as safety precautions for charter boats and restaurants so guests can feel good about coming up.
Let’s not mince words, the COVID – 19 chapter of life has been tough for so many reasons. As restrictions start to get lifted on charter boats and restaurants and life begins to look a bit more normal, many are welcoming a Lake of the Woods fishing trip into their life with open arms.
