The NW Angle.  It is the northernmost point of the contiguous United States, it is where the 14,552 islands of the lake begin and it is home to 15 very picturesque resorts and cabin rentals.  People travel here to experience world class fishing, breathtaking beauty and to simply relax.  One of the things that makes this area so special are the considerations needed when traveling here.  You see, if you drive to the Angle, you must travel through 40 miles of Canada.  There is another way, however, in which you can remain in Minnesota, avoid customs and still reach one of the most beautiful destinations on earth.  Simply travel across the lake via boat!

Being an exclave, meaning a portion of Minnesota is completely surrounded by territory of another, in this case Canada, it is important to understand the different options of travel.   Traveling to the NW Angle can be done a number of ways.

Fly to the Angle

If you are a pilot and own a plane with floats, you can fly up and land on the water near the resort you are staying.  Easy, beautiful and popular amongst those who have float planes.  Interestingly enough, planes also come up in the winter and land on the ice with skis on the plane.  A local resort plows and maintains a runway when ice thickens, and in these parts, it thickens!

Drive to the Angle

A second way to travel to the Angle, as long as you have the proper credentials to cross into Canada, is to drive there.  From the south end of the lake up to the Angle takes about an hour, with 40 miles of the journey in Canada. The drive is beautiful and many visitors have fun stopping at the small grocery store in Sprague, MB on their way up or back to pick up some Canadian foods not offered in the states.

Credentials needed to enter Canada.  A passport, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license or a government issued ID combined with an original birth certificate.  Canada also does not allow crossing into Canada if you have a felony on your record.  A DUI is looked at as a felony per Canadian law, whereas it is looked at as a misdemeanor in the U.S.

Depending upon the offense, a non-resident of Canada may be able to apply for a certificate of rehabilitation, which if granted, would then make it again possible to travel via land into Canada.

Take Your Own Boat

The third way is to boat across the lake, staying in Minnesota waters and avoiding U.S. and Canada Customs.  It is important to note, Lake of the Woods is a big lake.  Across the water from the south shore up to the NW Angle, it is a 35-40 mile trip depending upon where you depart.  If it gets windy, this lake can whip up some big waves.  Boating across is really an option for an experienced boater with a good sized boat and motor with some good electronics which helps the journey be even that much easier.

Make Life Easy:  Boat Across Using the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service

Another very convenient option is to use a passenger service.  The Lake of the Woods Passenger Service offers (for a fee) a passenger service across the lake on one of their charter boats.  Many who use a guide or rent a boat up at a NW Angle resort are taking advantage of this option.  Parking is easy and a licensed charter captain leads your journey north via 27′ and 30′ charter boats designed to handle big water.  The passenger service will drop you off at the NW Angle resort you are staying at and arrange for your return trip south when your vacation nears it’s end.

Another option is to put your people and gear aboard a charter boat and follow behind the charter in your own boat.  This not only can make the ride much more comfortable for passengers but also lightens the load of your own boat making it more seaworthy.  It also helps that a big charter boat is handling the navigation and breaking down the waves for you across the lake.

There are some guides up at the Angle who are planning on picking up guests on the south end, weather depending which makes traveling to the NW Angle that much easier.  Communicate with your resort for all of the options.

Considerations if boating across on your own.  Traveling across on your own can be a very viable option or a “not so good” of option depending upon a number of things.  Here are a few considerations.

1.  Is your boat seaworthy enough to cross 35 miles of big water?
2. How reliable is your motor?
3. How experienced is the captain?
4. Do you have flexibility in your schedule if weather is not good?
5. How seaworthy are your passengers on the boat?
6. Do you have reliable electronics and do you know how to use them?
7. is your bilge pump working?

Safety Equipment and considerations. 

1. Is everyone wearing an approved personal flotation device (PFD)
2. Have you checked all necessary safety equipment?  (Fire extinguisher, throw cushion, marine band radio, cell phone with portable battery charger, flares, whistle, etc)
3. Do you navigation lights work?  Do you have a spotlight or bright flashlight?
4. Have you contacted the resort or people at your final destination and communicated your travel plans?
5. Have you mapped out your route?
6. Where are you going to put in and depart from?
7. Have you lightened up your load for the boat to be safe?
8. Is your gear in waterproof bags or containers?
9. Do you have Navionics on your phone as a backup for navigation?
10. Have you checked the weather forecast?

Where can I launch and park my truck and trailer?  There are a number of resorts who allow you to park your truck and trailer at their resort for a small fee if you are traveling up to a NW Angle resort.  It is a good idea to contact these resorts and communicate your plans to make sure you know where to launch your boat and where they would like you to park your vehicle.

South Shore Parking Options…

–Arnesen’s Rocky Point.  Located on the SW corner of the lake, Arnesen’s has a new harbor, a boat ramp and plenty of land for parking your rig.

–Wigwam Resort.  Located on Wheeler’s Point, Wigwam is a couple of blocks away from the Wheeler’s Point public access.

–Border View Lodge.  Border View Lodge is also located in the Wheeler’s Point area and is right next to the Wheeler’s Point public access.

Traveling to the NW Angle is a very special experience.  This year for many, the normal way to travel up is going to be different.  Once there, the few extra hurdles will be well worth it.  With that being said, we all have to error on safety first.  If you have any questions on traveling across the lake, we encourage you to contact your favorite resort or you can certainly contact us at Lake of the Woods Tourism as well.  Have fun, enjoy the adventure, be safe.

 

Access the Lake of the Woods Tourism website

Access Lodging Options on and around Lake of the Woods