NW ANGLE
Minnesota’s NW Angle
The Northwest Angle aka “the Angle” is located on the northern side of Lake of the Woods, or when viewing a map, the “chimney”. The area is 596.3 miles, 473.2 miles of that is water. It is also the northern most point of the contiguous 48 states. The Angle is in coexistence with Angle Township and Lake of the Woods County, surrounded by Manitoba and Ontario. The reefs create a fun and unique fishing experience for all!
There are many ways to travel to the NW Angle
Drive to the Northwest Angle
Guests can choose to drive up! This beautiful drive will have you driving through Canada for about 40 miles and re-entering back into the U.S. up at the Angle. The NW Angle is one of four exclaves across the U.S. / Canada border.
Travelers must have a few things to clear customs with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or exemption
- Accepted form to prove identity and residency (Passport, Passport Card, Enhanced Driver’s License, etc.)
- Fill out the ArriveCan App
Detailed Map of the NW Angle
Take the Lake and Avoid Customs (winter or summer)
Some choose to travel to the Angle across the lake which keeps you in Minnesota and avoids crossing the border. There are a number of options.
Boat to the Angle aboard a charter boat. If you prefer to avoid customs, boating across the lake on a charter boat via the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service is one option. These large boats will transport you and your gear to your favorite NW Angle resort.
Boat to the Angle on your own. As long as you have a large boat that can handle big water and the experience on big water, boating across the lake, about 40 miles across, is a viable option. Lake of the Woods is big water. Even the most experienced captain with the right gear closely watches the weather, wind, waves, etc, making good decisions about when it is safe for travel and when it is not. Having some extra time is always advantageous in the event you have to leave the next day when there is more favorable weather.
Fly to the Angle! Whether it is summer or winter, flying across the lake is a quick 15 minute flight. Lake Country Air specialized in transporting you and your group to the NW Angle or south shore of the lake. They can set up charters from various Midwest destinations straight to Lake of the Woods.
Bombardier Service Across the Ice. In the winter, the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service will transport you across the ice via bombardier! Traveling on well groomed and staked trails on the ice, this is a fun way to get up to the islands area in the winter.
Snowmobile Across the Ice. In the winter, snowmobile trails are groomed and marked during the winter months from the South Shore and Warroad up to the NW Angle. A shelter is located on Garden Island about 25 – 30 miles off the South Shore if you need a break, want to warm up or need shelter from weather events. If your sled is not registered in MN, you will need a trail sticker when traveling.
When arriving into the U.S. at the NW Angle, travelers will use the ROAM app located at most resorts or at the Custom and Border Protection’s self serve kiosks at Jim’s corner, Carlson’s Landing (near the Church/School), or Young’s Bay.
Most angle resorts have an iPad loaded with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection check in program. Resorts provide a heated, somewhat private area with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Travelers can also download the ROAM mobile application for quick and easy check in.
Recreating in Canada while staying at the Angle. During your stay up at the Angle, visitors who cross into Canada via boat and do not touch land, a dock, another boat, anchor or exchange goods or services, do not need to clear customs when entering Canada or returning back into the U.S.
If you plan on touching land in Canada, one must call CBSA via the 888-CAN-PASS number before entering Canada for approval to enter. Again, if you boat into Canada from the U.S., and don’t touch land, a dock, moor or anchor, you are not required to check in with CBSA. 
When traveling back into the U.S. after touching land in Canada, travelers must check back in with U.S. Customs with one of the designated ROAM check in stations, resort iPads or mobile ROAM app.
Remember, if you are snowmobiling or ice fishing, ice equals land, meaning everyone must check in with CBSA before entering Canada and check back in with U.S. Customs when you are back in the U.S. at one of the resorts on a designated iPad or via ROAM on your mobile device.
Traveling back south through Canada from the Angle. Travelers headed back home to the U.S. through Canada can check in via the phones located at Jim’s Corner which connect you to Canada Border Services Agency, or call the 1-888-CAN-PASS number to clear with Canada Customs. Both options get your call to the same call center.
Very simply, when you are cleared, CBSA will give you a check in number you can write down which is your verification of clearing Canada customs and you are cleared to enter Canada.
Visitors with DUI’s must check with the Canada Border Services Agency prior to their trip and apply for a the proper credentials to cross into Canada before arriving. We encourage you to contact CBSA before your trip if driving through Canada. The other option is to avoid traveling through Canada by crossing the lake via the many options listed above.
Check out this great video about the NW Angle.
Fort St. Charles located on Magnuson Island is a must see destination for visitors to the NW Angle. It is free and open to the public.
Pre-approval and trusted traveler programs.
–The bi-national NEXUS program.
http://www.cbp.gov/travel/
–The U.S. I-68 Canadian border boat landing program.
http://www.cbp.gov/travel/
RABC… Remote Area Border Crossing Permit.
Designed for travelers who will frequently be crossing the U.S. / Canada border in designated remote areas such as the NW Angle that doesn’t have a CBSA office, the RABC allows travelers to quickly get through the process of clearing Canada customs. In a nutshell, this is for frequent travelers to Canada who will be touching land in Canada.
Pet lovers, remember, vaccination papers are required for pets. For more information on crossing into Canada, http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/
Click HERE to connect to our Getting Here page for a list of shuttles, car rentals, airports and more!
Directions to the Angle when driving
From Warroad: Take MN-313 N into Manitoba, CN. After 12.6 miles, make a right turn onto MB-308 N (follow signs for Sprague just before Esso gas Station). After 27 miles, take a right onto MB-525 E (this will enter back into MN). Continue on Co Rd 330 Angle Road NW.
From Roseau: Follow HWY 310 into Manitoba, CN 10 miles. Continuing on to Main St, turn right onto Manitoba 12 S. Travel 5.9 miles and take a left on MB-308 N (turning by Esso gas station following signs for Sprague. After 27 miles, take the right onto MB-525 E (entering MN). Continue onto Co Rd 330 Angle Road NW.
What to do when you get to the Angle…
You are required to stop and “check-in” with U.S. Customs after making the journey through Canada to the NW Angle as you have crossed the international border from Canada into the U.S. Most resorts have an iPad you can check in to U.S. Customs with via their ROAM App.
Another option is to stop at U.S. Customs kiosks with iPads at Jim’s Corner, Young’s Bay Resort or Carlson’s Landing (next to the NW Angle School).
When leaving the Angle back into Canada (such as if you are headed south back to the U.S.), you must check in with CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) as you will be driving through Canada for about a 40 mile stretch. You can either stop at Jim’s Corner where there is a phone that connects to Canada Border Services Agency or call the 1-888-CAN-PASS number on your own phone. Have the license plate of your vehicle handy as well as the names and dates of birth for all passengers traveling.
CBSA will ask you a few questions and once cleared, will provide you a number to write down. This number is your proof in the event you would get checked driving through Canada.
- Boat across on your own
- Snowmobile across on marked and groomed trails
- Use the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service (charter boat during open water and bombardier shuttle across the ice)
- Fly with Lake Country Air. (Float plane in the open water, skis on plane in winter)
Contact your favorite NW Angle resort for details or info.
In addition to the World Class Fishing, Explore the Angle!
The NW Angle boasts some of the best fishing in North America. In addition, this area has so much more to see and do.
Check out the islands and mainland for even more Angle adventures. Miles of sandy beaches are another great way to spend a day on the lake.
Massacre Island, Eagle’s Rock, Penasse Island, and Fort St Charles are all great spots to learn a little history.
Birding and Wildlife are abundant in the area, as are the wild flowers, wild rice, blueberries, and raspberries.
Play a round of golf on the Northern-most 9 hole golf course in America. Take a boat tour of the lake; check out Painted Rock Island that has evidence of the area’s earliest inhabitants! Paintings dating over 1,000 years can be seen here. Late at night the Northern Lights dance across the sky.
Check out the Lake of the Woods Explorer App. A local explorer, Joe Laurin, didn’t want to keep these well researched locations throughout Lake of the Woods a secret any longer. He developed an app so visitors and locals alike could check out the many wonders of this area. Abandoned gold mines, abandoned prisoner of war camps Canadians housed Germans, interior waterfalls, Cheerios Beach (where the rocks look like Cheerios), landmarks, lithographs (paintings on rock dating over 1,000 years), common fishing spots and so much more.
The Northern Most Point Marker
The northernmost marker is located at Young’s Bay Resort in the community of Angle Inlet, MN. Young’s Bay was chosen as it is where the main marina is located for visitors and residents who are staying on one of the island resorts or cabins amongst the islands of the NW Angle. It is also adjacent to the bar and restaurant of the Angle called Jerry’s is located where folks will stop in for a cold beer or a good burger
To order additional information Click Here, email us at info@LakeoftheWoodsMN.com or call us at 218-634-1174.
