Lake of the Woods
NORTHWEST
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!
GETTING HERE and helpful info
World Class Fishing is what draws most visitors to the NW Angle.
Known as The Walleye Capital of the World, Lake of the Woods is famous around the world for it’s incredible fishery. Walleyes, saugers, muskies, pike, smallmouth bass, crappies, lake sturgeon, lake trout, jumbo perch, and many other species keep anglers coming back.
Fishing in these parts is a year-round activity. During the open water months, anglers fish amongst the 14,552 islands of the big lake. During the winter months, resorts offer transport to heated fish houses set up to catch the very delicious walleyes.
DRIVE TO THE NW ANGLE
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. Basically, an exclave is a portion of a country separated from the main part and surrounded by foreign territory, in this case, Canada.
Travelers crossing the border at Warroad or Roseau will be stop briefly to get cleared to enter Canada by the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) border station. A quick check, making sure everyone has proof of identity and residency (Passport, Passport Card, Enhanced Driver’s License, etc.) and aren’t bringing in anything or anyone illegal and you are on your way.
The trip up will travelers going through Sprague, Manitoba, a very small town. Some stop at the local grocery store to pick up a few items you can only get in Canada. Perhaps a Coffee Crisp chocolate bar, loaf of famous Canadian Rye cracked wheat bread baked at a Winnipeg bakery or some delicious Canadian jams.
The drive continues through some beautiful parts of Manitoba with incredible scenery and an abundance of wildlife.
Once you re-enter the United States up at the NW Angle, you will need to check in with U.S. Customs. This is an unmanned border, but you still need to check in with U.S. Customs as you entered the country from another country (Canada). You can proceed to one of the three check in stations at the Angle or do as most travelers do, check in at one of the many resorts that have a designated iPad once you arrive. This check in normally takes less than 5 minutes from start to finish.
When you drive back south from the Angle, first check in with Canada Customs to get clearance to drive through Canada. You can check in at the small booth at Jim’s Corner and press the button on the phone with the Canada symbol, or, simply be close to Jim’s Corner and call the 888-CAN-PASS phone number. (1-888-226-7277) After a few questions, such as who is traveling, license plate of your vehicle, and a few questions about what you are bringing back with you, once approved to travel through Canada, they will issue you a verification number. Write this number down as this is your record of clearing customs to drive back to Warroad or Roseau.
DIRECTIONS TO THE ANGLE WHEN DRIVING FROM WARROAD OR ROSEAU
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.
TAKE THE LAKE TO THE ANGLE
Some choose to travel to the Angle across the lake which keeps you in Minnesota and avoids crossing the border. When you travel across the lake and stay in Minnesota, you have not entered Canada and do not need to clear customs upon entering the NW Angle. There are a number of options.
Open Water
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 and transport you back south when your stay at the Angle is complete.
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. If you own a small float plane and are a pilot, many of our resort are used to catering to float planes in the open water months. There is actually a seaplane base at Sunset Lodge on Oak Island.
Winter
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.
Fly! Planes with skis during the winter months can land on the ice. There is typically a runway plowed on the ice in front of Sunset Lodge on Oak Island during the winter months. Call ahead for details, ice conditions, etc.
CROSSING THE BORDER AND OTHER INFO
Many guests will stay at one of the variety of resorts in the NW Angle and fish Ontario waters. Fishing the Ontario side of Lake of the Woods adjacent to the NW Angle offers up thousands of islands and world class fishing with very little boat traffic. Accessing the Canadian border is just minutes from Angle resorts.
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, docking, coming in contact with another boat, anchoring, mooring or exchanging goods or services in Canada, you must call CBSA via the 888-CAN-PASS (1-888-226-7277) 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.
Winter Ice Travel into Canada from the Angle. Remember, if you are snowmobiling or ice fishing, by definition, 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.
The Optional, but easy 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 program is now easier than ever. For around $30 CDN, this permit can be applied for and received online. It’s intent is for frequent travelers to Canada, or those who simply want to avoid some time in the morning when calling into CBSA for permission to enter Canada and touch land.
Traveling with Pets? To bring a dog from Canada to the U.S., it must be at least six months old, microchipped, appear healthy, and have a valid rabies vaccination certificate. You’ll also need to complete and submit the CDC Dog Import Form. For cats, there are no new requirements unless the cat appears ill or is found dead upon arrival.
To bring a dog from the U.S. to Canada, there are also rules to follow as most countries have to prevent the spread of disease. Here is some additional info.
NW Angle Map
Explore
THE ANGLE
ANGLE ADVENTURES
In addition to fishing, 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.
Other points of interest:
- Angle Inlet Post Office
- Angle Inlet School
- Fort St. Charles
- Oak Island Post Office
- Garden Island State Recreation Area
NW Angle country club
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.
NORTHERNMOST POINT BUOY
The northernmost point is a geographic anomaly. It is the only point in the contiguous United States that lies north of the 49th Parallel. It is technically part of Minnesota, but it is not connected to the rest of Minnesota by land. This 116 square mile section of land is only part of the United States due to an incorrect understanding of where the source of the Mississippi River was and a mistake made by the first mapmakers in the area.