Lake of the Woods at Baudette, MN has the great opportunity to serve those who have served us with a special Pay It Forward weekend.

Pay It Forward is a 3 day/2night fishing extravaganza for nearly 60 disabled veterans is to be held from August 30- September 2, 2021. This marvelous weekend is a special event to honor, recognize and celebrate men and women alike who have served their country in each and every branch of the service.

Fishing on Lake of the Woods is just one way to reach out to our disabled veterans who have given so much for their country and their families. Veterans of all ages have served faithfully and fearlessly in so many ways throughout the years. Many of these veterans have never been thanked properly for their selfless giving, so this charitable organization has been established to be sure that a “thank you” is given. Appreciation must be an action.

Lake of the Woods is a renowned fishery and a very healthy one. The waters are stained by the various trees of the area but these waters are the home to Walleye, Sauger, Perch, Muskie, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Northern and even Sturgeon. The southern part of this International Lake is a huge basin called the “Big Traverse”. Depths are more shallow in this basin and fishing is excellent.

Disabled Veterans are invited to this event to experience this great body of water. Local resorts ban together to offer a memorable fishing trip aboard charter boats free, yes, free of charge!! Beyond the fishing, resorts offer complimentary lodging and dining.

Other events during the weekend include a local all-you-can-eat walleye feed usually held at the LOW County Fairgrounds. The Lake of the Woods Color Guard come to give their salute to these men and women who have dared to serve their country. Speakers and entertainment fill out the evening of food and fellowship. Other resorts offer breakfasts and/or lunches at different times during the weekend. Gathering places at the local resorts also feature nightly music to “entertain the troops”.

As mentioned, these festivities are free to qualifying veterans. The official website is www.payitforwardlow.org. Another place to see great photos and videos of the event is to view www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/pay-it-forward. If you would like to apply for this great fishing event please contact Joe Henry, Director of Lake of the Woods Tourism, at joe.henry@lakeofthewoodsmn.com.

Lake of the Woods Tourism represents tourism and the lodging community throughout Lake of the Woods County. We are a partner organization behind the Pay It Forward event and believe our veterans and our freedoms, as a result of their efforts and sacrifices, deserve to be recognized.

As an outdoor hunting and fishing community, we have a lot to be thankful for. We live in an area of bountiful outdoor experiences, which include world class Walleye fishing, excellent big game and waterfowl hunting. Also, this is the birth place of one of our favorite winter recreations, snowmobiling. We are fortunate to live in a four season outdoor paradise.

Our community invites you to participate in our event to say thank you to the disabled service members and their families who have served and fought on our behalf to protect the freedom that allows each and every one of us to pursue our dreams. Their sacrifices should be paid forward as a debt of gratitude and we welcome them to be guests in our community with out any financial strain.

Testimonials like these have come in concerning the fishing weekend.

“GOOD AFTERNOON, I ATTENDED THE LOTW FISHING EVENT THIS PASSED SUMMER AND IT WAS THE GREATEST WEEKEND FISHING I HAD EVER HAD. THE VETERANS AND LOCAL SUPPORTERS WERE ALL GREAT AND VERY PASSIONATE IN MAKING THE TRIP ACCESSIBLE AND FUN FOR THE VETERANS….THANK YOU AGAIN AND I HOPE TO DO IT AGAIN ONE DAY.”

“THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY LAST SUMMER WITH THE  FISHING TRIP. THE ENTIRE TRIP WAS A FIRST CLASS EXPERIENCE AND GREATLY APPRECIATED. YOUR STAFF WAS BEYOND EXCELLENT AND YOUR GUIDES REALLY DID A NICE JOB OF GETTING US ON THE FISH.”

Plans are now being made to make this a very special event from the fishing to the fellowship of our war heros. Remember the dates: August 30-September 2, 2021 in Baudette, MN of Lake of the Woods County.

For more information see: www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging