Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods

Size
880631ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Lake of the Woods
Crappie
Crappie
Lake trout
Lake trout
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Sauger
Sauger
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Sturgeon
Sturgeon
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
Walleye
Walleye

Lake of the Woods Overview

Fishing Regulations in Lake of the Woods

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

  • Northern Pike: All from 30-40” must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 40”.

Location: Lake of the Woods (excluding Four-Mile Bay and Rainy River)

  • Walleye and Sauger: March 1 - April 14 and May 13, 2023 - April 14, 2024: Possession limit six (not more than four can be walleye; only one walleye over 28”; walleye 19 12” to 28” must be immediately released).

Location: Four-Mile Bay (Southeast bay of Lake of the Woods) including the Rainy River from the mouth upstream to the dam in International Falls, Baudette and Winter Road Rivers (Lake of the Woods and Koochiching counties), and Warroad River (Roseau County).

  • Walleye and Sauger: March 1 - April 14, each year: catch and release. May 13, 2023- February 29, 2024: Possession limit six (not more than four can be walleye; only one walleye over 28”; walleye 19 12” to 28” must be immediately released).

Lake of the Woods Features

Lake of the Woods is a premier Ontario and United States fishing destination with walleye, smallmouth bass and muskie providing exceptional fisheries. In addition, the lake’s size, maze of islands, bays and scenic shorelines add to the attraction. The Morson, Warroad and Northwest Angle areas offer facilities for anglers, including resorts and fishing camps. Anglers new to this body of water can find navigation difficult and treacherous. No one should venture out on Lake of the Woods without a good compass and an accurate map. The Canadian Coast Guard maintains a system of navigational aids throughout the Canadian portion of Lake of the Woods that assists anglers in safe boating. Buoys are placed to identify hazards and to mark safe navigation channels. When navigating upstream, always keep red buoys on the right (starboard) side and green buoys on the left (Port) side. Proceeding downstream, the green buoy is to the right and the red buoy is on the left. Isolated rock bars or hazards are marked with black buoys. The provinces of Manitoba, Ontario and the state of Minnesota share the waters of Big Traverse Bay and the Northwest Angle. Anglers must possess the proper license(s) and be aware of current fishing regulations. The Northwest Angle is located on the west shore of Lake of the Woods and is the northernmost point of land in the lower United States. A famous winter fishery for walleye, sauger and northern pike has developed. Many resorts and motels stay open throughout the winter fishing season and offer icehouse rentals, lake transportation and maintain plowed roads on the lake.
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Fish Species

Crappie
fish
5-13 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.34
0Statewide Range12.46

Lake of the Woods Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202215
Lake trout
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Largemouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
0.02
0Statewide Range0.51

Lake of the Woods Muskellunge abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Northern pike
fish
14-42 in
Length Range
24 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
1.98
0Statewide Range19.6

Lake of the Woods Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Perch
fish
5-14 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
16.03
0Statewide Range43.55

Lake of the Woods Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Pumpkinseed
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
0.02
0Statewide Range6.01

Lake of the Woods Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Rock bass
fish
7-10 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2023
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.05
0Statewide Range6.51

Lake of the Woods Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Sauger
fish
7-18 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2023
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
16.47
0Statewide Range37.98

Lake of the Woods Sauger abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Smallmouth bass
fish
11-19 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.3
0Statewide Range3.35

Lake of the Woods Smallmouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Sturgeon
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Tiger muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
8-32 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2023
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
21.13
0Statewide Range16.93

Lake of the Woods Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202215