When the long, northern winter sets in and the lake begins to freeze, a transformation takes place on Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods. This sprawling body of water, often referred to as The Walleye Capital of the World, becomes one of the most celebrated ice fishing destinations in North America. Each year, thousands of anglers travel here to experience the unique combination of excellent fishing, infrastructure of ice fishing resorts and outfitters, and myriad ice fishing options.

Whether you’re an experienced angler or planning your very first ice fishing adventure, Lake of the Woods offers something for everyone. With two main regions where the action takes place—the expansive south end of the lake called Big Traverse Bay, and the picturesque Northwest Angle on the northern end of Minnesota—you’ll find a variety of ways to enjoy the hard-water season.

Two primary locations

    Big Traverse Bay is the big basin of Lake of the Woods and is accessed from the south shore of the lake. This area, located in Minnesota, stretches about 30 x 25 miles. This is big ice! The deepest spot in this basin is only 38 feet deep, making the entire basin full of life with the potential to hold fish.

Resorts and outfitters on the south shore and Rainy River ice fish this section of the lake. This section of the lake is famous for producing large numbers of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, eelpout and big northern pike.

    The Northwest Angle is the northernmost tip of Minnesota; in fact, it is the northernmost point of the contiguous United States. This area of the lake is where the 14,552 islands of the lake begin and is dotted with islands, reefs, mud basins, and other good, fish-supporting structure. The variety of structure in this part of the lake creates an ideal environment for walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, crappies, and pike.

At the Northwest Angle, the logistics are a bit different. To drive to the Angle, anglers pass through about 40 miles of Canada before re-entering into Minnesota up at the Northwest Angle. Naturally, a passport, passport card, enhanced driver’s license or a combo of an original birth certificate combined with a government issued ID (like a driver’s license) is required to enter Canda.

The other option is to access the Angle by staying in Minnesota and going across the lake. Many take snowmobile trails or use the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service which transports guests from the south end to an Angle resort via Bombardier.

Full service or on your own?

One of the reasons Lake of the Woods draws anglers from across the country is the consistent ice the lake forms being so far north, along with the flexibility in how you can ice fish. Visitors choose the level of service and independence that suits their style best.

Full-service resorts

For many, the most relaxing and hassle-free way to experience the lake is through a full-service resort. These operations provide everything: Heated transportation or access via a plowed ice road, a preheated fish house set up directly over productive fishing grounds, drilled holes, and the snow banked around the fish house to block the wind. Guests simply bring their fishing gear (or rent it) and enjoy a full day of angling.

Guides often check in with guests in their fish houses throughout the day to ensure success and just to make sure things are going well. It is a nice opportunity to check in on the bite, what colors have been best and where in the water column the fish are being caught.

There are both day houses and sleeper houses. Day houses are fish houses in which you fish in during the day and head off the ice in the evening to stay at the resort or various lodging options on shore. There are a number of great bars and restaurants to choose from; or some may choose to head back to their cabin and spend time with loved ones, cooking their own meals.

Many resorts also offer sleeper houses, allowing you to spend the night on the lake for the ultimate adventure. Some call this ice camping. As a rule, most sleepers provide a well-insulated and warm fish house with bunk beds, cooking facilities and restrooms in an area of the lake where the walleyes and saugers are located. The is a great way to unplug and spend a few nights on the ice.

It is sure cozy when you hear the cold wind whipping outside and you are nice and comfy in your fish house. Some groups bring special meals, cook fish, or even bake up warm cinnamon rolls in the morning while you are enjoying some good coffee and jigging for walleyes.

Fish on your own

For anglers who prefer to fish independently, Lake of the Woods provides plenty of options. Resorts maintain ice roads that you can pay a small fee to access, allowing you to drive your own vehicle, truck, or ATV out to your chosen fishing spot. Anglers with portable houses, wheelhouses, or skid houses can set up for the day or even stay overnight.

Snowmobiles, side-by-sides, and ATVs are also popular ways to travel across the ice. With more than 300,000 acres of fishable ice, the opportunities are nearly endless. Staked and groomed snowmobile trails extend from different areas of the south shore all the way up to the Northwest Angle, offering access to many parts of the lake. By law, these snowmobile trails are for snowmobiles or other ice transportation having tracks and skis. Other forms of transportation without skis utilize ice roads, and if snow conditions are conducive, can travel on their own.

For those venturing out on their own, safety is always a top priority. Resorts monitor ice conditions for their staked roads and trails closely, but once you go off the marked trails, safety precautions must be utilized.

The fishing: walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch and more

Walleyes are the main target during winter, and Lake of the Woods doesn’t disappoint. Anglers can expect to catch both “eaters” under 19.5 inches, larger slot fish (19.5 to 28.0 inches) that must be released, and on occasion, one of the many trophy walleyes over 28 inches that make Lake of the Woods famous.

Saugers, a close cousin to the walleye, are abundant and keep rods bending throughout the day. Typically, smaller than a walleye, saugers are delicious and offer consistent action throughout the day.

In recent years, jumbo perch populations have surged, and anglers are enjoying a higher-than-normal catch rate of these tasty panfish. Many perch exceed 12 inches, with some stretching even larger, making them an exciting bonus to an already full bucket of walleyes and saugers.

Techniques and tactics

Most anglers use the one-two punch of jigging in one hole and deadsticking the second hole with a live minnow, often set six inches to a foot off the bottom. The jigging line attracts fish to the area and catches the more active fish. The deadstick catches fish in more of a neutral mood. Some days, the jigging line is hot; other days, it is the deadstick. Both can be productive.

On the jigging line, anglers typically use a jig or jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head, or a lipless crankbait like a Rippin Rap to really get fish fired up.

On the deadstick, a live minnow on a plain hook or ice jig suspended a just off the bottom, while actively jigging with the other rod, works well.

With the stained water of the lake, gold, pink, glow white, glow red, orange and chartreuse are good colors. Anglers experiment throughout the day, switching lures until they find the right combination for the conditions.

Healthy fishery with strong numbers

The past two winters have been some of the best ice fishing seasons in recent memory. Anglers reported not only high numbers of walleyes and saugers but also an unusually strong population of jumbo perch. That trend is expected to continue, thanks in part to a strong year-class of fish coming up in the system and the healthy forage base.

This year’s open-water season was excellent, another encouraging sign that ice anglers can look forward to steady action once the houses are set on the ice. With the lake’s natural productivity and careful fisheries management, Lake of the Woods remains a consistent, high-quality destination year after year.

Planning your trip

Whether you choose to ice fish Big Traverse Bay from the south shore or the adventure of the Northwest Angle, planning a trip to Lake of the Woods is easier than ever. With dozens of resorts and outfitters, you’ll find packages to fit any group, families, corporate groups, or hardcore anglers looking for their next big adventure.

From beginner-friendly setups where everything is done for you, to the independence of towing your own wheelhouse, the options are endless. Whichever way you choose, you’ll be fishing one of North America’s premier ice fishing destinations.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable winter adventure filled with walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, and lasting memories, Lake of the Woods should be at the top of your list. For more information on ice fishing packages, lodging, and travel details, visit LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.