Lake of the Woods

Watching a Lake of the Woods sunrise from a shoreline near Warroad

Fish abound year-round

Nearly one third of this 951,337-acre northwoods lake that drains north to Hudson Bay lies within Minnesota, making it our largest lake. Lake of the Woods offers some of the best year-round fishing you can find. Fish the ice early December to late March. Dive right into fishing the Rainy River in spring and fall. Venture out to lake for the warm summer bite. You'll find walleye, northern pike, sturgeon, sauger, perch and more.

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Management and research updates

Population monitoring

Winter creel station on Lake of the Woods in Minnesota

Monitoring angling pressure and harvest of various fish species is a critical component of managing popular recreation fisheries on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. This is accomplished using a variety of creel surveys along with a tag program which tracks harvest of lake sturgeon from Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River.

Creel surveys use information gathered from anglers to estimate pressure and harvest along with answering other questions about angler preferences. If you encounter a creel clerk on the water or ice, please do your part in managing Lake of the Woods fisheries by participating in the survey.

Creel surveys are conducted throughout the year on various schedules. The most frequently conducted creel surveys are:

  • Summer south shore creel survey: Conducted annually, this survey estimates winter pressure and harvest on Lake of the Woods for south shore-based anglers from the beginning to the end of the ice fishing season. This creel survey is conducted at all the most popular ice road accesses on the south shore along with the large bomber services based out of south shore resorts. The creel clerk is stationed at accesses points during this survey.
  • Winter south shore creel survey: This survey estimates summer pressure and harvest on Lake of the Woods for south shore-based anglers on a two out of four-year schedule and runs from the beginning of walleye season until the end of September. This creel survey occurs at all the most popular boat launches, both public and private. The creel clerk is stationed at accesses points during this survey.
  • Rainy River fall creel survey: This survey estimates fall pressure and harvest on the Rainy River from Lake of the Woods to the Long Sault Rapids near Birchdale on a two out of four-year schedule and runs from the beginning of October until mid-November. The creel clerk travels up and down the river on a boat during this survey so encounters with the creel clerk will occur on the water.
  • Rainy River spring pressure estimate: This survey estimates spring pressure on the Rainy River from Lake of the Woods to the Long Sault Rapids near Birchdale on a two out of four-year schedule and runs from ice out until the closure of the catch and release walleye season on April 14. This survey only estimates pressure because the harvest season is closed. For that reason, this survey is conducted without interviews so encounters with a creel clerk during this survey are unlikely.
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DNR fisheries biologists holding a lake sturgeon on the Minnesota waters of Lake of the Woods

Lake sturgeon are a popular species with anglers, who primarily target them in the Rainy River. Lake Sturgeon are managed for population recovery while allowing catch and release opportunities and limited harvest.

Harvest of Lake sturgeon is monitored using a harvest tag system. Monitoring of lake sturgeon recovery is conducted using as variety of assessments and special projects.

Juvenile lake sturgeon are sampled annually in the Rainy River during the late summer-fall time period using gillnets. This sampling allows biologists to tag lake sturgeon, some which get an external tag visible to anglers. The data collected during this survey allows biologists to monitor relative abundance and growth of juvenile lake sturgeon.

Adult lake sturgeon are sampled using gillnets at spawning locations on the Rainy River and tributaries during the spring at sites throughout the Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River during the summer. All adult fish are tagged with an internal tag which is visible to anglers. The data collected during this survey is used to track relative abundance, distribution, size structure, and growth of adult lake sturgeon in the Rainy River.

Lake sturgeon that are sampled are tagged with up to three different tags.

  • The first type of tag that is used is an internal tag that is unlikely to be lost by the lake sturgeon.
  • The second type of tag that is used is an external tag that all lake sturgeon over 24 inches receive, which is visible to and commonly reported by anglers.
  • The last type of tag is an internal hydroacoustic tag, which have been implanted in ~70 lake sturgeon, which allows for tracking of movements without recapturing the individual fish.

Data from all three tag types can be used to examine movements. The first two tag types can be used to examine growth of individual fish based on changes in length between capture events. The transmitter tags also allow the examination of habitat preferences and environmental drivers of movement.

A DNR fisheries biologist holding a northern pike on the Minnesota waters of Lake of the Woods

Northern pike are a popular option popular with anglers, especially during the late ice period when the large adult Northern Pike move into shallow water prior to spawning.

Northern pike are managed to maintain the high-quality trophy northern pike fishery in Lake of the Woods while allowing for moderate harvest.

DNR fisheries staff regularly monitor the size structure of northern pike using trapnetting immediately after ice-out. Five tributaries that are known northern pike spawning locations are sampled once during a five-year period. This survey provides information on size of spawning adults.

A DNR fisheries biologist holding a walleye on the Minnesota waters of Lake of the Woods

Walleye and sauger are the most targeted fish on Lake of the Woods. Maintaining high quality self-sustaining walleye and sauger populations is a primary objective of Lake of the Woods fisheries management.

Both species are managed as harvest-oriented self-sustaining fisheries (meaning they are supported by natural spawning, not stocking). Walleye also are managed to support a trophy fishery.

Spring spawning survey
Walleye migrating up the Rainy River are sampled with electrofishing to monitor the relative number of large adult females and the ratio of males to females.

Young-of-year survey
Young-of-year walleye and sauger (less than one year old) are sampled using seines, trawls nd electrofishing. These surveys are used to predict year class strength based on catch rate and growth during their first summer.

Fall gill net survey
Each September, 64 gillnets are used to sample walleye and sauger, along with a number of other species, from the Minnesota waters of Lake of the Woods. The same sites are used annually to allow comparisons between years. This sampling provides information on population abundance, size, age, growth, mortality and recruitment.

A DNR fisheries biologist checking for zoo plankton and other invasive species in the Minnesota waters of Lake of the Woods

Plankton are the base of the food web in Lake of the Woods. They are the first food fish consume after they are born. Plankton are also the primary prey for many of the fish that anglers harvest.

Invasive species can cause changes to how energy from plankton flows through the lake system.

Lake of the Woods is infested with spiny water fleas and zebra mussels. Spiny water fleas are a predatory zooplankton that like to consume many of the same species of zooplankton that small fish and invertebrates consume. Zebra mussels feed by filtering food from the water column moving the energy to the bottom of the lake and making it unavailable for consumption by native species.

Because of the importance of the native plankton species to the Lake of the Woods food web and the effects that invasive species can have on the food web, zooplankton and invasive species are monitored annually during the summer using plankton tows in both Big Traverse Bay and Muskeg Bay.

Adult zebra mussel abundance is monitored using zebra mussel settlement samplers deployed through the southern part of Lake of the Woods by Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District. To date, no adult zebra mussels have been found in Lake of the Woods.

Management

Lake of the Woods is managed according to the current Lake of the Woods management plan. This plan will guide fisheries management activities on Lake of the Woods from 2025-2035. The plan describes background and current conditions, set out specific goals and objectives, details management strategies and provides operational direction for management activities on Lake of the Woods.

Q & A
How does Minnesota DNR fisheries monitor the sustainability and quality of Lake of the Woods fish populations?

DNR fisheries uses a variety of biological performance indicators (BPIs) as population metrics to assess sustainability of Lake of the Woods walleye and sauger. These BPIs include population characteristics that describe growth, mortality and recruitment and are calculated annually.

Metrics data are gathered using fall gill netting and spring electrofishing efforts and are based on the best available science. This suite of metrics provides a robust picture of the status of walleye and sauger populations. DNR fisheries also tracks angler harvest and has harvest thresholds for walleye and sauger.

Fisheries quality is examined using metrics that directly measure things that anglers respond to such as changes in abundance or size structure. These metrics are examined independent of each other, are more sensitive to small changes in population status and do not necessarily affect the sustainability of the fishery.

For a much more detailed description of fisheries sustainability and quality indicators, please review the current Lake of the Woods management plan.

How does Minnesota DNR fisheries gather input from stakeholders to guide fisheries management on Lake of the Woods and how has the input resulted in changes to management?

Input from stakeholders was gathered using multiple methods to draft the current Lake of the Woods management plan. Anglers were contacted at boat ramps and engaged in a structured conversation to better understand angler perceptions, priorities and attitudes about Lake of the Woods fisheries management. During the planning process, a scoping survey was conducted to gather input on stakeholder priorities. Additionally, public comment was gathered online and at an open public meeting to collect feedback on the draft plan.

The Lake of the Woods fisheries input group helped to guide the planning process. This group is a citizen group comprised of individuals representing a variety of interests, including local anglers, statewide anglers, guides, resorts, local economic interests including tourism, social media and local governments. They also advise on fisheries issues during non-planning years.

How does Minnesota DNR coordinate with Ontario Ministry of Natural Resource and Forestry on fisheries management issues?

Minnesota and Ontario fisheries biologists coordinate frequently on Lake of the Woods and Rainy River fisheries management issues. Informal communication between biologists occurs on an as needed basis regarding joint projects such as the lake sturgeon telemetry project. Ontario and Minnesota fisheries biologists who manage border waters meet annually to share information about stock status, planned activities, regulatory changes and other special topics.

How does Minnesota DNR coordinate with Red Lake Nation?

Red Lake Nation is a member of the Lake of the Woods Fisheries Input Group. This membership provides an avenue for Red Lake Nation to receive regular updates on Lake of the Woods management activities, special projects and stock status. Coordination meetings are held annually. These meetings cover a variety of natural resource topics that can include Lake of the Woods fisheries management.

Can I harvest bait for personal use out of Lake of the Woods or the Rainy River?

Generally, no. Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River are both designated infested waters. Bait generally cannot be harvested from infested waters for personal use. The only exception to this rule is bullheads, goldeyes, mooneyes, freshwater drum and suckers can be harvested for personal use from infested streams and rivers if all the following are true:

  • The bait fish is taken from the same body of water where it was caught.
  • The bait fish is used in the same section of stream or river if the stream or river is divided by dams.
  • The bait fish is used while still on the waterbody.
  • The fish are legally harvested (size, daily, and procession limits apply).

There are also rules regarding harvest of bait for use as dead bait regardless of infested status of the waterbody depending on the species being harvested as bait. More information on harvesting bait from infested waters can be found on the invasive species law web page and the fishing with dead, frozen or preserved bait web page.

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River?

Zebra mussel: Veligers were first observed in Lake of the Woods in 2019 in Muskeg Bay. They have been observed in other parts of Lake of the Woods since the initial observation. No adult zebra mussels have been observed in Lake of the Woods. These mussels are native to eastern Europe and western Russia. Adults are approximately fingernail-sized and can colonize both manmade and natural substrates at high densities. The veligers are microscopic and can easily be transported in lake water remaining in watercraft so it is important for boaters and anglers to clean, drain and dry their boat after visiting Lake of the Woods to avoid spreading them.

Spiny waterflea: This species was first observed in Lake of the Woods in the mid-2000s. These macroscopic zooplankton (they are about 1 centimeter long although most of this length is tail) tend to collect on fishing lines, where they appear as a gelatinous mass with spiky protrusions and black spots. Anglers are asked to use caution as spiny waterflea may be unintentionally transported in bait buckets, live wells or on fishing tackle. Even if the adults are dead and dried, the eggs they carry on their backs can survive drying and may hatch in new water bodies.

Rusty crayfish: A native of the Ohio River Valley, rusty crayfish have been found in the Ontario portion of Lake of the Woods since the late 1960s and now are found throughout Minnesota waters of Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. It is likely that this range expansion was the result of anglers using rusty crayfish as bait. Anglers are encouraged to refrain from using live crayfish as bait as they may be spreading this invasive. Rusty crayfish are very aggressive and will replace native crayfish species in areas they have invaded. Rusty crayfish are a lower-quality food item for fish than native crayfish and have been implicated in the loss of aquatic vegetation beds. Two other invasive species of crayfish, both Ohio River Valley natives, also have been found in the Ontario portions of Lake of the Woods.

How has increasing winter fishing pressure affected Lake of the Woods walleye and sauger populations when people are staying overnight on the lake for longer periods of time. How is this sustainable for the fishery?

Winter fishing pressure has increased substantially but there has not been a measurable proportional increase in harvest or a negative trend in walleye or sauger abundance correlated with increased winter fishing pressure. This is likely due to a combination of resource partitioning, where the same number of walleyes are harvested by an increasing number of anglers resulting in a decrease in the number harvested by an individual angler, and compensatory mortality, where the harvest of some portion of the population results in increased survival of the remaining fish.

Increased overnight fishing pressure also does not result in a proportional increase in harvest. Overnight anglers tend to have much lower harvest rates than day trip anglers. Day trip anglers accounted for nearly 70% of walleye harvest in the winter of 2024-2025.

The spring catch and release season is very popular. What effect does this have on the sustainability of the Lake of the Woods walleye fishery?

There is little effect on the sustainability of the Lake of the Woods walleye population during the spring catch and release season. Harvest in Minnesota waters is nonexistent and hooking mortality is negligible due to the cold shallow water where angling occurs.

There is no relationship between spring fishing pressure and the relative number of walleyes produced each year as water temperatures increase to the point where walleye began to spawn in only about one in three years. Also, catch rate often drops substantially due to decreased water clarity associated with the increased flows caused by ice break up on the Little and Big Fork rivers in years where water temperatures reach 42°F during the fishing season.

Further restrictions such as requiring barbless hooks are ineffective or unnecessary at this time as there is no evidence that any mortality associated with this season has a negative effect on the walleye population.

Has the increase in lake sturgeon abundance due to successful recovery efforts resulted in any negative effects to the success of walleye spawning due to egg predation?

There has not been a proportional decrease in walleye year class strength or abundance that can be correlated to increased lake sturgeon abundance. This suggests that increased lake sturgeon abundance is not negatively affecting walleye and sauger populations.

Short-term lake sturgeon recovery objectives have been met. Lake sturgeon are currently managed to meet long-term recovery objectives while allowing for some limited harvest. The annual harvest threshold for lake sturgeon is currently 11,600 pounds. The current six-year average for harvest is 5,370 pounds.

The number of northern pike has seemed to increase in recent years. What affect does this increase have on the walleye and sauger fisheries?

The management goal for northern pike is to maintain a high-quality trophy fishery for northern pike while allowing for moderate harvest. The proportion of large northern pike has increased since the implementation of the 30- to 40-inch protected slot limit suggesting that it is helping to meet the species goal for northern pike.

There are no negative trends in walleye and sauger abundance that correspond to this increase although there is undoubtedly some predation on small walleye and sauger. During fall sampling in 2021-2024, no walleyes were found in the stomach contents of a subsample of northern pike larger than 30 inches. This finding is similar to other research on northern pike and muskellunge that found that walleye was not a primary diet item for northern pike.

It seems like all of the little walleye get harvested before they reach “eater size.” Why doesn’t DNR fisheries set a minimum length for walleye to let more fish grow larger?

The proportion of walleyes less than 12 inches long that are harvested has consistently decreased through time, especially in the winter. In the 1990s, the proportion of harvested walleyes less than 12 inches ranged from 15-30%. Since 2020, this proportion has remained under 10%.

When anglers harvest smaller walleyes, they are harvesting from a size class that is more abundant than larger size classes. This means there is less harvest pressure on the less abundant, larger size classes since the limit is the same regardless of whether an angler chooses to harvest 10-inch or 18-inch walleyes. Of note, the smaller walleyes have a lower mercury concentration, meaning that less mercury is ingested when smaller walleyes are consumed.

The protected slot for northern pike results in a lot of “spear and release” because it is so hard to tell if a fish is legal to spear or not. Why doesn’t DNR fisheries allow an “oops fish” for dark house spear anglers?

It is the responsibility of the angler to determine if a fish is legal to spear, much like determining if a deer is legal to take prior to harvesting it.

Northern pike are managed on Lake of the Woods as trophy fish with moderate harvest using a 30- to 40-inch protected slot limit. This regulation has been very successful in improving the size structure of the northern pike fishery.

Permitting an “oops fish,” most likely one taken in the protected slot, would undermine the intent of the protected slot limit by allowing substantially less protection for fish that will ultimately become trophy northern pike.

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