Lake of the Woods
Minnesota·lake

Lake of the Woods

Minnesota

Fishing Swimming Boating

Before you fish

Fishing rules, water conditions, and access change without notice. State fish-and-game agencies update regulations annually — sometimes mid-season for emergency closures. Real-time flow, water temperature, and stocking data are pulled from USGS, NOAA, and state agencies on a delay. The Outdoors App is not the regulating authority. Confirm current regulations with the state agency, check flow on the USGS gauge, and verify access if a section flows through private land. You are responsible for compliance.

Source:
Minnesota DNR / Ontario MNRF
Depth from:
State DNR survey

About

Lake of the Woods straddles the Minnesota-Ontario border. The U.S. portion alone covers roughly 950 km² (367 sq mi); the whole lake including the Ontario side is ~4,350 km². Most of the US-side basin is shallow (Minnesota DNR cites a maximum depth of about 19 m / 64 ft on the U.S. side) — deeper holes on the Canadian side reach further. North America's premier walleye + sauger fishery — winter ice-fishing for walleye is a major regional economy. Joint management spans Minnesota DNR (US side) and Ontario MNRF (Canadian side); a Minnesota or Ontario license is required depending on which waters you fish, and pre-1909 boundary-water rules govern angler crossing.

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