Lake of the Woods is a lake occupying parts of the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba and the U.S. state of Minnesota.[1] It separates a small land area of Minnesota from the rest of the United States. The Northwest Angle and the town of Angle Inlet can only be reached from the rest of Minnesota by crossing the lake or by traveling through Canada. The Northwest Angle is the northernmost part of the contiguous United States.

Lake of the Woods is fed by the Rainy River, Shoal Lake, Kakagi Lake, and other smaller rivers. The lake drains into the Winnipeg River and then into Lake Winnipeg. Ultimately, its outflow goes north through the Nelson River to Hudson Bay.

Lake of the Woods is over seventy miles long and wide, and contains more than 14,552 islands and 65,000 miles (105,000 km) of shoreline. It would amount to the longest coastline of any Canadian lake, except that the lake is not entirely within Canada. Lake of the Woods is also the 6th largest freshwater lake located (at least partially) in the United States- after the five Great Lakes.

Recreation on Lake of the Woods

Tourism is a large part of the local economy of Lake of the Woods, and there are many recreational opportunities available on the lake and in the surrounding countryside. Much of the lake is fairly remote, but resorts and equipment outfitters offer options for those who do not have access to their own boats and equipment.

Camping

Minnesota's Zippel Bay State Park offers a wide variety of services including campsites, toilet facilities, a marina with access to the Zippel River, and a beach. Minnesota and Ontario both offer state sanctioned parks and campsites, which can be located through the respective governments. Backcountry campers can locate a prospective campsite on Lake of the Woods by boat, landing and examining the site in person. There is abundant wildlife even on the small islands on the lake, so it is a good idea to take precautions against bear and biting insects as well.

Numerous marinas and resorts on the lake provide accommodation and dining, houseboat rentals, nautical charts, camping and fishing advice, and expert knowledge on how to most enjoy the lake.

Fishing

The stunning international waters of Lake of the Woods and Rainy River provide some of the best fishing in the world. Anglers flock here year-round in search of that elusive record catch.

The waters near the Northwest Angle & Islands are home to a variety and volume of fish. Walleye and muskie are king here, but exceptional smallmouth bass, northern pike and crappie fishing can be found, too.

The South Shore is home to trophy walleye and northern. During the winter months, anglers can ice fish to their hearts' content for walleye and sauger during the day or all night long in comfortable condos. Or they can add variety by checking out the hot northern pike action in tip-up and spearing houses.

The Rainy River, which meanders between Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods, forms a natural boundary between the U.S. and Canada. In the winter, the river holds ice fishermen in toasty houses, while spring heralds a fishing frenzy for pre-spawn walleyes near Franz Jevne State Park.

The vast size and terrain of Lake of the Woods provides many fishing environments and opportunities. The lake is best known for its walleye population, but northern pike and lake perch, as can smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, lake trout, and muskellunge can also be caught.

Places To Stay

Adrian's Resort

218-634-1985

Amenities: fish houses, sleeper houses, guided charters, cabins, motel, game room, bar, boat/motor rental, camping, rv hookups groceries, credit cards, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning/bait/tackle, dining

AmericInn Motel & Suites

218-634-3200 or 1-800-634-3444

Amenities: open year round, hotel, meeting facility, game room, pool, sauna, hot tub, handicapped accessible, pets allowed, credit cards accepted

Angle Inn Lodge

218-223-8111 or 1-800-879-4986

Amenities: Fish Houses, Guided Charters, Open Year Round, Cabins, motels, meeting facility, bar, boat/motor rental, beach, credit cards accepted, fish cleaning

Angle Outpost Resort

218-223-8101 or 1-800-441-5014

Amenities: Fish houses, guided charters, open year round, cabins, motel, meeting facility, game room, bar, boat/motor rental, handicapped accessible, pets allowed, groceries, boat launch, fish cleaning, internet, fall hunting packages, dining

Arnesen's Rocky Point 

218-442-7215 or 1-800-535-7585

Amenities: Fish Houses, Sleeper houses, Guided charters, open year round, motel, meeting facility, game room, bar, live music, boat/motor rental, camping, beach, rv hookups handicapped accessible, pets allowed, groceries, credit cards accepted, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning/bait/tackle, dining

Ballard's Resort

218-634-1849 or 1-800-776-2675

Amenities: fish houses, sleeper houses, guided charters, open year round, Cabins, Meeting facility, bar, pool, boat/motor rental, pets allowed, groceries, credit cards accepted, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning, bus transportation, dining

Baudette Motel

218-634-2600 or 1-800-200-2601

Amenities: Open year round, motel, handicapped accessible, pets allowed, credit cards accepted

Bayview Lodge

218-634-2194 or 1-800-652-2194

Aminities: Fish houses, guided charter, open year round, cabins, boat/motor rental, camping, rv hookups, pets allowed, credit cards accepted, boat launch, fish cleaning/bait/tackle

Birchview Resort

218-634-1693 or 1-800-362-7894

Amenities: Fish Houses, Sleeper houses, guided charters, open year round, cabins, boat/motor rental, camping, rv hookups, pets allowed, groceries, credit cards accepted, fish cleaning/bait/tackle

Border View Lodge

218-634-1631 or 1-800-776-3474

Amenities: Fish houses, Sleeper houses, Guided Charters, Open Year Round, cabins, meeting facility, game room, bar, boat/motor rental, handicapped accessible, pets allowed, credit cards accepted, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning/bait/tackle fall hunting packages, bus transportation, dining

Clementson Resort

218-634-2257 or 1-800-433-6085

Amenities: Fish houses, open year round, cabins, boat/motor rental, pets allowed, credit cards accepted

Cyrus Resort 

218-634-2548 or 1-800-932-2924

Amenities: Fish houses, guided charters, open year round, cabins, meeting facility, game room, bar, pool, boat/motor rental, pontoon rental, handicapped accessible, groceries, credit cards accepted, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning/bait/tackle

Elkhorn Outfitters Rainy River Resort

218-634-2258 or 1-800-343-6909

Amenities: Fish houses, Guided Charters, Open year round, Cabins, meeting facility, game room, bar, boat/motor rental, camping, rv hookups, pets allowed, groceries, credit cards accepted, marina, Fish cleaning/bait/tackle, fall hunting packages

Flag Island Resort

218-223-8011

Amenities: Fish Houses, Guided Charter Services, open year round, cabins, sauna/hot tub, boat/motor rental, pontoon rental, pets allowed, groceries, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning, game room

Flags Far North Cabins

218-223-8011

Amenities: Fish Houses,sauna/hot tub, boat/motor rental, pontoon rental, pets allowed, groceries, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning, in-room phone

Ford's Fishing Guide Service

218-783-7356 or 218-689-1533

Amenities: Sleeper Houses

Fred's Beds

218-634-2170 or 218-202-0154

Amenities: Fish houses, sleeper houses, pets allowed, fish cleaning/bait/tackle

Gibbins Ice Fishing

218-634-1564 or 218-634-1589

Amenities: Sleeper houses, Pets Allowed, Fish Cleaning

Happiness On Water

651-341-3915

Amenities: guided charter, cabin, drug and alcohol free

Jake's NW Angle

218-223-8181 or 1-800-729-0864

Amenities: fish houses, guided charters, open year round, cabins, boat/motor rental, pontoon, camping, RV hookups, handicapped accessible, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning

Jeff's Ice-O-Miniums

218-783-2022

Sleepers on Lake of the Woods

Ken-Mar-Ke

218-634-2072 or 1-800-535-8155

Fish houses, guided charters, open year round, cabins, motel, bar, boat/motor rental, handicapped accessible, credit cards accepted, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning, fall hunting packages

Lakeroad Lodge & Motel

218-634-2336 or 1-866-634-2336

Amenities: Fish houses, guided charters, sleeper houses, open year round, motel, handicapped accessible, pets allowed, credit cards accepted, fall hunting packages

Linder's Hideaway Cabins

218-634-1570 or 1-866-448-1157

Amenities: fish houses, guided charters, open year round, boat/motor rental, pets allowed, credit cards accepted, fish cleaning/bait/tackle

Long Point Resort

218-783-3365

Amenities: Fish Houses, guided charters, open year round, bar, boat/motor rental, camping, beach, rv hookups, groceries, credit cards accepted, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning/bait/tackle

Lyon Sleepers 

218-634-1863 or 1-800-634-3735

Amenities: sleeper houses

Magnuson Properties Vacation Rentals

218-634-3262 or 218-290-3787

Morris Point Lake View Lodge

218-634-2570 or 1-888-303-5085

Amenities: Fish houses, guided charters, open year round, motel, cabins, meeting facility, game room, bar, live entertainment, boat/motor rental, pontoon rental, beach, camping, rv hookups, handicapped accessible, pets allowed, groceries, credit cards accepted, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning/bait/tackle, dining

North Woods Getaway

218-783-7307

Amenities: A remote year round three bedroom cabin that can accomodate up to 10 people. it is handicapped accessible and pets are allowed.

Northwest Angle Resort

218-223-8511 or 1-800-366-2963

Amenities: Fish Houses, Charter services, open year round, cabins, motel, meeting facility, bar, boat/motor rental, pets, groceries, cc, marina, fish cleaning/bait/tackle, internet, fall hunting packages, dining

Oak Island Resort

218-223-8501 or 1-800-669-4543

Amenities: Cabins, bait, gas, tackle & groceries

Prothero's Post

218-223-8081 or 1-888-591-7001

Amenities: Cabins, motel, boat & motor rental, pets allowed

Rainy River Retreat

218-634-9912 or 1-218-345-6620

Amenities: open year round, boat/motor rental, handicapped accessible, credit cards accepted, fall hunting packages

Randall's Resort

218-634-1987 or 1-800-718-9911

Amenities: Fish houses, guided charters, open year round, cabins, meeting facility, game room, bar, boat/motor rental, rv hookups, handicapped accessible, groceries, credit cards accepted, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning/bait/tackle, fall hunting packages, dining, pets allowed

River Bend Lodge Resort

218-634-3084 or 1-800-292-3084

Amenities: fish houses, sleeper houses guided charters, open year round, cabins, motel rooms, game room, bar, pool, pontoon rentals, camping, rv hookups, handicapped accessible, pets allowed, groceries, marina

Royal Dutchman Motel

218-634-1024 or 1-800-908-1024

Sage's Angle West Resort

218-223-8161
Amenities: Guided Charter Service, House Keeping Cabins, Cabins, Pets Allowed, Marina, Fish Cleaning/Bait/Tackle, Fall Hunting Packages

Schuster's Resort

218-634-2412 or 1-800-243-2412

Amenities: Fish Houses, Sleeper Houses, Guided Charters, Open Year Round, Cabins, Motel, Meeting Facility, Bar, Camping, RV Hookups, pets allowed, Credit Cards accepted, marina, Fish Cleaning/bait/tackle

Ship's Wheel Resort

218-634-2835 or 1-800-315-2835

Amenities: Fish Houses, guided charters, open year round, cabins, bar, boat/motor rental, credit cards accepted, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning/bait/tackle

Snobe's Ice Fishing

218-634-1490 or 218-821-5103

Amenities: Fish houses

Sportsman's Eagle Ridge (formally Norm's Camp)

1-800-772-8411

Amenities: Open year round, cabins, boat/motor rental, pets allowed, credit cards accepted, fish cleaning/bait/tackle, fall hunting packages

Sportsman's Lodge

218-634-1342 or 1-800-862-8602

Amenities: fish houses, sleeper houses, guided charters, open year round, cabins, motel, meeting facility, game room, bar, pool, hot tub, boat/motor rental, camping, handicapped accessible, pets allowed, groceries, credit cards accepted, marina, fish cleaning, fall hunting package, bus transportation, dining

Sportsman's Oak Island

218-223-8411 or 1-800-772-8411

Amenities: Fish Houses, guided charters, open year round, cabins, motel, meeting facility, bar, hot tub, boat/motor rental, handicapped accessible, pets allowed, groceries, boat launch, fish cleaning, high speed internet, dining

Sportsman's Sleepers

218-634-1589

Amenities: Sleeper houses, Pets Allowed

Sweet Sleepers

218-634-1582 or 1-888-226-8638

Amenities: Fish Houses, Sleeper Houses, Cabins,

Twin River Resort

218-634-2394

Amenities: Fish houses, guided charters, open year round, cabins, boat/motor rental, paddleboat rental, camping, rv hookups, handicapped accessible, pets allowed, groceries, credit cards accepted, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning/bait/tackle, fall hunting packages

Up North Sleepers

320-309-7992

Amenities: Sleeper Houses

Walleye Inn Motel

218-634-1550 or 1-888-634-5944

Amenities: Open year round, motel, handicapped accessible, credit cards accepted

Walleye Retreat

218-634-3126 or 1-800-726-9042

Amenities: Winter and summer fishing, bombardiers, sleeper houses/day houses, chartger with USCG guide, boat/motor rentals, groceries, bait/tackle, cable tv

Walsh's Bay Store and Resort

218-223-8621 or 1-800-214-2533

Amenities: fish houses, guided charters, open year round, cabins, pets allowed, groceries, marina, fish cleaning

Wheeler's Point Resort

218-634-2629 or 1-800-542-2435

Amenities: Fish Houses, Sleeper houses, Guided Charters, Open Year Round, Cabins, Meeting Facility, Game Room, Bar, Live Music, Boat/motor rental, Camping, Pets Allowed, Groceries, Credit Cards Accepted, marina, Boat Luanch, Fish Cleaning/bait/tackle Fall Hunting packages, dining

Wigwam Resort

218-634-2168 or 1-800-448-9260

Amenities: Fish Houses, Guided Charters, Open Year Round, cabins, motel, meeting facility, camping, rv hookups, handicapped accessible, pets allowed, marina, fish cleaning, fall hunting packages, bus transportation, dining

Wildwood Inn Bed & Breakfast

218-634-1356 or 1-888-212-7031

Amenities: Open year round, motel, meeting facility, fall hunting packages

Winter-Sett Resort

218-783-6345

Amenities: fish houses, sleeper houses, open year round, motel, meeting facility, boat/motor rental, beach, rv hookups, handicapped accessible, pets allowed, credit cards accepted, marina, boat launch, fish cleaning/bait/tackle, fall hunting packages

Young's Bay Resort

218-223-8031