Lake of the woods

Hello

I live in the Chicago area and I would like to do a trip to lake of the woods this winter with my son. We have all of our own gear , but no snowmobile or atv. We would be walking pulling my otter lodge.

My question is… Are there areas on the American side close to shore that you can walk out to and be successful? Looking for walleye, pike, and perch. Not really looking for size just numbers and a few meals, and good times. I relize there is no ice at this time.

The short answer is not really.
Wait until the ice is drivable.

skuman777 wrote:

Hello

I live in the Chicago area and I would like to do a trip to lake of the woods this winter with my son. We have all of our own gear , but no snowmobile or atv. We would be walking pulling my otter lodge.

My question is… Are there areas on the American side close to shore that you can walk out to and be successful? Looking for walleye, pike, and perch. Not really looking for size just numbers and a few meals, and good times. I relize there is no ice at this time.

In your situation I’d consider fishing URL. I think the fishing is better for what you are looking for and the outfitters would most likely tow you out to a spot near shore to fish. Worst case is you walk which woun’t be far early in the season. I am making the assumption you’ll be up early season.

When the ice becomes driveable there are several plowed roads that can be accessed from the south shore for a nominal fee (approx. $15 a day). Adrian’s Road from Wheelers Point. I think Morris Point & Cyrus also have a road as well as Zippel Bay Resort. I am sure I missed a couple. Four wheel drive is recommended but not always necessary.

Last year when there wasn’t much snow on the ice we were able to take the truck out to Knight Island and Garden Island.

When we go to Ballards its a 45 minute Bombardier drive to the fish. I think that speaks volumes.

We stayes at arneson’s last winter and it was still 3 or 4 miles to where they gad there houses. I think you will have a lot better time doing a package and fishing from one of the resorts heated fish houses. They help you stay on fish and provide the transportation out to the fish.

thanks for replies….. Maybe ill pick another lake and save lake of the woods for open water and bring my boat. Don’t want to rent sleeper houses. I spent a ton of money on gear… otter, marcums , etc and I want to use them. what about leech, devils lake,

Are you trying to make a first ice trip? Or are you going mid winter?

I ask because your options open up with thicker ice and using roads for your vehicle.

Leech lake by trappers landing has some walkable ice right now

skuman777 wrote:

thanks for replies….. Maybe ill pick another lake and save lake of the woods for open water and bring my boat. Don’t want to rent sleeper houses. I spent a ton of money on gear… otter, marcums , etc and I want to use them. what about leech, devils lake,

Lake of the Woods (or Red/Leech or any lake w/ resorts plowing roads) are a great option for a Do it yourself trip. You pay a fee (typically $10) to access the lake via a plowed road, and you can run and gun wherever you want!

Skuman777 –
It feels to me that your looking at this wrong.
If you go to either LOTW, Leech, Red, etc. everything can be a-la-cart.
For instance at LOTW, you can use all your own equip and just get a road pass for a couple bucks a day. People are driving cars out on the lake no problem, just stay on the plowed roads. Even if you were to get stuck, there would be no problem finding a plow truck to help out.
The biggest item is where to stay at night as most resorts pull fisherman off the ice at sunset and resort rooms are occupied by fisherman with packages.
Finding overnight accommodations without a fishing package on most of the premier lakes will be hard to find and expensive. IMHO.

a little nervous about driving on the ice. like I said im from the Chicago area. we never have enough ice here to drive our vehicles on the ice. I know its common practice up there.

will be investing in a atv at some point. Thanks for all the replies. Ill be off work the last 2 weeks in dec. I guess ill have to see what ice conditions are at that time.

We drove the Ford Focus out 23 miles on Lake of the Woods last year. Plowed road, just like a highway.
Very early ice (like now) and very late, say 1st week in April, you can walk out of Morris Point resort and do OK out under a mile. There is good walk-to pike fishing near there in Bostic Bay as well.

I have a F150 so getting stuck is not my issue.

Honestly on big lakes expect to drive out. Wait for others to venture first. Assuming fair weather if a plow has made roads you will be safe. It’s scary at first but once you try it driving on ice feels like a normal road.

Nothing more exciting than driving on the ice for the first time. That’s what makes is fishing sooooooooooo awesome!
Just remember, they don’t open the roads unless they are safe.

Lake of the Woods had some bad press when some anglers drowned going thru the ice in a hired Bombadier. In my experience they now go out of their way to be safe. Morris Point closed their road access in the middle of our trip a few years ago in mid March due to deteriorating ice. That in spite of the big money that decision cost them. They had a resort full of fisherman who went home early with partial refunds and plenty of bookings to cancel.

I know page one paragraph on of the Minnesota DNR Ice Safety Booklet states the ice is never safe. But if the LotW resorts have roads open I trust their judgement. We go off road so I seldom drive my truck out as the ATV gets around better on unplowed snow.

One other note. If you do not already have a room booked it may already be too late to get one for a Friday and Saturday in December. The late ice will push demand for the last two weeks in Dec. sky high by those forced to cancel their early Dec. trips.

Just looking at web cams on the lake instead of roads in Dec. looks more like boat wakes unless things turn 180 deg.overnight, temps are barely in the freezing in the forecast for the next while for Kenora Ont. on the north end of the lake.The w.w.w.flagislandwebcam.com is one of the sites I like to check in for a peak at real time conditions. Fish safe

I as well have been thinking about trying LOW for ice fishing. I know you can get a day pass and drive out. The thing is all I have is a car and wondering where I can go or park and setup. I have been to LOW before usually in sleepers, but I know they can be spendy. I guess my questions is if I get a day pass, drive on the road are there areas where I can turn off and park and setup without getting stuck?

The worst case scenario is if you are stuck, there would be plenty of resort trucks that would give you a hand at mimimal cost if any. I’d think anyone driving by would give you a hand. Been there and done it on both ends of the deal.

Curt, yes some resorts charge a small access fee with very nice roads plowed and places off the main road for people using portables. My GF and I were just there and went out of Morris Point. Great roads and a lot of spots cleared out. Have fun.

Awesome! Thanks for the tips. I will try and call ahead to some of the resorts, I was just curious and yes I dont think it would be hard to get a tow if I did get stuck! Most fisherman are very curious and willing to help another out!