By Jess Myers 2021-03-17 17:11:04
As a small-town Warroad kid who loved fishing, the shore of Lake of the Woods felt like the bustling center of the universe on a sunny June day. Four decades later, this primary entry point to Lake of the Woods remains just as incredible as the version in my memories. Straddling the border between Minnesota and Canada, Lake of the Woods is as far north as you can go without leaving the country. Nicknamed the “Walleye Capital of the World,” this massive body of water is one of the world’s best fishing destinations, luring anglers from around the globe to seek out its legendary walleye, along with sauger, northern, muskie and sturgeon among others. On any given spring, summer or fall day, boats by the hundreds—from large-scale launches to low-slung vessels with serious fishing experts and more electronics than a lunar module to 14-foot aluminum kickers with teens—can be seen across the Big Traverse and around the islands of the Northwest Angle as their occupants scramble to grab the landing net and haul in a trophy. In the spring, when the rivers are flowing and the water is cold, fishing with jigs in the area by Warroad’s famous water tower (the one with crossed hockey sticks on the front) is generally great. As the air and water warms in June and July, I venture farther out to places like 12-Mile Reef and 16-Mile Reef, where I look for fish lurking near the rocks, often by using downriggers. And then there are Lake of the Woods anomalies, like the red-hot fishing spots a few miles north of Zippel Bay State Park, where there’s little underwater structure but anglers still routinely pull massive walleyes using a spinner and a minnow. Warroad has changed a bit since my childhood. There’s now a lakeside casino and hotel, a microbrewery with a view of the water and a buzzing restaurant and food truck scene. But the main draw, fishing, remains the same as ever: perfect. "I LOOK FOR FISH LURKING NEAR THE ROCKS, OFTEN BY USING DOWN RIGGERS." TOP TO BOTTOM, MINNESOTA IS FISHING PARADISE With more than 10,000 lakes and dozens of rivers to choose from, finding a place to catch fish in Minnesota is like finding a slot machine in Nevada. » Big water, big fish: Practically a miniature ocean, the world’s largest freshwater lake—Lake Superior, in Northeast Minnesota—boasts massive fish that match its incredible size. Take a fishing charter out of Duluth, Two Harbors, Silver Bay or Grand Marais to catch lake trout, coho salmon and king salmon in addition to Minnesota staples like muskies and walleyes. » Chasing cats on the Big Muddy: While the Mississippi River starts out as a tiny creek barely big enough for a kayak to navigate, America’s most renowned river is home to great fishing for smallmouth bass, walleyes and even the hard-fighting channel catfish, everywhere from Lake Bemidji to Lake Pepin and further south. River fish prefer flowing water, so they are plentiful where streams enter the channel and in spots located downstream from locks and dams. » Landing nets in the City of Lakes: Pulling in a flopping panfish with a view of the Minneapolis skyscrapers is truly one of those “only in Minnesota” experiences. Places like Lake Harriet, Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles are hot spots for bluegills, crappies and even the occasional tiger musky thanks to stocking by the Minnesota DNR and a prohibition on non-electric motors. MORE MINNESOTA FISHING Start planning your trip with helpful fishing information, maps and tips on where to go. ExploreMinnesota.com/Fishing
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