If weather forecasts are accurate, Lake of the Woods Tourism Director, Joe Henry, says ice anglers could be looking at hardwater opportunities on Lake of the Woods as early as December 10th. That’s good news for ice anglers who love fishing the lake for both plentiful eater-sized walleyes, saugers, and perch—as well as the shot at a trophy walleye, besides big pike.
“We’re going to have good ice like we do every year,” says Henry. “Of course, everybody wants to know when that will be, but only Mother Nature knows. People do get all excited because we get some warm weather in November and they think it will take longer to freeze. But earlier in the month we had a cold snap on LOTW and an inch of ice formed on the bays in less than a day, so it doesn’t take long.”
Typically, Henry says, the last week of November will see continued ice forming on the back bays as both lower night and day temperatures stabilize. Areas close to the south shore also start to freeze, providing fishing areas very close to the area’s many resorts and outfitters.
“What ends up happening each year, give or take a few days usually, is we normally get our day houses out around December 10th.”
But given the sheer expanse of LOTW, things happen at different times on different parts of the lake, all temperature and wind dependent. The one constant is ice fishing guides from the countless resorts and outfitters are checking ice every single day once the freeze up starts.
“These ice guides are on it, constantly checking ice thickness. They’re making note of where the thinner ice is and where the thicker, fishable ice is. They also pay close attention to the presence of springs, cracks, ridges, heaves, etc. And they’re making the best travel trails where the best possible ice is. Safety is always number one, no matter who you fish with—or out of—on LOTW.”
Henry continues: “Guides may have to cut down an ice heave and intentionally flood an area to create better ice. Of course, the goal is to have four, five, or six inches of ice from a really good freeze.”
For resorts, outfitters, and guides, challenges are non-stop to creating an angler-friendly environment on a vast lake like LOTW.
“There are times when we get three to four inches of ice and then all of a sudden, a big north wind stacks that ice up on shore and you might encounter a 10-foot high wall of ice. That’s where the outfitters’ sweat equity comes in. They’ll break out chainsaws and chisels to cut holes that will accommodate safe travel trails.”
Again, says Henry, the hope is to have lightweight, day houses available for rental from LOTW’s many resorts by December 10th, with foot and possibly ATV/snowmobile travel also an option to reach fish-holding areas close to the lake’s south shore.
For more information, visit https://lakeofthewoodsmn.com/ and visit their official Facebook page for day-by-day updates to plan your ice fishing trip.
