When it comes to ice fishing Lake of the Woods, there’s never a shortage of action. On the good days, you’re slamming trophy walleye. On the slow days, you’re still catching sauger, burbot, and plenty of slot fish. And on the really fun days? You’re reeling up trophy sturgeon or walleye of a lifetime through the ice.
But as exciting as Lake of the Woods ice fishing can be, it’s also intimidating—especially for first-timers. We’re talking about one of the largest freshwater lakes in North America, with its own set of regulations, limitations, and what feels like endless accommodation options. That’s a lot to consider when you’re trying to plan a trip.
That’s why I put together this Lake of the Woods ice fishing guide. Whether you’re bringing the whole family, a group of buddies, or just heading out solo, I’ll help you plan the perfect trip.
Why Ice Fish Lake of the Woods?
I’ve done it all on this lake: DIY trips, day houses, all-inclusive packages—you name it. What keeps me coming back is the combination of consistent action and legitimate trophy potential. Lake of the Woods produces some of the biggest walleye in Minnesota, and the multi-species opportunities are unlike anywhere else I’ve fished.
The type of trip that works best really depends on your gear, who you’re bringing, and how much work you want to put in yourself. When I bring a big group—like we did with Matt’s Alaska crew, or with friends and family for my birthday—I go all-inclusive. When it’s just Matt and me, or a friend or two, we go the DIY route.
Thankfully, resorts like River Bend have options for both. And honestly, some of the best trips are when we make time for a little of each.
Species to Target When Ice Fishing Lake of the Woods
If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about walleye—and for good reason. But Lake of the Woods offers some of the best multi-species ice fishing in the Midwest. Here’s what you can target:
Walleye and Sauger
Lake of the Woods is a walleye factory, plain and simple. There’s always a chance to score a fish of a lifetime here. That’s what draws people from across the country—unlimited action paired with real trophy potential.
Lake of the Woods Walleye Tips
Early in the season, before the lake fully ices up, I recommend planning your trip through a resort. They know where the fish are biting (they need to for their business), and more importantly, they understand the safety limits when ice conditions are still unpredictable.
As January rolls on, DIY opportunities open up. If sitting in a permanent shack doesn’t do it for you, venture out to popular structure spots like Garden Island, Knight Island, and surrounding areas. I’ve also had great action sitting next to ice heaves in the mud flats.
The biggest key to DIY success? Move when the fish aren’t there. Pack light and be ready to relocate when you’re not finding the class of fish you’re after.
Recommended Walleye Gear for Lake of the Woods
- Rod: Medium-powered with a fast action. I use St. Croix—my favorites are the Tundra and Outside Eye. That stiffer backbone matters when you hook into a 30-inch fish.
- Line: 10 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader. I run Power Pro matched with a Vanish leader.
- Lures: Spoons tipped with a minnow head are always productive. My go-to is the Lindy Rattlin Flyer Spoon (use code nicole15 at lurenet.com), along with a Buckshot and VMC Dangler. I find 1/4 to 1/8 oz works best.
- Dead line: Minnesota allows two lines, so I always have a dead stick running with a bobber or dangler—simple hook, split shot, and minnow.
- Electronics: A flasher or sonar unit makes every fishing experience better.
Best Colors for Lake of the Woods Walleye
Golds and reds work best in my experience. Lake of the Woods has stained, dark water, and walleye have limited color vision anyway. Stick with flashy, glow, and noise-producing lures. I break down the science behind walleye color vision in my article “Does Lure Color Matter?” if you want to dig deeper.
Sturgeon
Sturgeon fishing has put both Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River on the map. While spring gets most of the attention, catching sturgeon through the ice is an absolute rush—even more thrilling than from a boat.
Keep in mind that sturgeon is catch-and-release only during ice fishing season. We’ve caught them by laying jigs on the bottom while targeting walleye feeding on bloodworms in the mud. What a surprise fight that turns into on a medium-powered ice rod with light line!
If you want to specifically target sturgeon, I’d recommend upsizing to a heavy-action rod (something rated for lakers) and heavier line. It’ll reduce fatigue for both you and the fish.
Burbot (Eelpout)
Lake of the Woods is loaded with big burbot. Whether you’re chasing them for their incredible taste or the fight they put up, the opportunity is plentiful. Burbot fishing is more of a night adventure, so talk with your resort about which sleeper houses are set up for the best chance at success.
Northern Pike
Pike fishing is good anytime on Lake of the Woods, but it really heats up during late ice when pike move into the shallows. Catching a 40-inch pike isn’t out of the norm, and it’s the perfect activity for those warmer, longer late-season days. When it comes to chasing flags, it doesn’t get much better than Lake of the Woods.
DIY vs. All-Inclusive Ice Fishing Packages
This is the big decision everyone faces when planning a Lake of the Woods ice fishing trip. I’ve done both extensively, and the right choice depends on your situation.
Go with an all-inclusive package if:
- You’re short on time
- You have a large group to coordinate
- You don’t want to deal with logistics
- You want everything provided (warm houses, heated transportation, bait, sometimes even gear)
Go DIY if:
- It’s a small group (just you and a buddy or two)
- You have your own gear and transportation
- You enjoy the challenge of finding fish yourself
- You want more flexibility in where and when you fish
The benefits of resort packages are significant: warm, prepared houses; heated transportation (not everyone has a snowmobile or side-by-side, and early season you shouldn’t be driving trucks out); and guides who are already on fish.
River Bend Resort: My Go-To for Lake of the Woods Ice Fishing
It’s no secret I’ve been a fan of River Bend Resort for a long time. They’ve got a great restaurant and bar (they’ll even cook your catch), solid packages, and the owners—Paul and Brandy—are fantastic people.
Cabin Options
River Bend offers a variety of cabin options depending on your budget and needs. Their newer additions feature large glass windows overlooking the Rainy River, modern kitchens, and plenty of room to relax. They also have more traditional, fishing-friendly cabins where you can host friends and family. Some even allow pets for a small fee.
Lake of the Woods Ice Fishing Packages
Thankfully ice fishing on Lake of the Woods means there is an option for everybody. My favorite
What River Bend does exceptionally well is offer variety. They have:
- All-inclusive packages (meals included)
- Sleeper house packages (eat, drink, and sleep with the fish)
- Day house packages (fish with them, stay elsewhere)
Their guided trips include heated transportation to your fishing spot, where a guide will get you set up in a warm house with bait ready to go. They’ll even deliver pizza right to your ice house door.
Package options include:
- Ice fishing from a sleeper house
- All-inclusive (stay at a cabin, fish from a day house)
- Fish with River Bend, stay elsewhere (great if you have family in the area)
Ice House Accommodations
The ice houses are spacious, warm, and come with bait ready to go. Perfect for groups who want to fish, socialize, and skip the cold-weather hassles of DIY ice fishing.
They also rent quality gear including rods, reels, bait, and electronics. I’ve seen guys using their Helix 7 units—they don’t cut corners on equipment.
Planning Your Lake of the Woods Ice Fishing Trip
When to Go
The ice fishing season on Lake of the Woods typically runs from mid-December through March 31st (when fish houses must be removed). Walleye and sauger season stays open through April 14th, and pike season never closes.
Early season (December-early January) is best experienced through a resort for safety reasons. Mid-January through February offers prime DIY opportunities with solid ice conditions. Late ice (March) is fantastic for trophy pike.
What to Bring
If you’re going with an all-inclusive package, you really don’t need much beyond warm clothing. If you’re doing any DIY fishing, here’s my checklist:
- Ice fishing rods and reels
- Variety of jigs and spoons (golds, reds, glow)
- Live bait (or buy locally)
- Electronics (flasher/sonar)
- Auger (with extension for late season thick ice)
- Warm, layered clothing
- Safety gear (picks, rope)
Regulations to Know
Lake of the Woods spans Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario, so regulations can get complicated. On the Minnesota side:
- Two lines allowed per angler
- Current walleye/sauger limits apply (check DNR for current regs)
- Sturgeon is catch-and-release during ice fishing season
- Fish house removal deadline is March 31st
Always check the current Minnesota DNR regulations before your trip, as limits and seasons can change.
My Lake of the Woods Ice Fishing Highlights
Lake of the Woods is one of my favorite destinations—it’s given me some of the biggest fish of my life across all seasons. However, ice fishing here is an adventure all its own.
During my most recent trip I landed a sturgeon of a lifetime with my husband and daughters along. I’ve also seen a 30″er caught, giant burbot and even giant perch. Best of all, I get to share the memories with my closest friends and family (don’t be afraid to take kids along!) That combination of great fishing and great company is what keeps me coming back.
Ready to plan your Lake of the Woods ice fishing adventure? Check out River Bend Resort for package options and current fishing reports.
Have questions about Lake of the Woods or want recommendations? Feel free to email me at nicole@nicolestoneoutdoors.com.