Lake of the Woods County, MN · Lake
Lake of the Woods (Baudette)
A 950,000-acre international lake on the Minnesota–Ontario border — a year-round walleye and sauger powerhouse, with muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and jumbo yellow perch. One of the great ice-fishing destinations in North America, fished from Baudette and the Northwest Angle.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge & Crappie — tied at the top (68/100)
4 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Lake of the Woods (Baudette).
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Lake of the Woods (Baudette)
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 4 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Walleye Workable day for Walleye. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
- Daily creel
- 6
6/day statewide; Mille Lacs and many lakes carry special slot/limit rules — confirm the lake.
Source: Minnesota regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Smallmouth Bass Workable day for Smallmouth Bass. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 6
6/day (bass combined); many lakes are catch-and-release in the spring pre-season.
Source: Minnesota regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Muskellunge Workable day for Muskellunge. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Esox masquinongy — The "fish of 10,000 casts." MD's primary fisheries are Deep Creek Lake and the upper non-tidal Potomac. Apex freshwater predator that hits oversize glide baits, bucktails, and live suckers. Tiger muskie (musky × northern pike hybrid) regulated identically.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
#1 Crappie Workable day for Crappie. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Daily creel
- 10
10/day (reduced on some quality-managed lakes).
Source: Minnesota regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#5 Yellow Perch Workable day for Yellow Perch. In season 62/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- incoming tide — yellow perch prefers slack tide
About. Perca flavescens — Late-winter and early-spring favorite. Schools up in tidal tributaries for the pre-spawn run in February and March, taking small minnows, shad darts, and small jigs. A classic Eastern Shore "neds" fishery.
Prefers. Water 45–70°F (ideal 58°F) · slack tide · depth 5–30 ft.
Location Info
Water Body
Lake
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Minnesota
Coordinates
Notes
Minnesota: 6 walleye/day with a protected slot on the border waters — confirm the current LOW/Rainy River regulation.
Local reports & rules for Lake of the Woods (Baudette): Minnesota DNR fishing report → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Lake of the Woods (Baudette)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Lake of the Woods (Baudette) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Lake of the Woods (Baudette)?
Lake of the Woods (Baudette) is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Yellow Perch, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Lake of the Woods (Baudette)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Lake of the Woods (Baudette) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Lake of the Woods (Baudette) have?
Lake of the Woods (Baudette) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Minnesota: 6 walleye/day with a protected slot on the border waters — confirm the current LOW/Rainy River regulation.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Lake of the Woods (Baudette)?
state agency regulations apply at Lake of the Woods (Baudette). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Lake of the Woods (Baudette) tidal water?
No. Lake of the Woods (Baudette) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.