Spanning 65,000 miles of shoreline across Ontario, Manitoba and Minnesota, Lake of the Woods is a legendary multispecies fishery with 14,000+ islands.
Lake of the Woods is a premier fishing destination in Ontario. Here's what you need to know: what to catch, when to go, and how to maximize your time on the water.
Walleye season opens the third Saturday in May; peak through July. Ice fishing runs January–March. Muskie opens the first Saturday in June.
Walleye on jig-and-minnow or bottom bouncers with spinners. Pike in the weedy bays. Muskie anglers throw big bucktails and topwaters over weed flats. The south end (Sabaskong Bay) is famous for giant muskie.
One of the best multispecies fisheries on the continent — you can realistically catch walleye, pike, muskie, bass, and lake trout in a single day.
Lake of the Woods falls under Ontario fishing regulations. Limits, seasons, and special rules may vary by zone — some waters have reduced limits, slot limits, or catch-and-release-only designations. Always confirm the exact rules for the zone you're fishing before you keep a fish.
👉 See the full Ontario fishing regulations guide — or carry every zone's rules offline in the TrueNorthAngler app.
Yes — anyone 18–64 needs a Ontario recreational fishing licence. See our full guide: Canadian fishing licences explained. The TrueNorthAngler app stores your licence digitally so you'll never be caught without it.
Regulations, forecasts, and maps for Lake of the Woods — offline and in your pocket. Free for the 2026 season.