---
type: lake
name: "Lake of the Woods"
county: "Lake of the Woods"
nearest_town: "Long Point"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 725583
max_depth_ft: 210
latitude: 49.30455
longitude: -94.67709
lake_score: 84
dnr_lake_id: "39000200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-of-the-woods-county/lake-of-the-woods
---

# Lake of the Woods

Lake in Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota, near Long Point

- **Surface Area**: 725,583 acres
- **Max Depth**: 210 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3299.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 4.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 84/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Canada

## About

Lake of the Woods is a 725,583-acre lake near Long Point in Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota. It reaches 210 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3299.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.3 feet. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 23 fish species here, including walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. Special fishing regulations apply to northern pike and walleye and sauger, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 4 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and city. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Group Camp and Williams City Park Campground are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around May 3, based on 49 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 23
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Northern Pike**: All from 30-40" must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 40".
- **Walleye and Sauger**: March 1 - April 14 and May 10, 2025 - April 14, 2026: Possession limit six (not more than four can be walleye; only one walleye over 28"; walleye 19 1/2" to 28" must be immediately released).
- **Walleye and Sauger**: March 1 - April 14, each year: catch and release. May 10, 2025 - February 28, 2026: Possession limit six (not more than four can be walleye; only one walleye over 28"; walleye 19 1/2" to 28" must be immediately released).

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground, Fishing Pier, Picnic Area, Marina

### Campgrounds

- Group Camp
- Williams City Park Campground
- Lady's Slipper
- Birch

## Fish Species

Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Lake Sturgeon, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Goldeye, Mooneye, Quillback, Rainbow Smelt, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

spiny waterflea, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: May 3
- **Years of record**: 49
- **Earliest**: 2012-04-08
- **Latest**: 2014-05-21

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=49.30455,-94.67709)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=39000200)
- [All lakes in Lake of the Woods County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-of-the-woods-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lake-of-the-woods-county/lake-of-the-woods)*