Fishing Destination: Lake of the Woods - Zone 5

Locator Map for FMZ 5

LAKE OF THE WOODS FACTS

 

  • Area: 434 860 hectares (1,074,000 acres)
    Maximum depth: 64 metres (210 feet)
  • Lake of the Woods is the largest lake in Zone 5 and is shared with Minnesota and the province of Manitoba.  
  • The lake is an important tourism destination with more non-residents anglers than any other lake in the province.

 

PRIMARY FISHERIES

 

 
Lake of the Woods Fishing Regulations
Species Open Seasons Limits
"S" indicates Sport Fishing Licence limits;
"C" indicates Conservation Fishing Licence limits
NOTE: These regulations apply to Lake of the Woods only.
Source: 2011 Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary
Walleye & Sauger or any combination Jan. 1 to Apr. 14 & 3rd Sat in May to Dec. 31 S – 4; C – 2; not more than 1 greater than 46 cm (18.1 in.)
Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass or any combination Open all year  Jan. 1 to May 31 & Dec. 1 to Dec. 31: S – 2; C – 1; must be less than 35 cm (13.8 in.). S – 0; C – 0; from June 1 to June 30. July 1 to Nov. 30: S – 4; C – 2; no size limit
Northern Pike Open all year S – 4; C – 2; none between 70-90 cm (27.6 - 35.4 in.), not more than 1 greater than 90 cm (35.4 in.)
Muskellunge 3rd Sat. in June to Dec. 15 S – 1; C - 0; must be greater than 137 cm (54 in.)
Yellow Perch Open all year S – 50; C – 25
Crappie Open all year S – 15; C – 10
Sunfish Open all year  S – 50; C - 25
Lake Trout Jan. 1 to Sept. 30  All portions of Lake of the Woods S – 0, C – 0 excluding waters described in the exceptions 
Lake Whitefish   Open all year S – 12; C – 6 
Lake Sturgeon     Closed all year   
 
  • Smelt may not be possessed or used as bait.
  • No person engaged in recreational fishing from a vessel shall possess more fish on board the vessel than the daily limits for that species
WATERBODY EXCEPTION DETAILS
Sabaskong Bay (49°09’N., 94°09’W.) – Godson Twp. – Kenora District Fish sanctuary – no fishing from Apr. 1 to May 31
Clearwater Bay, Echo Bay and Cul de Sac Lake Fish or fish parts may not be used as bait. 
Only barbless hooks may be used and for lake trout only one barbless hook may be used. 
Lake trout open from 3rd Sat. in May to Sept 30. 
Lake trout S - 0 and C - 0, except for tag holders. 
Contact Kenora MNR office for details on lake trout tags.
Whitefish Bay – consisting of Regina, Snake, Boot, Ghost, Brule, Devils, Atikaminke, Camp, Cloverleaf, Log, Reedy, Willow, and Sammons Bays and Knickerbocker, Louis, Cross, Alfred Inlets. Fish or fish parts may not be used as bait from Jan. 1 to Fri. before 3rd Sat. in May. 
Only barbless hooks may be used from Jan. 1 to Fri. before 3rd Sat. in May. 
Lake trout S - 1 in one day; possession limit of 2; not more than 1 greater than 65 cm (25.6 in.) and C - 1, any size.

 

 

Lake of the Woods Regulations for Non-Canadian Resident Anglers
  NON-CANADIAN RESIDENT SPORT FISHING LICENCE  NON-CANADIAN RESIDENT CONSERVATION FISHING LICENCE 
*Includes Cul de Sac and Obabikon Lakes and waters of the Aulneau and Western Peninsulas, but excludes Shoal Lake
Walleye and Sauger or any combination Jan. 1 to Apr. 14 & 3rd Sat. in May to Dec. 31  Jan. 1 to Apr. 14 & 3rd Sat. in May to Dec. 31 
Catch and retain in one day S – 2; only 1 greater than 46 cm (18.1 in.) Possession Limit S – 4; only 1 greater than 46 cm (18.1 in.)  Catch and retain in on day C – 2; only 1 greater than 46 cm (18.1 in.)

 

 

 

Map showing location of Lake of the Woods in relation to Kenora, Dryden, Sioux Narrows and the borders with Manitoba and Minnesota

 

 

 

 

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