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Most anglers fish Lake of the Woods. Our guests also fish the lakes behind it.

Five species. Guided fishing from Kenora, Ontario. May through September.

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Species

Five Trophy Species on Lake of the Woods.

The lake carries all five species through the full open-water season, May through September. The secluded back lakes are the waters where the pressure drops to zero.

Walleye catch at Lake of the Woods.

Walleye

Peak:
May–June, September
Habitat:
Main lake and back lakes
Size:
Common 15–18". Trophy 30"+

75–76% of all recreational fishing effort on Lake of the Woods targets walleye. This is Ontario's walleye lake.

Muskie at Lake of the Woods.

Muskellunge

Peak:
July–September
Habitat:
Main lake
Size:
Common 30–40". Trophy 50–54"

Lake of the Woods is managed with a 137cm minimum size limit — one of Ontario's premier trophy muskie fisheries.

Smallmouth bass catch at Lake of the Woods.

Smallmouth Bass

Peak:
June–September
Habitat:
Back lakes and rocky main lake structure
Size:
Trophy 20"+; tournament three-day weights regularly exceed 56 lbs

The back lakes are the exceptional smallmouth habitat. Gin clear water, rock structure, zero pressure.

Lake trout at Lake of the Woods.

Lake Trout

Peak:
May–June (open water season)
Habitat:
Main lake deep basin
Size:
Common 30–38". Trophy 18 lb+

Fishes best at the start of season as water is still cold. Clearwater Bay is one of only two limited-entry lake trout fisheries in Ontario.

Northern Pike at Lake of the Woods.

Northern Pike

Peak:
May, September
Habitat:
Main lake and back lakes
Size:
Common 24–30". Trophy 45"+

The pike fishery has improved dramatically under slot management. Multiple 40-inch-class fish are a realistic expectation.

Lake of the Woods at Crow Rock Lodge.

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square miles of fishing water

Back Lakes

Seven Secluded Back Lakes. You're the Only Boat on the Water.

Seven secluded back lakes, reached by motorboat through Crow Rock Lodge’s grandfathered boat cache permits.

It is a rare Lake of the Woods experience no other lodge can offer in the same way.

“Most days we're the only boat. Some days we are the only people.”
Map of seven secluded back lakes accessible only via Crow Rock Lodge

Hatmaker Lake

Walleye, bass, and pike in tea-colored water. Several islands create extensive shoreline and varied structure. The most reliable back lake for fishing multiple species in a single day. 2 miles long. 1-mile portage over flat terrain.

Smith Lake

Pike up to 20 lbs and bass in the 5 lb class. Tea-colored water with weedy bays, rocky shoals, and sunken trees. Real chance at trophy bass and pike on the same day. Strictly catch and release. 1 mile long. 100-yard portage.

Emerald Lake

Smallmouth bass and pike in gin clear water. Extensive weed beds, productive rocky shoals, and shallow bays. Camp record bass on flyrod: 6 lbs 2 oz. Average bass runs 2.5 lbs, pike 4 to 8 lbs. ¾ mile long. 50-yard portage from Smith Lake.

Bass Lake

Bass in the 5 lb class and pike to 12 lbs in gin clear water. Rocky shoals, drop-offs, and overhanging cedar trees. Early in the season, you can cast to visible fish in the shallows. 1.5 miles long. 130-yard portage.

Joan Lake

Bass and pike in emerald green water. An island runs the full length of the lake, creating bays, sunken trees, and rocky shores on both sides. Selected for its solitude. Strictly catch and release. ¾ mile long. 30-yard portage from Bass Lake.

Jackfish Lake

Pike and bass in a dark bottom lake with sunken cedar trees along the shoreline and strong vegetation in the bays. Fast striking fish, minimal fishing pressure. ¾ mile long. 50-yard portage from Bass Lake.

Fox Lake

Bass and pike in gin clear water. Extensive shoreline, bays, and several islands across 3 miles of water, the largest of the seven back lakes. Consistent fishing throughout the season. 75-yard portage.

Since 1980, we have promoted catch and release. Trophy catches go back.

Sean with a muskie fish

Guides

Guided Fishing on Lake of the Woods.

Sean McAughey has fished Lake of the Woods his entire life. He and his guides know where the fish are on every lake, in every season, in every condition. You can go out on your own. Most people who do come back the next year with a guide.

Boats & gear

What's on the Dock. What You Bring.

Boat pier at Crow Rock Lodge.

We provide

  • Fully equipped 18′ bass-style fishing boats
  • Quiet 50HP 4-stroke motors
  • Boat gas and bait
  • Cooler and ice
  • Life jackets
  • Cleaning station and bagging
  • Fish freezer storage
  • Humminbird fish locators with GPS mapping

You bring

  • Rods
  • Reels
  • Tackle
  • Polarized sunglasses
  • Rain layer
  • Ontario fishing license (buy online before arrival)

Pro endorsements

The Anglers Who Know.

Angler holding a brown and gold trout while fly fishing at Crow Rock Lodge on Lake of the Woods, with rod and reel visible against a clear blue sky.
“I've been privileged to fish brook trout in Labrador, silver salmon in Alaska, bonefish in the Bahamas. But for pure, unfiltered enjoyment, fly-fishing the back lakes of Crow Rock for smallmouth bass is absolutely as good as it gets. When a big smallie crushes a topwater bug, you don't say ‘Fish on.’ You whoop and hoot and holler like a sailor on shore leave.”
Field & Stream logo with established date 1871 on dark green background, the iconic branding for Crow Rock Lodge on Lake of the Woods.— Tom Davis, Field & Stream
Other Pro Endorsements

Ready when you are

Your Lake of the Woods Fishing Experience Starts Here.

Five species. Seven secluded lakes. Everything you need on the water. All that's left is picking your dates.

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