Minnesota · DNR survey data
Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods covers 725,583 acres in Lake of the Woods County, running to 210 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2025. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeOne of the best around15.7per gill net12"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 8466 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 1801 fish
2025Lengths measured · 2132 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1927 fish
2023Lengths measured · 1104 fish
2022Smallmouth bassPresent0.3per trap net1"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 256 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 24 fish
2025Lengths measured · 25 fish
2024Lengths measured · 164 fish
2023Lengths measured · 19 fish
2022Northern pikeJust a few1.8per gill net24"Typical43"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1611 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 114 fish
2025Lengths measured · 101 fish
2024Lengths measured · 127 fish
2023Lengths measured · 601 fish
2022Present in recent DNR surveys.
CrappieJust a few3.2per trap net1"Typical15"Biggest
Lengths measured · 522 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 189 fish
2025Lengths measured · 30 fish
2024Lengths measured · 239 fish
2023Lengths measured · 38 fish
2022Yellow perchExcellent numbers17.7per gill net1"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 98182 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 16111 fish
2025Lengths measured · 43016 fish
2024Lengths measured · 24834 fish
2023Lengths measured · 4048 fish
2022Lake sturgeonPresentPresent in recent DNR surveys.
Present in recent DNR surveys.
Lengths measured · 327 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 55 fish
2025Lengths measured · 32 fish
2024Lengths measured · 90 fish
2023Lengths measured · 72 fish
2022Rock bassNo recent survey ratingNo recent survey rating.
No recent survey rating.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 2 fish
2025Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2024Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2023Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2022Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
SaugerPresent19per gill net11"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 6305 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 1144 fish
2025Lengths measured · 1501 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1092 fish
2023Lengths measured · 1085 fish
2022Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
Recent reports
Lake of the Woods fishing reports
Recent reports on Lake of the Woods from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Open the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report
All Lake of the Woods fishing reports → · Lake of the Woods County reports
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Lake of the Woods, Springsteel Resort & Marina (trailer launch)
- Lake of the Woods, Swift Ditch (trailer launch)
- Lake of the Woods, Warroad Point (trailer launch)
- Lake of the Woods, Zippel Bay (trailer launch)
- Warroad River, Ka Ka Geesik (trailer launch)
- Lake of the Woods, Zippel Bay (carry-in)
- Lake of the Woods Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Lake of the Woods?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Lake of the Woods, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Lake of the Woods?
The most recent DNR survey (2025) recorded walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, crappie, yellow perch, lake sturgeon, rock bass, sauger.
Does Lake of the Woods have a public access?
Yes. Lake of the Woods has 7 public access sites, including Lake of the Woods, Springsteel Resort & Marina (trailer launch).
Is Lake of the Woods stocked?
No stocking is on record for Lake of the Woods in the DNR's stocking database.
When was Lake of the Woods last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lake of the Woods in 2025, the most recent of 36 surveys on record.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .