For generations, Lake of the Woods has been recognized as a premier fishery and pristine wilderness. This is particularly true of the Northwest Angle and Islands area, located in the extreme western mid-section of this mammoth lake. Scarcely known are the exceptional birding opportunities it offers.

Though part of the state of Minnesota, we are connected only by water or by driving the only road, 63 miles from Warroad, including 45 miles through Manitoba. It is a serpentine route that winds its way through swamps and stands of cedar, tamarack, aspen, spruce, pine, and birch. For the last 25 miles, the human presence is often indiscernible and you have a good chance of seeing many species of wildlife. 20-25 species of warblers are here on a regular basis, 6 or 7 species of owls and 11 or more species of other raptors. Fox and deer are often seen, and those who frequent the road report occasional sightings of timber wolves, bob cat, marten, and lynx. A fortunate few have had glimpses of cougar or brush wolf.

Three major biomes are in confluence here, resulting in great diversity of both plant and animal life. The thousands of uninhabited islands offer a unique opportunity to bird by boat in a spectacular remote setting.

From elusive swamp dwellers like the Connecticut warbler and great grey owl (spotted at times in summer, as well as in winter, by residents) to the busy colonial water birds on their island rookeries, (including American White pelicans, cormorants, common terns, and several species of gulls) to the more commonly seen bald eagle, osprey, pileated, black-backed, and three-toed woodpeckers, evening, pine, and rose-breasted grosbeacks, spruce hen, ruffed grouse, and loon - between 250 to 300 or more species of birds make their homes here at one time of the year or another.

We encourage you to keep a sharp eye out while birding by boat near the more remote island beaches for the piping plover. It is estimated that more than 15% of the American White pelicans in this hemisphere nest on Lake of the Woods.

Sight Seeing / Bird Watching
Celeste Colson	(218) 223-8181
Joan Undahl	(218) 223-4010