A Unique Canadian Crappie Fishing Opportunity By Bernie Barringer

Big black crappies and lots of them are found in this remote area just across the border from Minnesota. This late ice fishery is amazing in both fishing and adventure.


Anyone who has a serious interest in crappie fishing like I do will come across a few fishing opportunities that make you say, “Man I have got to do that some day!” This is a little story about me fulfilling one of my bucket list crappie fishing adventures.

Lake of the Woods straddles the US and Canada border between Minnesota and Ontario. If you ever looked at a map of the state of Minnesota, you have seen that it has this weird bump on top of it. That bump is the result of a mistake made hundreds of years ago when it was thought that the Mississippi River might originate in that area. It’s called the Northwest Angle and it has a rich history of Voyaguers trapping beaver and trading furs. There’s a restored fort St. Charles on one island and on another, named Massacre Island, a monument to the 21 men who were killed by Sioux natives on this island in 1736.

There are 14,582 islands in this sprawling Canadian Shield lake with its boulder-lined shorelines, and millions upon millions of big black crappies. For reasons not fully understood, a small population of the crappies found in one area of the lake just 20 years ago has exploded into an amazing crappie fishery.

The crappies were once sought after in the spring and fall when they could be counted on to be concentrated in predictable areas. But now, a late winter fishery has been discovered that has the resorts of the area rethinking their spring closing dates.



Walleyes rule the northwoods, so most of the resorts would close down when the walleye bite slowed and the ice showed signs of spring breakup. But just as spring is starting to peek around the corner, the big crappies go on a feeding binge. While the resorts are putting away the bombardiers that tote walleye anglers around during the winter season, crappie hunters on snowmobiles and ATVs have the lake to themselves for about 2-3 weeks while the ice is still safe and the crappies are eagerly gulping in their lures.

The last two weeks of March and the first week in April make up the window of opportunity for crappie anglers to experience this fantastic bite. Not only is the fishing great at that time, but the weather has moderated from the below-zero temps of the deep winter. Daytime highs are commonly in the 40s and 50s but the final ice out day is still a month away. Average ice out for this part of Lake of the Woods is about May 1.





I fished with Veteran Guide Dan Schmidt (218.830.8140) who’s excitement for this fine crappie fishing shows as a glimmer in his eye even after four months of hard labor drilling holes for walleye anglers. Dan guides out of Sunset Lodge [http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/] on Oak Island, a fine resort with an up-north rustic feel but meals and lodging fit for a king.

The snowmobile rides to the fishing location is part of the adventure, and if you have not fished through the ice before, the sight of seeing an auger dig its way through three feet of ice and then pulling a slab crappie up through that hole is something everyone should experience at least once.

There are several resorts on the islands on the US side that cater to ice fishermen and some of them are starting to take notice of the increasing numbers of anglers who want to experience this unique crappie fishing adventure. You will be staying at a lodge in Minnesota, but you will drive across the imaginary line to do your fishing in Ontario, Canada so you will need an Ontario fishing license which can be purchased online. Crossing into Canada each day is simple; your guide will call Canadian customs and check in each person in the party. That’s all there is to it.



In addition to the crappies, you will most likely pull in a delicious walleye or two, some perch and possibly a northern pike. Sunset Lodge will feed you well and your guide will filet and package your fish for the trip home. Or you can have their fine cook fix them on the spot.

This is a trip that every serious crappie angler should experience at least once. Put it on your bucket list and go do it!

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