Lake of the Woods Exploring

11/12/2023

Those that have experienced living on an island or vacationing at a resort on an island you’re quite isolated from the world. In the Aulneau Peninsula are several inland lakes probably the most beautiful lake within the Peninsula is Lake of the Bays , where once upon a time someone lived there, as there was remanence an old log cabin. If you are adventurous, bring a lightweight canoe and take a summer trek back into this beautiful place that few have been to.

09/12/2023

In 2001 Alicia Colson was getting her Doctorate degree from McGill university. She studied rock images on Lake of the Woods. The year 2001 was problematic for Alicia since the lake had high water and some previously discovered sites were underwater. In 1885 Lawson studied rock images, followed by Dewdney and Kidd in 1962, Fox in 1974, Lambert in 1983. Alicia had local help Melinda Bell and Elizabeth Campbell for photography and had dive support from Sunset Diving. The divers studied underwater offerings below the sites. She found 22 known sites and recorded 5 additional sites. One site eluded her efforts to find it. This site was called DjKn-2, previous explorers also called the site Rushing River III. Some early explorers felt this pictograph could have been used for navigation. Now for the discussion has anyone seen something they thought could be a missing pictograph? Do any of the inland lakes within the Aulneau have pictographs?

25/11/2023

In 1990 we started going on weeklong watercraft trips all around the lake. We used paper maps until about 1995. The first handheld GPS came out at this time. We were traveling with eight watercraft when one had a problem and needed to be towed somewhere between Kenora and Sioux Narrows. As one craft was getting towed the rest of us found a nearby beach to wait. The island had many Evergreen trees, and as we walked towards the center of the island from the beach, we found a one room shack with an old model A Ford parked next to it. Inside, the old shack was a journal from the person who lived there. It was quite interesting find. We recorded the location on our new handheld device. When we got home, this first generation, GPS failed and lost our waypoint over the years. I had pilot friends fly the area, looking for this lost find since the trees were evergreen, and this treasure was located under the canopy of a large tree we have never been able to relocate this past treasure, I drew a circle on this map and I realize there’s thousands of islands in this area but just curious if anyone else is stumbled across this location? 

20/11/2023

Once upon a time there was a little competition between Sprague and Middleboro for road access to the Northwest Angle. Remanence of this old forgotten Road are still visible on Google Earth today there was actually a border checkpoint as you arrived in Middleboro, and headed to the NWA, the road stopped at the old M&O “Minnesota and Ontario” lumber operation right on the US Canada Border. Those that remember this road said there was an old bulldozer buried to the top of the hood just north of Middleboro. Anyone have any additional pictures?

15/11/2023

As the seasons change, I think about what I’ve learned giving 43 LOTW boat tours this summer. 1.  25% of my tours were new people exploring Lake of the Woods for the first time. Totally surprised it had that much history. 2.  Several resorts took tours with multiple staff as they’re generally so busy they don’t have time to get out and enjoy the lake. It’s nice for resort workers to experience the history so they could better share opportunities with their guests. 3.  Some like the cross off every state park from their bucket list Garden Island is a tough spot to reach and people want to touch the island themselves. 4. People that have visited the south shore of Lake of the Woods for many years and want to experience what it’s like in the center of the lake they were amazed only seeing a few boats during a multi hour tour. 5. Some people like to collect things on the tour, such as rocks, they write where they pick them up at for their Rockgarden at home. 6. Bears swim so fast they actually have a wake. 7. Always ensure your iPhone is in a zippered pocket. I lost mine on my 39 tour. 

14/11/2023

There are a lot of cool gold mines in the Hell Diver Bay area of Lake of the Woods that can be seen both summer and winter. Do you know how this gold mine got its name? It’s because of a unique popular bird that was often seen in the area. 

What is a bird called a Helldiver?
Alarmed grebes dive so swiftly underwater that they have been called hell-diver and water witch. The birds may swim underwater when frightened until they reach plants in a shallow area, where they will remain submerged, except for their eyes and bill, until the perceived danger has passed.

07/11/2023

“Ice In” and “Ice Out’ our terms used by people living on islands on Lake of the Woods that have to endure up to four weeks of isolation as the lake changes and you can once again travel by boat or snowmobile. It’s a unique situation for those that experience it for the first time. I often think of the movie The Shining with Jack Nicholson when we approach this time of the year. What are your favorite movies that show people in temporary isolation? What do others do to pass the time? 

21/10/2023

Gold Mountain Lake is near Big Narrows, it's beautiful but quite a hike, maybe .8km. The lake has the beauty of a postcard and if you poke around a bit you will find an old steamer and Gold Mountain Lake gold mine.

21/10/2023

One of the original school houses on the LOTW on Pennase Island, surprised its still standing, very odd cinder blocks and bricks that actually had the logo of the manufacturer. This past summer a lady doing a study on unincorporated townships wanted to see this place and has a page, unincorporated Minnesota.

20/10/2023

If you’re ever near the north east corner of Big Island, this historic place is worth a stop. When you beach your boat, you have to go through about 30 feet of brush then it’s a nice rock climb to the top with a view spectacular and if you read the attached article it has a history back to fur trade days.

11/10/2023

A new version of Lake of the Woods digital guide is available today. If you already have the app, this update is free. If you’re unsure, if you have the latest version, you could search for Kennedy Island petroglyph that’s one of the new spots. The app is available for Apple, and Android devices. Version 4.0 has more 18 places to visit, for a total of 211. The map has been updated for better visibility. If your tablet supports night mode, it will be easier to read. Also added camping locations per user feedback. Thanks to all who support the app!

*Apple link*
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lake-of-the-woods/id1406371253
*Android link*
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lotw&pcampaignid=web_share

07/10/2023

LOTW area has some ingredients to make two unique tea drinks. I have been drinking Chaga tea for the last 3yrs, but I recently tried some Labrador tea, and I liked it better than any commercial tea I’ve tried. I encourage you to Google this “in our neighborhood” teas options, each tea has a different nutritional benefit. Might be interesting for a local resort to try to test market this specialty drink.

06/10/2023

It’s amazing to know as we travel around the lake and see many eagles some could be as old as 32 years old. Here’s an interesting story in the Grand Forks Herald when they were up doing a story for the Buoy Bash & Max Foundation fishing tournament.

The eagle was a chick too young to fly when it was banded June 27, 1991, on the Ontario side of Lake of the Woods by Jim Grier, a professor emeritus at North Dakota State University.

03/10/2023

South of Separation Point on navigational charts and the Boating app shows the marker I went to check out here’s some screenshots of the app took some pictures of the area. Anyone know what this might be about? The term “Nigwegun” is similar to the Anishinaabemowin word for wing so maybe something related to birds?

29/09/2023

Lake of the Woods digital guide Release 4 should launch by the end of October. I will let everyone know when the new release is available . This update will be free to existing users. This app is available on Apple and Android devices. Since technology changes fast, and this app was developed over five years ago, it will require updates to the code in order to support the most current Software Development Kit (SDK) and Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for the respective platforms. In fact, iOS and Android released numerous security and feature patches for their SDKs each year while phasing out older packages.

So, in the end this app will be ready for another five years of growth. I appreciate those who have reached out to me for new places to consider I personally visit those sites prior to, including those in the app also working on ways to make the map easier to read during the day, in the end, I believe I’ll have about 25 new spots and also will edit a few spots. 

27/09/2023

There are several memorials on the lake remembering past visitors, share more that you know of. 1 Gardens Island has obituaries posted on the wall of their shelter. The next are in the Aulneau. 2 Chappie Lake, to see this one you need to canoe up Gale Creek up Blueberry inlet waterfall and 3 Blueberry Inlets this guy loved fishing this area his family placed a plaque on a tree near his fishing spot. And left a cooler with a bottle of Scotch his favorite drink. One I’m looking for I heard there is a marker placed near the boat route between Kenora and NWA that’s on the Navionics/Boating app honoring a medicine man but have not found that one yet, anyone have a picture of it?

26/09/2023

Ever wondered what some of the 164 gold mines on Lake of the Woods were called? Many have the word gold, such as Gold reef, Gold Sun, Golden Gate. It’s kind of funny with some of them were named. 

26/09/2023

Deep inside the Aulneau Peninsula are awesome old trapper trails and many inland lakes the experience is quite an adventure. Often times on the weekend a Northwest Angle crew and Morson crew will meet at Arrow Lake for a bonfire on a typical winter weekend. The best time to go is the last week in January through end of February. Here is a nine minute video that shows the path that I will give guided tours more details on that as we get closer to winter..

16/09/2023

What’s on top of the most northern point buoy? The names and the date of people who last maintained it. Might make for a good trivia question one day. The buoy gets maintained each spring in case you’d like your add your name to the list. 

15/09/2023

Some cool Pictographs in the Nestor Falls area hand prints and natural caves 

11/09/2023

When my goose friend stops by and says Summer is over I’m headed south.

11/09/2023

The Turtle Portage Marine Railway on Lake of the Woods remains closed until further notice. Ongoing mechanical issues currently prevent the facility from reopening at this time.

The ministry apologizes for the inconvenience. Stakeholders will be notified when more information becomes available.

For more questions: James Williams - Resource Management Coordinator

P: (807) 468-2543 - [email protected]

11/09/2023

POW camp. I added a map of camps recorded. Adams River Camp, POW Bay, Red Cliff Bay, it’s known by many names. My favorite camp to visit, but only in early Spring and late fall when you can actually see stuff. Found 2 Reich bottles, the layout of camp they had a diving board, going up Adams River next to the camp is picturesque they actually had a bridge once over the river. Here is a map of the camp and an article about German prisoner Liberwirth that loved Lake of the Woods so much he returned after being forced back to Germany after the war.

04/09/2023

As the lake water is low more treasures found on Garden Island, a nice long sand bar, old building foundations maybe left over when we had Booth Fisheries commercial fishing on the lake and metal equipment. Cool place to visit and it’s a Minnesota State Park. Most visitors wish the MNDNR had a State Park stamp for this location since it’s a more difficult place to visit.

02/09/2023

Perfect Morning to check out Buoy Bash at the NWA today.

02/09/2023

Inland Lake waterfall in Tug Channel is pretty lame this year with lack of rain but here’s a few pictures of the waterfall in a typical summer.

31/08/2023

Walking around the farmers market in Kenora today just happened to look down and see in this time capsule brick on the sidewalk only 26 more years and we could see what’s underneath it.

27/08/2023

Interested in going into Blindfold Lake from Lake of the Woods? Bring a friend, one to stop traffic as you cross an active road. One to spin the wheel to pull the trolley and another to ensure your boat is secure. It’s worth the trip and no boat height limitations.

24/08/2023

Three sculptures were done by artist David Barr - made of polished Canadian Granite, he installed markers at three sites along the Canadian/United States border. All three locations are in the United States,

The Western sculpture is in Point Roberts, Washington, accessed through British Columbia. A pair of sculptures are located about half-way between the end sculptures, at Lake-of-the-Woods, Minnesota, an island accessible only by boat. The eastern sculpture is on Ragged Point - on Campobello Island - near President Franklin Roosevelt's summer home.

Because the long border between Canada and the US lies under the path of the sun as it moves from east to west, Barr’s work is called Sunsweep. The arch-shaped stones, each about five feet high.

Sunsweep is an international project in which Barr installed three geometric sculptures along the U.S./Canada border. Imprinted on each of them is a hand, from Native American art, to symbolize presence. These symbols are thought to speak to a universal language of divine movement. Each one of the sculptures is placed in a way that is specific to solar and stellar connections in that area. In order to get the full experience of the sculpture, the viewer must walk around it, thus crossing over into either one of the territories. Barr gave these sculptures to the communities that they now reside in as a gift of unity and friendship.

23/08/2023

Maintenance of Lake of the Woods navigational buoy system is no easy task!

20/08/2023

Some more vintage pictures with captions and I found an old book that had the story of Deadman's Portage, in the back of Portage Bay. I took a picture of the page, the story mentions a flat boulder on the water's edge where offerings are left, anyone seen this rock??

19/08/2023

With the smoky conditions it’s easy to get closer to bears for great pictures of them smelling flowers. Anyone else have some unique wildlife pictures??

19/08/2023

There is a Weather buoy in the Manitou Island area of Lake of the woods. I also find the Wind Alert App is nice to compare several Weather Station‘s data sometimes different areas of the lake do different things. 

19/08/2023

Some gold mines in the Northwest section of the lake. I always feel when walking into these mines I’m going to time travel back to 1883 as they are spooky. One mine someone put reflecting eyes on the back wall to scare new visitors so they run out of the mine like a Kenyan sprinter, screaming all the way out!

17/08/2023

Witch Bay Waterfall

17/08/2023

Vintage lake pictures.

16/08/2023

Small boats can get into Longbow Lake using the conveyor belt.. Riding the conveyor belt takes a token available at Reddens Resort on Longboat Lake. It’s a pretty cool experience as Longbow Lake is much higher than Lake of the Woods. Next to the conveyor belt is a neat waterfall. . The trick is getting the token ahead of time, I purchased mine when I was in my car and passing by, does anyone know if tokens can be purchased elsewhere on Lake of the Woods? 

14/08/2023

The Tomahawk Lighthouse is Morson’s oldest landmark. Built in 1900, and was operated by lighthouse keepers until its automation in 1946. In 1963, it was sold to the private family who restored it. When we stopped, the family was nice enough to give us a tour. However, I believe you need reservations may be someone reading this could better explain the process to get a tour. 

12/08/2023

Have you ever watched Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons? There are several episodes dedicated to Lake of the Woods focused around an island called Moosylvania which is actually Collins Island, near Flag Island In 1962 Jay Ward, creator of the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon series (1959 to 1964), created a publicity stunt. He originally wanted to buy an island, but nobody wanted to sell. He rented the island from a Dentist (Doc and Betty Larson) from Warroad for $1500. The dentist used the money to build a boathouse. Moosylvania was supposed to become its own state from the USA but Jay Ward brought his petition to the Whitehouse the same day as the Cuban missile crisis, so the event ended. Ebay pins still sells Moosylvania stuff.