Lake of the Woods

The Lake of the Woods is the second largest fresh water lake in Ontario, Canada spanning over 2,414 square kilometres (1,500 square mi.).

Lake of the Woods stretches 104 kilometres (65 mi.) from its most northern point to its southern point and 88 Kilometres (55 mi) west to east.

All in all... Lake of the Woods includes over 14,500+ islands and contains over 104,600 kilometres (65,000 mi.) of rocky, sandy and forested shoreline. The main communities located on its shoreline include Kenora, Sioux Narrows and Nestor Falls.

Lake of the Woods is famous for its beaches, bays, coves, islands and water sport activities.

Some of the more popular activities enjoyed on the lake include boating, sailing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, wildlife watching, birdwatching and fishing for northern pike, walleye, perch, smallmouth bass, lake trout, sturgeon and muskellunge.

There are boat tours, floatplane charters, canoe and houseboat rentals operating on The Lake of the Woods.

Many who explore the lake for sightseeing opportunities say that the highlights of the lake are the lake scenery, wildlife sightings and the First Nation pictographs. The rock paintings (pictographs) are said to be over 5000 years old.

Some of the more popular wildlife sightings while exploring on the Lake of the Woods include bald eagles, loons, great blue herons, pelicans, beavers, otters, bears, deer and moose.

In fact the largest management area protecting moose in Ontario, Canada is located on the Aulneau Peninsula which is part of the Lake of the Woods. The Aulneau Peninsula measures 32 kilometres (20 mi.) long and 16 kilometres (10 mi.) wide. Within the peninsula are 80 lakes and 13 islands.

Many of the islands within the Lake of the Woods are nesting and feeding grounds for bird populations like the piping plover, bald eagle and white pelican.

Lake of the Woods crosses borders between Canada and USA. The lake sprawls out occupying parts of Ontario and Manitoba in Canada... and parts of Minnesota in the United States.

Located along the 104,600 kilometre shoreline of Lake of the Woods are many communities and First Nation villages.

On the Ontario shoreline of the Lake of the Woods are the communities of Kenora, Minaki, Lake of the Woods, Nestor Falls, Sioux Narrows and Rainy River... and the First Nation villages of the Northwest Angle 33 First Nation, Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation, Big Grassy First Nation, Northwest Angle 37 First Nation, Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, Anishnaabeg of Naongashiing First Nation, Ochiichagwe'Babigo'Ining Ojibway Nation, Obashkaandagaang Bay First Nation and the Naotkamegwanning First Nation peoples.

On the Manitoba, Canada shoreline of the Lake of the Woods is the community of Middlebro and the village of the First Nation Buffalo Point people.

Explore Lake of the Woods, Sunset Country, Northern Ontario, Canada

Drive : Travel to any of the main communities and parks located on the shoreline of the Lake of the Woods and launch your boats from their marinas and boat launches. The main Ontario communities located on the shores of The Lake of the Woods are Kenora, Sioux Narrows, Rainy River.