10 ULTIMATE THINGS TO DO IN THE NORTHWEST ANGLE

Angle Inlet or the chimney as some people call it is the Northernmost point of the Continental USA, only reachable from mainland Minnesota by boat or seaplane in the summer. The tiny rectangle actually exists because of a mistake made on the map used to draw the border in 1783. The map used during the signing of the Paris Treaty misstated the source of the Mississippi headwaters by over 100 miles leaving a tiny part of Canada that borders the Lake of the Woods in the US. To get to Angle Inlet by car, you have to drive through Canada and clear customs, then phone US authorities through a Video phone at a spot called Jim’s Corner just outside the town to get clearance back into the US. The hustle is worth it when you finally reach your cabin though if you consider the countless fun things, you can do there.

Why Visit the Northwest Angle?

As you drive into town, the first impression you get is solitude. There are no cars or people walking around. The smell of pine forests never goes away, and the weather can change quickly from sunny to chilly. We visited in the summer and had the chance to witness ducks nesting on one of the isolated islands called Bukete island as well as occasional white-tailed deer in the forest.

The breeze from the lake hits you before you even reach the shores. It is still a complete town with a general store that opens for a few hours during the day where you can buy provisions as well as fishing and hunting gear. The town is also home to Minnesota’s last one-room school and the US’s Northernmost post office. 

It is best to book a cabin before you arrive because you have to tell the customs officers where you are going. The resorts will also help you with your fishing and hunting licenses for both the US and Canadian waters. There are no border patrol or police on site to help with paperwork so you have to complete everything before arrival.

1.      Fishing

Fishing is the one activity that never stops on the Angle because the clean waters of the Lake of the Woods are the perfect habitat for Walleye, Musky, Crappie, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass. You don’t have to be an expert fisherman to catch fish in the Northwest Angle because there are just so many of them. All you need is a good bait, minnow, and a strong line in the summer. Most resorts offer guided trips to the best fishing spots on the lake.

In the winter, ice fishing is the best activity in the Angle and since the borders are not marked, you can fish in Canadian waters without even knowing it. You need to check in with Canadian customs when ice fishing though because ice is considered land. The resorts will move the warm fishing houses to the spots with the most fish. Grilling fresh Walleye is a great tradition on the Angle and you get to prepare your own fish and other meals if you included that in the booking.

You should remember to carry sunscreen and sunglasses when visiting in the summer because the forests also carry lots of critters. Summer fishing remains the dream vacation activity on the Angle and it is best when you have your own boat. You should also make sure you get a Canadian fishing license because the waters in Manitoba are calmer and have more fish. You don’t have to call the Canadian authorities when fishing unless you encounter other vessels or plan on setting up an anchor on any side of the Canadian shores.

2.      Boat riding

If you ever wanted to watch the Northern lights on US soil, then the Angle is the best place to give it a try. The Angle is more than 80% water and only 20% land with the Lake of The Woods having more beautiful islands than you could ever finish. The islands are often uninhabited, so you can choose your adventure across the lake undisturbed. One of the best spots to visit by boat is Painted Rock Island which is the evidence of the earliest settlers in the region and an ancient cemetery left by early dwellers on the Angle.

You can also visit Port St. Charles which was built in the 1700s when the region was expected to be a major fur trading post. A boat ride is the best way to find forests where you can see white-tailed deer and sometimes bears. You can also go berry picking if you have a guide that knows the right corners of the Angle. The best boat rides are the ones you take alone while enjoying the breeze and finding the clearest waters away from the crowded marina.

3.      Hunting

The Angle itself doesn’t have vast forests for hunting so you have to get a license for Manitoba and Ontario. Hunting season starts in November in the US but in Canada, you can start hunting in September. In the fall, the Angle resorts host deer hunting camps so you can buy your hunting license for both Canada and the US on site. On the US side, hunting ducks and other birds on the islands is the main activity. Even if hunting is not your thing, you can get a ride along and watch the white-tailed deer, seasonal bears, squirrels, and lots of birds in the neighboring forests.

4.      RV Camping

If you enjoy Your RV better than a cabin, then the summer is the best time to visit Angle Township. Multiple resorts had different versions of RV camps with common showers and toilets. The RV camps are right at the lake shores with a perfect view of the Northern lights which also come in the summer. You have to pay a little more for the camp but you get to enjoy a better view of the lake and the breeze.

5.      Birding

If you enjoy watching birds, then you can be sure to spot hawks and eagles on the Angle. Wild ducks with their ducklings are common visitors on the shores in the summer and early fall. You will also find falcons and their nests in the neighboring forests. You need a boat to be able to spot birds from different islands away from the bay.

6.      Snowmobiling

This is another activity that will require you to call Canadian customs if you ride past the US side of the lake. There is no virtually no limit to where you can go on the lake with a snowmobile when it is frozen. There is a 22-mile ice road every winter that allows you to access the town and the islands from mainland Minnesota with your ride. The local snowmobile club removes any tracks that are no longer safe to use. There are more than 50 miles of tracks added every winter, so when you visit between January and March, you can ride between the islands and enjoy your rides anywhere on the lake.

7.      Hiking

Pristine wilderness is the one thing you don’t run out of in Angle Township. The state has an established recreation area which is a pure forest for hiking, picking berries, and birding. A walk through the forests and the green grassy islands feels like going back in time. The breeze from the lake is always there with a calming effect. There are also countless rocky and grassy islands to choose from when choosing a picnic spot. The hiking trails through the forests are well marked out so you don’t have to worry about getting lost or having to pave your own way through a jungle.

8.      Golfing

The most modern thing in Angle Township is the 9-hole golf course which is surprisingly well groomed. The sand greens are firmed up every year by the ground managers and are always ready for use when the snow clears. You also have a clear view of the lake and the breeze while playing.

9.      Horse riding

If you don’t prefer riding in a golf cart, there is always a horse stable nearby. Some of the resorts have horse riding tours on the golf course and through the recreation area where you can have fun on four legs.

10.    Water and ice sports

Like all lakeside tourist destinations, Angle Township has lots of sports, especially in the winter when most places are frozen over. You can go out snowshoeing or skating as you explore the lake sliding from island to island. Canoeing, snorkeling, and boat racing are popular summer sports in the township as well.