Winter Road River Fishing
Lake of the Woods County.
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First look at the Winter Road River
Through Lake of the Woods County, the Winter Road River cuts its way as a river. Its Minnesota length on the map is about 34 miles. Measured from the route midpoint, Williams sits about 8 miles off.
1 public access give boat access.
Canoe put-ins along the Winter Road River
- Winter Road River, Twin River Access1 ramp, 3 trailer stalls, Lake of the Woods County, river mile 0.2
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Harvest rules on the Winter Road River
No special regulation names the Winter Road River, so statewide rows apply.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
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Tackle stops on the way to Winter Road River
- Outdoors Againsporting goods store, Baudette, 10 miles
- Log Cabin Bait And Tacklebait and tackle shop, Baudette, 11 miles
- Sportsman's Sleepersbait and tackle shop, Lake of the Woods, 11 miles
- Border Baitbait and tackle shop, Baudette, 11 miles
- Steve's Lucky Bait Incbait and tackle shop, Baudette, 12 miles
Overnight bases for Winter Road River
- Williams8 miles
- Baudette11 miles
- Roosevelt15 miles
- Warroad28 miles
Rivers surrounding the Winter Road River
- Wabanica Creek7 miles
- Silver Creek, Lake of the Woods County16 miles
- Rapid River16 miles
- Rainy River36 miles
Counties surrounding Winter Road River
Piscifun reels to pack for the Winter Road River
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The Winter Road River, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county holds the Winter Road River?
It crosses Lake of the Woods County.
Which stream trout rules cover the Winter Road River?
It is not a designated trout stream.
Does a USGS gauge sit on the Winter Road River?
No gauge sits on it; nearby river pages have USGS readings.
Can I put a canoe in the Winter Road River?
Try Winter Road River, Twin River Access, one of 1 public access.
Are statewide limits in force on the Winter Road River?
The statewide table covers it.
Which license do I need on the Winter Road River?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Which shop is nearest the Winter Road River?
Try Outdoors Again (10 miles).
How far is the Winter Road River from a Minnesota city?
Williams, about 8 miles from the mapped midpoint.
Does the Winter Road River have walleye?
No DNR species list is published.
Plan a river day on the Winter Road River
Check the flow and the rules before you drive.