This may be the wrong time of year to post a question about Northern Minnesota, since getting a boat across the lake would probably require nothing more than tire chains and a full tank of gas in my truck, but does anyone have experience sailing the U.S. side of Lake of the Woods? I saw an old post about the LOWISA Regatta, but it appears to be more in the northern part of the lake, which I understand is quite different.
I spent summers here as a kid, just east of Long Point, and I remember a lot of sand bars and shallow water pretty far from the shore. I'm thinking about returning this summer, and towing my with me, but i don't know how safe it is to sail the southern part of the lake. I only remember seeing small powerboats. I'm not a very experienced sailor, and would appreciate any first-hand information you might have, as well as general suggestions for lake sailing, and how (or if) it's significantly different from the Pacific.
I was raised by the Lake of the Woods on the Canadian side. We use to go swimming in I think it was called East Baintree which was a piece of Canadian land on the American side of the Lake. I don't think we had to pass customs to go there. I use to rent houseboats in Kenora Ontario and motor around the 1000 islands of the Lake of the Woods for long weekends. It was marvelous. The thousands of deserted islands with beautiful beaches permitted us to beach and make camp fires on the islands. The waters should be perfect for a MacGregor with its shallow draft. It was easy to get lost between the islands, which I did in the skiff but that's another story.
Q1
This sounds like a great lake to explore! They say it has 65,000 miles of shore line, 55 miles wide and 90 miles long plus 14,582 islands. I will have to put this on my places to visit.
Here is a great site with lots of info for cursing the lake. They also have a Google Earth place marks file that shows recommended overnight protected anchorages, remote sand beaches for swimming, marinas and public launch sites. http://www.lakeofthewoods-escape.com/lake_info.shtml
I was born and raised in Minnesota and have spent one vacation in the Canadian Confederacy side know as Minnesota. I wasn't into sailing at the time, just fishing, girls, and making fun of Canadians eh! I will tell you if you don't get a fishing license and bring your fishing pole you are 100% wrong. That lake is in the top 10 best fresh water fishing spots in the country. It has everything from bluegills, croppies, northern pike, walleyes, small mouth bass, and sturgeon. However there is a down side to everything and here it is you need to bath in mosquito repellant. You can bring all the latest products you want but deet is what you need. Those mosquitoes are huge and can take the Northern Minnesota summer night time temperatures in the 40s and 50s Fahrenheit in stride. Camp fires do not keep them away. My have times changed for me since then now I am into sailing, fishing, beer, and making fun of Canadians eh! oh and just in case she reads this my wife too.
I went charter fishing there 4 years ago. Fished the lake for 4 days straight. It was the best charter i have ever gone on! Fantastic fishing. Walleye and saugeye. We fished all over the lake and beached on islands for lunch. I don't recall to many sandbars; could be wrong. I did drift fish submerged rock structures though. This is what i would be worried about! Checked the depth/fish finder regularly. I could see how it would be easy to be disoriented on this lake. Lots of islands. Lots of open water as well.
The forth day out we had electrical issues and needed a jump after lunch! We were 30 miles out! Luckily the Captain was able to get a hold of someone on the VHF; barely. We shut everything off and he limped us back. Best trip ever!
I would highly recommend it to anyone. I never thought of taking a Mac up there; i'll have to think about trekking from syracuse ( mac heaven). I went in August and don"t recall the mosquitos being that bad. For those that have never lived that far north; be forewarned. The mosquitos can be bad day and night! I lived in Minot for 3 years. I learned about all the different breeds! Being from Upstate NY (Central) i'm just used to the night time mosquitos.
Okay, I just read an article in this month's Cruising World magazine about the annual Lake of the Woods Regatta. It looks to be in August of every year. I'm considering the regatta for my summer trip in 2014. It looks like a great time. It's 1600 miles one way from Charleston, SC and I have a rule that the total road time can't be longer than the total hull wet time. But I figure if Mastreb can trailer across country for the MUCK-About in the Chesapeake then I should be able to suck it up. Have any Mac sailors participated in the regatta?
Born and raised in Mn, I've fished both side of the border on LOW. Canada definitely got the better deal on boundry lines, like Ontario needed more shoreline and islands . I have not sailed LOW, but plan to hit the regatta in 14. Lake maps are good, but there are plenty of uncharted rocks lurking just below the surface; probably a good idea to go with a group. Fishing is better, but bugs are worse earlier in the summer and the water is a bit chilly for swimming. Anchoring out or camping on the windward side of an island will minimize the bugs. Further east, the border lakes, Rainey, Crane, and Kabetogama make up the Voyageur national park, which offers boat in ONLY camping. Lots of great water to explore and tasty walleye pursue.
with me, but i don't know how safe it is to sail the southern part of the lake. I only remember seeing small powerboats. I'm not a very experienced sailor, and would appreciate any first-hand information you might have, as well as general suggestions for lake sailing, and how (or if) it's significantly different from the Pacific.
. I have not sailed LOW, but plan to hit the regatta in 14. Lake maps are good, but there are plenty of uncharted rocks lurking just below the surface; probably a good idea to go with a group. Fishing is better, but bugs are worse earlier in the summer and the water is a bit chilly for swimming. Anchoring out or camping on the windward side of an island will minimize the bugs. Further east, the border lakes, Rainey, Crane, and Kabetogama make up the Voyageur national park, which offers boat in ONLY camping. Lots of great water to explore and tasty walleye pursue.