FISHING DERBY CANCELED DUE TO ICE CONDITIONS

Springsteel Fishing Derby 2024

ICE FISHING DERBY UPDATE

It’s a chance to get together with friends and fish for a few hours on the frozen Lake of the Woods in hopes of catching the big fish that will land us a major prize. Unfortunately, this year, Mother Nature has not been our friend. Due to unseasonably warm temperatures, the ice is too thin for us to safely hold the Springsteel Fishing Derby this year.

WE HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS TO SHARE...

Although there is no Derby, your ticket is now good for more prizes. No derby means we add the fish prizes to the raffle prizes, giving you more chances of winning a prize. 

Tickets will be available for sale until 9 AM Saturday, February 17 at all gas stations and many businesses in Warroad and until 2 PM at Springsteel Resort.

The drawing for all raffle and fish prizes will be at 3:30 PM on Saturday, February 17. Winners will be posted by 6 pm.

Get your tickets for a chance to win. Winners do not need to be present to win!

CELEBRATE AT SPRINGSTEEL

Canceling the Derby doesn’t mean the fun is gone. We are still having a party at Springsteel on February 17, 2024. You are invited to come out as we call out the winners. We will be announcing those at 3:30 pm at Springsteel. Then, there is a DJ and Karaoke party from 9 pm -1 am at Springsteel. Tell your friends!

MN Fishing Opener

Fishing Opener Warroad

Excitement is in the air! Fishing Opener is only a few weeks away… Saturday, May 13, 2023 to be exact.

Some refer to this weekend as Walleye Widow Weekend but we say, make your reservations, pack your tackle, and don’t forget to bring the family for a weekend of fun in Warroad, the only home port on Lake of the Woods.

This fishing opener book your stay in Warroad. We have numerous lodging options. From vacation rentals, to hotels, to inns. If you’re looking for the convenience of being right in town, we offer several motels as well as the city campground. Want to be closer to the lake? Many of our area resorts are located right on Lake of the Woods. Many resorts offer campgrounds including RV hook-ups, cabins, and trailers.

Visit our website to order your free vacation guide & start planning your 2023 fishing opener weekend. Be sure to like our Facebook page for the latest Lake of the Woods fishing report, upcoming events & more.

Photo Credit: Annie O’Donnell

A Taste of Warroad 2023

taste of warroad

Mingle and sample the menus of local restaurants and see what area businesses and organizations have to offer at A TASTE OF WARROAD!

Stay for a 21+ Comedy Hour featuring Mark Poolos by purchasing a Combo ticket!

The 5th annual A Taste of Warroad will take place on Friday, May 12th from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at the Gardens Arena on ice level. Guests can sample the menus of local restaurants and learn more about the unique products and experiences that are created here in Warroad. For the first time, a cash bar will be available at the event for those 21 + to enjoy alongside their food samples. As an added bonus, a separate 21+ Comedy Hour featuring Mark Poolos will follow at 9 p.m.

Attendees can choose to purchase a ticket to either A Taste of Warroad OR the 21+ Comedy Hour for $15, or purchase a combo ticket for BOTH events for $25. Tickets are available on warroadcommunitypatners.org.

Check out the Warroad Community Partners’ Facebook page or their website to learn more about vendors expected at the 2023 A Taste of Warroad! You can also find the upcoming line-up of events happening this summer in Warroad. Proceeds go to the Warroad Community Partners, a 501c3 non-profit for the continuation of organizing future community-wide events.

Discovery and Development Hub Celebrates 6th Anniversary

Discovery and Development Hub Celebrates 6 th Anniversary

The Discovery and Development Hub is celebrating its sixth anniversary with an open house on Tuesday, February 28 from 9AM – 4PM.  Consultants will be on-hand, updates to projects and programs will be shared and refreshments will be served throughout the day.

Diane Morey, a business consultant with the Northwest Small Business Development Center will be onsite to greet any small business or new start-up to explain their services from 10AM – 4PM.  Members of the DD Hub team and coworking clients will be ready to talk about future programs and projects, including the Main Avenue redevelopment in downtown Warroad.

“We are proud to serve the Warroad area and to be a piece of the transformation that is happening especially in our downtown area.  Partnerships and collaborations are essential to our collective successes”, said Brenda Baumann, executive director. 

The DD Hub is also the home office of Warroad Community Development, Warroad Chamber of Commerce and Warroad River Place, the future art culture and event center.  Representatives of each organization will also be available to answer questions.

Anyone who is interested in starting a business, has an interest in investing in our community, or is simply curious about what we do are welcomed to join us cookies, coffee and conversation.

In 2017, the Discovery and Development Hub launched as a coworking space that fostered creativity, innovation, and collaboration. It also serves as a resource center for start-ups and existing businesses to receive free one-on-one consultation with business leaders, guidance for navigating business plans, and access to financial opportunities.  For more information about the Discovery and Development Hub, visit www.dd-hub.com or check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or call 218.386.4148. 

2nd Annual FriluftFest

FriluftFest 2023 Warroad

The Riverbend Skate Path will host the second annual FriluftFest on Sunday, February 19th, from 12 to 6 pm as a fundraiser for the Riverbend Skate Path Maintenance Fund. This event is based on the Nordic concept of Friluftsliv, which translates literally as “open air living” and means “to embrace the outdoors, in all weather.” Activity stations that play on Scandinavian words and concepts will be set up at various locations along the path.

O Lake of the Woods Brewing Company | UTEPILS [Oo-ta-pils], Norwegian, “To drink beer outside” 

Take part in the Norwegian tradition of drinking a beer outside and enjoy complimentary root beer and popcorn all day, served from the concessions hut on the ice. Riverbend Skate Path merch will also be available for purchase. $15 growlers are available for purchase inside the Brewery.

O Doc’s Harbor Inn | SISU [see-soo], Finnish, “perseverance, determination, strength, will” 

Skate with Elsa and Olaf of Arendelle from 12-1 pm at this event co-sponsored by ECFE, Skater Tots, and Sisters & Sparkles. Then it’s time to get competitive with Boot Bash, a youth boot hockey tournament sponsored by TruNorth Realty at 1 pm. Sign up your team on our website!
Cocoa and marshmallows available for roasting throughout the day. Hot dog lunch will be offered by F.R.E.D. Robotics from 12-2 pm. Enjoy free snowshoe rentals from 12-2 pm and skates, XC skis, and kicksled rentals are available.

O Lake of the Woods Run Club | Fun Run

Meet at the Brewery docks at 12 pm and enjoy a fun run for all ages on the Path. End with a warm cup of cocoa at Doc’s River Rink.

O Lake of the Woods Coffee Company | FIKA [fee-ka], Swedish, “coffee and cake with friends” 

Skate over to the docks at Lake of the Woods Coffee Company to practice Fika and warm up with hot coffee, traditional nonalcoholic glögg, and Scandinavian goodies for a free will offering. 

Donations of Scandinavian goods (or any baked goods one wishes to donate) are welcome with all proceeds going to the Riverbend Skate Path Maintenance Fund.

O Doug’s Supermarket | SMÖRGÅSBORD [smor-gahs-bord], Swedish, “buffet”

Doug’s Supermarket will be preparing a delicious feast at Lake of the Woods Brewing Company from 4-6 pm.

Menu: Parmesan crusted walleye with rice pilaf and vegetable – $14.99. Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, and vegetable – $12.99. Sauerkraut and Kielbasa meal – $12.99. Pretzel bites with beer cheese – $7.99. Mini Cinnabons and Rosettes – $5.99 (Menu is subject to change)

O Northern Toboggan | MORO I SNØEN [moro ee snawn], Norwegian, “Fun in the snow”  

Available 1-4 pm. Take a toboggan ride behind a snowmobile or try out NTC Toboggans by the docks at Lake of the Woods Brewery. Better yet, make a pair of your own snowshoes with Folk School Warroad the morning of the event! 

O Landin’s Landing | HYGGE [hoo-ga], Danish, “comfort and coziness” 

If you need to rest throughout the day, stop by Landin’s Landing and take a load off! The owners of this Warroad River property have created a beautiful, cozy space for you to relax and recharge!

To close out the night, pick up a battery-operated candle from huts at Doc’s Harbor Inn and Lake of the Woods Brewery and enjoy a candlelight skate at 5:30 pm.

This event is co-sponsored by Warroad Community Partners and local businesses and organizations and serves as a fundraiser for the Riverbend Skate Path Maintenance Fund. Except where noted, activities offered are free of charge with free-will donations gladly accepted. Should the ice conditions deem the skate path unsafe, event will be held outside Lake of the Woods Brewery. For the most up-to-date information on this event, visit riverbendskatepath.com.

Yeti Fest 2023

Yeti Fest Warroad 2023

Yeti Fest is scheduled for Saturday, March 18. More details will be coming soon.

Etta’s Bin

Etta's Bin Warroad, MN

Have you ever slept in a grain bin?

Established in 2022, Etta’s Bin is truly a one-of-a-kind place to relax & unwind while staying in Warroad.

Etta's Bin Warroad, MN

Featuring 1,700 sq. ft. of living space and room to sleep 10 guests, this 36’ grain bin has been designed for couples, families, and large groups to enjoy great amenities and a fun experience, staying in a grain bin.

Etta's Bin Warroad

The main level open-concept accommodations feature a living room and a kitchen with a built-in 8-seat island. The master bedroom on the lower level has a king-size bed. There are two bathrooms in the bin. One has a walk-in shower toilet vanity. The second bathroom has tub/shower toilet and two vanities. Washer and dryer are also on the main level. Heap upstairs to the loft with four twin beds, a queen bed, game table, kids’ corner, and a coffee bar.

 

The 20’ circular fire pit patio is a great outdoor space to relax, roast s’mores, and witness the amazing sunsets.

Guests are treated to Aveda products and a hot tub to relax in after a day of fishing, shopping, hockey, exploring nearby trails and more. Click here to book your stay.

Photo credit: Carmen Hontvet

The Woods Goods Fishing Tournament

2023 Summer Fishing Tournament

2023 Summer Fishing Tournament

Registration for The Woods Goods Annual tournament has begun. This is the tournament’s 24th year. Click below to register your team, then visit our lodging page to make your Warroad lodging reservations.

Eligibility: Fishermen 18 years old and older may compete in the tournament. Persons under 18 may participate only as a teammate of a person that is 18 or older. All entries must be two person teams. Boat numbers will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. There is room for 125 boats in this tournament. Entry forms must be received by 6:00 p.m., July 15. Refunds will not be issued after July 1, 2023.

Price: $250/team

Prizes will be based on the total length of the teams 5 longest Walleye and on the single heaviest Walleye (for optional largest Walleye contest). The single heaviest Walleye must be included in the stringer of 5 fish. Only 5 wWalleye can be scored. Ties will be broken by the individual length of the longest fish between the two catches. The next longest fish from each respective catch will determine ties between the longest walleyes. Cash prizes for top 12 teams are based on an 80% pay back; if the field of participants is less than 125, amounts will be adjusted accordingly.

Cash Prizes are as follows:
1st place $5100
2nd place $4100
3rd place $3500
4th place $3200
5th place $2900
6th place $1600
Visit the official page for prizes for 7th – 12th place.

Heaviest Walleye – $1,000

Awards Ceremony will be held at the Lake of the Woods Brewery. Social at 5pm with awards at 6pm.

Saturday, July 15, 2023 – 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
(Alternate date: Sunday, July 16)

  • Lake of the Woods (Muskeg Bay, Warroad, MN)
  • $125.00 Per Person Entry Fee/2 Person Team
  • Limited to 125 teams

Hockey Day Minnesota 2024 Warroad Logo Presentation

Hockey Day Minnesota 2024 Warroad

“The Wild creative team did an amazing job capturing what makes Warroad, Warroad. We are truly grateful for the support and look forward hosting Minnesota Hockey Day in January 2024!”

Hockeytown USA

This past July, shortly before the tee-off at the annual Warroad Celebrity Golf tournament, the Minnesota Wild, along with Bally Sports North and Minnesota Hockey, announced Warroad will host Hockey Day Minnesota 2024, presented by UnitedHealthcare.

Warroad’s festivities will be part of a day-long television event broadcast on Bally Sports North, designed to celebrate the game from peewees to pros. Proceeds of the event will benefit Warroad’s Area Hockey Association in an effort to grow the game through youth hockey.

Get Your #HDM24 Gear

Click here to get your Hockey Day Minnesota merchandise.

What You Need To Know

  1. What is Hockey Day Minnesota?
    • Hockey Day Minnesota originated in 2007 by the Minnesota Wild to celebrate the game that has made Minnesota the “State of Hockey”. It is produced in partnership with Bally Sports North, Minnesota Hockey, and a local community that serves as the host each year. Previous locations include Baudette Bay (2007, 2008), Phalen Park (2009), Hermantown (2010), Moorhead (2011), Minnetonka (2012), Grand Rapids (2013), Elk River (2014), Saint Paul (2015), Duluth (2016), Stillwater (2017), St. Cloud (2018), Bemidji (2019), Minneapolis (2020), Guidant John Rose MN Oval (2021), Mankato (2022) and White Bear Township (2023). 
  2. What is a Local Organization Committee (LOC) and who is involved?
    • A LOC is the local planning team responsible for designing a Hockey Day Minnesota experience that is unique to the host community, highlights the sport of hockey in a way that honors traditions and showcases how hockey can impact lives locally, statewide, and beyond. There are some base requirements that must be met, and the LOC works very closely with the Minnesota Wild and Bally Sports North to ensure we remain in alignment as planning gets underway.
    • Members of the Warroad LOC include Tad Palmquist, co-chair; Brenda Baumann, co-chair; Brian Erickson (Finance & Sponsorships), Michele Jackson (Project Manager), Jared Olafson (Grounds and Logistics), Jude Boulianne (Grounds and Logistics), Meg Comstock (Village Experience), Jessie Anthony (Hospitality), Mark Chamernick (Volunteers), Darrell “Son” Shaugabay (Native American Heritage), and Sarah Homme (Village Experience-Riverbend Skate Path).
  3. Why is the announcement made so far in advance?
    • Hosting Hockey Day takes an incredible amount of planning. With the support of the Minnesota Wild and Bally Sports North, we were able to announce early so that we could plan openly and start to establish relationships with key vendors and suppliers, secure sponsorships, create needed infrastructure and get the community involved and excited! We are grateful to the Minnesota Wild and Bally Sports North to see the benefits of early announcements.
  4. Where will the site be located for Hockey Day Minnesota 2024?
    • The site for Hockey Day Minnesota will be the Warroad athletic complex along Elk Street. We are working on a master plan with all the essential stakeholders and know it will take a few revisions before it is final.    
    • When selecting the site, we toured several potential sites with the Wild and Bally Sports North including the Point. Multiple factors played into a collective decision to use the athletic complex:
    • The athletic complex has much of the fencing, multiple access points, lighting, and parking options that are required for an expected attendance of between 5,000 – 10,000 people based on previous HDMs.
    • The proximity of the school and Gardens/Olympic arenas will be helpful as staging areas for Bally Sports North and other media and support staff.
    • Bally Sports North has extensive requirements for access to both power sources and high-speed internet connections, both of which have much closer access points at the athletic complex.
    • One of the key background shots that Bally Sports North wants for the event is the Warroad water tower with the iconic hockey sticks. They indicated that they will be able to get this shot with their booms, etc. from the athletic complex.
    • The Athletic complex is much closer to many of the lodging options.
    • One of the key requirements is that we use artificial ice to prevent cracks from too hot or in our case too cold of a rink
  5. Who decides the hockey matchups for Hockey Day?
    • Game matchups are determined by the Minnesota Wild, Bally Sports North and Minnesota Hockey. The Local Organizing Committee can provide input and make recommendations. The official invitations to hockey teams will be made by the Minnesota Wild and are announced to the public six months prior to the event.
  6. What is it going to take to pull this off?
    • Hosting Hockey Day Minnesota in 2024 will be the largest event that the community of Warroad has experienced. It will take a tremendous amount of effort. The LOC plans to reach out to as many local service and hockey organizations as possible to gather ideas and seek support. It will take a village to pull this off, we have a great one!
  7. How can I get involved?
  8. Where can I get more information?
    • For the short term, please feel free to contact any one of Local Organizing Committee members or email whockeytownusa@gmail.com. As more information becomes available, we will be posting locally to the Warroad Hockey website and utilizing the Warroad Hockeytown USA Facebook, Instagram, and twitter accounts as needed.
    • The Minnesota Wild has established dedicated website www.hockeydaymn.com where most of the official communications will be housed. Right now, it is focused on HDM2023, supporting White Bear Lake Township. We will let you know when information about HDM2024 in Warroad goes live.

2023 Ice Fishing Derby Tickets On Sale Now

Get your tickets and plan to trip to Warroad, MN for a chance to win over $30,000 in cash & prizes at the 2023 Springsteel Resort & Warroad Chamber of Commerce Fishing Derby Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.

Derby tickets make great stocking stuffers, secret Santa gifts, teacher gifts, gifts for mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, siblings, friends and the list goes on and on.

Warroad Locations:
Holiday East & West, Cenex, The Woods Goods, North Country Convenience, Doug’s Supermarket, & Springsteel Resort.
More locations will be added in the coming weeks.

Roseau Locations:
Denny’s Outdoor Sports
Roseau Holiday

Greenbush Locations
Rivers Edge Salon
American Legion