Lake of the Woods Tourism is excited to announce the launch of a new wave buoy system across Lake of the Woods, a major step forward in safety, planning, and visitor experience on one of the largest freshwater lakes in the U.S.

This project began with extensive outreach to various organizations and agencies in search of support and funding. However, because Lake of the Woods is not classified as one of the Great Lakes, many of the funding programs were not available. Other organizations simply didn't have the funding or directed the project to other organizations. That’s when Lake of the Woods Tourism stepped up and took on the initiative directly.

“As the destination marketing and management organization for the region, we are proud to take the lead on this important resource,” said Joe Henry, Executive Director of Lake of the Woods Tourism. “These wave buoys will be helpful for anglers, charter captains, and recreational boaters to make smart, safe decisions. It also drives valuable traffic to our website, which benefits the lodging and tourism businesses in the area.”

Where Are the Buoys Located?

Three wave buoys have been strategically placed across Lake of the Woods. Two are currently active and providing real-time wave height data, with the third expected to come online in the near future. The buoys can be accessed at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/wavebuoys

• Big Traverse Bay West – Located north of Long Point
  Coordinates: N 49 02.295, W094 57.466 (Coming online soon)
• Big Traverse Bay East – Approximately 4.5 miles NNE of Zippel Bay
  Coordinates: N 48 93.296, W094.84010
• NW Angle – Currently positioned north of 4 Blocks
  Coordinates: N 49 16.248, W094.52.514

Real-World Uses of the Wave Buoy System

• A guest wants to know if it’s safe to cross the lake to the NW Angle.
• A fishing guide is planning the best strategy for the day based on offshore wave conditions.
• An angler who loves Lake of the Woods in Nebraska just wants to check in on what the wave heights on the lake look like today.

These buoys provide a unique glimpse into current lake conditions and are an invaluable resource for locals and visitors alike.

Cell Signal Consideration

Wave buoys transmit data via a cellular signal. While many updates are current, there may occasionally be short delays in data transmission due to limited cell coverage in certain areas of the lake. Despite this, recent readings are typically available and offer a helpful picture of what’s happening offshore.

A Special Tribute to Jerry L. Hennum

This project would not be possible without the support of the Jerry L. Hennum Memorial Fund. During the planning of the buoy project, Lake of the Woods lost one of its champions—Jerry Hennum, a longtime resort owner, board member of Lake of the Woods Tourism, and charter captain.

“A sincere thank you goes out to the Hennum Family and the Jerry L. Hennum Memorial Fund for significant contributions to this project. Jerry was a longtime resort owner, Lake of the Woods Tourism board member, charter captain, and a leader at both the South Shore and the NW Angle. In his younger years at Riverview Resort, he was known as ‘the best dock boy that ever lived.’ His legacy lives on.”

Jerry’s passion for Lake of the Woods and dedication to tourism continues to make a difference.

Help Spread the Word

We encourage all area resorts, guides, and tourism partners to share the wave buoy page with their guests, teams, and fellow anglers. A convenient wave buoy icon is available on the bottom of the homepage, with additional links and information near the top of www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.

This is just another example of how Lake of the Woods continues to lead the way in enhancing the visitor experience and in this case, promoting safety on the water.

For more information, visit: www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com/wavebuoys

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