Morson, Ontario, Canada - Island Splendor...Feel It

Located about 35 miles north of the Canada-US Border, Morson is literally "at the end of the road." But for those who enjoy outdoor recreation, it is the beginning of a unique and wonderful outdoor experience. Morson and Bergland together make up the Township of Lake of the Woods. Morson has immediate access to unspoiled tracts of wilderness in the heart of the Lake of the Woods. This is truly a first-class recreation area for anglers, boaters, and nature lovers. Those who venture here can stroll along a sandy beach on a warm summer day or challenge the rugged terrain of the islands in the brisk of autumn. The scenery is spectacular regardless of season. For both quality and quantity fishing it is hard to find a better spot. Lake of the Woods supports a wide variety of species you expect on any large body of water, yet here in the center of the lake, you'll find thousands of islands with their sheltered bays offering the quietness and safety usually associated with smaller bodies of water.

To find out more about accommodations, businesses and services in Morson and Bergland, scroll down to the bottom of the page to link to their websites.

When you arrive in Morson, you are only a step away from vast tracts of unspoiled islands, forests, and fine fishing, hunting and beautiful scenery on Lake of the Woods. This is the land of spectacular sunsets and northern lights displays. Here lies a wilderness experience where you can enjoy the fresh air and solitude. Witness wildlife in its natural habitat. Appreciate both the gentleness and the ruggedness of a unique environment.

Our shorelines and islands are largely undeveloped. Travelers can marvel at much of the same scenery that the first explorers saw when they discovered this island-studded gem in the centre of the continent. With over 14,000 islands and more than 40,000 miles of shoreline, Lake of the Woods has evolved into a premier outdoor recreation area for anglers, hunters, boaters and nature lovers. Its rocky shores, marshy inlets and sandy bays are habitats suitable for many species of fish. The area of the lake near Morson offers some of the best angling to be found anywhere. Muskie, walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, crappie and perch are only minutes away in Miles Bay, Obabikon Lake and Sabaskong Bay. You're close to the clear deep water for trout in Whitefish Bay. Best of all, when you fish Lake of the Woods from Morson, you are in the island belt of the lake where sheltered bays offer protection from the wind. Fishing Lake of the Woods from Morson is truly fishing at the finest.

To ensure that the Ontario fisheries remain healthy and can maintain a sustainable harvest, a team made up of tourism, Ontario residents and the Ministry of Natural Resources set limits to the catch and possession limits of the various species of fish. They establish closed seasons and provide sanctuaries for spawning. They often change from year to year to ensure the fishery. Regulation booklets are available at license issuers. Be sure you know the current regulations and size restrictions. Anglers are encouraged to practice catch-and-release. A non-resident conservation license may be purchased at a reduced price. The limits are lower than that of a regular license, but still permit you to enjoy our famous shorelunches.

Just as the earliest inhabitants depended upon the bounty of the land and the water, today's sportsmen will find the area teeming with fish and wildlife. Lake of the Woods is truly a sportsman's paradise. Wild rice bays are feeding grounds for migrating birds and the duck hunt here is among the finest in the world. Flocks of mallards and teal, wood ducks and rafts of bluebills are available to the sure-eyed hunters. There are geese, too. Relatively rare to the area just a decade ago, they continue to increase in number. Grouse are plentiful and are sport for the small game hunters who seek them out.

Moose, deer and bear roam the forests of the islands and mainland. Deer, attracted by the farmers' fields, are especially populous on the mainland. Deer and bear are hunted on both the mainland and islands. If you are planning a hunting trip, make reservations early, as the hunt is limited. Moose hunters are also advised to make their reservations well in advance. The only moose hunting available to non-residents is on the Aulneau Peninsula where primitive weapons must be used. The number of hunters that are allowed each season is limited. The Aulneau Peninsula is a vast area of undeveloped wilderness in the approximate centre of Lake of the Woods. It has been designated as a Wildlife Management Unit where hunting big game is restricted. Only bows and arrows and black powder rifles may be used. The Peninsula is a challenge, not only because of the requirements for primitive weapons but because of its size and rough terrain.

While remnants of logging, farming, commercial fishing and trapping remain; Morson's future depends upon its well-established tourism industry. Our resorts are still camps and their cooks, camp cooks, a throwback from earlier years when the first tourist resorts were opened. Guests stayed in log cabins that were heated by wood and didn't have the benefits of running water and indoor bathroom facilities. The kitchen facilities were primitive by today's standards. Early camp cooks used wood to fuel their stoves and ovens. Ice, harvested during the winter and stored in layers of sawdust, was used in old-fashioned iceboxes for refrigeration. In today's resort kitchens, you can find walk-in coolers and freezers, microwave ovens, large bread mixers and food processors.

There is one thing that hasn't changed over the years. The smell of fresh baked breads and rolls, hearty servings of carefully prepared food and tastes that will make your tongue tap-dance are still trademarks of the camp cooks. Dining rooms and restaurants frequently feature samples of local fare: desserts made with blueberries in season and wild rice soups and casseroles. An unforgettable Lake of the Woods tradition you won't want to miss is a famous shorelunch. Nothing can compare to the taste of freshly caught fish cooked over an open fire and served with all the trimmings.

Today, the community attracts thousands of visitors each year. We welcome you to come and experience Morson, located on the very edge of untamed wilderness. We have the facilities and services of over thirty businesses, which operate within the Lake of the Woods Township. Whether you are in our community for business or pleasure, our aim is to make your stay a pleasant one. Morson's immediate access to vast wilderness areas and its outdoor recreational activities have made it an increasingly popular vacation spot. You will find a visit to Morson, -good for the spirit and good for the soul.- -Island Splendor . . .Feel It!-

Main Industries:
Tourism, farming, logging

Population: Approximately 200, year-round residents

Distance to nearest towns:
35 miles (56 km) to Rainy River, ON
35 miles (56km) to Baudette, MN

Winter Activities
Ice fishing and snowmobiling.

Morson has that special combination of fine recreation, interesting sites, beautiful scenery, a fascinating natural environment and warm hospitality. For more information, call the Morson Tourism Association at 807-488-5905 or the Lake of the Woods Township at 807-852-3529.

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