Lake of the Woods County Jail Mugshots Lookup
Lake of the Woods County jail mugshots and inmate records are handled by the Lake of the Woods County Sheriff's Office in Baudette, Minnesota. This is one of the smallest county jails in Minnesota, with just five approved beds and a classification as a 72-hour holding facility. Online inmate data is limited. To confirm whether someone is in custody, you need to contact the Sheriff's Office directly or use the statewide VINE system. This page covers those options and explains your rights under Minnesota's public records laws.
Lake of the Woods County Overview
Lake of the Woods County Sheriff's Office and Jail
The Lake of the Woods County Sheriff's Office is at 206 8th Avenue Southeast, Suite 300, in Baudette. Sheriff Gary Fish leads the department. The main phone is 218-634-1143 and the fax is 218-634-1144. Visitation contact and general correspondence can be directed to 205 8th Ave. SE #300, Baudette, MN 56623. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For inmate status questions, you can also email Dallas_b@co.lake-of-the-woods.mn.us.
The jail itself was built in 1978 and is showing signs of deterioration. It holds a maximum of five inmates under its approved capacity, though the operational limit is four beds due to an 80 percent rule. This makes it one of the smallest jail facilities in the state. The facility is classified as an adult, medium-security, 72-hour holding facility. It does not have juvenile hold approval.
| Address | 206 8th Ave SE Suite #300, Baudette, MN 56623 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 218-634-1143 |
| Dallas_b@co.lake-of-the-woods.mn.us | |
| Fax | 218-634-1144 |
| Sheriff | Gary Fish |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Approved Capacity | 5 beds (4 operational) |
| Facility Type | 72-hour holding facility |
The Lake of the Woods County official website is the starting point for public records and department contacts. The Sheriff's Office page covers law enforcement services and jail information. The county staff directory lists all department contacts. For general county inquiries, visit the contact page.
The screenshot below was captured from the Lake of the Woods County official website, which is the primary online resource for finding Sheriff's Office contact information and public records links.
The county website provides the main gateway for accessing jail mugshot requests, contact details, and other public records resources in Lake of the Woods County.
Searching Inmate Records in Lake of the Woods County
Lake of the Woods County does not publish a public online inmate roster. The jail is very small, and online data tools have not been implemented. To find out if someone is in custody, your best first step is to call the Sheriff's Office at 218-634-1143 during business hours. Staff can tell you whether a person is currently held at the local facility or has been transported to a neighboring county jail for longer-term housing.
Because this is a 72-hour holding facility, most people do not stay long. After 72 hours, inmates are typically moved to another facility, released, or transferred to state custody. That makes real-time contact with the Sheriff's Office the most reliable method for tracking custody status.
For statewide searches, VINE covers jails and prisons across Minnesota and is free to use at any time. VINE lets you search by name or offender ID and can send alerts when a person's status changes. If someone has been moved to a state prison, the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator lets you track them there. Court records, warrants, and case information are searchable through the Minnesota Trial Court Public Access system. For warrant information specifically in Lake of the Woods County, contact Court Administrator Teresa McDonnell at 218-634-1451.
Note: Because this is a 72-hour holding facility, anyone held locally for more than three days is likely transferred to another county jail. Call 218-634-1143 to confirm current location.
Visitation at the Lake of the Woods County Jail
Visitation at the Lake of the Woods County Jail is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Each inmate is limited to two visits per day. The facility uses a glass partition for in-person visits and also offers video visitation. Call ahead at 218-634-1143 to schedule a visit and confirm availability. Because the facility is small, scheduling ahead helps ensure you do not make a trip for nothing.
How to Request Lake of the Woods County Booking Photos
Booking photos from the Lake of the Woods County Jail are public data under Minnesota Statute 13.82, which classifies arrest data as public. To request official copies, contact the Sheriff's Office by phone at 218-634-1143 or by email at Dallas_b@co.lake-of-the-woods.mn.us. You can also write to 206 8th Avenue SE Suite #300, Baudette, MN 56623. A written request may be required. Fees cover the actual cost of reproduction, which varies depending on how many pages or copies you need.
The office must respond to data requests within 10 business days under Minnesota Statute 13.03. If the person you are looking for has been transferred to another county's jail, you may need to request records from that facility directly. The Sheriff's Office can tell you where any transferred inmate is being held. County sheriffs must keep a jail register under Minnesota Statute 641.05, which is a public record. Minnesota Statute 641.08 further defines the scope of public access to jail records.
For sentenced inmates and people transferred to state custody, different rules apply under Minnesota Statute 13.85. The Minnesota Information Policy Division handles disputes about the Data Practices Act and can guide you if your request is not handled correctly. Background checks run through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at chs.state.mn.us cost $8 and cover statewide criminal history.
Note: All persons in Lake of the Woods County custody are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Booking charges are initial and may change as a case proceeds.
Nearby Counties
Search jail mugshot records in counties near Lake of the Woods County.