Category Archives: Weekly South Shore Fishing Report

Sportsman’s Lodges Ice Fishing Report – 12/13/21

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Catching fish!

We kicked off our fishing season this weekend and our guests caught some nice fish. A mix of walleyes, saugers, and a few pikes was the first fish up the hole to start the season.

We currently have 10-12 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel and just a skiff of snow on the lake. Jigging raps were one of the best techniques followed by gold jigs and a plain red hook on a dead stick tipped with a minnow in 18-21 feet of water. Grab your fishing buddy and come have some fun. We do it all. Our day houses include the fish house, transportation to and from the fish house, bait, rods/reels/jig sticks, and jigs to use and we will clean your fish too. Meal plans are available too.

Before Christmas Openings

Come get your fish on. We have day houses available now through December 23 and lodging and fishing available now through Dec 16 and 21-23. Give us a call to book your trip at 800-862-8602.

Sleeper Fish Houses

Sleepers start this weekend.  Give Sheri a call to book your trip at 218-634-1589.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge & Eagle Ridge

Ice is coming along in the islands. 6-10 inches in the areas we are traveling now. The ice crew plans on doing ice checks later this week between the south shore and the island. If all goes well, the trail could be marked by this weekend for snowmobiles. We open up the lodge on December 26 for the season. 

Aerial Footage of our Ice Check Lake of the Woods 12-10-2021

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✈️ Check out the aerial footage of Lake of the Woods from the Rainy River, Pine Island to Garden Island during Friday, December 10th’s ice check flight we captured. 🧊 Looking pretty good overall. Please remember if you are venturing out on your own, the ice does not freeze evenly and some areas are never safe. Go out through a resort or reputable outfitter and always stay on the marked trails. Stay safe!

Sportsman’s Lodges Ice Report 12/10/2021

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Our season starts tomorrow!

The ice has been coming along over the last few weeks and we are ready to kick off another season! We start our season in our day houses at our Rainy River location followed by sleepers next as soon as we get a few more inches of ice (usually a week or so) and our Oak Island locations just after Christmas.

Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River Location

We currently have 10 inches of ice and a few inches or less of snow, in the areas we fish and travel. There are lots of areas on the ice with no snow right now.  Be sure to pack some ice cleats or boots with a good tread if you are heading up this week.  We start our season using light jeeps and passenger trailers. Our bombardiers will come out once we have more ice and snow. 

Going out on your own? 

All of our rentals include transportation to and from the fish house. If you are looking to venture out on your own, there are several ice roads in the area you can choose from that other resorts and outfitters maintain and offer for a fee to use. We STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to check with them on their ice conditions before venturing out and stay on the marked areas only. The lake never freezes equally and they have the most up-to-date information on conditions in their area. 

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge & Eagle Ridge

Making ice!

We are finding 6-9 inches in the areas we have been traveling so far in the islands up north. We haven’t ventured south of the island yet. Gregg took a plane ride today to check things out and he reports the lake looks like it froze pretty good overall considering the wind we battled within the early days of ice making. Rough ice here and there.  He didn’t see much snow on the lake at all which will help in the ice-making process. He and a crew plan to start venturing out further next week to start the ice checks for the trail that runs from the south shore to Oak Island.  Stay tuned for more information.  If all goes well, the trail could be marked in a week for snowmobiles.

Ice Update from Sportsman’s Lodge – 12/8/21

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Great progress!
The cold temps have been good for ice-making. The guides have been out checking ice again the last few days. As of Tuesday’s ice check, we have 8+ inches on the bay and 7+ inches on the lake where travel and will be fishing.

As you can see in the drone video not too much snow on the lake which is perfect for ice making. We plan to start our season with our day houses at our Sportsman’s Rainy River location Saturday, Dec 11.  Stay tuned for a sleeper start date. Our Oak Island locations open Dec 26.


Our bar opens for the season at 4 pm Thursday, Dec 9, and Dockside & Riverside Dining Rooms on Friday, Dec 10. For our hours and entertainment schedule visit www.mysportsmans.com 

All of our fish house rentals include transportation. If you decide to venture out on your own, please check with local ice road maintainers for their current conditions as the conditions vary across this vast lake. 

Give us a call at 800-862-8602 to book your trip. The front desk reservation line is open 8 am – 8 pm today and 6 am-10 pm throughout the season starting on Thursday. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Ice Update from Sportsman’s Lodge – 11/30/21

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Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River

Ice Update
We hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!

Cold weather last week produced more ice views in our area.

A few inches now lay on many bays and as far as the eye can see on the lake.

Ice as far as the eye can see from Morris Point.

No doubt there is open water and pockets here and there but definitely a good start! We will be heading out to do some ice check later today to see how things are coming along. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for more information later today. Bring on the calm winds and cold temps and stay tuned for more reports to come. We look forward to seeing you soon! Give us a call to secure your spot this winter at 800-862-8602.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Hello, from Oak Island! Ice is progressing here. As far as we know there are a few inches of ice from the island all the way to Young Bay now. Nothing substantial to start venturing out all the way to the island yet, but it is coming along.

Few airboats are moving around. Stay tuned and give us a call to get your reservations booked at 800-772-8411.

Ice Update from Sportsman’s Lodge – 11/23/21

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Happy Thanksgiving!

More signs of ice showing up. A skim here and there on the river and ice chunks floating on the big lake. Ice has started to form on small bays, shorelines, and around docks too. Calm winds and cold temps is what we are looking for to make some measurable ice.

No safe ice yet, but usually December 10-15 is normal to kick off our season at Sportsman’s Rainy River with our day houses. A week or so later in our sleepers and December 26 at our island locations. We start our season once we have 8-12 inches of safe ice in the areas we fish and travel. The walleyes bite tends to be very active in the early season with just a jig and a minnow. 

The Lake from the South Shore
Ice starting to form along the shoreline and around the docks at Oak Island. 
Look No Docks! The staff has been busy this fall. The second phase of our new dock construction is coming this spring at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River. 

We are looking forward to a fun year. Stay tuned for more updates and give us a call to get your reservations in. Ask about our midweek discounts!

Update from Sportsman’s Lodge – 11/17/21

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Cool Temps

We received some snow over the weekend. Looks like winter around here!  We went from warm 60 degree temps the week before to 20’s this week.

Some of the small bays have started to freeze over and the long term forecast continue to look cool.  We usually start our season in early to mid December as soon as we have 8-12 inches of safe ice.  We will continue to keep you updated. 

Small bays are showing signs of ice.
Snow on the ground at Oak Island. Water is cooling down.

Stay tuned and contact us to get your reservations in online or by calling Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River at 800-862-8602 and Sportsman’s Oak Island and Eagle Ridge at 800-772-8411.

 We look forward to seeing you soon!

Update from Sportsman’s Lodge – 11/11/21

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Hello from the Sportsman’s Crew!
Water is getting cooler and the forecast continues to look more like winter all of the time. 

The water temp on Tuesday was just under 40 in the afternoon.

Sounds like our first winter storm is rolling in this week. The staff is busy working on fall projects and taking some time for R & R before ice fishing begins.  We look forward to seeing all of you soon.  Give us a call at 800-862-8602 to get in your winter reservations, ice fishing season is just a month away, and stay tuned for ice reports to start soon.

Sportsman’s Fishing Report – 10/26/21

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Sportsman’s Lodge Fishing Report

That’s a Wrap on the 2021 Charter Season
Our charter fishing season has come to an end. Thank you for another great season! We sure had fun seeing so many of you again and taking you out on the water. We continue to have dock slips and lodging available if you are interested in splashing your boat in one last time. The jig bite has been strong this week just outside of the Lighthouse Gap, bays, and some areas on the river.  The current water temperature is in the upper 40’s but we did have some small bays freeze over for a while on Sunday night!!

Gold, pink, white and lime green 3/8 oz jigs tipped with a shiner or chub have been the go-to method in 13’-27’.

Check out these pictures with a great family that visited us recently. They had a fun time and caught quite the mix of different species of fish with Captain Brent.

The bar and restaurant are open late afternoon Thursday through Sunday this week and our end of the season Annual Halloween Party is on October 30.  Get in some fishing and stay for the party! Our annual parties are always a great time. Entertainment, food and drink specials, $200 CASH for best costume, and more. Check out all of the info and our fall hours here at www.mysportsmans.com After Sunday morning breakfast we will be closing up the dining, bar and pool until ice fishing season.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Our Oak Island locations are now closed for a brief “ice-making” pause. Contact us today to make your winter and next summer reservations by clicking here or calling 800-772-8411.

Thank you for another great season! We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Sportsman’s Fishing Report – 10/20/21

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Sportsman’s Lodge Fishing Report

Jig Bite
The weather is getting cooler, the water temp is 52 degrees this morning.

Anglers have been catching walleyes and saugers on 3/8-1/2 oz jigs tipped with a chub or shiner. Gold, pink, and glow in the dark have been good colors. Areas with current in the river and outside of the Lighthouse Gap have been hot spots in various depths between 14’-25’. Check out the pictures of the week from recent guests!

For sturgeon, holes in the river and bay are the place to be using a 5/0 circle hook, 3-5 ounce roll sinker, and a gob of minnows with a shiner or two. Areas with a little current along a hole are a good spot to try too. Sturgeon are catch and release now through April 23.

Fall Openings Available
Lodging is open year-round here at Sportsman’s, boat slips until ice starts to form. We close up our dining, bar, and pool for a short time late October through early December. Our charter trips are available until late October and Ice Fishing starts in early December. We still have some openings for a fall trip especially midweek and the last weekend in October through November. Give us a call at 800-862-8602.

The Annual Halloween Party is on October 30
Get in some fishing and stay for the party! Our annual parties are always a great time. Entertainment, food and drink specials, $200 CASH for best costume, and more.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Our Oak Island locations are now closed for a brief “ice-making” pause. Contact us today to make your winter and next summer reservations by clicking here or calling 800-772-8411.

Thank you for another great season! We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.