Tag Archives: fishing report lake of the woods

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 10/15/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Up & Down
The walleye bite has up and down like the weather and the wind lately.

Gaps, bays, river, just outside of the gap, and areas up north all good places to try. Keep working it, you will find them. Anchored with a brightly colored or gold 3/8-1/2 oz jig and shiner or chub has been the go-to method in 9’-15’ and 18’-23’. A good shiner run hit the river last week which usually means the walleyes are soon after.

So be ready for that. Water temp 50-51 degrees, the current is slower than normal and the water level is low. Some nice pike has been caught. These two were caught while targeting walleye!

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.

Sign up for our Sturgeon Tournament on October 30 & 31
Cash and prizes! Click here to learn more or call us at 800-862-8602.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Few more Days
This is our last week of the season here in the islands before ice fishing. If you are interested in a last-minute trip for the weekend, give us a jingle at 800-772-8411! The passenger service is still running and guides, restaurant/bar, and lodging is available.

The what, where, and how hasn’t changed too much from last week’s fishing report. Points, shorelines, and areas with current are still the hot spots for walleye. 13-26 feet of water anchored jigging gold, glow in the dark, and pink jigs tipped with a chub or shiner. Pike and muskies hitting in bays and rock points.

Thank you to everyone who was able to visit this season and to those who couldn’t, we can’t wait to see you again next year. We know many people had to change their mode of transportation to get to us and we appreciate the extra effort. We are looking forward to a more “normal” soft water season next year!

It’s time to make your ice fishing reservations!
Lake of the Woods passenger service will be running to get you here and back. Check out our winter packages and contact us to lock in your dates. 

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 10/7/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Walleyes – Pike – Sturgeon – Bass
Take your pick or try them all. Water temp is now in the lower 50’s. The jig bite for walleyes is heating up more and more by the day in gaps, river, and bays. Anchored using glow in the dark, bright colored or gold jigs have been working the best in 8’-14’ and 20’-26’tipped with a shiner or chub. More shiners are running this week!

Large pike have been biting in the bays, some on walleye rigs, and reeled in by surprise. If you are looking to target pike, try trolling crankbaits around rocky points and cabbage weed bays. 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. Don’t count out the smallmouth bass. There are thousands of rock reefs and rock piles in the lake and river where they like to be. Throw out a crankbait and give it a shot.

Midweek October Openings
Give us a call and come wet a line. Lodge Rooms only $89 per night for 2 people and up to 20% off summer lodging and charter packages.
*plus tax

Sign up for our Sturgeon Tournament October 30 & 31
Cash prizes!
Click here to learn more or call us at 800-862-8602.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Walleye for Dinner

Points, shorelines, and areas with current are the hot spots right now to reel in a nice limit of walleye. Anchored jigging gold, glow in the dark, and pink jigs tipped with a chub, shiner, or Gulp have been working. The last few days a morning, afternoon, and evening run have been prominent.

You still have time!

We are open for softwater fishing for a few more weeks. Openings available for lodging, guides, and the passenger service can get you here and back. Give us a call at 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 9/9/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Water temp is falling and leaves are changing. Currently, the water temperature is sitting around 59-62 degrees and some shiners are starting to show up in the river.

Walleyes are being caught on a variety of methods right now. Drifting with pink, orange, and hammered gold spinners and a crawler in 11’-16’ and 26’-36’ as well as on crankbaits with some shimmer and rattle in the mud 26’-36’. Some dabbling with the jig and a minnow or shiner but most are finding the spinners and cranks are working the best. Areas outside Lighthouse Gap, Zippel Bay, and Garden Island have been good. It won’t be long and anchored with a jig/minnow method will start to take precedence, so be ready!

Great Fall Rates
Up to 20% off summer lodging and charter packages and lodging starting at just $89 a night for two people now through Oct 31, 2020. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or email us for a rate quote and availability. *Plus tax

Fall Sturgeon Tournament Openings
October 30 & 31 Cash prizes! Always a fun event! Check out the details online and give us a call 800-862-8602 to sign up.

Oak Island

Variety of Methods
Fall is in the air and that means it is time to start thinking about changing up methods to stay on the walleye bite. Jigs, spinners, and crankbaits are methods of choice right now but the jig and minnow will start to be the go-to soon. Drifting with gold and pink spinners tipped with a crawler in 15’-28’ on rock structure, trolling with shad raps in 26’-36’ in the mud and anchored jigging a minnow or shiner in 11’-15’ and 20’-26’ on or around structure has been working the best. Water temp is in the lower 60’s now.

Looking for some crappies? Crappies are biting on small jigs and a minnow in 10’-30’.

Check out our Great Fall Rates. Openings are available!
Click here or call 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 9/3/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Cooling Down
Feels like fall. Lows in the 40’s and highs in the ’50-’70s lately.

Water temp is down to 65 and likely to dip lower this week. Currently, anglers are pulling spinners with a crawler or trolling with a shad rap for the best luck. It won’t be long and the jig and a minnow will start to take the stage. For spinners, anything glow, hammered gold or anything in the orange/red/gold color family has been good. For shad raps, shiny and noticeable is key. In the stained waters of Lake of the Woods, a little more shimmer, rattle, or bright color never hurts to try. Best depths have been in 11’-17’ along shorelines and 28’-36’ in the mud. Come have some fun.

Have you tried to call?
Yesterday afternoon until today around noon we suffered a phone outage at the lodge and in the area due to some local construction going on. Just wanted to let you know we are back up! Sorry for the inconvenience, give us a call 800-862-8602.

Let’s go Fishing!
Openings available this fall. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or email us for a rate quote and availability.

Fall Sturgeon Tournament Openings
October 30 & 31 Cash prizes! Always a fun event! Check out the details online and give us a call 800-862-8602 to sign up.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Drifting Away in the Islands
Drifting with gold and orange spinners tipped with a minnow or crawler has been working well for walleyes in 15’-26’. Trolling with shad raps and anchored with a jig/minnow combo also getting some nice ones. Water temp is down to mid-’60s. Muskies are hitting on blades and topwater baits in weedy bays and rock points. Crappies on small jigs in 10’-30’. We received some cancellations for Sept 9-13, so now have openings for that time and have openings available here and there throughout fall. Give us a call at 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/21/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

Lots of slots
It has been a good bite this week, lots of slot fish and plenty to fry up. A slot walleye is a walleye 19.5”-28” in length that must be released after catching. Check out the lunkers in the pictures of the week. Many long time guests have been saying this summer, “Fishing has been some of the best they have ever experienced!”

What’s working? Drifting with hammered gold or bright colored spinners, 1-2 ounces of weight tipped with a crawler. Some anglers are now trying their luck at trolling with shad raps and having good luck too. Water temperature is 74 degrees.

Best depth has been 18’-27’. Tip of the Week: Keep your line tight and your drag light to bring in those trophy fish. Don’t let summer pass you by. Midweek guided trips available over the next few weeks. Weekends available late August and through the fall. Lodging available, midweek most anytime the rest of the season and weekends after July 25.

Fall Discounts Sept 8-Oct 31
Up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages. Check out our packages here and make plans to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Sturgeon Tournament
Our spring tournament was rescheduled to October 30 & 31. Openings are available. Click here to learn more about this popular tournament and sign up today.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Walleye, it’s what’s for Dinner
12’-23’ in the sand and 23’-29’ in our around rocks continues to produce results when going after walleyes. Drifting with a spinner, ounce or two of weight and a crawler has been working well. Trolling with shad raps has been worth a shot too. Deep bays and rocky points are hot spots for muskies right now using bucktails and topwater lures. The water temperature is 74 degrees.

Openings available
Sportsman’s Oak Island:
July 27/28, August 2-6, 9-11, 16-17, 23-26, 30-Sept 1, 7-9, 14, 15, 20-23, 27-Oct 18

Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge Cedar Cabin – Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free: July 24-30, Aug 2-5, 15-21, 30-Sept 23, 27-Oct 18.

Call to book this cabin 800-772-8411.

Canadian Border Update
Unfortunately, we have once again been notified that the Canadian government has extended its border closure to August 21, 2020, at this time. The good news is, you still have options to come and enjoy some island time! The Lake of the Woods Passenger continues to provide service to and from the island from Sportsman’s Lodge in Baudette and has follow boat options. No border crossing required. For any questions or reservation changes, please contact us here or by calling 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/15/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

The Bite

Drifting with hammered gold spinners tipped with a crawler, leech or minnow and 1-2 ounces of weight and has been luring in the walleyes in 15’-25’ this week areas along the south shore and northern islands. A mix of good eaters and trophy walleyes. Water temp in the mid ’70s.

Fall & Winter Fishing

It is not too early to think about making fall and winter reservations. The fall bite can be incredible and ice fishing here on Lake of the Woods is one of a kind. Check out our fall and winter packages and contact us today.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

For the walleye bite, rock structure in 23′-29’ and in the sand 12’-23’ using hammered gold and orange crawler harnesses tipped with a crawler or using 3/8 oz jigs tipped with a minnow has been bringing in some nice walleyes and saugers. Smallmouth bass has been found around rock reefs in the islands in 5’-12’ using crankbaits or lipless cranks bounced off the bottom. Pike have been biting along rocky shorelines and weedy bays throwing out flashy daredevils and bucktails. Muskies are biting trolling in deep bays and rocky points using bucktails and topwater lures. Water temp is in the mid-’70s.

Cedar Cabin Special
July 24-August 8 Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night FREE!
Call to book this cabin 800-772-8411.

Birchdale Boat Ramp is open!

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Crews worked hard this morning to clean out the shore ice at Birchdale Landing (26 miles east of Baudette).  The ramp is ready to go! Only snow and salt remain on the ramp. Time for River fishing!!!  Open water runs all the way to Frontier landing right now (16 miles east of Baudette)

We have guided outfitter trips available! Time to get your fish on!

Walleye season is open until April 14. Sturgeon catch and release season is open now through April 23, keep one season is open April 24-May 7 and northern pike season is open year round.

Click here for directions and information.http://sportsmanslodges.com/…/7…/Rainy_River_Access_Map1.pdf

Birchdale 3-14.2

Birchdale 3-14

Birchdale 3-14.3

Hot Lodging Deals!
Lodging as low as $40 per person per night plus tax now through May 26. (based on double occupancy) Book your trip today 800-862-8602

19th Annual Mardi Gras Party is this Saturday!
Join us for entertainment, great specials, beads, beads, beads, FREE Hurricanes 8pm-9pm, stay and play packages and a whole lot of fun!

We have ice!

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12/17/2015

What a difference a day makes!
Yesterday we had only shore ice and after last night (only getting down to 17 degrees) we now have ice as far as the eye can see on the main lake from the south shore view. The forecast is calling for below zero temps the next two days so we should make even more progress in the next two days!

weather forecast
Four Mile Bay, the bay near Wheeler’s Point we use to access the lake has also made significant progress.
The water is cold and freezing! We should start building ice fairly quickly now. The extended forecast is calling for lows in the teens and highs in the lower twenties. Cold enough to make some ice!  Gregg, the owner will be going up to fly over the lake on Saturday to see how everything seals looks. Stay tuned! We will post a report and pictures as soon as he gets back.

Long Point 12-17-2015
Long Point
December 17, 2015
Morris Point 12-17-2015
Morris Point
December 17, 2015
Four Mile Bay 12-17-2015
Four Mile Bay
December 17, 2015

When will we start ice fishing?
After this weekend we will be able to make a much better prediction, but at this point based on the information we are setting our sights on sometime between December 26 – January 1. Safety is always our first concern. We will start our season as soon as we have 8-12 inches of safe ice.

Ice Update 12/7/2015

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Ice Update 12/7/2015

We are holding the ice we have made in the bays and have had temperatures in the teens at night, however the air temperature has not been cold enough to make anymore ice. Even though the season is starting off warm we know the cold is coming and we will have ice before we know it!

Keep doing your ice dancing! Heck, maybe if we all crank up the A/C and open your doors that might help too! LOL! Make your reservations now online (http://sportsmanslodges.com/rainyriver/facility/lodging-request/) or by calling us at 800-862-8602. Once the season starts it is going to get crazy! If you book for early December and we do not have ice, we are always happy to re-schedule your stay or refund your deposit.

Stay tuned! We will continue to do updates every few days!