Tag Archives: Fishing Report

Sportsman’s Ice Fishing Update – 2/29/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River

A little Over A Month Left Of Ice Fishing Season

The best bite this week continues to be 29’-34’. A notable more aggressive noon – 2 pm bite has been going on the last few days. A mix of 3/4 sauger, 1/4 walleye, and a few tullibee.
Stop sign lures or jigs with glitter, pink/gold or chartreuse/white tipped a minnow has been working. For the best catch rate, a little work can go a long way. It doesn’t hurt to switch up tackle, try one-rod dead sticking and jigging the other, use electronics and test right on bottom vs a few inches off the bottom to grab the attention of the fish as they are swimming by.Ice Conditions and Rally Weekend
We have over 3’ of ice and the snowmobile trails are in good shape. Trails are freshly groomed. The Annual Northwest Angle Edge Riders snowmobile rally is planned for this weekend hosted at our sister resort, Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge on Oak Island at the Northwest Angle 40 miles north of Baudette. This event is always a great time! For more information about the event, click here.Visit us in March for a fun getaway. Click here to learn more

Trail Report
Trails are groomed and staked. For more information check out these links.
South Shore Lake of the Woods
Northwest Angle Lake of the Woods

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

The Bite
20’-27’ on reefs and edges of reefs using pink, gold, red and white jigs tipped with a minnow has been working well. Anglers have been reeling in a nice bag of walleyes and saugers for supper along with an occasional trophy. We have 30 – 32 inches of ice where we fish and travel. Last chance openings available March 1-4, 15-22 and one 3 bedroom cabin 8-22.
Hosting the Northwest Angle Edge Riders Snowmobile Rally this weekend!
We are excited to be hosting the annual snowmobile rally Feb 29. Click here for all the info and make plans to head out on the trails or take a cruise on the ice road to join in the fun. The trails are in great shape. Click the links for the latest reports.

Sportsman’s Ice Fishing Update – 2/21/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge
2/21/2020

Days are getting longer! Ice fish with us through March.
It is a beautiful sunny day today, a nice time to be out on the lake. Unlike many lakes in Minnesota, Lake of the Woods is considered a US/Canada border water lake so our walleye season extends through April 14 and our houses can be out longer. We ice fish through March 31.

This week we have found the best fishing to be in 29’-34’ of water. Anglers have been catching a mix of walleyes and saugers along with a few jumbo perch. We have over 3’ of ice right now where we fish and travel. White, pink and gold jigs have been hot tipped with a minnow using the deadsticking and jigging techniques. Electronics help too!

Trail Report
Trails are groomed and staked. For more information check out these links.
South Shore Lake of the Woods
Northwest Angle Lake of the Woods

Weekend Ice Fishing Trips available in March
We also have midweek trips available now through March. Come have some fun!

 

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
2/21/2020

A what? A muskie!
You just never know what might nibble at your line. One of our guests was fishing for walleye when a 53” muskie took a chomp on his bait! What a surprise that was! In the winter, muskie season is closed and we do not target them but sometimes the fish don’t realize that. This guy got hungry. This huge fish was released and another great fishing story was made.

The best walleye/sauger bite has been in 20’-25’ right now in the current using Buckshots, Glo Shot spoons, purple,  gold and pink jigs tipped with a minnow. A mix of vertical jigging and dead sticking has been the best approach. We have 30”-32” of ice now in the areas we fish and travel. We should be good to go through March 22 here in the islands for some goooood ice fishing.

Hosting the Northwest Angle Edge Riders Snowmobile Rally next weekend!
We are excited to be hosting the annual snowmobile rally Feb 29. Click here for all the info and make plans to head out on the trails or take a cruise on the ice road to join in the fun. The trails are in great shape. Click the links for the latest reports.

South Shore Lake of the Woods
Northwest Angle Lake of the Woods

Sportsman’s Ice Fishing Update – 2/11/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River

 2/11/2020

The latest on the Bite
It has been a sporadic bite this week. Runs here and there and some days better than others. Check out our pictures of the week!

We have had the best luck in 27’-32 in various areas anywhere from a 35-55 minute cruise across the pond in one of our giant snowmobiles past Pine Island. Anglers have been reeling in a mix of walleyes and saugers, the saugers more so, which is typical for this time of year. On cloudy days, glo pink, green and chartreuse jigs, and small lures have been popular. On sunny days, gold has been best all tipped with a minnow or minnow head. Some of the lunker walleyes this week have been caught on a plain hook, Royal Gold Digger lure (2 – 27” by the same guy!) and Oklahoma Dill Pickle lure, pink eye glow and minnow.

A mix of dead sticking and jigging have been the best approach.  Electronics help catch rates and zeroing in on the suspended fish. We see suspended fish on a regular basis. We have 30-32 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel right now. The temp has fallen this week. We won’t complain about that. Cold temps are making ice for March!

Unlike many lakes in the state, we are a border lake so we can have fish houses out through March 31 Mother Nature willing and in most years, she allows. So if you haven’t had a chance to get out this year or want to get out a few more times, you still have time! Give us a jingle and let’s go fishing!

Valentines Day Dinner Specials & Entertainment this Weekend
Bring your sweetie or great friends. Click here for all the details.
Dinner reservations suggested.

Snowmobile Trails
The Lake of the Wood’s Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders take care of the trails in our area. Click the links for the most up to date information.

Fishing Packages available through March ~ Spend Spring Break at the Lake
We have openings midweek now through March and weekends available in March.
Kids ages 5-17 stay free with 2 adults in lodge rooms and fish for only $50 per person per day. Come for a few days.

 

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
2/11/2020

Fishing will keep the Doctor Away
At least we think so! 🙂 There is something about getting out, enjoying the awesome scenery, fresh cool air and good conversation with friends in the fish house that always seems to help the body. Pure and simple relaxation, good for the soul.

The best bite for a mix of walleyes and saugers this week has been in 24’-30’ feet on the edge of reefs and on top of the sand.  Jigging a Buckshot lure, gold or pink jig or one of those “noisy” lures have been bringing in some nice fish. Vexilars help too! Deadstick with one rod and jig with another. Be sure that the rod you dead stick with you leave it alone and watch the bobber for the best success.

Ice Conditions
The average depth is 28-32 inches in the areas we fish and travel.

Trail Conditions
The Lake of the Wood’s Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders take care of the trails in our area. Click the links for the most up to date information.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is in good shape, follow the signs and come on out.

It is the sweetest week of them all
If you are in the area, come out for dinner. Or surprise your sweetie by planning a trip for a getaway this winter or upcoming summer.

Winter Openings
We still have some openings for this winter. Give us a call 800-772-8411 or connect with us online.

Sportsman’s Ice Fishing Update – 2/5/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

2/5/2020

The latest bite
Fishing has picked up! 1/4 oz green and orange jigs and spoons have been hot in 26’-32’ of water. As well as glow in the dark and good old gold. A mix of walleye and sauger have been the average catch. Plenty of good eaters, throwbacks and a few lunkers, 20”-30” mixed in. We have 2-3 feet of ice and 6-15 inches of snow in the areas we fish and travel right now.

Our houses are scattered anywhere from a 15-45 minute bombardier ride out. The guides are working hard to get you on the best bite.

Snowmobile Trail Report
The Lake of the Wood’s Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders take care of the trails in our area. Click the links for the most up to date information.

Lake of the Woods has an extended season.
Walleye season continues through April 14 here unlike most of the state.
Ice fishing trips are available through late March and Rainy River soft water fishing kicks off in early April.

Treat your sweetie to a midweek February trip to Sportsman’s.
2 nights lodging and 2 days ice fishing packages available starting at only $309* per person! Contact us today to plan your trip 800-862-8602.
*plus tax

 

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

2/5/2020

Island Time
Island life is good! We are loving the longer days.  A mix of walleye, saugers, and some jumbo perch are being reeled in. Red, pink, glow and gold jigs or spoons have been working tipped with a minnow head or full minnow in 26’-30’off the edges of the reefs. The best technique can vary day by day so try some light vertical jigging, hard jigging, and dead sticking and make sure your hooks are sharp.

Ice Conditions
We have over 2’ of ice in the areas we fish and travel.

Snowmobile Trail Report
The Lake of the Wood’s Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders take care of the trails in our area. Click the links for the most up to date information.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is in good shape. Follow the signs and take a ride. It is about 10 miles out.

Spring is just around the corner.
It is never too early to start planning your spring trip! Come visit the islands this spring and get into some hot soft water action. Spring lodging specials May 8-25. Contact us today.

Sportsman’s Ice Fishing Update – 1/2/20

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Happy New Year from the Sportsman’s Lodge Family

We have been having fun over the holidays!

Nice eating size walleyes have been coming through the ice as well as several throwback size saugers, few nice size tullibee, sturgeon and pike this week. Guests have been having the best luck in 18’-28’ using pink, gold, green glo jigs, and lures tipped with a minnow or shiner. Some guests have had luck the best luck using a full minnow and others just a minnow head. Dead sticking one pole and jigging the other is working well. Electronics such as Vexilars help too. We have a few to rent at the lodge if you want to try one out. Be sure to call ahead to reserve, they go fast.

Ice & Snow
We have 18-20 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel right now. The forecast is calling for single digits and below zero temps next week. We received some snow last week but still just have 0-10 inches on the ice. Not nearly as much as the rest of the state. With cooler temps in the forecast, we should have 2 feet of ice in no time.

Snowmobile Trails
Snowmobile trails are being groomed. The lake trails from Four Mile Bay on the south side of the lake to Oak Island and Graceton Beach (south side of the lake) to Warroad are groomed. Conditions are improving after the recent snowfall but important not to veer off the trail as the ice is quite rough and ice chunks are sticking up off the trail. No travel is advised on the Rainy River yet until conditions in the current areas improve.Check out the Lake of the Woods Drifters and Northwest Angle Edge Riders for more trail reports.

 

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Guide Wack says the action has been good in the islands. A mix of saugers, walleyes and a few pike, perch and muskies have been caught this week. Yes! Muskie! In the islands, we have fantastic muskie fishing in the summer but we usually don’t see too many caught in the winter. A big surprise to a few anglers this week. The best fishing has been in 23’-24’ on the rocks for walleyes and off the rocks for other species. Watermelon color, gold, and glo jigs especially those with some rattle and noise to them have been working the best this week. Some anglers are swearing by just the minnow head instead of the full minnow especially on lures with a treble hook.

Ice & Snow
We have 16-18 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. 3-10 inches of snow.

Snowmobile Trails
The trail from Four Mile Bay to Oak Island is in decent shape, getting better but it is important to stay on the trail. With not too much snow base yet, there are ice chunks off the trail.Check out the Lake of the Woods Drifters and Northwest Angle Edge Riders for more trail reports.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to the Lodge
Plowing and maintenance are in progress. It should be ready to go next week. Our signs will be up as soon as it is. For now, please give us a call and we will lead you out.

 

Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

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Lake of the Woods South Shore & Rainy River Fishing Report

6/4/2019

It’s Heating Up!
Fishing has been crazy this past week! As the air and water temperature warms up, the walleyes have started moving out to 26-28 feet water. Water temps are ranging from 56 to 62 degrees and the forecast looks great this week! Our guides have been successful in the rocks, mud, and sand using 3/8 oz. jigs. The walleyes have been biting on gold jigs tipped with a shiner. Many guests are catching fish that are 17” to 19” along with many walleyes 27” or bigger! Pro tip of the week – make sure you are setting your hook, practice makes perfect! Guided trips available, come have some fun this summer.

Celebrate Dad in June!
Lodging & Guided Charter Packages starting at only $233*per person, gift cards available too! Purchase yours online or call 800-862-8602.
*Plus tax and based on double occupancy

Lake of the Woods Oak Island & the Northwest Angle Fishing Report
Great Walleye Bite
Depths 18’-20’ in the mud jigging a jig and minnow has been hot. Gold and orange have been good jig colors. Captain Steve and his crew boated over 100 fish along with some nice slot fish this week. Lots of sun in the forecast. Water temp currently 57 degrees.
Nice Pike
Casting out flashy spoons and shad raps have been the hot ticket 6’-20’.Smallmouth Bass
Anglers are having the most success finding the bass casting using mallet spinners and shad raps deep 20’-30’.Muskie season opens June 15.

Experience the Northwest Angle and Islands. Join us this summer!
Openings available late June and throughout the summer. Check out our summer packages and make plans today. 

Lake of the Woods Fishing Report from Sportsman’s Lodge January 17, 2019

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1/17/2019

Mix of Walleyes, Saugers and Sizes
Lots of different size fish coming up through the holes. Depths between 22’-30’ have been good. A mix of dead sticking and jigging with a minnow and using vexilars is a good approach. Gold, glow and red tackle colors have been popular. Jigs, buckshots, forage minnows and chubby darters have been working good this week as well as a plain hook, a few split shots, and a bobber. Check out the pictures of the week.

Ice Conditions
We have 20-24 inches of ice right now in the areas we fish and travel. We have been experiencing a cool down this week. We are making ice! Did you know? Unlike many lakes in Minnesota, our ice fishing is extended until March 31 and our winter walleye season runs until April 14. Also due to our far north location, we typically have great ice right through March and many years into April.Trail Conditions
Trails are freshly groomed and regularly scheduled grooming is in progress. We have a good base of snow anywhere from 5”-14”, more in drifts. Black stakes mark the trails from the south shore of Lake of the Woods to Oak Island and NW Angle, south shore to Warroad and Warroad to Oak Island/NW Angle are all marked. For more information about the trails and latest on the land trails, check out Lake of the Wood’s Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders Facebook pages.

Plowed Roads
We do not maintain a plowed road ourselves as we supply the transportation for all of our trips to our houses via a groomed trail, but if you are interested in venturing out on your own, there are several roads in the area you can venture out on nearby the lodge. Adrian’s Road out of Four Mile Bay and Morris Point’s road out of Morris point are a few. Last report, this week roads are in good condition. For your safety, be sure to always check with the outfitter for current conditions before heading out and always be sure to stay on marked trails.Football & Fishing
Join us for a good time Feb 3 & 4. Fishing and lodging packages 2 nights/1 day $229-$267 per person or 2 nights/2 days $299-$337 per person. We will be having our annual Big Game Party Feb 3, during the Super Bowl featuring some great food and drink specials including our ½ price apps 3pm-6pm and door prizes. Come watch the game on our 12 TV’s. Lodging and fishing available, give us a call to reserve 800-862-8602.
(plus tax and based on double occupancy)

Sportsman’s Ice Fishing Season Starts Friday!

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Ice Report 11-24-2018

Ice Fishing starts at Sportsman’s Friday, Nov 30!
It’s time! The cool fall has been great for ice making. The guides checked ice today and said based on what they found and the forecast ahead, Nov 30 will be our first day of the season for our day houses.  Sleepers and Sportsman’s Oak Island will be another week or so after. They found 5”-7” of ice on the bay and 7-10” on the lake and nearly no snow cover in the areas we fish and travel. We should have no problems building a few more inches and starting with a safe 8-12” by Friday, especially with no snow cover. With no snow on the ice yet, which is great for ice making, it is slick so be sure to bring your cleats. As always, if you decide to venture out on your own, be sure to check with local resorts or outfitters before venturing out. Light jeeps, UTV’s, ATV’s only for awhile and keep the speed slow. The entire lake never freezes equally and the river is usually not ready for a few more weeks due to current. We only check and monitor the areas we fish and travel.

Public Ice Roads
We use a private access and do not maintain a public road. For ice road information, we suggest checking with Morris Point or Adrian’s.

Openings available!
Give us a call to make your reservations! 800-862-8602 or click here.

 

The sturgeon are biting!

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Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River
5/2/2018

The sturgeon are biting! Check out what the Johnson Group reeled in with Captain Wes yesterday!
Bill reeled in a 60” and 52” and Vance,  a 50”. All fish were released.


We are warming up!
Slow but sure, the ice is melting. The Rainy River is completely open and there is open water just past the gap right now on the lake. We received a little shot of rain early this week but could use a good rain to soften more ice up, nonetheless there are over 40 miles of fishable river and bays right now and more warm weather in the forecast.  Current river temp is 47 degrees, the water level is low, not much debris but it is dirty, clearing more by the day. It should be cleared up nicely by walleye opener. Luckily, the sturgeon feed by smell in the dirty water so it doesn’t have much of effect on the sturgeon fishing going on now.  The current is average speed. For more information about the river or if you like to keep tabs on it, click here for water data. This data is measured right off our dock.


The Best Sturgeon bite has been in the deep river bottom holes. Two to four ounce no roll sinker, 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook tipped with a gob of night crawlers and a few shiners works well. Spring is prime time catching time.  Come enjoy the weather and reel in some monsters!

Did you know? Lake Sturgeon can live to be more than 100 years old and exceed more than 150 pounds!

Pike
Bays and creeks and the river are hot spots. Smelt lying on the bottom works well. Make sure to hook all the way through the body of the bait to keep it nice and secure.  Long shaft jigs work the best.

Walleye Opener is next weekend, May 12.
It has been a slow warm up this spring.  Predictions are the river and bays will be full of walleyes on opener.

Seasons
Sturgeon – Keep one within size limits going on now,  April 24-May 7 and July 1 – Sept 30, catch and release Oct 1-April 23 and May 8-15
Northern Pike open year round
Walleye currently closed, reopening May 12

Our 12th Annual Sturgeon Tournament is this weekend
Stay tuned to our Facebook page Friday & Saturday for some great action. We will be posting leaderboard results and pictures. The tournament is currently full for this year, but there are still lots of fun that can be had watching the action.  The tournament runs 8:30am-4pm Friday and 8:30-3pm Saturday wrapping up with a banquet Saturday night.  All of the fishing takes place in front of the lodge. So, grab a chair and watch the excitement right from the bar and dock.  Join us!  Happy hour and dinner served in the Sandbar.

Come have some fun this spring. Spring Specials!
Lodging starting at only $43* per person per night now through May 23. Guided Sturgeon and pike trips going on now  and up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages May 11-23. Click here to start planning your trip.
*plus tax and based on double occupancy