Tag Archives: rainy river fishing

Sportsman’s Lodge South Shore Lake of the Woods Fishing Report 5/3/2017

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With air temperatures dropping in the low 30s we all knew the water temperatures were not far behind. Water temperatures dipped all the way to 40 degrees.  And with cooling water almost always means fishing slows, especially in the spring time! This does not mean there are not fish to be caught! As far as sturgeon, get in high percentage areas and camp.  With the water cooling those big dinos will be lethargic but they will bite if they are there.  When targeting pike, if you are casting work those baits as slow as possible.  Although it may take some more patience, dead baits under a float or on the bottom may be the better bet.  As far as location, creek mouths and any areas of slack water are great areas to target! Good luck and we will see you out there!

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Walleye Opener is only 10 days away! Do you have your reservations in?
SPRING FISHING SPECIALS ~ Two nights lodging in your choice of a lodge room or cabin and one day charter fishing aboard a 27’ boat with onboard restroom, experienced guide, use of poles, bait, tackle, assortment of pop/water and fish cleaning package starting at only $210 per person. Two Night/Two Day starting at $323 and Three Night/Three Day starting at $369.  Lodging, boat rental and dock slips also available. Click here to learn more and book your stay today 800-862-8602. *plus tax and based on double occupancy

The man, the myth, the legend is on the board with his new personal best sturgeon… 59.5″.. It was even tagged.. Great job Blue Olson. Great battle.
Guide Bryan “Beef” Sathre

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Check out this nice 39.5 inch pike!

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Charter boats are ready for opener!

Take a Mom fishing
Mother’s Day is May 14.  Treat mom to some great fishing, relaxation and Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch at Sportsman’s next weekend.  She will love our cozy accommodations, indoor pool, hot tub, beautiful views, excellent fishing and delicious food.  Click here for our spring lodging and fishing packages and here to check out our Mother’s Day menu.
11th Annual Sturgeon Tournament is May 5 & 6. The tournament is full this year but everyone is welcome to stop in and check out the action from our docks or in the bar. The tournament takes place right out in front of the lodge over a 1 mile stretch. Annually we see over 100 sturgeon caught over the two day tournament. Stop by for great fishing stories, food, drinks and entertainment Friday and Saturday evenings. The tournament runs from 8:30 to 4pm Friday and 8:30 to 3pm Saturday.


Get on the fish with a Guided Trip
Whether you are looking for sturgeon, pike or walleye we have trips available this spring. Contact us for more information 800-862-8602.

Rainy River update!

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Rainy River Update!

3/23/2017
Frontier and Vidas landings now open to all boats! The Rainy River is open within 5 miles east of Baudette and open water spots within 3 miles of Baudette. Vidas, Frontier, Birchdale and Pelland landings are all open to all boats. Timbermill should open up in a day or so and Wheeler’s Point next. River has opened up 15 miles since Sunday. 16 miles left until it hits our docks! Won’t be long!

Lots of good fishing reports coming in! Jigging with gold jigs, rainbows or shiners. Tag us in your photos. We would love to share them!

Click here for an access map http://sportsmanslodges.com/…/7…/Rainy_River_Access_Map1.pdf

$99 Lodge rooms and 20% off cabins/villas this weekend.  20th Annual Mardi Gras Party is Saturday! Join us! 800-862-8602

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Vidas Landing Rainy River 3-23-2017

Vidas Landing on the Rainy River 3-22-2017

Frontier Landing Rainy River 3-23-2017

Frontier Landing Rainy River 3-23-2017

 

CATCH THE ACTION AT THE SPORTSMAN’S LODGE RAINY RIVER LOCATION THIS SPRING!

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CATCH THE ACTION AT THE
SPORTSMAN’S LODGE
RAINY RIVER LOCATION THIS SPRING!

Spring Fishing Fever 2016

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The extended walleye season we enjoy on the Canadian border allows for a phenomenon not available for much of the state. The warming weather and increased currents at the beginning of April work to open the Rainy River just as the walleyes are beginning their spring run. The action is fast, and the fish are huge, pulled up one after another. Most fishermen prefer jigging with minnows this time of year. Walleye season closes from mid-April to mid-May, giving anglers an opportunity to try their luck with Minnesota’s largest fish – the mysteriously prehistoric lake sturgeon and the frisky fighting northern pike. Lake of the Woods is proud to be one of the top ten lakes in Minnesota offering the best catch opportunity for you to catch a trophy sized sturgeon or pike in the whole state.

Spring Lodging Rates available March 14 – May 26

  • Lodging as low as $40 per person per night
  • $40 midweek/$45 weekends cabin or lodge room based on dbl occ.
  • Enjoy our new villas $59

For our spring rates and packages Click here.

Open water channel through Four Mile Bay is getting wider!

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Open water channel through Four Mile Bay is getting wider!

Four Mile Bay 3-24-2016

The Rainy River is wide open all the way from Birchdale to Wheeler’s Point now.  An open water channel through Four Mile Bay to Lake of the Woods is widening by the minute.
All boat ramps from Birchdale to Wheeler’s Point are now open to all boats.

Walleye season runs until April 14. Sturgeon season is catch and release now through April 23. Keep one sturgeon within 45″-50″ or over 75″ is April 24-May 7, be sure to pick up a $5 tag at the lodge or anywhere where you can buy a Minnesota fishing license. May 8-15 is catch and release again.  Northern pike season is always open. Lake of the Woods is home to some beautiful walleyes, huge sturgeon and one of the top 5 lakes in Minnesota to catch a trophy pike.  Get your fish on! Spring fishing is here!

Lodging starting at only $40 per person per night and guided trips available!  Click here

 

Walleye & Sturgeon bite are picking up! 4-6-2015

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The walleye bite is picking up and the ice is on the way out! Walleye season is open until April 14 and re-opens May 9 here on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. Good reports coming in from the weekend of many slot fish being caught with keepers mixed in. This weekend, 1/4 ounce jigs tipped with frozen shiners or rainbows produced well. Bryan “Beef” Sathre and Evan Smith two of our guides here ventured Saturday and found some nice eyes in the 22″-25″ class. The ice is out up to Wheeler’s Point and a channel is open in Four Mile Bay. The Wheeler’s Point public access just a mile away from us at this point only has 6 feet of shore ice in front and will be gone soon. Timbermill Park in Baudette, Vidas Landing, Frontier and Birchdale landings all east of Baudette are open as well.
Evan Smith spring walleye released Wheelers Point 4-4-2015

 Bryan Beef Sathre nice walleye releasedSturgeon are being caught by both those targeting them and the accidental one caught while walleye fishing. The best approach for sturgeon is sturgeon rigs, 18″ heavy leader material paired with a 5/0 circle hook. Teamed up with a 4 oz no roll sinker, a nightcrawler and a frozen shiner and you are in business. Find a deep hole in the river and anchor up. Sturgeon catch and release is open until April 23, keep one season is open April 23-May 7 within size limits, we go back to catch and release May 8-15 and the season closes for a short time May 16-June 30.

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More bays will be opening up this week. We expect the spring northern pike bite to be strong! Time to get the boat out, lots of soft water fishing opportunities have begun!

Spring Lodging Specials Lodging starting at only $40 per person per night plus tax based on double occupancy April 1-May 20! Guided Outfitter trips and boat slips are available too. Weekends are filling up, get your reservations in now 800-862-8602 or click here.

Summer is just around the corner Excellent fishing, lodging, camping, indoor pool, entertainment, new villas, and outdoor activities. Just a few things Sportsman’s offers for your next summer vacation. Click here and make plans today.

Who is ready for spring soft water fishing?

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It won’t be long and we will be launching boats and fishing for walleyes, northern pike and lake sturgeon! We have our sites on early April. Walleye season on Lake of the Woods is open until April 14, closing for a short time April 15-May 8 and then opening for the season again May 9.  The spring bite can be incredible! The warming weather and increased currents at the beginning of April work to open the Rainy River just as the walleyes are beginning their spring run. The action is fast, and the fish are huge, pulled up one after another. Most fishermen prefer jigging with minnows this time of year to reel in the walleyes. For sturgeon big hooks and a gob of worms work well and for northern pike, dare devils or buck tails are popular lures.

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For more information about Sportsman’s Lodge lodging and fishing packages, click here.

Sportsman’s Lodge 5th Annual Sturgeon Tournament

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4/30/2011

The 5th Annual Sportsman’s Lodge sturgeon tournament was a success! Over 155 sturgeon were caught over the two day catch and release event. 50 boats and 128 anglers battled it out for over $4800 in cash and prizes April 29 & 30. The two day event will conclude with an awards banquet tonight and Live Entertainment by Fireline. We only have 15 spots left for 2012! Reserve your spot today 800-862-8602 www.sportsmanslodges.com

The winners:
Day 1 (for pictures see 4/29 report below)
#1 64.5 inch length, 27 inch girth & 73 lbs- Derek Ferestad from Park Rapids, MN $1400 Cash
#2 57.75 inch length, 21 inch girth & 43 lbs– Pat Schrieber from White Bear Lake, MN $600 Cash
#3 56.5 inch length, 18.5 inch girth & 36lbs – Randy Shoen from Hastings, MN Custom Sturgeon Rod handcrafted by Lake of the Woods Guide Ralph Christopherson 

Day 2
#1 60.5 inch length, 21.5 inch girth & 45lbs Randy Shoen from Hastings, MN $1400 Cash

#2 59 inch length, 24 inch girth & 54 lbs Dan Brown from Hudson, WI $600 Cash #3 58.5 inch length, 20.5 inch girth & 43 lbs
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Mark Lyons from Roseville, MN Custom Sturgeon Rod handcrafted by Lake of the Woods Guide Ralph Christopherson pictured behind him is Scott Steinbring from Warroad, MN with a close contender holding his 52 inch caught at the same time. 

Other awards
Bullhead – 13 inch Kevin Weber from East Grand Forks, MN
Eelpout – 17 inch two way tie Steve Stoskopf from Warroad, MN & Gary Rutherford from Pengilly, MN
Sucker – 20.5 inch Hunter Deziel from Grand Forks, ND
Best Boat – Brian Stennes from Grand Forks, ND

The tournament was once again a big success and alot of fun as had. Next year’s tournament is set for May 4 & 5, 2012. To sign up contact Sportsman’s Lodge 800-862-8602. Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks to all the participants for making the tournament once again a success!