The weather forecast looks great and we expect to start our ice fishing season soon. We are unable to get out on the lake right now to check the ice due to wind conditions and poor visibility. It sounds like the wind is going to settle down tonight and we should be able to get out tomorrow to see how things are coming along. We will post a report tomorrow as soon as we can! Stay tuned! We have trips available December through March. Make plans to join us for some winter fun today.
Fishing continues to be hot! Walleyes are being targeted and caught using a variety of tactics. Gold and pink jigs tipped with a frozen shiner are still producing very well. 27’-30’ has been the best depths the past few days.
Like I said last week, the spinner bite will be picking up and that has held true! 8’-20’ with a hammered gold spinner tipped with a minnow, leech, or crawler produced good numbers of quality walleyes! Drift speed is very important when spinner fishing. The best speed right now is .7-1.2 mph.
The third bite that has been producing is pulling plugs. This is a method that doesn’t usually pick up steam until the dog days of summer but there has been a few boats doing well. If you look to try this tactic look shallow. Troll the breaks from 5’-10’. Since the water is still warming up, the slower you can run your plugs and keep them in the strike zone the better!
Looking for a place to have a bachelor or bachelorette party this summer?
Sportsman’s Lodge is a great place! Lodging, fishing (no experience or equipment required), musical entertainment, indoor pool, hot tub, camping and relaxing await you. Make it just a day or weekend trip! Contact us today for a free quote!
Celebrate Dad the month of June at Sportsman’s!
Lodging & Charter Fishing packages available starting at $249 per person or make it a gift card. Gift cards are always the right color, size and price. Click here to contact us about a trip and click here to order a gift card online now.
Walleye season is finally here and we couldn’t be more excited! We had an awesome first weekend with boats pulling in a lot of nice fish! Fish are being caught all the way from 14’ to 23’. Do not be afraid to move around and look for fish! Jig tipped with a shiner seemed to be the best way to target them with the hot colors being Lake of the Woods classics, pink and gold. With temps remaining in the high 50s low 60s fishing is looking to stay good this week! Hope to see you out there!
What a tough day for Captain Mike. Trying to take a nice picture but cannot seem
to keep people from catching fish in the background!
Captain Wes off to a hot start this year with a cooler of nice fish!
Nice Catch!
Many of you know Mike Vanstrom, a guide who has been with us in the fall and winter seasons for the past 3 years. When Mike is not at Sportsman’s, Mike can be found in the southwest region of Alaska.
Mike has a love for the outdoors and in the summer season guides outdoor enthusiasts brown bear and moose hunting and king salmon fishing 300 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska on the Nushagak River the world’s largest run of king salmon. You may have recently seen the 9′ bear that is in our lobby Mike guided a customer to bag recently. If you are looking for an Alaska adventure check out Mike’s website.
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!
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
Check out this nice 39.5 inch pike!
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.
The ice is moving on out. We can now get from the Northwest Angle/Young’s Bay to the island. The main lake still has ice but it is melting fast. Click here or give us a call 800-772-8411 to book you summer stay.
Check out our spring deals here.
For summer packages click here.
Fishing Dates to Remember
Minnesota Fishing Dates…..
Walleye opens May 13
Northern Pike open all year
Muskie opens June 17 thru Nov 30.
Bass, Crappie & Perch open all year.
Ontario Fishing Dates…..
Walleye season opens May 20
Muskie opens June 17
Northern Pike, Bass, Crappie & Perch open all year
Get your reservations in early for the upcoming summer season, prime dates are filling up.
We have already seen some huge sturgeon and nice pike reeled in this year and this is only the beginning! Sturgeon seasons run through May 15 and pike season is open year round. The spring sturgeon catch and release season runs through April 23 and May 8-15. You can keep one sturgeon per calendar year April 24-May 7, between the size of 45”-50” inclusive or over 75” with a sturgeon tag. Sturgeon tags can be purchased at the lodge for $5 or at any place that sells Minnesota fishing licenses.
Come and get in on the fun
Water temp is 45 degrees today. Some of the best sturgeon fishing is just minutes away from our dock. Sturgeon like to hang out in deep holes of the river bottom. One of the best techniques to hook into one is to set up anchored just in a hole or outside of a hole using a 4/0 or 5/0 hook, 2-10 oz. no roll weight depending on the current for that day and tip it with a gob of minnows. The best places to find pike this time of year is in the bays. Throwing dare devils or jointed rapalas usually do well. Hundreds of bays along the river and lake are open now. Guided trips also available too. The lake continues to open up more every day. As soon as the cloud cover clears we will post a satellite picture on our facebook page, stay tuned.
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.
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.
Walleye Opener is just around the corner
May 13 is walleye opener. Lodging starting at $46 per person and lodging/charter fishing packages starting at only $249 per person. Click here to choose your package. *plus tax and based on double occupancy
Mother’s Day Brunch
Treat mom to some great fishing, relaxation and Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch at Sportsman’s May 14. From walleye, to salads to mimosas and more click here to check out the menu we have planned and make your reservations today.
Hey everyone, it has been a good week of fishing here on the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. The spring season brings lots of changes and successful anglers know that too well. Being ready to change up your location, tackle, bait and approach when the weather, fish patterns, water temp and clarity make a change, is all instrumental in getting more walleyes in your net. Currently the river is clearing up, 1-2 feet clarity today and the water temp has warmed up to 45 degrees. Anchored, using gold jigs tipped with a shiner and Northland Tackle’s gold thumpers have been working well. Depths in the river and lake between 11’-18’ have been good. The lake is open to about a mile and half past Pine Island right now. As the ice melt continues be sure to watch the wind and ice chunks. There is over 40 miles of fishable waters outside our front door right now. Areas from Birchdale all the way out to the lake so even when conditions change, there are miles of good fishing holes to enjoy. Walleye season is open through tomorrow and re opens May 13. The lodge will be closed Easter Sunday but lodging in our cabins and villas are available that day.
We are honored to have, Pro Angling Team, Brian “Bro” and Heather Brosdahl, Infisherman Angler, Matt Straw and Sam and Matt from Northland Tackle join us this week. Click here to check out their Lake of the Woods spring experience!
Guide Eric’s Best’s dad Doc reeled in this huge strugeon today. Measuring 63 inches.
Awesome Sturgeon Bite
We have seen a lot of nice 40”-70” sturgeon reeled in this year already. It really has been incredible start to the spring sturgeon season. The other cool thing is these dinosaurs seem to bite no matter what the water clarity is like, so always a great option to try in any condition. Deep holes in the river using a 4/0 or 5/0 hook, a good weight 3-10 ounces depending on the day and current and a gob of minnows works well. Spring season continues through May 15. For more information about the seasons and limits click here.
Spring Pike Fishing
Lake of the Woods is home to one of the largest populations of trophy sized pike and March – May is one of the best times to reel them in. Anchoring at the mouth of the river using frozen ciscos has been working well.
Kids love fishing! What a fun day! Guided by Captain Wes
Two hours of non stop action with Captain Wes
No hassles, just good fishing!
Guides available for walleye, sturgeon and pike! No boat to worry about, no tackle or bait to buy, no hassles, just great fishing! Give us a call to book your trip 800-862-8602!
Watch the water temperature rise on the Rainy River, click here.
Spring Specials
Lodging starting at $42 per person per night, guided trips and up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages. Click here to learn more! *plus tax and based on double occupancy
Most of last week the Rainy River clarity was up to 3’ and the current was mild. Walleye and sauger fishing was on fire! It wasn’t hard to catch 100+ fish in a day. Late last week the tributaries started to thaw, the river dirtied and the current sped up pushing anglers to change up their strategy to find the fish willing to bite. It was a mixed bag of success. Some anglers continued to do well and some didn’t. Some switched over to sturgeon fishing. Yesterday and early this morning the Little Fork and Big Fork opened up, a sure sign of spring. As we look towards this week we should start seeing the river clean up and the lake open up further making available more fishing opportunities and clearer water. As of today the lake is open about a mile and a half past Pine Island. The water temperature is starting to go up again, currently at 38.5 degrees after dipping to 35 degrees a few days ago. All boat landings along the river are open. The weather forecast looks dry and beautiful.
Yesterday, Guide Travis Madrazo and the Carisch group of 2 were out and did awesome. Late afternoon bite was best reeling in over 100 walleyes.
Nate Sailor reeled in a nice 28.5 inch walleye and some nice sturgeon caught by the Thomsen and Oelrich Group. Guided by Wes Harder.
29.5 inch walleye Christensen Group and some nice walleyes including a 29 inch with the Egan group. Guided by Baihly Hontvet
Fishing Seasons Tips for the week
Walleyes & Saugers – River shorelines, 13’-22’, lake 10’-20’jigging brightly colored 1/2 oz. to ¾ oz. jigs tipped with rainbows, shiners or chubs or pitching soft plastics towards shore.
Sturgeon – Anchor near or in deep holes in the River or Four Mile Bay with some current using a 3-5 ounces of weight using a 4/0 or 5/0 hook tipped with a gob of worms and a shiner. Lots of big sturgeons have been getting caught this week. Once you hook in, be ready! Some of these monsters take up to a few hours to reel in. It can be quite an adventure!
Pike – With more bays opening up the soft water pike season should start heating up as well. Cast spoons and jerk baits in shallow bays with structure.
Take a guide – A guided trip is relaxing, less hassle and it is a great way to learn new tactics. Contact us a for availability.
Walleye open through April 14, reopening May 13
Northern Pike open year round
Lake Sturgeon catch and release now through April 23, keep one season April 24-May 7, catch and release May 8-15, closed May 16-June 30, keep one season July 1-Sept 30, catch and release Oct 1-April 23.
For more information about seasons, limits and licenses click here.
Lodging Specials, Guided Trips, Boat Rentals, Dock Slips, Rainy River Boat Access Map click here!
Curious about the water temperature and flow? Here are some resources to check out.
Rainy River Wheeler’s Point Water Data
Lake of the Woods Control Board Basin Data
Spring is in the air. Our ice fishing season closed Sunday on the lake and the river bite started with a bang on Monday. The Pelland and Birchdale landings are now open and the Frontier and Vidas landing are not far behind. There is open water 4-5 miles west of Frontier landing. Frontier landing has 25-30 feet of shore ice and rumor has it may be open tomorrow. Vidas landing should be open by the weekend and possibly even Timbermill (east side of Baudette) by the weekend at this rate. The bite has been hot! A few of our guides were out and landed and released a pile of walleyes yesterday, over 50% in the slot. Drift jigging gold/pink and gold ¾ oz. jigs tipped with a rainbow was the hot ticket. Clarity was 6-8’ and current speed was .7-1mph. Best time was in the late afternoon in depths of 13’-18’. Lodging specials and guided trips available now! Boat rentals and dock slips will be available soon! Time to book your spring trip! 800-862-8602
Click here to view the Rainy River Access Map
Pelland Landing 3-20-2017
Birchdale Landing 3-20-17
Open Season
Walleye season is open through April 14 on the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. Pike season never closes and sturgeon catch and release is open now through April 23. Sturgeon keep one is April 24-May 7 and catch and release again April 8-15 before closing for a short 6 weeks.
Spring Specials
$99 Lodge Rooms & 20% off Cabins and Villas now through March 31. Lodging starting at $42 per person April 1-May 24 and up to 20% off lodging/charter packages May 12-May 24. Don’t miss out on these hot specials! *rates plus tax and based on double occupancy
Sportsman’s 20th Annual Mardi Gras Party is this Saturday, March 25!
Free Hurricanes 8pm-9pm, $100 cash for best costume, $100 cash for best lip sync, $2 beer specials,
entertainment and a whole lot more! You won’t want to miss it! Book your lodging now.
Fish house rentals available for 6 more days! Give us a call! Relax in a warm fish house and get in on the late season bite. March 21 will be the last day we will have houses out for the winter season.
What’s hot
Walleye and sauger bite has been good jigging gold and pink jigs, plain hooks and spoons tipped with a chub or shiner in 25’-33’ outside of Pine Island. An early morning and late afternoon bite has been best.
Ice Conditions
Currently we have 27-30 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. For conditions in other areas check with local resorts and outfitters as conditions may be different.
Trail Conditions
We have minimal snow on land and the lake. Grooming is done for the year.
Ice Fishing beyond March 21
Will there be good ice after March 21 this year? Chances are their will be some good ice on the lake for another week or so. If you interested in venturing out on your own, we have lodging available and some great specials too! $99 Lodge Rooms and 20% off Cabins and Villas March 22-31. Conditions change often this time of year so be sure to check with the ice road maintainer before venturing out. Adrian’s Resort and Morris Point Resort both have ice roads nearby. Check with them for the latest conditions.
Rainy River Spring Fishing start soon
From fish houses to boats. It is that crazy time of year when the lake can still maintain 30 inches of ice and the river starts to open up to our east. When temperatures start to increase the river opens up from the east and will continue to open up moving west. The spring bite is an aggressive sought after bite by many anglers looking to reel some nice walleye, pike and lake sturgeon. Walleye season is open until April 14, pike season is open year round and sturgeon season is catch and release through April 23, open season April 24-May 7 and catch and release again May 8-15. Derik checked river conditions yesterday and found it pretty locked up with ice for the most part still but with not much snow and warm temps coming up later in the week we expect it to change soon. Chances are we will see a few boat splashing around the Manitou(38 miles east of Baudette)/Birchdale (26 miles east of Baudette) area sometime within the next week. Open water spots were spotted 23 miles east of Baudette (35 miles east of the lodge) and Manitou area is wide open except for but 20 feet of shore ice on either side located 38 miles east of Baudette (50 miles east of the lodge). The Pelland Kuttes boat landing 57 miles east of is open. Click here for more information about spring fishing and a boat access map. Watch for inbox and our Facebook page for updates!