Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing & Outdoor Report
Sportsman’s Lodge
Baudette, MN
800-862-8602
12/16/09
Ice is here and the fishing starts out with a bang!
We currently have twelve inches + of ice on the lake and eight to ten inches of ice on the Four Mile Bay. The snow cover on the lake is about one to two inches and six inches on the land. At this time we are using jeeps and heated trailers to transport guests out to the fish houses. Heavier track vehicles will start being used as soon as we get more ice and snow. As of right now, there are no plowed roads open for cars and trucks until we get more ice, only four wheelers, snowmobiles and light vehicles like jeeps are advised. There is more than normal ice for this time of year on the Rainy River, however not enough for travel yet, no travel is advised on the Rainy River at this time just on the marked trails of Four Mile Bay and Lake of the Woods. If you do venture out on your own, it is very important you know where you are going. There are some parts of the lake that are never safe even in mid February. Your best bet is to go out with a resort who travels these areas day after day and year after year or stay on the marked trail.
Fishing has been above average, with the afternoons favoring the mornings. The best bite has been in eighteen to twenty-four feet of water just outside of Pine Island using gold or white jigs. The bait choice doesn’t seem to matter; we have seen just as many nice walleyes and saugers caught on chubs than shiners.
Check out these pictures!
30 inch & 27.5 inch walleyes caught recently! The bite is on. We are looking forward to a warming trend in our forecast starting today. Warm ups usually really get the fish excited, so get ready for some rod bending ice fishing action on legendary Lake of the Woods.
Groomed Trail Report
Some of the land trails have been groomed however we are looking for more snow to get them in optimum condition, right now they are in less than fair condition. The lake trail from Four Mile Bay Oak Island will be marked this Saturday, Dec 19 and at this time it is looking like we could be grooming this trail prior to Christmas. We will know more after they mark the trail and check the ice but it has been a good early ice freeze. The lake trail from Four Mile Bay to Warroad will be marked by early next week as well and grooming could start prior to Christmas, stay tuned.
December Ice Fishing Special
Dec 20-23 Only! $50 off fishing packages of 2 nights, 2 days or more AND Free $40 Gift Certificate for all members of your group! Book your trip now, availability won’t last long.