Sportsman’s Lodge
1/11/2019

Rolling into mid-January
Seems like the winter just started and here we sneaking up on mid-January. We have seen some really nice fish come up through the ice holes this week.

Temps are decreasing again. Sounds like the temperature gauge is going to dip below zero next week for a stretch.

The guides have been busy moving houses and chasing down the fish. We have been finding the best fishing in a range of depths between 18′-30’. Some hot jig and small spoon colors have been pink/gold, blue glow and a plain hook this week. A mix of dead sticking and jigging with a minnow are good approaches to reel in the fish.  Walleyes and saugers are the main catch along with an occasional eelpout, perch, tullibee or sturgeon.  Action can be sporadic and at times an all-out frenzy so always be sure to check your bait and keep your hooks sharp. Vexilars really help catch rates and underwater cameras do work on Lake of the Woods there is just not a big distance to view, usually about 6”-10” but really cool to watch so if you have one, be sure to bring it along. If you don’t have a vexilar we have a few rentals available. They go quick, so be sure to call ahead to reserve.

Lake of the Woods clinches the Walleye Wars win!
Lake of the Woods Tourism Director, Joe Henry and Devils Lake Tourism Director, Tanner Cherney battled it out on their home lakes on Facebook Live Jan 3 along with special guests for the 1st head to head walleye war.  Lake of the Woods had a great day and brought home the trophy! Check out the entire recap here.

Ice Conditions
We have 16-22 inches of ice right now in the areas we fish and travel.

Trail Conditions
Black stakes mark the trails from the south shore to Oak Island and NW Angle, south shore to Warroad and Warroad to Oak Island/NW Angle are all marked.  The lake trails got a fresh grooming Wednesday.  Average snow is anywhere from 5”-14”on the lake and more in drifts. 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.  Be sure to always check with the outfitter for current conditions before heading out as conditions can change and always be sure to stay on marked trails. Be sure to especially exercise caution in areas with current. The entire lake never freezes equally. No travel is advised on the Rainy River at this time.

Here is the latest from a few roads near the lodge.
Adrian’s Road out of Four Mile Bay/Wheeler’s Point
Allowing big trucks and houses up to 30’ in length. No 30’+ houses or 5th Wheel Houses yet.

Morris Point Road out of Morris Point
Ice Road is open to all vehicles and all size wheel houses.

Treat your sweetie in February at Sportsman’s
Relax, Fish and snuggle up with your sweetie in February. Join us February 13 & 14 for a night or two and great fishing. Packages starting at only $152 per person. Plus tax and based on double occupancy.  Midweek trips available. Looking for a weekend trip, we have March weekends available through March 31.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
1/11/2019

Fishing Action
The bite has slowed up a bit the past few days, spotty seems to be the best word to explain it. Some houses doing better than others depending on the time, day and approach. The best bite continues to be in 23’-26’. More walleyes are being found on the rocks and more saugers with a few perch in the sand and mud. Gold, orange, red, pink and white have been working well for jig and spoon colors tipped with a minnow. Dead sticking? Jigging? The best approach varies by the day and many times by the minute.  Your best bet is to do both and see what works for you. We have midweek trips available January-March and weekends February & March. Come have some fun.

Ice Conditions
We currently have 14”-21” of ice in the areas we fish and travel. We have a lot of safe ice and we are making more ice by the day but, the high water and current this year has posed a challenge in the areas with current so far this year so if you are venturing out on your own, be sure to check with resorts and outfitters before venturing out. Many current areas you may be used to traveling are not quite ready for travel yet so alternative routes are advised.

Trail Conditions
The trails from the south shore to Oak Island and NW Angle, south shore to Warroad and Warroad to Oak Island/NW Angle are all marked with black stakes.  Average snow is anywhere from 5”-14”on the lake with more in drifts. Mainly 12”-16” up here on the north side of the lake. Grooming is in progress.  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 Road
The regular plowed road from Young’s Bay at the Northwest Angle to us is not quite ready yet due to the current this year.   We have plowed an alternative route for our guests to use from Young’s Bay around the south side of Oak Island until we can gain more ice.  This temporary route will not be marked, so please give us a call prior to visiting so we can lead you out. We are hoping the regular road will be ready to plow within a week.

Come have some fun this winter!
Weekend trips are available February and March and midweek trips available now through March.
It’s ice fishing time! Click here to learn more about our ice fishing packages.