Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River Fishing Report

Fishing Away
Catching a mix of walleyes and saugers with an occasional eelpout, pike, and perch this week. The best bite continues to be in 25’-30’. The best approach is to jig one pole and dead stick with the other, see what works best for you and take it from there. The best jig colors have been glow, pink/gold, gold, orange/gold 1/8-1/4 oz., or just a plain hook on a dead stick. Stop signs, buck shots, flutter spoons, and Swedish pimples have also been working well. Whichever presentation you choose, tip it with a chub or shiner minnow or even just a half a minnow. Fish finders such as vexilars time and time again help catch rates, especially when targetting the suspended fish. When targetting a suspended fish, always start on the bottom and reel up to it when you see it on your electronics for best results.

The ride out right now is about a 15-20 minute ride. When you fish with us, we take care of the transportation to and from the fish house, bait, we have some jigs and jig sticks or rods/reels for you to use (be sure to pick up your rods at the front desk) as well as clean your fish for you. We will even bring you a hot lunch if you ordered one the day before.

Ice Conditions
Currently, we have 24-26 inches of ice and up to 30 inches in areas with shelf ice in the areas we fish and travel.

Trail Conditions
The lake trails are all marked. For trail conditions, check out the Drifter’s Snowmobile Club and Northwest Angle Edge Riders Club pages. Save the Date! The Northwest Angle Edge Riders Snowmobile Rally is on February 26. Raffle tickets for a 2022 Polaris Titan Snowmobile and many other great prizes are now being sold at Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and local businesses.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Jigging and Dead Sticking
Anglers are getting some nice eater-size walleyes and saugers as well as plenty of throwbacks this week. The best bite has been in 21-24 feet of water. Set up your jig or spoon just 3-5 inches off the bottom and do some jigging. With the other rod, set it up with a plain hook or smaller presentation and try some dead sticking to see what lures them in. Gold, pink and bright glow green have been good colors, and bait of choice is chubs and shiner minnows.

Ice Conditions
Currently, we have 18-20 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.

Trail Conditions
The lake trails are all marked. For trail conditions, check out the Drifter’s Snowmobile Club and Northwest Angle Edge Riders Club pages. Save the Date! The Northwest Angle Edge Riders Snowmobile Rally is on February 26. Raffle tickets for a 2022 Polaris Titan Snowmobile and many other great prizes are now being sold. Stop into the lodge to purchase your tickets.

The plowed road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is ready for you. Take a ride out!

Other Ways to get to the Island
The Lake of the Woods Passenger Service has started making runs from Sportsman’s Lodge to the islands and Lake Country Air is also taking reservations now for flights throughout the winter too. The ice road from Warroad is back for a second year. The road is being worked on this week.  Check out this Facebook page for updates and fees.


Don’t let winter pass you by! We have midweek February and March openings and some weekends open at our Cedar vacation home at Eagle Ridge just a hop, skip, and 5 minute ice road or snowmobile ride away. Give us a call to book your winter getaway! 800-772-8411 or request online www.oakislandlodge.com