Author Archives: Sportsman's Lodges

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 9/30/20

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Sportsman’s Rainy River

Walleye and Sturgeon Biting at the Line
The weather is cooling down again. A sure reminder October is just a day away. 

For walleyes, anchored with a gold, pink or red jig and a chub or shiner is working just outside of the gaps and bays 9’-15’ amd 21’-27’.  Varied sizes biting at the line.  Water temp in the mid 50’s.  The sturgeon bite has been good in areas of current and on the edge of a deep hole in the river using a 18″ snell made of 60 lb line, 5/0 circle hook, 3-5 ounce roll sinker and a gob of minnows with a shiner or two.  Today is the last day of keep season but you can catch and release these prehistoric monsters October through April 23.

Fall Midweek Special
Lodge Rooms only $89 per night for 2 adults plus tax through October.

Join us for our Fall Sturgeon Tournament October 30 & 31
Sign up for this fun event!  Our normally scheduled spring tournament is coming up this fall October 30 & 31.  We had rescheduled this year’s tournament due to COVID. Cash prizes! Check out the details online and give us a call 800-862-8602 to sign up.

Oak Island

Rig up a jig
Jigs and a minnow is reeling the walleyes and crappies. Shorelines and points with current 8’-24’ have been good for walleyes and areas around structure 15’-30’ hot for crappies.  Gold, pink, bright green and glow in the dark have been good colors. Muskes and pike are hitting in areas of rocky points and cabbage weed bays trolling with crankbaits or casting with jerkbaits.  Not sure where to go? Ask about booking a gudie.  You still have time for one last soft water blast. The passenger service is still running to get you from Sportman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge. Give us a jingle and enjoy the peaceful island atmosphere.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 9/23/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Warm Week
Is this the last warm blast? We have had highs in the upper 60’s and 70’s this week. Sounds like a cool down is coming starting Sunday.

Hit and miss bite this week but yesterday it picked up. Water temp has pushed up to lower 60’s. Anchored and jigging a chub or shiner or drifting pulling spinners with a crawler or chub has been luring in the walleyes.  9’-15’ and 22’-28’ outside of Pine Island and Zippel Bay. Gold, yellow and orange have been popular colors. 

Fall Sturgeon Tournament Openings October 30 & 31
Limited space! Sign up for this fun event!  Our normally scheduled spring tournament is coming up this fall October 30 & 31.  We had rescheduled this year’s tournament due to COVID. Cash prizes! Check out the details online and give us a call 800-862-8602 to sign up.

Oak Island

The Bite
Jigging a gold, orange or glow in the dark jig tipped with a minnow in 10’-14’ and 21’-27’ on or around structure and shorelines has been good for walleyes.  The landscape with the leaves turning is absolutely beautiful right now.

Check out our Great Fall Rates through mid October
Click here or call 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 9/18/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge Fishing Report

Fall Patterns
The week started out up and down but the bite is getting better and we are seeing more shiners in the river. Fall patterns are taking shape. The current water temp has decreased and is in the upper 50’s.

Walleyes are starting to move into shallower depths and to the river. Some of the best techniques to getting a nice stringer of walleyes have been anchored using a jig tipped with a chub or shiner or drifting with a spinner tipped with a minnow or crawler along shorelines 11’-16’ and out deeper in the mud in  22’-28’.  Gold, glow in the dark and orange have been popular colors. 

  • Josh 28.5″ walleye caught on jig/shiner. Guide Captain Landon
  • Dick 28 3/4″ walleye. Guide Captain Mike Marquart
  • Mike Lanier 22″ walleye. Guide Captain Mike Cline
  • Mike Lanier with a young sturgeon. Guide Captain Mike Cline

Looking for more species to fish?

Sturgeon
Sturgeon are being reeled in in the deep holes of the bays and river bottom using a 4/0 hook, few ounce no roll sinker, a gob of crawlers, and topped with a shiner.

Pike & Smallmouth Bass
Give jerk baits a try when fishing for pike in the fall in cabbage weeds adjacent to rock structure. Pike often hang out on the fringe of cabbage weeds. Start at 10’-12’ and work to deeper water off reefs and points using a spinnerbait or a jig and a minnow. 

Great Fall Rates
Up to 20% off summer lodging and charter packages and lodging starting at just $89 a night for two people now through Oct 31, 2020. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or email us for a rate quote and availability. *Plus tax

Fall Sturgeon Tournament Openings
October 30 & 31 Cash prizes! Always a fun event! Check out the details online and give us a call 800-862-8602 to sign up.

Oak Island

Jigging
Similar to the south end of the lake, jigs and spinners are working right now. Jigging getting better by the day. A gold or orange jig tipped with a minnow or hammered gold spinner tipped with a minnow or crawler in 10’-15’ and 21’-27’ on or around structure and shorelines. Crappies are hitting on small jigs on structure 15’-30’. Muskies and pike are hot after the topwater baits in the weedy bays.

Check out our Great Fall Rates. Openings are available!
Click here or call 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 9/9/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Water temp is falling and leaves are changing. Currently, the water temperature is sitting around 59-62 degrees and some shiners are starting to show up in the river.

Walleyes are being caught on a variety of methods right now. Drifting with pink, orange, and hammered gold spinners and a crawler in 11’-16’ and 26’-36’ as well as on crankbaits with some shimmer and rattle in the mud 26’-36’. Some dabbling with the jig and a minnow or shiner but most are finding the spinners and cranks are working the best. Areas outside Lighthouse Gap, Zippel Bay, and Garden Island have been good. It won’t be long and anchored with a jig/minnow method will start to take precedence, so be ready!

Great Fall Rates
Up to 20% off summer lodging and charter packages and lodging starting at just $89 a night for two people now through Oct 31, 2020. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or email us for a rate quote and availability. *Plus tax

Fall Sturgeon Tournament Openings
October 30 & 31 Cash prizes! Always a fun event! Check out the details online and give us a call 800-862-8602 to sign up.

Oak Island

Variety of Methods
Fall is in the air and that means it is time to start thinking about changing up methods to stay on the walleye bite. Jigs, spinners, and crankbaits are methods of choice right now but the jig and minnow will start to be the go-to soon. Drifting with gold and pink spinners tipped with a crawler in 15’-28’ on rock structure, trolling with shad raps in 26’-36’ in the mud and anchored jigging a minnow or shiner in 11’-15’ and 20’-26’ on or around structure has been working the best. Water temp is in the lower 60’s now.

Looking for some crappies? Crappies are biting on small jigs and a minnow in 10’-30’.

Check out our Great Fall Rates. Openings are available!
Click here or call 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 9/3/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Cooling Down
Feels like fall. Lows in the 40’s and highs in the ’50-’70s lately.

Water temp is down to 65 and likely to dip lower this week. Currently, anglers are pulling spinners with a crawler or trolling with a shad rap for the best luck. It won’t be long and the jig and a minnow will start to take the stage. For spinners, anything glow, hammered gold or anything in the orange/red/gold color family has been good. For shad raps, shiny and noticeable is key. In the stained waters of Lake of the Woods, a little more shimmer, rattle, or bright color never hurts to try. Best depths have been in 11’-17’ along shorelines and 28’-36’ in the mud. Come have some fun.

Have you tried to call?
Yesterday afternoon until today around noon we suffered a phone outage at the lodge and in the area due to some local construction going on. Just wanted to let you know we are back up! Sorry for the inconvenience, give us a call 800-862-8602.

Let’s go Fishing!
Openings available this fall. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or email us for a rate quote and availability.

Fall Sturgeon Tournament Openings
October 30 & 31 Cash prizes! Always a fun event! Check out the details online and give us a call 800-862-8602 to sign up.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Drifting Away in the Islands
Drifting with gold and orange spinners tipped with a minnow or crawler has been working well for walleyes in 15’-26’. Trolling with shad raps and anchored with a jig/minnow combo also getting some nice ones. Water temp is down to mid-’60s. Muskies are hitting on blades and topwater baits in weedy bays and rock points. Crappies on small jigs in 10’-30’. We received some cancellations for Sept 9-13, so now have openings for that time and have openings available here and there throughout fall. Give us a call at 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 8/27/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Leaves are starting to Change
Pulling spinners and trolling with cranks continue to work the best for walleyes. Some anglers finding fish in 12’-16’ and others in deeper waters 28’-36’. Pink, silver, and gold for colors. The leaves are starting to change, fall is just around the corner and so is the shiner run. Once the shiners start run the river, we know it won’t take long for the walleyes to follow.

Anglers fishing the river are reeling in some nice sturgeon. Anchored in a deep hole or along the incline above the deep hole has been good. A sturgeon rig tipped with a gob of crawlers works well. Lots of species and miles of water to explore. Charter trips available through late October. Give us a call 800-862-8602.

Sturgeon Tournament October 30 & 31
Cash prizes! Openings are available. Call up some fishing buddies and join us.
Click here to learn more and to sign up.

Fall Openings
Lodging starting at only $89* per night in lodge rooms and up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages Sept 8-Oct 31. Check out our packages and make plans to visit us, call 800-862-8602. *plus tax and based on 2 adults

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Trolling
Trolling in 24’-28’ using spinners with a minnow, crawler harness or crankbaits in the mud and around structure has been working for walleyes. Gold, red, pink, and yellow tackle have been good options.

Nice pike and muskies have been reeled in. Several 30”+ pike right off the dock. Muskies have been hitting on topwater baits and blades in weedy bays and rock points. Pike mainly in deep water with rocks using spinnerbaits. Crappies are hungry using small jigs and a minnow 10’-30’ on structure.

The Canadian border remains closed at this time but the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service is available to get you to the island. For fall and winter trips, give us a call 800-772-8411 or contact us online.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 8/20/20

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Combination of Techniques
A combination of eaters, small fish, and nice trophies are being reeled in.

Pulling spinners with a minnow, crawler harnesses , and pulling crankbaits on a slow drift or troll continue to be the go-to methods in the deep mud 27’-36. Gold, glow, and anything shiny is popular tackle colors. Warm weather continues with highs in the 70’s and 80’s this week. Water temp is in the lower 70’s.

Fall is just around the corner
Lodging starting at only $89* per night in lodge rooms and up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages Sept 8-Oct 31. Check out our packages and make plans to visit us 800-862-8602. *plus tax and based on 2 adults

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Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Spinners, Cranks and & Jigs
Rock reefs and points in 18’-30’ using red/white and gold 3/8 oz. jigs tipped with a minnow or a spinner with a nightcrawler has been a successful method for reeling in the walleyes. Pulling crankbaits in the deep mud is also a great method. Water temp is in the lower 70’s.

Muskies and Pike
Working point to point in weedy bays with structure using topwater and jerk baits are luring in the muskie and pike.

Fall is just around the corner
We have some openings for September and October. Give us a call 800-772-8411 or contact us online here for availability.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 8/4/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Chasing Walleyes

Drifting or trolling using spinners tipped with a leech or crawler or a crankbait are the go-to methods right now. On the move in the mud bottom 27’-34’ is a good way to find them. Pink, gold, white, and glow in the dark colors are working well. Water temp is 74 degrees and the 14-day forecast continues to show upper 70’s and lower 80’s. We have had lots of beautiful weather this summer.

Discounted Fall Rates start Sept 8 and our Sturgeon Tournament is Oct 30 & 31
Click here to check out our fall packages and here to learn more about our sturgeon tournament.
We have tournament spots open. Cash prizes!

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Fish On!
Muskie, walleyes, pike, bass…take your pick. Walleyes have been snapping in the mud 27’-34’ and the reefs 14’-22’. A mix of using spinners with a crawler or leech, jigging with a minnow, and trolling with crankbaits. Hammered gold, pink, and white are popular colors. The water temp is 75 degrees. Muskie and pike are hitting in cabbage bays using a bucktail, topwater, or jerk bait. Smallmouth bass has been found around rock reefs in 4’-14’ using crankbaits. Check out the pictures of the week. Lots of nice fish!

October in the islands is excellent for all species.
Come get into the phenomenal fall bite. We have some great fall discounts too.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/29/20

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Heading into August
And just like that here we are in the last month of summer. As much as I love summer fishing, the anticipation of the change in the season always gets me excited for the fall bite.

This week… The forecast for the week is looking like the mid-’70s. A nice summer temp for us Minnesotans. LOL Whew, the ’90s are a little warm for many of us northerners. Anglers are catching some nice walleyes mainly in deep water in the mud right now 27’-34’, drifting using gold, silver, or glow in the dark spinners tipped with a crawler, leech or minnow. Trolling with crankbaits has been a great approach too. The Water temp is 73 degrees.

Discounted Fall Rates start Sept 8 and our Sturgeon Tournament is Oct 30 & 31! Click here to check out our fall packages and here to learn more about our sturgeon tournament.

We have tournament spots open. Cash prizes.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Deep Waters
25’-34’ has been a good bite. A mix of using spinners with a crawler or leech, jigging with a minnow, and trolling with crankbaits have been the angler’s choice right now. Gold, pink, and bright orange are popular colors. Water temp is about 73 degrees.

Muskies & Northern Pike
A number of great spots among the islands of the Northwest Angle and Oak Island are ideal for trophy muskie and pike. Trolling deep bays and rocky points with bucktails, topwater and jerk baits are good bets.
Don’t count out throwing a few casts in a weedy bay too.

Bass
Smallmouth bass has been hitting around rock reefs in 4’-14’ using crankbaits.

October in the islands is excellent for all species.
The walleye, muskie, bass, sauger, perch, crappie, and pike bite can be absolutely phenomenal and we have some great fall discounts too.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/21/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

Lots of slots
It has been a good bite this week, lots of slot fish and plenty to fry up. A slot walleye is a walleye 19.5”-28” in length that must be released after catching. Check out the lunkers in the pictures of the week. Many long time guests have been saying this summer, “Fishing has been some of the best they have ever experienced!”

What’s working? Drifting with hammered gold or bright colored spinners, 1-2 ounces of weight tipped with a crawler. Some anglers are now trying their luck at trolling with shad raps and having good luck too. Water temperature is 74 degrees.

Best depth has been 18’-27’. Tip of the Week: Keep your line tight and your drag light to bring in those trophy fish. Don’t let summer pass you by. Midweek guided trips available over the next few weeks. Weekends available late August and through the fall. Lodging available, midweek most anytime the rest of the season and weekends after July 25.

Fall Discounts Sept 8-Oct 31
Up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages. Check out our packages here and make plans to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Sturgeon Tournament
Our spring tournament was rescheduled to October 30 & 31. Openings are available. Click here to learn more about this popular tournament and sign up today.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Walleye, it’s what’s for Dinner
12’-23’ in the sand and 23’-29’ in our around rocks continues to produce results when going after walleyes. Drifting with a spinner, ounce or two of weight and a crawler has been working well. Trolling with shad raps has been worth a shot too. Deep bays and rocky points are hot spots for muskies right now using bucktails and topwater lures. The water temperature is 74 degrees.

Openings available
Sportsman’s Oak Island: July 27/28, August 2-6, 9-11, 16-17, 23-26, 30-Sept 1, 7-9, 14, 15, 20-23, 27-Oct 18

Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge Cedar Cabin – Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free: July 24-30, Aug 2-5, 15-21, 30-Sept 23, 27-Oct 18.

Call to book this cabin 800-772-8411.

Canadian Border Update
Unfortunately, we have once again been notified that the Canadian government has extended its border closure to August 21, 2020, at this time. The good news is, you still have options to come and enjoy some island time! The Lake of the Woods Passenger continues to provide service to and from the island from Sportsman’s Lodge in Baudette and has follow boat options. No border crossing required. For any questions or reservation changes, please contact us here or by calling 800-772-8411.