2/14/2019
Sportsman’s Lodge Ice, Fishing & Trail Report

Moving and Grooving
The guides have been doing a lot of fish house shuffling this week.  They have been working hard chasing down the best bite.  Check out the pictures of the week! If you have stayed with us recently and have a picture to share, we always love to see your pics. Text them to 218-395-0042 or email [email protected].

Tips & Techniques
Dead sticking with a plain hook, gold, pink, pink and white, green and white, glow jigs and spoons, Tom’s tackle’s charmers and the smaller tungsten jigs tipped with a live minnow have been the most successful.  If that doesn’t give you success, jig with the other line using the same colored jigs and spoons as mentioned above. Sometimes even a little smacking on the bottom and teasing up the water column will get those finicky fish to take a chomp. For the best results, watch the electronics and try some different techniques.  We have houses spread out from 22’-32’ of water in various spots about 20-30 min ride out just off a nice groomed trail.   Overall some anglers doing better than others depending on the day, hour, weather, depth, approach and Mother Nature.  Electronics users seem to do better than those without.

Don’t forget to watch for suspended fish and jig up to lure them in.  The fish coming up the ice holes have been mainly made up of walleyes and saugers for the pan or throwback with an occasional slot walleye (19.5”-28”) or larger.  Best tip if you are not getting the fish to bite, change it up! Try some different techniques, tackle and talk with your guide for the tips of the day.  Sunny March days are just around the corner and ice fishing continues at Sportsman’s through late March, winter walleye season is open until April 14.

Ice Report
30-32 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel and plenty of snow.  The auger extensions are on!

Trail Report
Lots of snow! Regular grooming continues. Come ride some of the most untouched and best trails in the state.  For more information about the trails, check out the south shore, Baudette area club information here.  For more information about the trails on the northern side of the U.S. side of the lake around the Northwest Angle and Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge, click here.

Regulation Changes March 1
Reminder ~ Walleye fishing regulations are changing starting Friday, March 1, on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.  The new regulations on Lake of the Woods will begin March 1. The new winter regulations will match the current summer regulations, reducing the aggregate walleye and sauger limit from eight to six, with no more than four walleye. The protected slot limit remains the same requires anglers to immediately release any walleye between 19.5 and 28 inches, with only one fish over 28 inches allowed in possession.

On the Rainy River and in Four Mile Bay, (Where we fish in the spring, summer and fall. At Sportsman’s we do not have any ice houses in this area in the winter.)  a catch-and-release season only will now be in effect March 1 to April 14 instead of the current Rainy River spring season regulation allows anglers to keep two walleye or sauger, and requires the immediate release of walleye 19.5 inches in length or larger.

Great Midweek Rates
Starting at just $229* per person for 2 nights lodging and a day of full service ice fishing including the fish house, transportation to and from the fish house, use of jig sticks, jigs, bait and fish cleaning Sunday – Thursday stays.  Tell us when you want to come and we will tailor a package just for you. We have great kid’s rates too! Kids 17 and under always stay free in lodge rooms with 2 adults. Looking for a weekend trip? March openings available. Check us out.
(*Plus tax and based on double occupancy.)

2/14/2019
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

The Latest Bite
The bite has been spotty this week but the guides continue to shuffle house deeper in the mud around the 30’ mark.  Anglers continue to catch most walleyes and saugers just a few inches off bottom but a few suspended too, some nice ones for the pan, a few trophies as well as plenty of little guys. It is not uncommon to reel in a perch or a northern pike too.  Plain hooks, macho minnows, golds, pinks and glows tipped with a minnow have been catching most. Mix of jigging and dead sticking is the best approach and electronics help. Sometimes even a little smacking your jig on the bottom helps gets the attention of those finicky fish watching your line.

Ice Conditions
20-28 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel and plenty of snow.

Trail Report
Lots of snow!  Regular grooming continues. Come ride some of the most untouched and best trails in the state.  For more information about the trails around the area, click here.  For more information about the trails along the south shore of Lake of the Woods near the Baudette area, check out the Lake of the Wood’s Drifters Club information here.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to the Island
The ice road is in good shape and continues to be plowed as needed.

Enjoy Spring Break on the Lake
Ice fishing trips available through late March. Click here to learn more.

Sportsman’s Lodge
1/31/2019

Light at the End of the Tunnel
We are surviving the cold weather and can’t wait for the heat wave to hit our neck of the woods tomorrow! 16 above the big donut for a high they say! Woohoo! Bring it on!

It was business as usual this week for the most part around here. Of course extra care and safety precautions were definitely taken but anglers still got out and enjoyed some fishing in nice warm houses. Check out the photos of the week.

Bite up and down
The bite dipped up and down this week. Some anglers did better than others. A mix of fish and sizes were brought up the fish holes. Mainly walleyes and saugers but also several other fish species too. It has been a multi-species frenzy this week. I think we have seen every fish species this lake offers come out of our houses lately with the exception of a lake trout and a muskie. It has been fun to see.  Walleyes, saugers, perch, tullibee, eelpout, sucker to sturgeon.

For the walleyes and saugers, 22’-32’ in the mud flaps and off reefs continue to be hot spots. Jigging with pink/white and gold chubby darters, jigs, buckshots, and glow lures tipped with a minnow or minnow head a few inches off bottom has been the best approach. Using a vexilar or fish finder really seems to help catch rates.  We have various houses in depths and locations on the lake. The ride out is about 30-45 minutes from the lodge right now. We are still using our lake access but are hoping to start running the river soon.

Ice Conditions
We have gained more ice! Guides have been finding 30-32 inches in the areas we fish and travel. We are making ice to enjoy through March now.  Ice fishing season at Sportsman’s runs through March 31 and walleye season until April 14.

Trail Conditions
The trails are in good shape.  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 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.  If you are interested in venturing out on your own, there are several roads in the area you can venture out on nearby us. Adrian’s Road out of Four Mile Bay and Morris Point’s road out of Morris point are a few to check out.

Football & Fishing
Still some openings left. Join us for a good time Feb 3 & 4. Fishing and lodging packages 2 nights/1 day $229-$267 per person or 2 nights/2 days $299-$337 per person. We will be having our annual Big Game Party Feb 3, during the Super Bowl featuring some great food and drink specials including our ½ price apps 3pm-6pm and door prizes. Come watch the game on our 12 TV’s make it a getaway.  Lodging and fishing available, give us a call to reserve 800-862-8602.

Hook a Midweek Deal now through March 31!
Packages starting at $229 per person for lodging and ice fishing!
Pick your package and give us a call 800-862-8602 or click here.

(All packages plus tax and based on double occupancy)

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
1/31/2019

Cold Week
It has been a cold week but we are warming up and expect the fishing to do the same. Best bite has been 25’-32’ for chasing down some nice walleyes, saugers and a few perch.  Jigging and dead sticking gold, pink, glow spoons, jigs and plain hooks tipped with a minnow has been working.  

Ice Fishing Trips available through late March! Give us a call to book your trip!

Ice Conditions
We currently have 18”-26” of ice in the areas we fish and travel. If you are venturing out on your own always be sure for your safety to stay on marked trails and roads.

Trail Conditions
Grooming is in progress, trails are in good shape!  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 from Young’s Bay to Lodge in great shape!
Take a drive out. Head out on the road at Jerry’s Restaurant at Young’s Bay and follow the signs.
Bar and Restaurant open daily! The road is plowed nice and wide and in great shape.

Sportsman’s Lodge
1/25/2019

Nice Fish Coming In
Only a little over a couple months left of ice fishing season left. What?! Already?!?  We sure have been having a lot of fun this winter.  Guests have been reeling in nice walleye and saugers. Check out some of the pics from this week!

The best bite continues to be in 25-32 feet as well as some days a few feet shallower depending on the day in the mud flaps and off reefs. Anglers have been finding a bite on and off all day, but noting a morning and afternoon run.  Jigging with a minnow or minnow head using green/white, pink/white or gold jigs, buckshot spoons, lindy glow spoons, plain red hooks, Northland spoons with glow sticks and macho minnows has worked well. Vexilars help catch rates. Bring one along or contact us to reserve a rental.

Ice Conditions
We have 24-26 inches of ice right now in the areas we fish and travel. We are making ice! Ice fishing season at Sportsman’s runs through March 31 and walleye season until April 14.

Trail Conditions
New snow! 5-8 inches of fresh snow now lies on a good base.  Regular grooming is in progress, time to hit the trails! 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.  If you are interested in venturing out on your own, there are several roads in the area you can venture out on nearby us. Adrian’s Road out of Four Mile Bay and Morris Point’s road out of Morris point are a few to check out.

Football & Fishing
Join us for a good time Feb 3 & 4. Fishing and lodging packages 2 nights/1 day $229-$267 per person or 2 nights/2 days $299-$337 per person. We will be having our annual Big Game Party Feb 3, during the Super Bowl featuring some great food and drink specials including our ½ price apps 3pm-6pm and door prizes. Come watch the game on our 12 TV’s make it a getaway.  Lodging and fishing available, give us a call to reserve 800-862-8602.

Hook a Midweek Deal now through March 31!
Packages starting at $229 per person for lodging and ice fishing!
Pick your package and give us a call 800-862-8602 or click here.

(All packages plus tax and based on double occupancy)

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
1/24/2019

Two Personal Best Walleyes Caught by Guests Yesterday
A few guests all the way from Georgia reeled in their personal best walleyes yesterday a beautiful 28 ½” and 24”.  All in all not too many changes in the bite from last week.  Deeper the better, 25’-32’ in mud and sand has been good fishing. Walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch are biting.  Jigging and dead sticking gold, red, glow spoons, jigs and plain hooks tipped with a minnow continue to work the best. Vexilars help! Rentals available but be sure to call ahead to reserve.

Ice Fishing Trips available through late March!

Ice Conditions
We currently have 15”-21” of ice in the areas we fish and travel. If you are venturing out on your own always be sure for your safety to stay on marked trails and roads. We have lots of areas with safe ice, but the entire lake never freezes equally and some spots are never fit for travel.

Trail Conditions
5-8 inches of new snow!  Regular 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 from Young’s Bay to Lodge in great shape!
Take a drive out. Head out on the road at Jerry’s Restaurant at Young’s Bay and follow the signs.
Bar and Restaurant open daily! The road is plowed nice and wide and in great shape.

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 1^st 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 5^th 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.

Sportsman’s Lodge
1/3/2019

Happy New Year Everyone!
From the Sportsman’s family to your family, we wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year! We hope you can visit us in 2019!

The Bite
The bite remains active. Guests have been reeling in a nice mix of walleye and saugers in a variety of sizes. Check out this week’s video of some of the fish caught this week.

The best depth has been found in 18’-28’.  Some note able tackle that has been working well is gold/pink or pink/white buckshots, gold and glow jigs, plain hooks with a few split shots and demon jigs. The guides are working hard at keeping you on the fish and making sure you have a good time. Come have some fun with us this winter! Ice fishing trips available through March 31.
 
Ice Conditions
We have 16-20 inches of ice and 3-5 inches of snow in the areas we fish and travel at this time.  Slow but sure, we are making more ice daily. We now have the bombardiers out to transport you to the fish houses. The ride out is about 20 minutes from the lodge right now.

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.  Average snow is anywhere from 3”-12”on the lake. More on the north side than south side of the lake.  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 up to 1/2 ton trucks pulling up to 17 foot wheel houses and small/midsize vehicles (not ½ ton trucks or larger)  pulling up to 21 foot houses. The road currently goes out 3 ½+ miles past Pine Island.

Morris Point Road out of Morris Point
Ice Road is open to all vehicles and all size wheel houses. They report the road is in excellent shape. Be sure to stop by the lodge for a road pass.

Limits? Regulations? Questions? Possession of fillets on the lake?
Click here for this handy guide about ice fishing on the Minnesota side of Lake of the Woods.

New Year, New Vacation Plans
Check us out winter, spring, summer or fall. We have a vacation package just for you!

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
1/3/2019

Good fishing going on!
The New Year is starting off well! Good action! Guests are reeling in mostly walleyes with a mix of a few saugers, perch and pike this week. Gold, glow and pink jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow have been working the best in 23-26 feet. It hasn’t seemed to matter if you are on soft or hard bottom; the bite has been consistent in both areas.  We are seeing a mix of sizes along with some nice trophies.

Ice Conditions
We currently have 13”-20” 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.  Average snow is anywhere from 3”-12”on the lake. More snow is currently on the north side of the lake compared to the south side.  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.    The lake trails are marked with black stakes. For your safety, please stay on the marked trail and exercise safety precautions.

Plowed Road
The regular plowed road from Young’s Bay at the Northwest Angle around Flag Island that normally follows along the east side of Oak Island is currently only plowed out to Flag and Brush Islands at this time due to ice conditions in the current areas on this route. We are plowing an alternative route today for our guests to use from Young’s Bay around the south side of Oak Island until we can gain more ice in the areas with current in the normal route. This temporary route will not be marked, so please give us a call prior to visiting so we can lead you out.

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.