Author Archives: Sportsman's Lodges

The bite picked up this week!

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Check out these pictures!

Bobber Down!
Nice mix of varied sized saugers and walleyes have been coming up through the holes this week along with some nice big walleyes 22”-30” in length and a few pike too.  Pink and glow have been hot!  Pink and glow 1/8-1/4 jigs, Northland Tackle Glo Shot Spoon and Buck shot spoon as well as some anglers noting just a red hook tipped with a minnow.  Some anglers have found the best luck using just a minnow head and light jigging or a full minnow when dead sticking.  Depths have been all over the map the past few weeks, varying by day, 16’-30’. Don’t count out the afternoon bite. 2-4pm have been one of the best times lately.  Bonus ~ Wow have we had some cool sunrises and sunsets lately. Be sure to check it out!

Ice Conditions
We have 30-34 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel at this time.

You still have time! Ice Fishing trips available through March 31!
Walleye season is open through April 14 on Lake of the Woods and we ice fish until March 31. Come see us! We have weekend openings in March and midweek openings in February and March.

Trail Report
Trail grooming is in full swing. We could use another shot of snow or two. We have varied amounts of snow on the lake between 0”-8” on the south end and 10-12 inches up past Garden Island and around Oak Island and the Northwest Angle. More snow on the land. Not much for bare spots on the groomed trails as of today.  For more information about the trails on these links.
South Shore Lake of the Woods
Northwest Angle Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods Trail Information

Big Game Party!
14 TV’s, Drink Specials, Food Specials, Free Apps 5-6 and over $1,000 in prizes to be given away! Join us!

Word of the week….YOYO

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Fishing has been much like a yoyo this week, up and down.  Flurry of activity…..quiet……few bites…..quiet…quiet…..a nice one……quiet…flurry…..nibbles….nice one…. So the tip of the week, is…..if you aren’t getting a bite, change up your approach or just sit back and enjoy good friends and family for a bit because just about the time you think today isn’t your day, you might just reel in a beautiful walleye.  A mix of jigging and dead heading right off bottom with a 1/8-3/8 oz. bright fluorescent jig tipped with a minnow or minnow head has been a good choice in 24’-29’ of water.

Ice Conditions
We have 27”-32” of ice in the areas we fish and travel. Looking good to bring us right through late March! We have some openings Feb 13-17 and March 9-late March as I write this. Come see us!

Trail Report
We have about 8-12 inches of snow in our area. Less to the south. We could use another shot or two. For more information about the trails click on these links:
Northwest Angle Lake of the Woods
South Shore Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods Trail Information

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is in good shape. Follow the signs and take a ride. It is about 10 miles out.

Going Deep

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Fish are on the move.  Guides are busy moving and grooving to 25’-29’ of water. Gold and pink jigs and buck-shot rattling spoons tipped with a minnow have been good tackle along with a plain hook this week. A combo of dead sticking and jigging is the best approach. Electronics definitely help! Bring your own or call ahead to reserve. Mix of walleyes, saugers and an occasional pike or perch have been coming up the holes this week.

Ice Conditions
24-30 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. Walleyes season is open until April 14 on Lake of the Woods. Looking good for ice fishing right through late March. March trips are available!

Trails
Grooming away! Groomers caution riders to stay on the trails especially this year with how rough the lake froze; there are a lot of ice chunks sticking up off the trail.  Click below for the latest conditions and more information about the Lake of the Woods area trails.
South Shore Lake of the Woods
Northwest Angle Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods Trail Information

Ice Road
The ice road from Young’s Bay to the lodge is in good shape! Come on out!

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall we have a fishing adventure for you!
Check out our packages for every season and make plans to escape to Oak Island this year.

 

Fishing for walleyes and BAM! A Monster Sturgeon!

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Targeting walleyes and saugers is always our #1 priority in the winter, but Lake of the Woods is an incredible fishery and you just never know what might be looking for something to munch on. Lake of the Woods is home to not only walleyes and saugers but also northern pike, lake sturgeon, tullibee, perch, eelpout, muskie, bass, lake trout and crappies.  Check out some of the pictures from the past week and two monster sturgeons! It is quite a rush to see a 45+ inch fish come through an ice fishing hole!

Bite
The weather continues to be mild and it looks like it will continue for at least through the weekend at this point.  The bite has been fair the past week.  Anglers have been having the most success jigging and dead sticking glow and gold colored jigs, small rippin raps, glo-shots and forage minnows tipped with a minnow. 8am-11am and 2pm-4pm have been some of the best times in a range of depths 16’-29’.  The best depth has really been changing frequently.  The guides are always moving houses and doing their best to stay on the best bite.  If you have electronics, bring them along. We consistently see a lot of success with folks who use them. If you don’t have your own, give us a call ahead of time, we have a few vexilars available to rent.

Ice Conditions
We have a good base of ice of over two feet, 28-32 inches in the areas we fish and travel.  Looking good for March ice fishing! Remember walleye season is open through April 14 on Lake of the Woods and we plan to keep our houses out until the end of March.

Trails
Grooming is in full swing. Groomers caution riders to stay on the trails especially this year with how rough the lake froze; there are a lot of ice chunks sticking up off the trail.  Click below for the latest conditions and more information about the Lake of the Woods area trails.
South Shore Lake of the Woods
Northwest Angle Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods Trail Information

Join us for the BIG GAME and GREAT FISHING!
Feb 3-6 Trips available! Click here

Snuggle up with your Sweetie in February at Sportsman’s.
Two night lodging and fishing packages starting at just $215 per person. Can’t make it in February? Sportsman’s gift cards make great gifts! Click here to order yours.
Come see us! 800-862-8602 or [email protected]
*plus tax and based on double occupancy.

The bite

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The bite has been heating up this week. We are seeing lots of nice 18”-19” walleyes and a number of 19”-25” as well. Best depth has been 19’-23’. Gold and glow jigs tipped with a minnow has been working well. A combo of dead sticking and jigging is the best approach.

Ice Conditions
23-26 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. Making more by the minute! Walleyes season is open until April 14 on Lake of the Woods. Looking good for ice fishing right through late March. March trips are available!


Trails
Groomers are out! Groomers caution riders to stay on the trails especially this year with how rough the lake froze; there are a lot of ice chunks sticking up off the trail. Click below for the latest conditions and more information about the Lake of the Woods area trails.
South Shore Lake of the Woods
Northwest Angle Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods Trail Information

Ice Road
The ice road from Young’s Bay to the lodge is in good shape! Come on out!

The weather is warming up!

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It has been a cool past few weeks which don’t get me wrong is great for the ice but we sure are ready for a little break. A heat wave in the 20’s is perfect!
Fishing has been a little up and down this week. The best bite has been in 18’-29’ using a plain hook, gold jig and glo shots tipped with a minnow or minnow head. A combination of dead sticking with a bobber and jigging is the best approach to start your day and electronics really help. Anglers are finding a few suspended walleyes 2’-10’ off bottom too. The best approach to catch a suspended fish is to start on bottom and when you see the fish on your screen, reel up and do some enticing rather than keeping your line suspended for hours on end. We usually see anglers have the best luck keeping their line close to bottom. Ride out to the houses from the lodge is about 20 minutes right now.
Ice Conditions
We have a good base of ice of over two feet, 28-32 inches in the areas we fish and travel. Looking good for March ice fishing! Remember walleye season is open through April 14 on Lake of the Woods and we plan to keep our houses out until the end of March.Trails
Groomers are out! Groomers caution riders to stay on the trails especially this year with how rough the lake froze; there are a lot of ice chunks sticking up off the trail. Click below for the latest conditions and more information about the Lake of the Woods area trails.
South Shore Lake of the Woods
Northwest Angle Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods Trail Information


Join us for the BIG GAME and GREAT FISHING!
Feb 3-6 Trips available! Click hereCome get your fish on next week!
We have some openings available Jan 21-25 and Jan 28-31. Come see us! 800-862-8602 or [email protected] 

Here Fishy Fishy…..

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Decent bite this week, morning and late afternoon bite continues to be the strongest. We are seeing mainly walleyes coming through the holes along with some sauger and the occasional perch and pike.  Jigging and dead sticking with gold and/or pink jigs, plain hook or macho minnow #29 has been working well in 20’-26’ of water.   Electronics help too! Rentals available, call to reserve ahead of time.

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 20-24 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.  If you venture out on your own, be sure to stay on marked trails and roads. The ice is rough this year! Lots of ice chunks sticking up.

Ice Road
The ice road from Young’s Bay to the resort is plowed and it good shape! Come on out!

Snowmobile Trail Conditions
The trails are marked and grooming is in full swing.  We received a few inches of snow last night. Windy day today but it sounds like it is going to start settling down later in the day.  The south shore has several spots of bare ice and anywhere from 0”-10” of snow on the ice, more snow in our area of the lake.  The lake froze pretty rough this year so we strongly encourage riders to stay on the trails, go slow and use caution. Lots of ice chunks sticking up off the trails. For more information about the trails click here or contact: Lake of the Woods Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders.

We ice fish until late March!
Make your reservations today 800-772-8411 www.oakislandlodge.com

Reeling in some nice fish

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Fishing has been a pretty good week. Some days are better than others of course but overall pretty good. We have noticed a larger percent of walleyes compared to saugers for this time of year in a mix of sizes.  Best depth hasn’t changed much lately, 16’-29’.  Hot tackle has been good old gold and pink jigs but also plain hook and a bobber as well as glow in the dark jigs, buckshots, rattling charmers, gem-n-eyes and forage minnows tipped with a chub minnow. Guide Tip: If you are not finding success, change it up! Change up your approach; try different tackle and electronics help. A mix of jigging and dead sticking is the best approach to start out a day.  Curious what dead sticking is? Click here to read more.

What a day for Christi, one of the Sportsman’s Staff! Caught this Sturgeon today! (1/10)  Fishing with my dad. We had our limit of walleye by 9:15am before hooking into this bad boy. 58 incher on a plain red hook with a fat head. All before coming to work today! Whoo Hoooo!!

Check out these pics!  We love to see your pictures! If you have pictures from a recent stay you would like to share with us, please send to [email protected] or text 218-395-0042.  You might be featured in our next report!

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 24-30 inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish and more in some areas where the ice built up during the freeze.  Our ice fishing trips all include transportation to and from the fish house; we do not maintain a plowed road.  If you venture out on your own, Adrian’s Resort and Morris Point Resort have public ice roads near us. Check with them for the latest conditions. Be sure to stay on marked roads and trails.  The lake froze pretty rough this year and the entire lake never freezes equally so as always use caution and check local conditions before going out.

Snowmobile Trail Conditions
The trails are marked and grooming is in full swing.  We received a few inches of snow last night. Windy day today but it sounds like it is going to start settling down later in the day.  The lake froze pretty rough this year so we strongly encourage riders to stay on the trails, go slow and use caution. Lots of ice chunks sticking up off the trails. For more information about the trails click here or contact: Lake of the Woods Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders.

Lodging & Ice Fishing Packages available through March!
The ice is shaping up great. Walleye season on Lake of the Woods is open through April 14.
We have winter weekends openings in February & March, midweeks open January – March. Two plus night packages starting at $215 per person. Come get your fish on! Book your trip today by calling 800-862-8602 or booking online here.  *plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Football, Beer & Fishing….what else is there?
Join us great fishing and the Big Game Feb 3-6! Reel in some fish, relax and join us for our big game party 14 TV’s,  ½ price apps, drink specials, free apps 5-6pm, giveaways and more!  Lodging and fishing packages available. Contact us today.

Happy New Year!

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Gold is hot! Gold jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow is the hot ticket this week.  We are seeing some nice walleyes, several 20”+ and a few saugers, perch and pike.  The best depths have been between 20’-24’. Mornings and late afternoons have been best. Electronics help too! If you would like to give one a try, give us a call to reserve one to rent. We have openings available through late March, more options during the week than weekends. Give us a call for winter fun 800-772-8411.

13 inch perch caught by Carment Sportsmans Oak Island Lodge My lucky lure was a pink and gold Demon

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 18-20 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.  If you venture out on your own, be sure to stay on marked trails and roads. The ice is rough this year! Lots of ice chunks sticking up.

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Ice Road
The ice road from Young’s Bay to the resort is plowed and it good shape! Come on out!

Snowmobile Trail Conditions
Lake trails are all marked from Wheeler’s Point to Warroad, Warroad to Oak Island and the Northwest Angle, and Oak Island all the way to Baudette. Up in the islands we have a about a foot snow on the lake and land trails. The south shore currently has several spots of bare ice and anywhere from 0”-8” of snow.  The lake froze pretty rough this year so we strongly encourage you to stay on the trails, go slow and use caution. Lots of ice chunks sticking up off the trails. Grooming is in progress.  For more information about the trails click here or contact: Lake of the Woods Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders.

 

Happy New Year!

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What a week!  Check out these pictures! Anglers are seeing more 18”-30” walleyes than normal mixed in with plenty of young walleyes and saugers.  A mix of dead sticking and jigging orange, gold and pink jigs, GLO shot spoons, buck shot spoons and plain hooks tipped with a minnow has been the best approach in 16’-28’ of water. Electronics always seem to help. Rentals available but always a good idea to call ahead to reserve, they go quick.  It has been a cold week, sounds like we are going to start warm up above zero by Saturday.

poty1-3

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 20-24 inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish and more in some areas.  Our ice fishing trips all include transportation to and from the fish house; we do not maintain a plowed road.  If you venture out on your own, Adrian’s Resort and Morris Point Resort have public ice roads near us. Check with them for the latest conditions. Be sure to stay on marked roads and trails.  The lake froze pretty rough this year and the entire lake never freezes equally so as always use caution and check local conditions before going out.

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Snowmobile Trail Conditions
Lake trails are all marked from Wheeler’s Point to Warroad, Warroad to Oak Island and the Northwest Angle, and Oak Island all the way to Baudette. The south shore currently has several spots of bare ice and anywhere from 0”-8” of snow.  We could use another shot of snow. The lake froze pretty rough this year so we strongly encourage riders to stay on the trails, go slow and use caution. Lots of ice chunks sticking up off the trails. Grooming is in progress.  The land trails are shaping up.  For more information about the trails click here or contact: Lake of the Woods Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders.

Lodging & Ice Fishing Packages available starting at only $215 per person!
If you are looking for a weekend getaway, as of this morning we have fishing and these lodging openings:
Two bedroom villa open up for this Fri, Jan 5,
A few lodge rooms & 4 Bedroom Villa for Fri, Jan 19
Few cabins Friday, Jan 26
Various accommodations open Sat/Sun Feb 3 & Feb 4
Fri/ Sat/Sun 9-11
Fri, Feb 16
Fri/Sat/Sun, Feb 23-25
March – all weekends
Midweek – openings most every week January, February & March
Remember we ice fish until the end of March!   Two plus night packages starting at $215 per person. Come get your fish on! Book your trip today by calling 800-862-8602 or booking online here.  *plus tax and based on double occupancy.