Author Archives: Sportsman's Lodges

11/27 Ice Report – Rainy River

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We have found inconsistent ice conditions on the lake, 4-mile bay (the bay we use to get out to the lake) and Rainy River along with some open water spots.  Based on the conditions and forecast for the week we won’t be starting the ice fishing season this week. It looks like colder temps are in store for next week. We will update you as soon as we make some progress! Safety first! It will be here soon!
Get your reservations in! An average ice fishing season starts between 8th and 15th of December and runs through late March. Lots of time to get into some good fishing!

Ice Update 11/22/2017

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Morning feel like temp was 1 degree this morning with a real temp of 10  degrees with light wind. We are making ice! Right now we have a layer of  mostly ice on the lake, bays and the river along with a few open water  spots. The good news is the high winds yesterday didn’t move the ice as far  as we can tell. Once we can get the open water closed up and a few more inches of ice we will venture out to do some more checking. Depending on what the weather does in the next few days, we hope to get out Monday and update you with another report then. At this point Dec 1 is still a possible start date at our Rainy River location for our day houses and shortly after for our sleepers and island locations. Stay tuned!

Four Mile Bay just near Wheeler's Point

Four Mile Bay just near Wheeler’s Point

The Lake View

The Lake View

From the Sportsman’s family to yours, we hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cooling down again!

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This morning we are at 18 degrees with a feel like temperature of 7. We made some progress at the beginning of last week, then had a few warmer days but we are back to cooling down again.  Several bays are frozen over, shore ice and some sheets of ice have formed on the main lake. Water temperature is just a hair above 33 degrees, ready to freeze!   Based on the forecast and Mother Nature willing, at this point we are taking reservations to start ice fishing in our day houses at our Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location DECEMBER 1. 
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When we have 8-12 inches of safe ice and can get the houses and trail ready we will be off and running.  Once we start, the sleeper houses and our Oak Island locations usually start about a week or so after. We are doing our ice dance! Ice fishing season will be here before we know it.
View from Sportsman's Oak Island Lodge 11-15-2017

View from Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge 11-15-2017

Get your reservations in and stay tuned for updates!

Ice Update South Shore Lake of the Woods & Rainy River

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It was a chilly one last night! -10 below when I checked the thermometer this morning. We have first signs of some decent ice starting to form on the lake today. Pockets of water still showing on the lake, bays and river in front of the lodge, but we are making ice! Calm winds and cold days is what we need to make some good headway. No safe ice yet, but it won’t be long if this keeps up. Stay safe and stay tuned!

Four Mile Bay near Wheelers Point 11-10-2017. We are making ice! Not safe yet but the ice is taking shape.

Four Mile Bay near Wheelers Point 11-10-2017. We are making ice! Not safe yet but the ice is taking shape.

View from Wheeler's Point Boat Landing and view up the Rainy River in front of the lodge. Some pockets of water yet but we are making ice!

View from Wheeler’s Point Boat Landing and view up the Rainy River in front of the lodge. Some pockets of water yet but we are making ice!

View of the south shore Lake of the Woods Morris Point 11-10-2017. Ice is forming. Still some open water in the distance.

View of the south shore Lake of the Woods Morris Point 11-10-2017. Ice is forming. Still some open water in the distance.

Snow, ice….is ice fishing going to start early this year?

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11/6/2017

Snow, ice….is ice fishing going to start early this year?
It has been a cool and snowy weekend here at Lake of the Woods.  Cool temps have made the water temperature plummet and ice to start to form in bays.  Saturday, 8-12 inches of snow fell, sure looks like December around here!  Not enough ice had formed prior to getting the snow so no problems there.  A few anglers are still out in boats and blaze orange is the color of choice for clothes around here this week.  Hunters are out and about.  Check back often for ice updates! If this keeps up, it could be an early start to the ice fishing season!

Current Bite
Fishing continues to be good. Anchored up, jigging using shiners in the Rainy River and Four Mile Bay/Light House Gap has produced some nice walleyes in 6’-26’ water.  The DNR reports that the fish population looks good.   We are looking forward to a good ice fishing season.  The early season walleye bite usually starts out aggressive. Times to make winter reservations, weekends are starting to fill up!

Four Mile Bay 11-6-2017 Lake of the Woods, MN

Four Mile Bay 11-6-2017 Lake of the Woods, MN

Winter Road River MN

Winter Road River MN

Water Temp Rainy River

Wheeler's Point Landing 11-5-2017

Wheeler’s Point Landing 11-5-2017

Sportsman's Lodge 11-5-2017

Sportsman’s Lodge 11-5-2017

 

8-12 Inches of Snow Baudette, MN 11-4-2017

8-12 Inches of Snow Baudette, MN 11-4-2017

Forecast 11-6-2017

It’s starting to look like winter here!

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It has been a cool week and it doesn’t look like that is going to change. We have a few inches of snow on the ground and some ice starting to form on the small bays too. Will it be an early ice season this year? Could be!  Bring on the freezing season!

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One Last Splash
If you are looking to make it out in the boat one more time, the fish are biting! The best bite has been outside of Pine Island and Graceton Beach in a wide range of depths 6’-28’ as well as points in the River near Wheeler’s Point, 4 Mile Bay, Baudette Airport area and Clementson. Deep holes and creek beds are good places to fish using a jig and a shiner minnow. Anchor up and start jigging. Gold, orange and glow in the dark colors have all been good lately.  Our guides have hung up their hats for the season but lodging and docking is available.  We have great fall rates starting at $42 per person per night and weekly cabin rentals starting at $518 per week through November. *Plus tax. Per person rate based on double occupancy. Limited amenities available at the lodge. Contact us today!

Looking for some peace and quiet or thousands of acres of public hunting land?

November is a great month to relax in the cabin, do some hunting, gather with friends and even get in a few last days of soft water fishing. If you are looking to get away, check us out. Lodging is available in our cabins and villas through freezing season. Weekly rates start at only $518 per week plus tax. Lodge amenities are limited but the relaxing possibilities abound. Contact us 800-862-8602 or click here.

Ice Fishing is just a month away!

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