Author Archives: Sportsman's Lodges

Cold Temps with a Hot Bite

September 28, 2017 by Sportsman's Lodges

Fishing continues to be great up here on LOW. More rain this week has dropped the temperatures into the high 50s and the fall surge is on. The shiners have started to make that classic fall push up the river as we are seeing more and more shiners in the traps and along the banks every day. We are seeing more and more walleyes caught in the gap and in the river as of this last week. The best spot for numbers of walleyes is still is out in front of the gap and pine island. 27’-30’ seems to be that magic depth. Anchoring with a jig and shiner is the way to go right now. The classic gold, pink, and chartreuse colors all are producing but it is day to day so if one color isn’t working don’t be afraid to try other colors. Four mile bay is also kicking out some nice fish. 17’-20’ has been holding good number of walleyes and saugers.

Pike and sturgeon are getting very active too. Big pike are pushing up following the shiners and the little fish that follow the shiners as well. Flashy slower moving baits will do really good at getting these toothy predators to bite. Big sturgeon are on the move as well, looking to pack on pounds. Outside of the major holes in the river is a good spot to start to look for them.

It is looking like another amazing shiner run this year which should mean a great river bite and that will only continue to get better through September and into October. Get up and let’s go fishing!

Sportsman’s Annual Halloween Party is Saturday, Oct 28!
Throw your costume in your tackle box and join us for a great time. $200 cash awarded for best costume, lots of drink specials, entertainment and a whole lot of fun. Click here to learn more and book your lodging today.

Ice Fishing season is just around the corner! Do you have your reservations in yet?

Fish are hitting the fall patterns hard now

September 22, 2017 by Sportsman's Lodges

Walleyes are setting up on shorelines and the deep holes. Fish are packing on pounds and need to eat and eat a lot. Look for bait and the fish will be there. Rocks and break lines are going to be good spots to start looking. Jigging tipped with a shiner is the best way to target walleyes. Bright colors like chartreuse, orange, and white are good colors. Crappies and perch are moving to these areas as well! So get out there and good luck!

Weather is cooling off and the jig bite is heating up!

September 22, 2017 by Sportsman's Lodges

High winds and rain have rolled over the northland this week. Subsequently the water temps have continued to fall, going all the way from the mid-60s to the upper 50s and the fish are feeling it. The jig bite has turned on in a big way. Walleyes are moving into the gap. Depending on the day, a solid jig bite can be found anywhere from 23’-32’. Gold, orange, chartreuse, and pink have all been doing very well. Shiners are the preferred jigging bait per usual this time of year! Even the river has been starting to catch fire. Fish in four mile bay and the rainy river have been being caught. More in the morning and evenings than the middle of the day but it is a sign of good things to come, very soon.

Spinners are still going good as well. Hammered gold spinners with a crawler will be your best bet. You can catch them out deep this way but your best luck will be in shallow. 8’-12’ and stay moving. Just because the water is cooling doesn’t mean the walleyes won’t still chase.

Sportsman’s Annual Halloween Party is Oct 28
Throw your costume in your tackle box and get ready to have a good time! $200 Cash Prize for best costume, awesome drink specials, entertainment and a whole lot of fun. Stay and play packages available. Book your stay today 800-862-8602.

Big Fish Fall

September 19, 2017 by Sportsman's Lodges

Everyone thinks of different things when they feel those first cool September winds. Some people think of walking trails, some people think of the leaves changing colors but for the people of Lake of the Woods it means one thing, big walleyes and a lot of them. Those water temperatures start dropping and the walleyes go into feed mode. There are many ways you can target these pigs but here are a few of the best ways.

As we know, the reason that so many walleyes flood the rainy river area in the fall is the emerald shiner run. Walleyes are putting on the pounds for winter. A lot of anglers target walleyes with just a jig and shiner. This can be very productive and is a simply an easy way to catch not only big walleyes but a lot of fish. The best place to look for these fish is outside the gap or in the river. As far as outside the gap will be holding to a certain depth. The farther we move through September and into October that depth will get shallower. In the river, walleyes will be holding to places where the current breaks or inlets, any place where shiners are going to hold. Jigging in these areas can be and will be very productive.

Another strategy that has been getting the attention of not only many anglers but big walleyes as well is trolling plugs and stick baits. Trolling off of Pine Island can be very good. Long lining shad raps can be very good at times but a good way to troll at all depths is to have a 3oz weight and about a 5 to 6 foot snell followed by a stick bait. It is much easier to control your depths this way. As far as the river, trolling the first breaklines into the current has proved to produce big walleyes.

The fall isn’t just good for big walleyes tho! Big pike, sturgeon, and smallmouth are also packing on the pounds before winter. Pike will be holding to current breaks in the river. Casting spoons and blade baits in these areas will attract these toothy beasts out of hiding. Also, laying dead bait on the bottom, such as smelt or a sucker can be a good way to get these fish to bite later in the year as they get more lethargic.

Smallmouth will be holding to rocky structures and can be caught while actually walleye fishing. Unlike walleyes and pike, smallmouth will be in the current. Rocks and gravel areas in the current should hold good numbers of smallmouth. Soft plastic baits will produce good fish. Later in the year, live bait may work better than soft plastic.

Sturgeon have been getting more and more popular as the years go on up in the rainy river. Fish over 70 inches are not out of the realm of possibly these days. And in the fall they are feeding hard before the winter. Concentrate on areas around deep holes in the river.

This doesn’t always mean directly in the bottom of the hole. Sometimes just upriver or adjacent to the hole is where this dinos can be lurking. So before ditching a location completely try a couple different spots on the same spot!

To be fair, if you are looking for a place in the Midwest for big fall walleyes, Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River is one of the best if not THE best place to go. So get up here and hold on tight!

Deep Waters

September 14, 2017 by Sportsman's Lodges

A good walleye bite has been going on in 27’-36’. Fish are beginning to move off of the points and move to their fall spots. Jig and a minnow has been a good way to target these walleyes right now. All the usual colors mainly coming back to pink and gold. A few good days have been had spinner fishing too so don’t be afraid to try something new if the bite is slow. Good luck!

Visit us this Fall or Winter!
We have something for everyone. Click here to learn more about our packages and contact us today. 800-772-8411

Fall is Here!

September 14, 2017 by Sportsman's Lodges

Water temperatures are still going down, dipping all the way to the mid to low 60s. Looking at the weather approaching that trend should continue. Fish are feeling the change and are beginning to move back toward the gap and the river. Shiners are starting to push into the river. A solid jig bite out in 30’-32’ is been forming over the last few days and that should only get better. Gold, chartreuse and pink jig tipped with a shiner have been producing well.

Spinner fishing can put fish in the coolers too. Hammered gold spinners with a crawler or minnow will get walleyes to bite. This can be effective out in 28’-30’ but 20’-24’ has been producing better for this style of fishing. Make sure you maintain at least .7 mph to keep those spinners moving!

The trolling bite out in 32’ is still producing so get it while you can because this bite typically starts to dwindle. Also be looking for fish to be push hard into the river if that temp keeps dropping and that river bite that we all love to turn on.

Check out more of the latest fishing reports and pictures on our Facebook page

Fall Getaways
Fall lodging rates starting at only $42 per person per night now through November 30 and up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages now through Oct 31. *Plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Starting to Feel Like Fall!

September 6, 2017 by Sportsman's Lodges

With cool temperatures moving in it may feel like the island life is over but that could not be farther from the truth! The islands are hot right now. Drifting spinners on rocky structures and drop-offs are good places to start. Walleyes can be found on all types of structures and depths. They will be moving off of the mid-lake structures and back to the shores and classic fall areas. Be looking for these fish making this move! Good Luck!

Cooling Down

September 6, 2017 by Sportsman's Lodges

Wind and rain have been rolling over the big pond for the last week but it hasn’t slowed the fishing at all! If anything the fishing has gotten better! Typical fall walleye patterns are forming. Walleyes are starting to move back toward the gap and the river. The deep water basin trolling bite continues to be very good. 33’ or deeper, the schools are scattered all throughout the big lake.

The spinner bite continues to be great. You can’t go wrong with a hammered gold spinner tipped with a crawler. Walleyes are starting to move back to structure. Drifting or trolling on top or adjacent to rock structure is a good way to target walleyes.

The jig bite is still good out in 30’-32’ but is spotty at times. Be looking for this bite to pick up in the next few weeks as the temperatures continue drop. This bite will start to ramp up out deep and move shallower as we get closer to October.

The bite is on!

Guide Eric Best’s crew enjoyed some goooood fishing recently. Eric and the guides are ready to take you out this fall. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or email for rates and availability. [email protected]

Fish are biting up here!

August 25, 2017 by Sportsman's Lodges

With the cooling temperatures this fish have really starting eating on the reefs. Rock points will hold good numbers of walleyes as well. Jigging the drop offs or drifting spinners will get fish on these reefs. 15’-25- has been good for these fish! Muskies continue to munch all day long so get up with a guide and be ready! Good Luck!
Fall is just around the corner!
Fall discounts start at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River Sept 5 and Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge Sept 15. Give us a call, openings available. Sportsman’s Lodge 800-862-8602 Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge 800-772-8411.

Fall is around the corner

August 25, 2017 by Sportsman's Lodges

With water temps dipping into the high 60s this week fish have ramped up. Rain and wind in the last week are putting walleyes onto structures. 15’-20’ on rocks or transition areas have been good. The 28’-32’ is still holding good numbers of walleyes too. Hammered gold spinners with a crawler will produce more bites than anything else. Chartreuse and pink spinners have been bringing in walleyes as well. The trolling bite out in “ no man’s land” has been bringing good sized walleyes in. 34’ with a various colored plug. Come in and chat with a guide to figure out the specific spot to be out there!

The guides are on the fish! Check out some of the latest activity

Labor Day Weekend Openings Still Available
Looking to get away and reel in some fish this Labor Day Weekend? We still have some openings. Contact us today via email or call 800-862-8602.