Author Archives: Sportsman's Lodges

Oak Island Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

February 19, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Jigs, Plain Hooks & Buckshots
¼ oz. jigs, plain hooks and Buckshot lures have been working the best tipped with a minnow. Walleyes are being found deep 24’-30’ around reefs. Anglers are finding most walleyes in the 12”-17” size range with an occasional larger walleye. A few pike, perch and tullibee are also nibbling. Electronics are key. The best approach is if something isn’t working, try something different. A different lure, a full minnow, a part of a minnow, more jigging, less jigging. The guides suggest starting out your day with one pole jigging and one dead sticking and make adjustments as the day goes on. Weather today is -8 below, supposed to warm up to 22 above. The rest of the week looks warmer with highs in the high 20’s and low 30’s and a chance of snow over the weekend.

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 14-18 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is plowed nice and wide and is in good shape! Come on out!

Trail Conditions
The lake trails from Sportsman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island lodge are marked with black stakes and are being groomed regularly. Trails are in decent condition. We received an inch and a half of snow this week. Forecast is saying we could get some more snow later this week. We could use some more snow but lake conditions are decent. Use caution at the pressure ridges. They are all passable but do change when the weather changes. Trail maps are available at the lodge or at local businesses. For the latest conditions on the land trails click here for the Baudette area or here for the NW Angle and Oak Island area.

Lake of the Wood South Shore Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

February 11, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

2/11/2016

Finding Some Nice Walleyes
Anglers have been finding some nice walleyes this week. Check out some of the pictures:

Nice Walleye!

29 inch walleye – Landmark Group

Caught in 5 lines before coming up but got it through the hole! What a beautiful walleye Sportsmans Sleepers

Here are some tips from some successful anglers this week.

Gold, pink and orange are the hot color jigs or lures tipped with a minnow. The more noise it makes the better! Northland Tackle’s buckshot rattle spoons and the rattling stop sign from Tom’s Tackle are good ones.
Electronics are key and pounding the bottom, let the fish know where to come for a meal.

The guides have houses spread out in many areas in 25’-33’ hot on the fish trail. Grab a good friend or your special someone and make a trip to visit soon! Only 50 days left of the season!

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 13-22 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. We travel a private groomed trail. If you are looking to go out on your own, here are the latest conditions from a few of the local ice roads:

Adrian’s Road – Four Mile Bay, 12 miles north of Baudette 15-18 inches of ice, less in some areas off the road. Allowing ½ ton trucks pulling up to 21’ wheeled houses.
Morris Point Road – Morris Point, 15 miles north of Baudette Allowing ½ ton trucks with up to 16’ wheeled houses. Up to 20’ houses may go out on skids. ¾ ton trucks with portables only.

Trail Conditions
The lake trails from Sportsman’s Lodge to Warroad and Sportsman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island lodge at Oak island are being groomed and in decent condition. We could use some more snow but lake conditions are decent. The trail was recently marked right from the Sportsman’s Lodge. Follow the black stakes. Trail maps are available at the lodge or at local businesses. For the latest conditions for the land trails click here for the Baudette area orhere for the NW Angle and Oak Island area.

Lodging & Fishing packages start at only $193 per person for 2 nights lodging, 1 day ice fishing including the fish house, transportation to and from the house, use of jig sticks, jigs, bait and fish cleaning. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or contact us online here.

Oak Island Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

February 11, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

2/11/2016

Here fishy, fishy….
Bite has been up and down this week. 24’-29 feet on the edge or reefs and on top of the sand has been the best. Mix of walleyes and saugers. Jigging a buckshots lure, macho minnows and anything that makes noise tipped with a minnow has worked the best. Vexilars help too! Dead stick with one rod and jig with another. Be sure that the rod you dead stick with you leave it alone and watch the bobber for the best success.

Nice pike! Del McHugh from Del’s Taxidermy & Archery from Huron, SD caught at Oak Island

Check out this nice walleye! 26.5 inch walleye released

Del McHugh from Dels Taxidermy & Archery from Huron, SD Sportsmans Oak Island Lodge

Del’s lucky tackle.

This slow spinning lure really worked well for Del!

Ice Conditions
Average depth is about 18 inches, although still finding a few spots of 13-14 inches.

Trail Conditions
The lake trails from Sportsman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island lodge are being groomed and in decent condition. We could use some more snow but lake conditions are decent. The trail was recently marked right from the Sportsman’s Lodge. Follow the black stakes. Trail maps are available at the lodge or at local businesses. For the latest conditions on the land trails click here for the Baudette area or here for the NW Angle and Oak Island area.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is in good shape, nice and wide.

It is the sweetest week of them all!
Gift certificates available for that special sweetie or plan a trip for a getaway this winter or upcoming summer. Click here.

Fishing, Ice & Trail Report from Oak Island/Lake of the Woods, MN

February 4, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Fishing, Ice & Trail Report

Lake of the Woods NW Angle & Oak Island Area

2/4/2016

Island Bite

It has been a little spotty this week in the islands like the south shore. Depths between 24-28 feet have been best. There has been a mix of walleye, saugers and perch caught and on a sunny day we are seeing a few pike. The best tackle this week has been gold and glow in the dark jigs tipped with a minnow. Most of the fish found are hugging bottom however we are seeing some suspended walleyes 5’-6’ off bottom too. Electronic fish finder users tend to have better results than non-electronic users. The fish being caught are nice eaters with a few 20”+ also thrown in the mix.

Ice Conditions
We currently have 12-16 inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island The road is in good shape and nice and wide.

Fishing, Ice & Trail Report Sportsman’s Lodge Lake of the Woods 2-4-2016

February 4, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Sportsman’s Lodge

Fishing, Ice & Trail Report

Lake of the Woods South Shore Area

2/4/2016

Fishing away

Fishing has been spotty this week. We have houses in a wide variety of depths and areas between 26-33 feet. Each day it varies which houses do better than others. So what are the best tips for a successful day? Use a vexilar! Watch for the suspended fish. Jig one rod 4-6 inches off bottom consistently; if you see some suspended fish, reel up do a little jig dancing to grab their attention. We are seeing quite a few fish at varied depths. With the other rod, dead stick it. See what works best for you for that day Smaller presentations gold, pink or glo jigs or lures are working better than large (1/16-1/4 oz.) tipped with a minnow. Something with a little noise or flash are doing well, buckshot rattle spoons, macho minnows and gumball jigs to name a few. If a full minnow isn’t working, try a minnow head. If you aren’t getting the action, try something different. We are seeing mainly saugers, some nice walleyes 22”+, few northern pike and eelpout this week. Check out some of the latest catches. Hungry for more tips? Check out our Facebook page. It looks like we are in for some beautiful weather this weekend highs in the twenties and light wind.

Ice Conditions

Currently we have 13-22 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. We travel a private groomed trail. If you are looking to go out on your own, here are the latest conditions from a few of the local ice roads:

Adrian’s Road – Four Mile Bay, 12 miles north of Baudette 15-18 inches of ice, less in some areas off the road. Allowing ½ ton trucks pulling up to 21’ wheeled houses. Morris Point Road – Morris Point, 15 miles north of Baudette Allowing ½ ton trucks with up to 16’ wheeled houses. Up to 20’ houses may go out on skids. ¾ ton trucks with portables only.

Availability this weekend!

We have a few openings for a one bedroom cabin Saturday night and a two bedroom villa for Friday and Saturday night. Fish houses are also available. Give us a call! 800-862-8602

Big Game Party this weekend!
Free Apps 5pm-6pm, 12 Big Screen TV’s, food and drink specials! Join us!

Lake of the Woods South Shore Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

February 3, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Hugging close to bottom
Walleyes and saugers are holding tight to the bottom of the lake right now. For optimal results the guides suggest when dead sticking or bobber fishing, set you bait 4-6″ off the bottom of the lake. If you’re jigging, make sure you hit the bottom of the lake often. Afternoons have been best lately in depths between 22’-30’. We are seeing mostly saugers, some nice walleyes especially 22”+ and a few pike, tullibee, sturgeon and eelpout on occasion. The guides have been working hard to keep the houses moved to the best fishingareas possible. Gold, pink and glow jigs or lures have been the most popular tipped with a minnow. Be sure to continue to charge up your glow jigs often. The ride out to the houses right now is between 15-40 minutes.

Joe Russell from Columbus OH

1st time fisherman reels in & releases a nice 25″ walleye while enjoying a stay in one of our sleeper houses.

Getchell Group enjoyed a fun trip recently

Sportsman’s Sleepers

Fish Locators/Vexilars…gotta have one
We see it every day, these devices really increase the odds of a successful catch in the winter on Lake of the Woods, most days 2-1. If you don’t have one, no problem we have them to rent if you want to give one a try. Be sure to reserve ahead of time if you would like to rent one, they go fast.

Half way mark of the season is here.
Wow! Where does the time go? Only two months left of the season and we will be back in the boats. Don’t forget about our exceptional ice out walleye and sturgeon fishing we have in April. Lodging starting at only $40* per person! Walleye fishing is open on Lake of the Woods until April 14, reopening this year May 14. Sturgeon season is catch and release now through April 23. Keep one season April 24-May 7 and catch and release again May 8-15. Back to ice fishing, February and March bring more sunshine and that usually gets the fishactive. We are looking forward to the last 8 weeks of the season. Lake of the Woods ice shacks have to be off the ice March 31. Fish on!
*plus tax and based on double occupancy

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 11-19 inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish right now. We travel on a private road. If you are looking to go out on your own, here is the latest information for the public roads:

Adrian’s Road out of Four Mile Bay 12 miles north of Baudette off Hwy 172
1/2 ton trucks pulling up to 21 ft. wheel houses allowed out. 3/4 ton trucks can drive out not pulling wheel houses. The road still goes out about 6 1/2 miles past Pine Island, Our road is marked with orange plastic highway construction markers. There is 15 to 18 inches of ice in the lake around where our road goes. I have heard some reports of less ice in other areas and to the east and west of the road.
Road out of Morris Point 15 miles north of Baudette
Half ton pickups with 16 ft. or smaller wheeled houses are being allowed.

Trail Report
Lake Trails: Trails are marked to Oak Island from Pine Island and Pine Island to Warroad. Trails continue to be groomed or maintained as best as possible. The ice is not as thick as a normal year so the heavy grooming equipment cannot be used yet. We have received an inch of fresh snow this week, 6-8 inches more would be ideal for good riding. To get to Pine Island travel Adrian’s road from Four Mile Bay to Pine Island and follow the black stakes. For the latest on the land trails, click here for the Baudette area and here for the Northwest Angle and Oak Island area.

Join us for the BIG GAME!
12 NEW Big screen TV’s, Free appetizers 5pm-6pm, 99 cent Coors Light Taps and more!Sunday, Feb 7. Lodging and fishing packages available Feb 7-11.

Valentines Gift Cards available
don’t forget your sweetie, sweetheart month is coming up. Sportsman’s has lots to offer! Dinner Specials, Gift Cards, Fishing & Lodging Packages and more! Reserve your stay today for reservations 800-862-8602.

Oak Island Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

February 3, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Spotty fishing this week and changing weather.
Vexilars/Fish locators are really helping the fishing success. Jigging the bottom or as some say “pounding the bottom”, make sure the jig hits the bottom. Gold or pink jig tipped with a minnow has been working the best in 21’-28’ of water. Some anglers also having success dead sticking but finding the best luck is to leave it be don’t jig it once in a while. Weather has been warming up and a few snowflakes in the air. Temps are forecasted in the teens and twenties through Sunday.

Travis Volz Sportsmans Oak Island Lodge 22 inch walleye released

Ice Conditions
We currently have 12-16 inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish.

Ice Road
The road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island is open and in good shape. Follow the signs out!

Trail Conditions
We just received an inch of fresh snow. Lake Trails: Trails are marked to Oak Island from Pine Island. Trails continue to be groomed or maintained as best as possible. The ice is not as thick as a normal year so the heavy grooming equipment cannot be used yet. To get to Pine Island travel Adrian’s road from Four Mile Bay to Pine Island and follow the black stakes. For the latest on the land trails, click here for the Northwest Angle and Oak Island area. Click here for the Baudette area.

Treat your sweetie this February, to a relaxing getaway to Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge or a gift certificate. Call for reservations 800-772-8411.

Have you stayed in our new lake home or villas yet?

January 20, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Have you stayed in our new lake home or villas yet?
Vew these beautiful new lodging options. Stay a couple of nights or a week!

Sportsman’s Lodge Villas
Baudette, MN Lake of the Woods

Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge Lake Home
Oak Island, MN Lake of the Woods

Oak Island Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

January 20, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

1/20/2016

Mix of Walleyes & Saugers
Anglers reeled in a mix of walleyes and saugers this week. Mostly 11-18 inch but a few nice slot size walleyes too. (19.5-28 inches). On Lake of the Woods all walleyes between 19.5-28 have to be thrown back and one over 28 inches may be kept. Plain hooks tipped with a minnow head in 20’-26’ of water has been working well. A combination of dead sticking and jigging the bottom and up to 6-8 inches off bottom is your best bet. If you have a vexilar, that helps. If you don’t, we have a few to rent. Give us a call ahead of time to reserve.

Ice Road
The ice road is open to vehicles from Young’s Bay to Oak Island. Conditions are good.

Ice Conditions
We have 10-15 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel right now.

Snowmobile Trail Report
The snowmobile trail on the lake from Pine Island to Oak Island is marked and groomed. Another fresh grooming will be done before the weekend. The trail from Pine Island to Warroad is marked and being maintained as best as possible. The crew is checking ice tomorrow to see if heavier equipment can be used yet for grooming. These trails are marked with black stakes.

For the NW Angle and Islands land trails – check with the Northwest Angle Edge Riders Club

For land trail updates for the south shore, check with the Lake of the Woods Drifters Club

Lake of the Woods Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

January 20, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

1/20/2016

Fishing Report
Fishing has been up and down this week. The cold snap we have been experiencing for the past week is moving out. That should help! The forecast is calling for temperatures between the single digits and in the twenties for the next week ahead.

The best presentation has been gold, pink and orange 1/8-1/4 oz. jigs, buckshots, demons, forage minnows tipped with a minnow or just a plain minnow tipped with a minnow head. Jigging 4″-6″ off bottom using a vexilar has been working well in depths between 22′-29′. Mix of walleyes, saugers, a few 23″+ walleyes and tullibees have been coming up the holes. We are having fun!

Bill Petersen 1-19-2016
30 inch walleye caught and released
plain hook, fat head minnow and a bobber

Jeremy and Austin McMannes
26.25 inch walleye released
caught on a dead stick

Ice Conditions
In the areas we fish and travel we are finding on the bay/trail 9-18 inches and 9 inches off the trail. On the lake 13-17 inches. We use a private road.

On the public roads nearby us maintained by local resorts, this is what they are finding and allowing as of this morning.

Adrian’s Road out of Four Mile Bay
13 1/2- 15 1/2 inches of ice on the road. Allowing 1/2 ton pickups but not pulling wheeled houses. Wheeled houses up to 16′ are allowed to be pulled by light vehicles, ATV’s and snowmobiles.

Morris Point road out of Morris Point
Allowing ATV’s and snowmobile only and wheeled houses less than 16′.

The ice is inconsistent this year so it is important to stay on the roads and trails and know where you are going. We suggest checking with the local resort who maintains the road before venturing out. No travel is advised on the Rainy River; it is iced over but varies in ice depth.

For land trail updates for the south shore, check with the Lake of the Woods Drifters Club

For the NW Angle and Islands – check with the Northwest Angle Edge Riders Club