Author Archives: Sportsman's Lodges

The bite is getting better!

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21’-28’ of water, a 50% walleye, 50% sauger mix has been found. A plain hook or orange and green jigs tipped with a minnow have worked best.  Jigging is the key. You have to work at it. Dead sticking is not working right now.  Once you feel a good bite, set the hook! Vexilars always seem to help angler’s success. Bring one along or reserve one at the front desk.

Jake Hayward, WI 27.5 inch walleye released

Jake Hayward, WI 27.5 inch walleye released

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 14-19 inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish. The week it was warm but we lost no ice. We only dealt with some slush and water on top of the ice. The good news is the temperatures today have dipped. Highs in the teens today and starting tomorrow along with the week ahead we are supposed to get lows below zero. Most of the slush and water has froze. We will make ice quick as we have no snow at this time. Ice fishing season is in full swing!

Sunnie, 26.5 inch walleye released

Sunnie, 26.5 inch walleye released

Trails
Lake trails from Baudette to Oak Island and Baudette to Warroad are marked. We have minimal snow so the trails are in poor condition. Also use caution when crossing pressure ridges as the fluctuation in the temperature will make these ridges move. The land trails are closed at this time due to lack of snow. Hopefully we will get some snow soon!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

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A good afternoon bite has been going on in a variety of depths between 18’-28’ of water. Anglers have been catching many good eating sized and small walleyes. Swedish pimples and gold jigs tipped with a minnow have worked well. Vexilars always seem to help angler’s success. Rent one from us or bring one along.

Ice Conditions
The ice got a little sloppy the past week but we have lost no ice. Today quite a bit of the slush has froze. We have 14”-15” of ice in the areas we travel and fish. Starting today we have been getting colder. Currently it is 14 degrees but with the wind chill factor we are sitting at -1. The forecast is calling for lows below zero in the week ahead. This forecast is great for our ice conditions!

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The ice road is open and plowed. Come on out!

Trails
Lake trails are marked from Baudette to Oak Island and Baudette to Warroad. The trails are in poor condition. We have just a dusting of snow. If you decide to venture out, watch out for the pressure ridges. The fluctuation in temperatures makes them move. The ridge just south of Garden Island especially has been an issue. We are hoping January gives us cooler stable temperatures and some snow to shape up the trails.

Live Bands at Sportsman’s Lodge, Baudette, MN

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Get out and enjoy music and good times the next time you visit Lake of the Woods.

2014
Dec 19 & 20 Dynasty DJ
Dec 26 & 27 Fireline
Dec 29 – 31 Fireline
Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Party!  Exclusive one night only menu, live entertainment, party favors and lots of fun!
2015
Jan 1 – 3 Fireline
Jan 5 – 10 Fireline
Jan 12 – 17 Fireline
Jan 23 & 24 Dynasty DJ
Jan 30 & 31 Cold Shot
Feb 1 Superbowl Specials
Feb 6 & 7 Evolve
Feb 13 & 14 Eagle Creek
Feb 14 Valentine’s Day Specials.  Bring your sweetie to Sportsman’s for delicious food specials, live entertainment, great fishing, relaxing and more.
Feb 20 – 22 Fireline
Feb 23 – 28 Fireline
Mar 2 – 7 Fireline
Mar 13 & 14 Dynasty DJ
Mar 17 St Patty’s Day Specials
Mar 20 & 21 Cold Shot
Mar 27 & 28 Dynasty DJ
Mar 28 Annual Mardi Gras Party
Mar 31 Last day to have permanent fish houses out on Lake of the Woods.
Apr 14 Last Day of Walleye Season
May 9 Walleye Season Opens
May 10 Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch 9am-2pm Reservations suggested.
Jun 21 Father’s Dining Specials

Check back often for more events being added! Have questions? We’ve got answers! Call us today at (866) 533-8998

http://sportsmanslodges.com/rainyriver/dining-and-bar/entertainment/

Lake of the Woods South Shore Ice Conditions & Fishing Report

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December 19, 2014

Snow, Sun, Warm and Cold…

….we’ve had it all this past week. Ice Fishing has been spotty with some houses reporting great action while others have seen slower bites.  We are moving houses shallow and some deep to try to get on the fish.  Right now, we are anywhere between 18’ and 31’.  Anglers have reported that the bite is mostly saugers at this time with some nice walleyes in the mix too.  Gold jigs with some flash or some glow are the hot jigs this week.  Afternoons are producing the best action at this time but the weather has also been tricky this week as well.  The weather forecast through next Wednesday is all over the board again with varying temps from the low teen’s to the mid-30’s with a chance of snow leading up to Christmas.

Tom Frisch
27 ½” walleye
December 2014

Kendall Simmons
26 ¼” walleye
28 ft with a gold/pink jig

Ice Conditions
Ice conditions range anywhere from 14’-17’. The warm up late last week made for a little slush but the cold temperatures the past few days have firmed it back up. It looks like the lows are going to be in the teens and twenties for the week ahead. We have a nice base of ice at this time.

Our report is based on the areas we travel and fish. Please keep in mind the entire lake does not freeze equally. If you venture out on your own, we urge you to follow marked trails and know the latest conditions. All of our fish houses  are on groomed trails not accessible by wheeled vehicles. More peace and quiet and better fishing!

Four Mile Bay Ice Road
The cool down from the warm spell did not cause any cracks on the road. They are now letting ¾ ton trucks pulling up to 22 ft long wheel houses out as well. The ice is about the same thickness as last week which was around 15-16 inches on the bay and 16-18 inches on the lake just outside of Pine Island.

Trail Conditions

Lake Trails

The Lake Trails are all marked.  Work is being done to smooth the trails as best as possible.  Once there is enough snow, the trails will then be groomed.  When traveling please watch for the pressure ridges and use caution especially when their is a drastic change in the air temperature.

Land Trails

Groomers for the land trails report that they have been working on clearing the trails. It was slow going earlier as there was no snow thus wheeled vehicles were used and this was making the progress slow. After the snow the pace was improved. No other information was given at this time as to the progress but there is not enough snow for packing or grooming. You can find the latest information by clicking here.

7 New Villas are available now!
Check them out and make your reservations today! They are in high demand, so don’t wait too long!

New Year’s Eve Party!
Join us for live entertainment, one night only exclusive menu, party favors, champagne toast and a whole lot of fun! Make your reservations now.

Oak Island Ice Conditions & Fishing Report

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December 19, 2014

We are open for the season!  Fishing has been good. Gold jigs tipped with a minnow in 18′-26′ of water. Nice 14″-18″ walleyes have been found the past few days. Give us a call to book your winter trip! 800-862-8602

Ice Road is open!
The ice road from Young’s Bay to OakIsland is plowed and open. Call for directions before you come as it has not been marked yet. 14-15 inches of ice is reported.

Snowmobile Trails
Lake Trails – All lake trails are staked except Driftwood Point to Warroad. Grooming is dependent upon snow.

Make your dinner reservations now for New Years!
Dinner Specials, Party Favors, Champagne Toast and a whole lot of fun!

We will be closed both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Did you know?

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Walleye Facts

Walleye is the largest member of the perch family and has been known to reach 25 pounds.  North of the border, the walleye is more commonly known as pickerel. Its name comes from the fact that the fish’s eyes point outward, as if looking at the walls.  They also have huge marble-like eyes, which feature a layer of reflective pigment, which means that the walleye can see quite well in dim light.  The most common prey is the yellow perch which lacks this ability to see well in low light.  This trait alone has made the walleye a successful predator.

Walleye are among the most popular of all game fish. Each year, Minnesota anglers keep roughly 3.5 million walleyes totaling 4 million pounds.

The walleye is the state fish of Minnesota and South Dakota and the official fish of Saskatchewan. More walleye is eaten in Minnesota than in any other state of the United States. Locally, Baudette is known as the “Walleye Capital” of the World”. You can see the 40 foot statue of Willie Walleye at the corner of Highway 11 and International Drive in Baudette. Make sure to bring your camera! www.sportsmanslodges.com

Are you looking for the perfect gift for the angler on your list?

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Sportsman’s Lodges offers gift certificates available to use at any of their three locations on Lake of the Woods.

Open year round on legendary Lake of the Woods and offering full service walleye, northern pike, sturgeon, muskie and crappie fishing these locations are an anglers dream. Sportsman’s Lodges offers new accommodations, dining, bar, entertainment, indoor pool and much more. Get the angler on your list what he or she really wants this year. Always the right color, size and price too!

Click here to purchase yours today.

Looking for a great place to ring in the New Year?

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Sportsman’s Lodge or Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge on Lake of the Woods are great places to have some fun!

Lodging, Ice Fishing, Snowmobiling, Food, Drinks and both host great parties!

Sportsman’s Lodge 12 miles north of Baudette will feature a one night only exclusive menu along with their bar menu, live entertainment by Fireline, party favors, champagne toast and a whole lot of fun! Lodging and ice fishing packages are also available. For more information and reservations click here or call 800-862-8602 today.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge on Oak Island just nine miles from the Northwest Angle on Lake of the Woods is an awesome island hideaway to ring in the New Year.  Just off the groomed snowmobile trail and ice road you can drive right out, or if you contact us early enough we may have lodging and ice fishing packages available too!  Enjoy dinner specials, party favors and holiday cheer!

For more information and reservations click here or call 800-862-8602.