Author Archives: Sportsman's Lodges

Great Multi-Species Action in the Islands!

July 19, 2013 by Sportsman's Lodges

Walleye fishing has remained steady in the Angle, good numbers of quality fish are being caught on rock piles that top out in the 22’ to 26’ range. Smallmouth and musky fishing has remained good as well, shallow rock and weed-covered bays have been holding good numbers of both. Perch are slowly showing up on some of the deeper rock structure, they have been hard to come by in good numbers early this summer but are now being caught with some consistency.

Jig a minnow, leech, or bit of a crawler for walleyes and perch. Try a 3/8 0z for the deeper rock piles and as small as 1/8 0z for the shallower structure and perch. Color usually varies but gold, chartreuse, and orange are good starters. Give a bobby bait style lure a shot for musky fishing, a suick for starters. Plastic worms and spinner baits pitched along shallow rip rap and rock covered shoreline areas for smallmouth.

Lake of the Woods Oak Island & Northwest Angle Fishing & Outdoor Report 7/8/13

July 8, 2013 by Sportsman's Lodges

Summer rolls on!

Deep rock piles topping out in the 22’ to 24’ range have been holding good numbers of walleyes. Musky and northern fishing has been good as well, the later spring seems to have had an effect on earlier activity but the warmer temperatures and stable weather has made for good fishing. The weed beds are filling rapidly and are holding good numbers of eating size pike and a few big musky, the top end northern seem to be holding over deeper rock structure.

Jig and a minnow or spinner harnesses and crawlers have been good if you’re looking for walleye. Reed runners or spinner baits in the thick weed cover for the toothy critters and deep diving crank baits either cast or trolled over deeper rock structure.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing & Outdoor Report 7/8/13

July 8, 2013 by Sportsman's Lodges

Summer rolls on!

Nice weather patterns have stuck around the area producing nice warm summer days and hot fishing! The fishing has remained steady and so have the patterns, deep rock structure still seems to hold a majority of the fish and fishing pressure. On overcast or windy days these fish are moving shallow to feed, shallow shorelines or rock piles adjacent to the deep structure. Crayfish and minnows of various sorts abound in the shallow rock and sand and the walleyes look for low light conditions to put the sneak on. We can’t forget about the mud though, nice walleyes still cruise the main basin.

Spinners and crawlers have been really good this past week, hammered gold and pink blades are hot right now but keep changing colors because the fish do. Drifting shallow windswept gravel and sand flats or shallow rock piles are a good option. 3/8 ounce rattle jig in the “wonder bread” color is hot right now, minnow and leeches are good options to start with but you can also use pieces of crawler or gulp as well.

Luke Rankin 29 inch walleye

Lake of the Woods Oak Island & Northwest Angle Fishing & Outdoor Report 7/1/13

July 1, 2013 by Sportsman's Lodges

The reef bite is on its way in the Islands!

The mayflies are hatching out and fish are gorging themselves on bugs and jigs and minnows! It’s the beginning of the deep reef bite, fish are gathering in big numbers on some of the deeper off shore structure. Look for reefs topping out in the mid 20’ level and that extend into deeper water over 30’.

3/8 ounce jig and minnow is the standard go to in the island area, it’s a laid back approach like the island life style. Gold, orange, and chartreuse are good starter colors but not always the choice of the day so changing it up is recommended. Look for deep reefs located in the Little Traverse Bay, on windy days the Skeet Island area is sometimes a better option. Musky and northern action has been good as well, shallow bays are loading up with good weed cover right now. Spoons, spinner baits, buzz baits and plastic swim baits are good options.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing & Outdoor Report 7/1/13

July 1, 2013 by Sportsman's Lodges

Fish flies are on the rise in Lake of The Woods!

Mayflies are hatching out all across the lake leaving blankets of bugs on the water and in your boat. Fishing has not been affected however, the Woods has so many walleyes that it’s tough to shut down this bite. The deep rock structure remains the steady pattern for the most part, fish are moving up and down this structure routinely and will often be up shallow on top of the rock when aggressive and will slide off to the deeper edges when not so aggressive.

Pulling crank baits and spinners are a steady go to right now, #5 and #7 shad raps in assorted colors are a good option to start with. For a more relaxing option you can hold on the tops or the edge of deep structure and vertically jig with a minnow. 3/8 ounce jig, change colors to find the fish’s choice of the day.

Have a blast in Baudette on the 4th of July

Several activities planned including a parade, entertainment, good food, games and a spectacular fireworks display. Bring the whole family and stay 3 nights at Sportsman’s Lodge Baudette/Rainy River Location and get the 4th night free! Click here for the complete schedule of events and to make your reservation now.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing & Outdoor Report 6/24/13

June 26, 2013 by Sportsman's Lodges

Fishing remains good and mosquitoes remain plenty!

Most of the boat traffic has been headed north to the Garden Island area, the expansive rock structure the area has to offer has been littered with walleyes. Numerous presentations will work now, jigs and pulling spinners are the bread and butter for the guides right now but trolling crank baits will work as well and often times catch the biggest fish. Don’t forget about the south basin in the mud, big schools of walleyes still hold here and you can sometimes find “hot spots” in the mud.

Tie on a 3/8 ounce jig and tip it with a minnow or leech and your set if your going to jig fish. Change color and try jigs with rattle chambers or props, the extra noise and vibration is helpful sometimes. Look for fish “on top” of rock piles and scattered around the bottom of the structure where it starts to meet the mud. Depth of the fish will vary on these reefs, you may find them in 10′ to 12′ of water on top of a pile or holding part way down the pile in 20′ to 24′. In the mud look for fish to be in water over 30′ right now.

Lodging, Fishing & Meals!

Take a trip to Sportsman’s Lodge and catch the summer excitement!

Check out summer packages here.

Lots of activities planned for the 4th of July. You won’t want to miss it!

Cormack 27 inch walleye part of MFM group

New windsock on the river.
Thanks to those responsible

Ramona Mitchell of Bismark, ND 28 inches.
Capt. Dave (Green spinner w/ minnow)

Even the guide catches one now and then

Lake of the Woods Oak Island & Northwest Angle Fishing & Outdoor Report 6/24/13

June 26, 2013 by Sportsman's Lodges

The longest days of the year and the islands, perfect!

Its a perfect time of the year to visit the islands, the days are long so you have plenty of time to try and see everything. The fishing is decent too, great multi-specie action right now. Walleyes are moving to rock piles, look for 20′ to 24′ reefs. 3/8 ounce jig and minnow is perfect for these rock piles. Small mouth are found shallow holding around boulders in and around sand, crank baits and plastic worms or swim baits will work well. Toothy critters like musky and northern are being caught as well, look to shallow weed bays to hold fish of both specie but also look at fishing around rock cover near shore as well. Weedless spoons and small bass style spinner baits work well for the weed cover and catch anything that swims in the shallows.

NW Angle & Oak Island Lake of the Woods, MN Fishing Report

June 21, 2013 by Sportsman's Lodges

Walleye season off to good start!

6/21/13

Some of the reefs are beginning to load up with fish, but walleyes are still being found up shallow on shore. Reefs topping out at 22′ to 24′ have been most productive. 3/8 ounce jig in your favorite color and a minnow. Pulling spinners along shore lines and points is still producing fish. Musky fishing is now open and many fish are being caught near shallow spawning bays. Look for new weed growth and big boulders to hold fish. Bass are in shallow sandy bays with nice boulders, crank baits and plastic swim baits will work well for this.

South Shore Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

June 21, 2013 by Sportsman's Lodges

Summer Begins!

6/21/13

The fishing and weather has remained steady all week. We have had some nice warm sunny days and the water has had a chance to start warming up. Fishing reefs and rubble rock areas have been most productive as of late, the mud still has some fish but catches have been spotty. Weed growth in the bays and river are prime for multi species right now.

Jig and minnow combo is still one of the most consistent ways to catch fish right now. Change colors to find a hot color, gold and orange are good starters right now. Pulling spinners and crank baits are still effective. Cast weed less spoons, spinner baits, and plastic minnow immitations in and around weed cover for northerns, bass, walleye, and maybe and occasional random musky.

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4th of July Free Night Lodging!
Make plans to stay at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River/Baudette location over the 4th of July holiday.

Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night FREE! We have something for everyone!
Incredible Walleye Fishing, Charter Trips, Lodging, Camping, Indoor Pool, Bar, Restaurant, Entertainment, 4th of July Events and much more!
Click on the link for more information and to book your trip today!

Andrew Kramer 28 1/4 inch walleye

Jacque Blackman 28 inch walleye

Anthony Hermanson with Hermanson group caught a big 27 inch with Capt. Troy.

Lots of 4th of July events planned in Baudette, MN!

June 20, 2013 by Sportsman's Lodges

Get ready for some family fun coming up this 4^th of July at Sportsman’s Lodge and the Baudette area. The Baudette/Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce has planned lots of fun events along with a spectacular fireworks display shown over Willie Walleye hill in Baudette.

Baudette on the 4^th of July is known for family fun. Two parades, kids games, pie and ice cream social, pancake breakfast, vendors, inflatable games, live entertainment, firecracker 5k, bobber race, street dance and more! Of course incredible walleye fishing, boating, beaches and many outdoor activities are surround. If that isn’t enough, how about a free night lodging?

Sportsman’s Lodge is offering this spectacular special. Stay 3 nights and get the 4^th night FREE when you stay over the 4^th of July holiday. *special based on double occupancy and cannot be combined with any other offer. Reserve online now http://sportsmanslodges.com/rainyriver/facility/lodging-request/ or call 800-862-8602 and escape to the lake!

For more about Sportsman’s Lodge and the complete list of events planned for the 4^th of July, click here http://sportsmanslodges.com/fourth-of-july