Author Archives: Sportsman's Lodges

Fishing, Ice & Snow Report 12/18/2012 Lake of the Woods, MN

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12/18/2012

The Latest…….
The season is in full swing!  The bite started off last week real active and hot. The last few days have been a little slower but anglers are still getting some nice fish. The guides report a mix of walleyes and saugers being caught   Nice sized walleyes 15”-19” along with a few slot fish (19.5”-28”). They report the saugers are active, several nice quality size along with a fair amount of smaller ones that keep you busy.  The best time of day has varied.  Some of our houses are doing best in the morning and evening and some are finding the most action in the afternoon.  We are finding the best action in 19′-25′.  Pink and gold jigs or just a plain hook with split shots tipped with a chub has worked well.  Jigging is the best technique.

Check out some of the fish pictures from the past few days.  We have some openings this weekend if you are looking to make a quick trip before the holiday!  Give us a call 800-862-8602 or submit your reservation online here.

Keith_Kackman_29_inch_walleye_12-15-2012.jpg IMG958869.jpg Jeremy_Magnuson_12-15-2012.jpg
Nice 29 inch walleye caught and
released by Keith Kackman
12-15-2012 Caught on a
blue/sliver jigging spoon
with minnow head.		 Ice Fishing is here! Jeremy Manguson with his nice walleye!
25_inch_walleye_Danny_12-15-2012.jpg  42_inch_sturgeon.jpg  Scott_Erickson_Dec_2012.jpg 
 Danny reels in a nice 25 inch walleye!  42 inch sturgeon!  Scott Erickson with a few from his day.
Scott reported he had aggressive
all day action.

Ice Conditions
We currently have ten to fourteen inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish at this time on Four Mile Bay and just outside Pine Island. It takes about a half hour to get out to the fish houses from the lodge at this time.  The temperature has been holding around the twenties during the day and single digits and teens at night, adding more ice daily.  It sounds like we are going to dip below zero later this week for a four day stretch which should really help add some inches.  If you are looking to venture out on your own, as far as we know the Adrian’s road access at Four Mile Bay and Morris Point access at Morris Point are still only allowing ATV’s and snowmobiles at this time. Please check with local guides and resorts before venturing out as the entire lake does not freeze equally.

Snow Conditions
We are getting a light snow right now as a type this but it doesn’t sound like we are supposed to get too much today or within the next week.  Current snowfall is around 5-7 inches in the area. The only lake trails open at this time are the ones maintained by local resorts. The land and lake trails maintained by the snowmobile club are not.  The club reports the land trails are in need of some more snow. They like to see 12 inches before they start grooming.  The lake trail from Baudette to OakIslandwill hopefully be staked this weekend and the trail from Wheeler’s Point to Warroad on Thursday if all goes well and the ice is found to be safe in those areas.  For more information click here. 

Please note: The Lodge will be closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. Happy Holidays Everyone!

New Year’s Party
Live Musical Entertainment by Melody Best Band, exclusive one night only dinner menu with several selections to choose from including prime rib, king crab, steaks, walleye and more (and sandwiches and appetizers in the bar too). Party Favors, Champagne Toast, Dancing and a whole lot of fun is being planned!  At this time our lodging is full on New Year’s Eve but we still have openings for ice fishing and lodging on New Year’s Day and dinner reservations in the Riverside Dining Room on New Year’s Eve.  Call 800-862-8602 for reservations or join us in the Sandbar anytime, no reservations required. Ring in 2013 with us!

Ice Conditions Update 11-26-2012

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11/26/2012

Good Morning Ice Fishing Fans!
We have the first signs of ice on the lake! Last night we dipped down to -4 with a wind chill of -15.  The week ahead is calling for lows in the single digits and highs in the teens and twenties. We are making ice!  At this point based on what we know we could be out fishing with 12 inches of safe ice by as early as Dec 8. Stay tuned for our next update at the end of the week!  If you are planning on venturing out on your own, we are in no way advising anyone to go out yet. This is our first signs of some decent ice, which is probably merely an inch or less.  This time of year the conditions can change quickly. No sense it rushing it, it will be here before we know it! Stay safe and start polishing off your fishing rods ice time is soon here!

Fire
In the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day some of our vehicles and trailer we use for early ice were lost in a fire. The cause is yet to be determined at this point.  This of course was very disheartening to us but we were thankful no one was hurt. We want all of our guests to know that this WILL NOT delay our ice fishing season. Our phenomenal staff, friends and neighbors have pulled together and we plan to start the year as planned as soon as we have safe ice.

Check out some of the pictures of the start of the ice formations taken this morning. We hope to get a satellite picture this afternoon of the lake. So be sure to log on to our Facebook page or website later today.

Front of Lodge Four Mile Bay (place where we
access the lake early in the year)
Four Mile Bay (place where we
access the lake early in the year)		 Graceton Beach
A south shore view of Lake of the Woods

11/26/2012

Good Morning from Oak Island!
We dipped down to zero last night and the bay in front of the lodge closed up and we have a layer of ice as far as we can see. The weather forecast looks cool in the week ahead. We are looking forward to some good ice making weather! We usually start about a week later than the Sportsman’s Lodge location, so around the 15th is in our sights at this point. Stay tuned for more updates to come!

November 19, 2012

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Greetings from Sportsman’s Lodges! 

We are busy getting things ready for the ice fishing season.  The main lodge near Baudette is getting a mini face lift. New carpet in all of the hallways, a few cabins and 11 lodge rooms. Our suites are getting re-done. 30 Flat Panel TV’s are being installed in all of the lodge rooms. Some lodge rooms are getting new doors. Fish houses and track vehicles are getting tuned up.  We look forward to sharing our new updates with you soon!

Ice? 
The small bays are holding a thin sheet of ice. We are looking for some cold temperatures. Sounds like it should start cooling off in a few days.  We typically start our season by Dec 10 with 12 inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish. 

Winter reservations are coming in quick this year. So if you haven’t made your plans yet, give us a call soon to get the best availability 800-862-8602.

Stay tuned here, on our Facebook page, Twitter and Fishing Report page for all of the latest from Sportsman’s Lodges!

Ran across this picture today. Thought it was a good reminder to all of us with all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays starting. Don’t forget to make some time for yourself!

Until next time…Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
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The latest from Sportsman’s Lodge

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The end of October! Can you believe it is the end of October! Yikes! Where does the time go!  We are heading into our last few weeks of soft water fishing for the year here at Sportsman’s Lodge. The walleyes are biting in the Rainy River and we are busy finishing out the fall season and getting ready for the winter season. Read on for more happenings going on.

Our annual howl of a Halloween party is this Saturday. The bar is decorated, the jello shots are being made, entertainment will arrive soon and lots of contests, prizes and drink specials are being planned. We have 13 Halloween Stay & Play packages left. Your pick 1 or 2 nights. The package includes lots of goodies. You can check out all of the details about the packages and the party by clicking on our Halloween page here http://sportsmanslodges.com/halloween

Bar & Dining Room closing for the season
The bar’s last day of the fall season is this Saturday, Oct 27.  Breakfast will be served Sunday and it will be closed until early December.  Be on the look out for our new winter menus, specials and details on our New Year’s Eve Party coming soon.

Time for renovations
Fall is Sportsman’s time to renovate, fix and add new. This fall we will be putting in new carpet in the gift shop, lobby, lodge room hallways as well as 11 lodge rooms. We will also be adding some new touches to our Executive Suite and upgrading 30 TV’s to flat screens in all of the lodge rooms.  The kitchen is getting a new dishwasher.  Carpets are getting steam cleaned. Rooms and cabins are getting their bi-annual deep clean.  Fish houses are being fixed up and a fresh coat of paint.  We look forward to showing off our new improvements to you in December!

Sportsman’s is now hiring for our winter season.
If you are looking for a full or part time job seasonal or possibly year round Sportsman’s maybe the place for you. We are currently looking for cooks, servers, bartenders, housekeepers, front desk associates, dishwashers, and a co-assistant general manager. Click here for an application and more information http://sportsmanslodges.com/contact/employment/

Winter bookings are coming in strong.
Before we know it we will be pulling fish houses out and drilling holes. We typically start around Dec 10 and sometimes earlier. We are receiving several more early reservations this year compared to the past few years.  We would like to have you visit us again so if winter is one of your favorites we encourage you to give us a call soon. Click here for all of our winter offerings. We look forward to hearing from you soon.  http://sportsmanslodges.com/rainyriver/rates/winter/

Until next time…….Happy Halloween and safe hunting to everyone!

Halloween Party! Sportsman’s Lodge Lake of the Woods, MN

We are doing it again! This year marks our 20th Halloween Party. Hope you can join us! Saturday, Oct 27. We have drink specials all day. Drinks as low as $2!! Entertainment, Contests & Games. Beer Pong Pumpkin Toss, Sticky Situation & Grave Digger Relay are planned. We will be having a costume contest. $200 in cash goes to the winner of the best costume of the night. Judging starts at 10pm, final judging at 11:30 and winner announced at midnight. Check out our Halloween Stay & Play packages. Big value! Lots of goodies! http://sportsmanslodges.com/halloween Come on out for a spooktacular night!

October Happenings at Sportsman’s Lodges

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 Fishing Report 10/1/2012
South Shore

The Bite
A good walleye bite has been found outside of the Lighthouse Gap just near Pine Island, Morris Point Gap and Zippel Bay this week. Anglers have had good luck in 15′-24′ of water using chub and shiner minnows. Gold and bright orange jigs have been the hot tackle. Brenda Pickle joined the 10lb club this weekend. Brenda reeled in a real nice 10lb, 30 inch walleye while fishing with Captain Alan “Flip” Phillippe. Some real nice walleyes, a few northern pike and nice jumbo perch were also found. Check out the pictures! The current water temperature is in the mid 50’s right now. Cool weather is in the forecast so we should see this water temperature rapidly decrease in the week ahead and start heating up the river bite.

NW Angle & Islands

Walleyes, Muskies, Crappies, Pike, take your pick!
If you like to switch it up and fish for many different species, now is the time to get to the island. We have been seeing some nice varieties of fish caught right now. Walleyes have been found in 12′-20′ along structure near west side of Falcon Island, south side and northwest side of Oak Island using minnows and a gold or pink jig. Crappies have been found in deeper depths between 30′-40′ using minnows and bright colored jigs. Pike and muskies have been found deep in the bays using spoons and buck tails. Lots of good fishing going on!
Click the following links for our complete weekly Rainy Riverand Oak Island Fishing Reports.
Click here to sign up for our weekly fishing report. Delivered to you by email every Wednesday.

You’re Invited to Sportsman’s Halloween Party!
Saturday, October 27th, 2012
7pm – 1am 

The annual “Nightmare on Bur Oak Rd” Halloween party at Sportsman’s is always a frightfully good time! Come on out for the party, wear your best costume for a chance to win spooktacular prizes – including $200 cash for the best costume, enter contests and take part in other fun and competitions!

Drink specials all night!
The party starts at 7pm, but you can start early with our food & drink specials beginning at 4pm! Enjoy $2 can beer from 4pm – 7pm, and all night specials including: $3.25 Skittles Vodka, $4 Zombie Bomb, $3 Jello Shooters and $2 Jello Shots!

Spooktacular Prizes!
Judging for the best costume, and $200 cash prize, begins at 10pm with final judging at 11:30pm. We’ll announce the winner at midnight!

Contests! Fun & Competitions!
Partake in favorites like Beer Pong, Pumpkin Toss, Sitcky Situation & Grave Digger Relay!

What would a party be without great entertainment?
The Undertakers will be back this year providing entertainment from 8pm-1am!

$5 Cover Charge – FREE if you arrive before 8pm!

Halloween Stay & Play Packages – Limited supply! Only 50 available!

One Night Package 
$79* per person ($244 value)

Includes one night lodging, cover charge, drink coupons, Party gear, breakfast, dinner, gift shop coupon and a Stay 2 nights get the 3rd night free coupon for our Mardi Gras Party Weekend March ’13.

One Night Package with a day of Charter Fishing
$178* per person

Includes everything from the package above plus an all day trip 8am-5pm, guide, use of poles, bait, tackle and fish cleaning.

Two Night Package
$169* per person ($363 value)

Includes two nights lodging, cover charge for the party,drink coupons for Friday & Saturday, party gear, dinner on Friday & Saturday, lunch on Saturday and breakfast on Saturday & Sunday, gift shop coupon and a Stay 2 nights get the 3rd night free coupon for our Mardi Gras Party Weekend March ’13.

Two Night Package including a full day of Charter Fishing 
$268* per person.

Includes everything in the package above plus an all day trip 8am-5pm, guide, use of poles, bait, tackle and fish cleaning.


Life forms must be 21 years or older to attend. Play it safe and take advantage of one of our Stay & Play packages!

Call 866-998-7280 to book your Halloween Stay & Play Package today or visit www.sportsmanslodges.com! Limited Supply!

*All packages rates are plus applicable state and local tax.

 


Fall Packages at Sportsman’s Rainy River

Fall lodging starting at just $39 per night, click here!

Now’s your opportunity to book our most popular fall packagewhile the best dates are still available!

3 nights lodging, 2 days charter fishing and 8 meals

Only $424 per person*

That’s three nights in your choice of a lodge room or cabin, two full days of guided walleye charter fishing including the use of poles, bait, tackle and fish cleaning and 8 meals!

We have the best meal plan on the lake. Hands down. 

Dig in to hearty meals and several different selections. Enjoy three dinners choosing from many delicious selections off our Fall Menu – steaks, walleye, sandwiches, you name it!

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before each day of fishing and the day you depart. Indulge in your choice of egg dishes, pancakes, skillets and more.

For lunch bring a group of 6 and choose our shore lunch where the guide will cook up your morning catch along with potatoes, beans, bread and dessert or if want to get the most fishing in you can, we will be happy to prepare a sack lunch for you to enjoy on the water.

Enjoy some excellent fall fishing the Lake of the Woods and Rainy River have to offer along with the backdrop of the fall foliage. Lake of the Woods is great place to get away from it all!

Sportsman’s has a lot to offer including:

Lodge Rooms

Cabins

Villas

Camping

Bar with Weekend Entertainment

Restaurant

Indoor Pool

Gift Shop

Dock Rental

Boat Rental

Guided Year Round Fishing Trips

Conference & Group Facilities

Game Room

And, don’t forget, we’re located in some of the best fishing in the world!

Call us a call at 866-998-7280 to book your fall stay now orclick here for complete fall rates.

*Plus tax based on double occupancy


Time to book your winter trip!

Book & pay for your winter trip for dates between Dec. 1 – March 31 in full by Oct. 15 and receive Double Sportsman’s Loyalty Points.

*Double reward points will be given for all services paid for at any of the Sportsman’s Lodge locations upon check out of your reservation.  Excludes tax and gratuity.


Click here for more information!


 

Bur Oak Villa #426 is now for sale!

Now is the time to own your slice of heaven!

 

The first villa was built last year and has been an incredible addition to Sportsman’s! These beautiful villas will replace all of the exsisting cabins on our Rainy River property.

 

Click here for information about owning a Villa at Sportsman’s!
 

Lake of the Woods Legend, Kit Bickel Celebrates 50 YEARS of Guiding!

What an accomplishment! Sportsman’s is proud to have Kit Beckel, a true veteran guide on our guide roster. Kit has grown up on Lake of the Woods and has enjoyed every bit of it, all 50 years. Kit loves his job and has devoted his life to the resort and fishing industry, and at this point has no plans on changing it! We think this accomplishment is worth cheering about.

Have you fished with legendary guide Kit Beckel over the years? In celebration of his 50 years of guiding, we are putting together a book of stories, pictures and memories to commemorate his years on the lake and would like your help! Please help us bysubmitting to this site. We would love to hear from you!

Please submit your information by Nov 1, 2012 by adding a story, picture and/or video.  

Zubaz, Spandex, Big Hair…80’s weekend at Sportsman’s Lodge is coming up!

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We are going to flash back to the 80’s this Labor Day Weekend 2012.  Pull out your zubaz, stone washed jeans and leg warmers (we know you still have them!) and join us for summers last blast!  Of course we will be fishing, but after fishing Friday and Saturday we their will be entertainment, drink specials, games and a costume contest on Saturday night.  Grab your best buds and join us for a fun weekend! Heck where else can you get $2.50 Pabst Blue Ribbons all weekend long? Check out our website for more information. We are offering a holiday weekend lodgin special, Stay 3 nights get the 4th night FREE!. http://sportsmanslodges.com/80s-weekend
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Summer at the Lake

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Is their anything better than waking up to the birds chirping and enjoying your morning coffee while looking out at lake beatutiful view of the lake? Simply relaxing! I just love Summers at the lake. We have had a nice warm start to our summer here on Lake of the Woods and the fish have been  biting too. More families are starting to show up as the school year comes to a close for another year. Muskie season opens up this Saturday on the Minnesota and Ontario side of the a lake. Muskie enthusiasts are eager to get out and battle with one of these fighters. Our Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and Eagle Ridge locations are situated in the heart of thousands of bays to find these fish.

The pool and hot tub are open. The campground and lodging are available. Entertainment, mostly live bands are scheduled for the summer in the Sandbar.  The bar and dining rooms are featuring several specials for the summer. Check them out here for more information www.mysportsmans.com  The guides are hot on the walleye trail. Our charter boats hold up to six passengers plus the guide. We welcome groups of all sizes. We can put small groups together to fill a boat or accommodate a large group with ease. You don’t have to even own a fishing rod to go. We supply the rods and reels, bait, tackle and clean your fish.  If using your own boat is more your style, we have dock slips, gas and bait  available too. Get your gang together and come relax at the lake this summer. The coffee is on!

Don’t forget Dear Ol’ Dad

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Father’s Day is Sunday, June 17. If you are looking for some gift ideas, check out what Sportsman’s has to offer! How about a fishing trip just you and Dad? New hat or some tackle for his tackle box? Or how about a gift certificate? You can’t go wrong there and when it is always the right size, color, price available to use at any of the three Sportsman’s Lodge locations and never excuses that is a deal! Just stop by or call one of our friendly front desk staff and they would be happy to send it out. 800-862-8602. www.sportsmanslodges.com