Author Archives: Sportsman's Lodges

Lake of the Woods Fishing Report May 25, 2011

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5/25/2011

Early Season
Walleye fishing has been pretty good this past week. Anglers have had plenty of action, a few meals and a limit to go home, so I

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Check out a few of last years catches.

29 inch, 9 lb Walleye
Released by Curt Herwers
Curt caught this on a 1/4 oz chartreuse jig & minnow 
 

 Curt releasing his walleye

would say the season is starting out well.  The water temperature continues to increase. This past week the surface temperature increased about five degrees now hovering around the upper fifties right now.  We are starting to see the walleyes push a little deeper. The best fishing this past week have been in the 23′-26′ range although some anglers have done best fishing deep early in the day and moving shallower as the day warms up.  Some current hot spots have been around the Lighthouse Gap, Morris Point and Zippel Bay.  The best technique and presentation continues to be anchored and vertical jigging with a gold or orange jig, tipped with a minnow. It looks like it will be in the mid 60’s for the next 3-5 days, full sun for a few days, cloudy Friday and maybe a threat of rain on Saturday and Sunday. The guides are all geared up; give us a call to book your trip today.  Don’t have a group of 6 or more? No problem we have affordable rates for you too.

Summer 2011 Outlook
According to the MN DNR we have a strong and moderate year class of walleyes reaching the size of 13-17 inches this year.  We also have the same amount of trophy sized walleyes swimming like the past few. The past few years have been exceptional for both good eating and trophy walleye fishing; many guides have been known to say it is some of the best fishing they have seen in years!  Lake of the Woods also has one of the largest northern pike populations in Minnesota.  We are looking forward to another excellent fishing season. Come fish with us and explore Lake of the Woods this summer.

Keep those boats, rods and anchors clean
Are you transporting your boat from lake to lake this summer? Make sure you spray off your boat and gear before entering a new body of water. Those pesky spiny water fleas are known to follow. These fleas compete for the same food the fish do, so do the right thing and give that boat a spray.

2011 Fishing Seasons & Notable Dates
Minnesota
Walleyes –  May 14, 2011-April 15, 2012
Northern Pike  – Continuous
Muskie – June 18-Nov 30
Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass – Continuous
Lake Sturgeon – July 1-Sept 30, Oct 1-April 23, 2012
Crappie – Continuous

May 30 – Memorial Day
June 10-12  – MN DNR Take a Kid Fishing Weekend – MN residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16.
June 19 – Father’s Day
July 4 – Baudette’s Annual 4th of July Celebration
Aug 25-28 – Sportsman’s Take a Kid Fishing Weekend
Sept 5 – Labor Day

Lake of the Woods Oak Island Fishing Report Lake of the Woods 5-25-2011

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5/25/2011

A good start to the season
Anglers have been finding some nice stringers of walleyes this week. The weather has been fair for this time of year with temperatures in the lower 60’s. The water temperature has increased a few degrees this week.  Some of the best bites continue to be around shallow shorelines 10′-20′ in depth. A brightly colored jig or hammered gold spinner tipped with a minnow has worked well.  A few anglers have also been out in search of the bass and are finding a few.  Casting with a shad rap in the weedy bays have been the best locations just 3-5 miles away from the lodge and around the Oak Island area.

Summer 2011 Outlook
According to the MN DNR we have a strong and moderate year class of walleyes reaching the size of 13-17 inches this year.  We also have the same amount of trophy sized walleyes swimming like the past few. The past few years have been exceptional for both good eating and trophy walleye fishing.  Many guides say the past few years has been some of the best fishing they have seen in years!  Lake of the Woods also has one of the largest northern pike populations in Minnesota.  We are also a hot spot for incredible muskie fishing in the late summer and fall.  We are looking forward to another excellent fishing season. Come fish with us and explore Lake of the Woods this summer.

2011 Fishing Seasons & Notable Dates
Minnesota
Walleyes –  May 14, 2011-April 15, 2012
Northern Pike  – Continuous
Muskie – June 18-Nov 30
Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass – Continuous
Lake Sturgeon – July 1-Sept 30, Oct 1-April 23, 2012
Crappie – Continuous

Ontario
Walleyes –May 21-Dec 31
Northern Pike – Continuous
Muskie – June 18-Dec 15
Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass – Continuous
Lake Sturgeon – Closed
Crappie-Continuous

May 30 – Memorial Day
June 10-12  – MN DNR Take a Kid Fishing Weekend – MN residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16.
June 19 – Father’s Day
July 4 – Independence Day
Sept 5 – Labor Day

Lake of the Woods Oak Island & NW Angle Walleye Opener May 16, 2011

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5/16/2011

It’s Fishin’ Time

We are starting the year out with a bang! Lots of good walleye fishing was had by guests at Sports

 

5-14-2011
Walleye 
Bill Winter
Pipestone, MN

man’s Oak Island Lodge and Eagle Ridge this weekend. The afternoon and evening bite was best just off the shorelines around Oak Island and Flag Island. Some did well in 12′-15′ and we had others that did better a little deeper in the 20′ depth.  The best presentation to lure the walleyes in was a gold jigs tipped with a minnow.  It was a windy weekend but that didn’t hold back the walleyes from biting. Anglers were able to find plenty of sheltered areas that produced plenty of action.  Ontario walleye opener starts Saturday, May 21 opening up thousands more fishing opportunities. Summer is here! Grab your fishing buddies and come on up.

Walleye Opener 2011 Lake of the Woods South Shore

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5/16/2011

Successful Opener!

The walleyes are hungry!  Walleye opener on Lake of the Woods was a success! We wrestled with some wind but that didn’t keep the walleyes from biting. Limits of walleye were not hard to come by this past weekend.  Jigging with a gold, orange or pink

jig tipped with a minnow was the technique that pulled in most of the limits of

For more pictures become a Sportsman’s
fan on facebook and check it out click here!
Check out a few of last years catches.

Opener Walleye!
One of many Patty pulled in over the weekend while fishing with Sportsman’s Captain Dan. 
Way to go Patty!
Patty Ternes, Rockford, MN 

walleyes. Some hot spots were Lighthouse Gap, Rainy River and Morris Point washout.  We saw lot of nice good eater size 14”-18”and a decent amount of large walleyes in the 24”-29” range and a few over 30” over the weekend, all released back for more catching enjoyment to be had in the future.

The guides did a great job at finding the action over the weekend and are looking forward to taking you out this summer.  If you haven’t made your reservation yet, now is the time to book your summer trip.  Take advantage of our Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day special. Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free and our 100% Walleye Limit Guarantee!  Our guided trips include poles, bait, tackle, fish cleaning, assortment of pop and water and are priced right for groups of 1,2,3,4,5,6, or more!  If you don’t have a group of 6 to fill the boat, no problem! We have affordable per person rates.  Give us a call 800-862-8602 for more information and to book your trip today.

Sportsman’s Lodge 5th Annual Sturgeon Tournament

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4/30/2011

The 5th Annual Sportsman’s Lodge sturgeon tournament was a success! Over 155 sturgeon were caught over the two day catch and release event. 50 boats and 128 anglers battled it out for over $4800 in cash and prizes April 29 & 30. The two day event will conclude with an awards banquet tonight and Live Entertainment by Fireline. We only have 15 spots left for 2012! Reserve your spot today 800-862-8602 www.sportsmanslodges.com

The winners:
Day 1 (for pictures see 4/29 report below)
#1 64.5 inch length, 27 inch girth & 73 lbs- Derek Ferestad from Park Rapids, MN $1400 Cash
#2 57.75 inch length, 21 inch girth & 43 lbs– Pat Schrieber from White Bear Lake, MN $600 Cash
#3 56.5 inch length, 18.5 inch girth & 36lbs – Randy Shoen from Hastings, MN Custom Sturgeon Rod handcrafted by Lake of the Woods Guide Ralph Christopherson 

Day 2
#1 60.5 inch length, 21.5 inch girth & 45lbs Randy Shoen from Hastings, MN $1400 Cash

#2 59 inch length, 24 inch girth & 54 lbs Dan Brown from Hudson, WI $600 Cash #3 58.5 inch length, 20.5 inch girth & 43 lbs
No picture available

Mark Lyons from Roseville, MN Custom Sturgeon Rod handcrafted by Lake of the Woods Guide Ralph Christopherson pictured behind him is Scott Steinbring from Warroad, MN with a close contender holding his 52 inch caught at the same time. 

Other awards
Bullhead – 13 inch Kevin Weber from East Grand Forks, MN
Eelpout – 17 inch two way tie Steve Stoskopf from Warroad, MN & Gary Rutherford from Pengilly, MN
Sucker – 20.5 inch Hunter Deziel from Grand Forks, ND
Best Boat – Brian Stennes from Grand Forks, ND

The tournament was once again a big success and alot of fun as had. Next year’s tournament is set for May 4 & 5, 2012. To sign up contact Sportsman’s Lodge 800-862-8602. Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks to all the participants for making the tournament once again a success!

Mother’s Day Weekend

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Mother’s Day Weekend

Celebrate Mom All Weekend Long!

Doesn’t your Mom deserve the best? Then bring her to Sportsman’s Lodge and show her how much she is appreciated! Sportsman’s has lots of relaxing and fun things for Mom to enjoy this Mother’s Day at our Mom & Me Crafters Weekend.  Bring your Mom and your favorite craft and relax all weekend.Give Mom what she really wants. . . a day or a weekend of being pampered, and the chance to enjoy a delicious meal that she doesn’t have to cook herself or clean up afterwards.

Weekend Package
2 nights lodging, use of crafting room 24 hours a day noon Friday until noon Sunday with large tables, lighting and electricity, continental breakfast Saturday and Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch on Sunday.
$112 per person

Day Package
Use of crafting room only
$15 per person per day

Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Walleye, Eggs Benedict, Blintz, Black Forest Carved Ham, Scrambled Eggs,
Cheesy Hash Browns, Sausage, Wild Rice Salad, Waffles, Made to Order Crepes,
Juice, Milk & Dessert Bar, Chocolate Fountain & Fruit, Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar

Adults $16.95
12 & under $7.95
6 & under $4.95
3 & under Free

all prices subject to state and local tax
For reservations & more information go to http://sportsmanslodges.com/rainyriver/rates/spa-packages/

Spring & Summer Vacation Planning

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Spring & Summer Vacation Planning

Now is the time to start planning your upcoming spring & summer vacation. Sportsman’s Lodge offers many great recreational opportunities to keep your whole family entertained. Extraordinary fishing with no equipement or experience required. Boating, nearby hiking & biking yrails, wildlife viewing, small town shopping, nearby state park, indoor pool, live entertainment, game room and much more!  Book your trip by March 1 and get double loyalty points and save! Log on to www.sportsmanslodges.com now to start planning your vacation today.