Fishing has begun and the lodge at our Rainy River location is open! Click here for our rates and packages http://sportsmanslodges.com/…/winter/winter-fishing-packag…/
We hope to have the sleeper houses out in a few days and Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge open in a few days as well. Stay tuned for updates. Waiting on the ice.
Click here for daily dining and bar specials
www.mysportsmans.com
800-862-8602
12/23/2015
Need some more time….
We received 3 inches of snow yesterday so temperatures were not cool enough to make any ice but the good news is cooler temperatures are in the forecast! We did not have any snow on the lake before so these few inches should not change the ice making process to much. Temperatures are forecasted to dip into the single digits and below zero for the week ahead. This should help significantly. We are going to be checking ice again on Saturday, Dec 26 and going from there. Safety is our number one concern. Mother nature willing, we should be able to start the ice fishing season shortly after Christmas. Stay tuned!
No trails or roads are open at this time
We only report on the areas we fish and travel. Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River stretch many, many miles and every area freezes differently. We strongly encourage anyone venturing out to check with local resorts and bait shops before doing so.
From the Sportsman’s family to your family, Merry Christmas! We look forward to seeing you soon!
12/21/2015
Up at Oak Island we are finding ice ranging anywhere from 2”-8” and we are planning on checking the ice again in a few days. If the thinner spots build enough ice, we should be ready for ice fishing on the 28th. The forecast looks great with lows in the single digits to below zero. Stay tuned! www.oakislandlodge.com
12/21/2015
ICE ICE ICE BABY!!! We’re getting really close to fishing on the big lake. We sent out the guides out today and we are getting reports of 4”-6” in the bay and on the lake side of Pine Island we are seeing 6” out to 25 feet of water in the areas we fish and travel. We have made good progress the past few days.
We will be checking ice again on Wednesday. At this point we are hoping to start fishing on Dec 26 in our day houses based on the forecast but will know for sure on Wednesday, Dec 23. Our sleeper houses will take a few days longer to get ready as they are a little heavier, looking at Dec 29 or 30 at this point. We are eager as many of you to get out fishing, but safety is our #1 priority. We need to gain a few more inches of ice to be safe. The forecast looks great with lows in the single digits to below zero. Their is minimal, if any snow cover on the lake right now. We are forecasted to get a few inches of snow in the next few days which should not affect ice making at all.
If you decide to venture our on your own.
Our report is based on the areas we travel. No ice roads or trails are open at this time. As we ramp up, please stay on marked trails and don’t venture out on your own. Ice can be good on the trail and not good in other spots. The Rainy River like every year and high current areas are the last to get a good base of ice. We don’t travel these areas until mid to late season if at all depending on conditions. At this time 1-4 inches is reported in these areas. Stay tuned for another report in a few days.
Book your stay
Winter is here! Lodging and Fishing packages available! Click here to book now or call 800-862-8602.
It’s almost time.. These photos are from Saturday, Dec 19 at 11 a.m. Lake of the Woods is locked up and solid ice. Won’t be long till we are rocking at Sportsman’s Lodge.There is very little snow as of now on the ice, ice season on the big pond is fast approaching Last minute prepping and soon we will be ice fishing. As of now we are tentatively looking at day houses Dec 26th and sleeper houses on the 29th.. With Oak Island hopefully be ready on the 26th…. Bombers, fish houses, and guides are ready… Book now at Sportsman’s Lodge. 800-862-8602. Looking forward to an awesome year!
What a difference a day makes!
Yesterday we had only shore ice and after last night (only getting down to 17 degrees) we now have ice as far as the eye can see on the main lake from the south shore view. The forecast is calling for below zero temps the next two days so we should make even more progress in the next two days!
Four Mile Bay, the bay near Wheeler’s Point we use to access the lake has also made significant progress.
The water is cold and freezing! We should start building ice fairly quickly now. The extended forecast is calling for lows in the teens and highs in the lower twenties. Cold enough to make some ice! Gregg, the owner will be going up to fly over the lake on Saturday to see how everything seals looks. Stay tuned! We will post a report and pictures as soon as he gets back.
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| Long Point December 17, 2015 |
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| Morris Point December 17, 2015 |
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| Four Mile Bay December 17, 2015 |
When will we start ice fishing?
After this weekend we will be able to make a much better prediction, but at this point based on the information we are setting our sights on sometime between December 26 – January 1. Safety is always our first concern. We will start our season as soon as we have 8-12 inches of safe ice.
It’s a New Year Celebration at Sportsman’s Lodges
Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River Riverside Dining Room will feature a special on night only menu including these delicious selections and a complimentary glass of champagne with each entree.
Appetizers: Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Onion Rings, Walleye and Steak Bites
For the main entree: Shrimp Scampi, Walleye, Crab Legs, Ribeye Steak, Prime Rib, Whiskey Sirloin and Stuffed Shrimp Combo, Stuffed Shrimp, Fall off the bone BBQ Ribs, Seafood Pasta, Chicken Alfredo Pasta, Pork medallions and Chicken Tetrazzini.
Don’t forget dessert! Indulge in Cheesecake, Molten Chocolate Lava Cake, Cheesecake and Sundaes.
Serving Dinner from 5pm til 10pm – Dinner reservations are suggested
Enjoy your entrée with our soup and salad bar and favorite
cocktail or wine from our bar.
Looking for a lighter fare? The Sandbar will be serving appetizers, sandwiches and burgers all day until 10pm.
How about New Year’s Island Style at Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Succulent King Crab & Slow Roasted Prime Rib Special
Serving Dinner from 6pm til 9pm – Dinner reservations suggested.
Party Favors • Champagne Toast!
Lodging & Fishing packages available. Space is limited so click here to book your trip today or call (866) 533-8998!
P.S. Christmas gift idea! Always the right color, size and price! Sportsman’s Lodge gift certificate.
Sportsman’s gift cards make great gifts! Always the right size, color and price! Purchase yours online here or call 800-862-8602.
Who is ready? Do you have your reservations in yet?
http://sportsmanslodges.com/rainyriver/fishing/ice-fishing/
