Category Archives: News

Rainy River Open Water & Fishing Report March 30, 2015

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3/30/2015 

Sportsman’s Lodge Open Water & Fishing Report

Rainy River Report
Birchdale and Frontier landings are open. Boats are being pushed off Vidas landing (8 miles east of Baudette), still 10 feet shore ice. Ice should be gone in a day or two. Open water is reported west of Clementson now and we expect it to be to Baudette by the end of the week.  The weather forecast looks much warmer this week. We should make some good progress opening the river up! Nice sturgeon and walleyes are being caught. Bite is picking up by the day and the warmer weather should help too!  Best approach for walleyes right now is a 3/8-1/2 oz. gold or chartreuse jig tipped with a minnow. Sturgeon, #5 hook, 1-2 oz. weight and a gob of night crawlers has been working best in deep crevices of the river bottom. For pike, casting buck tails and assorted flashy spoons work well in weed beds and open bays.

For a map of the boat landings on the Rainy River, click here.

Season Open Dates: Walleye until April 14, re-opening May 9 Sturgeon now through April 23, catch & release. April 24-May 7 keep one within size limits. May 8-15 catch and release. May 16-June 30 closed. Northern Pike never closes.

River Fishing March 29 2015

Hot Deal! Spring Lodging Rates as low as $40* per person per night!
*plus tax and based on double occupancy. Click here.

Happy Easter!
The lodge will be closed Easter Sunday but lodging will remain open that day. Give us a call to book your stay 800-862-8602 or reserve online here. Guided Trips & Boat Rentals available! Check out our options and reserve yours today.

Two Boat Ramps are open!

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3/26/2015

Two boat ramps are open to access the Rainy River! Both landings are located just off Hwy 11 east of Baudette. Frontier Landing is 17 miles and Birchdale is 26 from Baudette. The next landing to open is Vidas, located 6 miles east of Baudette. Open water is within 7 miles of Vidas right now.  Spring is here! Click here to view and download a map of the ramps.

Forecast 3-26-2015

Lodging now available for as low as $40 per person per night! *plus tax based on double occupancy. Guided Outfitter Trips also available! Click here for more information. Click here to Book now or call 800-862-8602.

Top Ten Reasons To Visit Sportsman’s this Summer

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Looking for the perfect summer vacation destination? Here are the top ten reasons to visit Sportsman’s this summer!

1.  Excellent fishing and no equipment or experience required!

From the beginner to the seasoned pro, Sportsman’s located in the heart of the walleye capital of the world offers the best fishing around.

2. New Villas

And with a multitude of accommodation options to choose from, including charming lodge rooms, well-equipped cabins, and our new private villas, you’re sure to love everything about Sportsman’s!  Rent these accommodations by the night or the week.

3. Entertainment

Enjoy our live musical entertainment in our bar and restaurant,

4. Indoor Pool 

Stroll along the beach at neartby Zippel Bay State Park, or relax at Sportsman’s indoor pool or hot tub.

5. Awesome Views

Let your worries drift away as you take in the beautiful views and rich history of the area on one of our lake tours.

6. Three Locations

Three locations to choose from: Sportsman’s Lodge located 12 miles north of Baudette, MN, Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge & Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge located on Oak Island near the Northwest Angle of Minnesota.

7. Game Room

Both youth and adults will enjoy our game rooms that feature a variety of games.

8. Three Dining Venues

Great food with great prices, sample all the menus in our 3 dining venues.

9. Area Activities

Whether you are looking to spend time on the water, enjoy a great game of golf, stroll along the beach at the Zippel Bay State Park or shop in local Baudette, there is something for everyone at Sportsman’s Lodges.

10. Lodging and fishing packages starting at only $232 per person! 

So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call at 866-998-7280 or click here to book online.

Who is ready for spring soft water fishing?

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It won’t be long and we will be launching boats and fishing for walleyes, northern pike and lake sturgeon! We have our sites on early April. Walleye season on Lake of the Woods is open until April 14, closing for a short time April 15-May 8 and then opening for the season again May 9.  The spring bite can be incredible! The warming weather and increased currents at the beginning of April work to open the Rainy River just as the walleyes are beginning their spring run. The action is fast, and the fish are huge, pulled up one after another. Most fishermen prefer jigging with minnows this time of year to reel in the walleyes. For sturgeon big hooks and a gob of worms work well and for northern pike, dare devils or buck tails are popular lures.

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For more information about Sportsman’s Lodge lodging and fishing packages, click here.

New Lake Home on Oak Island

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Looking for a place to get away for a few nights or a week or two?  If you are looking for somewhere quiet, peaceful, comfortable and beautiful look no further than Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge. Nestled on Oak Island near the Northwest Angle and Canadian border of Minnesota.  We have two vacation homes to choose from. The newest home is a privately owned and is now apart of our rental pool.  This home as of Fall 2014 includes 3 bedrooms with six beds and three futons with a comfortable 8″ innerspring mattresses.  Great for groups up to twelve people. Bedroom one has 1 king & 1 twin, bedroom two has 1 Queen & 1 Twin, Bedroom three has 1 Queen & 1 Twin. The vacation home also includes 2.5 baths, 2 living areas, full kitchen with electric range, dishwasher, microwave, fridge/freezer, 6 beds, washer and dryer, wifi, and an awesome view with a glass paneled wrap around deck.

eagle ridge panoramic

 

For more information and availability. Click here

Fish Houses can be out on Lake of the Woods until March 31

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Unlike many lakes in Minnesota. On Lake of the Woods you can have fish houses out until March 31. Most lakes in Minnesota you have to remove them by Feb 28.  Not only are permanent shelters allowed to be out until March 31 but the more important thing is the ice is usually very stable until then as well. Right now we have over 3 feet of ice in the areas we travel and fish and making more daily. It is not uncommon for us to have 4 feet by mid March. 

Ice Fishing Packages Available Until Late
March at all 3 Locations at Sportsman’s Lodge
27 inch walleye Brooke Hanson 1-15-2015

More sun = active fishing!

Starting at $193 per person for 2 nights lodging and 1 day ice fishing (fish house heated and ready to go, transportation to and from the fish house, use of jig sticks, jigs, bait and fish cleaning)
*plus tax based on double occupancy, rainy river location midweek
Book your late season trip today.