Category Archives: Weekly Oak Island Fishing Report

Weekly Oak Island Fishing Report

Sportsman’s Lodges River Update 3-28-2022

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Rainy River

The Rainy River is open just west of Franz Jevne State Park now. Franz Jevne is 2 miles east of Birchdale. 

Nelson Landing at Birchdale is still frozen solid but the open water is moving along despite the cool temps.

The river has opened up 12 miles in the past 5 days. 

Temps are forecasted to stay cool again this week but the wind is supposed to kick up. That could chew some ice up.  Stay tuned for more updates.

Spring Specials
Lodging starts at only $99 a night for two people from April 1 – to May 25. Guided trips are available through early May and charter trips start May 14. Check out all the options at www.sportsmanslodges.com and give us a call to book your trip at 800-862-8602.

Oak Island

Still lots of ice at Oak Island and in the islands but it won’t be long. Give us a call to book your May trip at 800-772-8411 www.oakislandlodge.com and ask about our spring discounts. 

Sportsman’s Lodges River Update 3-23-2022

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Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River

Happy Spring!

The crew has been busy putting away the winter equipment and working on docks this week. Last fall we pulled out many docks to replace with new ones. We hope to have them all finished by the time there is water in front of the lodge or shortly after. Check out the progress.

Rainy River Update
The river is open to the Indus area now. It opened 14-15 miles this past week. Coming along! Indus is 50 miles upriver from the lodge and 12 miles away from the Birchdale boat access ramp. Stay tuned for more updates.

The walleye season here runs through April 14. Sturgeon catch and release are going on now through April 23. April 24-May 7 you can harvest a sturgeon, (be sure to get a tag with your license) within size limits and then one more week of catch and release May 8-15 before the season closes until July. Walleye will close after April 14 and re-open on May 14 for the year. Pike season never closes and Lake of the Woods is home to thousands of trophies. 

Spring Specials
Lodging starts at only $99 a night for two people from April 1 – to May 25. Guided trips are available through early May and charter trips start May 14. Check out all the options at www.sportsmanslodges.com and give us a call to book your trip at 800-862-8602.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

The thaw has begun! Check out our website soon for updates. www.oakislandlodge.com and give us a call to book your next trip at 800-772-8411.

Sportsman’s Lodges Fishing & Ice Report 3-18-2022

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Walleye caught at Sportsman's Lodge

Warmer Week
It looks like Mother Nature is loosening her grip on winter. We have had nice sunny days here this week which has been great but the long-range forecast tells us it is time to hang up our ice fishing rods for the year. We have decided our last day of ice fishing will be Sunday, March 20. It is time to put away the winter gear and start shining up the boats. Spring is in the air. It has been another great winter season. Thank you to all our loyal guests and followers. We enjoyed seeing you, chatting with you, and serving you.

The Bite
The current bite this week in 16’-25’ in the mud. Mainly walleyes and saugers are being caught, eater and throwback sizes. An occasional trophy walleye and a pike are also coming up the holes. Bright orange, gold, and pink have been hot colors, 3/8 oz or less for jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow. A mix of jigging and dead sticking is the way to go. A plain hook tipped with a partial minnow is a good tactic for the dead stick. We still have over 3’ of ice and snow. Melting is going on but we have a long way to go.

Spring Fishing
Up next, the river bite. River fishing on the Rainy River is a blast. The walleye season here runs through April 14. Sturgeon catch and release are going on now through April 23. April 24-May 7 you can harvest a sturgeon, (be sure to get a tag with your license) within size limits and then one more week of catch and release May 8-15 before the season closes until July. Walleye will close after April 14 and re-open on May 14 for the year. Pike season never closes and Lake of the Woods is home to thousands of trophies. A fun way to spend a few days. Right now the river is open 64 miles east of the lodge. If we continue to get warm temps and especially rain, it can get chewed up pretty quick. Stay tuned for updates starting next week.

Time to book your spring and summer trips
Dates are starting to fill. Check out all the options at www.sportsmanslodges.com Lodging starting at only $99 a night for two people April 1 – May 25. Guided trips are available through early May and charter trips start May 14.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Heigh-Ho Heigh-Ho a Fishing we will go
For another weekend that is, before we take a brief spring pause. Our restaurant and bar will be open until 9 am Sunday. We have had a great winter and lots of fun seeing and serving you. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again in May. If you haven’t made your reservations for summer yet, give us a call at 800-772-8411 or find us online at www.oakislanlodge.com. Our office will be open through the breakup season.


The last few days the sun has been melting some measurable snow. The fishing has been pretty good. A mix of walleyes and saugers, mostly walleye have been caught. Macho minnows, Rippin Raps, and 3/8 oz jigs have been hot tackle in colors of orange, yellow, gold, and glow in the dark. Minnows are the bait of choice. The trails are still open. Lots of snow. Midday gets a little soft. Good luck fishing!

Sportsman’s Lodges Fishing & Ice Report 3-9-2022

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Rainy River

Woke up to below zero.
Winter is still here. 5 below here this morning. We are making ice! Ice fishing will continue through late March it appears. Openings available, we will have our houses out through the end of March.

What an Adventure
The Lane Group visited us recently and reeled this mighty nice 39 inch northern pike. This feisty pike gave them quite a fight and a good fishing story to tell too!

“Before being pulled up it managed to circle around and tangle 7-8 lines, hook itself on all four lures and pull 3 rods under the water. After measuring and releasing the fish I tried to get the lines untangled and realized some of the line was coming out of the hole that we pulled the fish through. I grabbed that line and gently pulled. I was able to retrieve all 3 rods that the fish pulled under!”

What an Adventure!

Walleye, saugers and a few pike, jumbo perch and eelpout have been nibbling at lines this week. Small spoons, jigs, and plain hooks have been working well tipped with a full or partial minnow. Depths between 17’-32’ have been best. Glow in the dark, pink, gold and orange have been popular colors. Walleye season runs through April 14. Fish houses can be out overnight until March 31 and we have over 3 feet of ice and snow.

Mark reeled in a nice 28 1/2 walleye

Mardi Gras Sportsman’s Style!
Join us for ice fishing and our last party of the season, March 26. 7 pm – 1 am in the Sandbar.

This annual event is always a great time. Beads, Drink Specials, Entertainment, and more. Be sure to dress up too and enjoy the fun! Must be 21 years or older to attend. Contact us to secure your lodging today at 800-862-8602.

Oak Island

Lots of Ice & Snow
Over 3’ feet of ice and snow around here. Weather continues to be cool, lots of good ice fishing left. Fishing has been good in 19’-26’ this week on and around reefs for walleye and sauger. Buckshots, jigs and small spoons have been working well tipped with a minnow. Orange, gold, pink and bright green have been hot colors.

One Last Blast
We have openings available in March. Our season runs through the weekend of March 20. After March 20, be sure to check out our sister resort, Sportsman’s Lodge in Baudette for ice fishing trips through late March. Give us a call at 800-772-8411.

Trails & Ice Road
The snowmobile trails are open and marked from Baudette, Warroad, and to the island and Northwest Angle. The ice road is in good shape from Young’s Bay at the Northwest Angle to the lodge. Take a cruise right to our front door.

Sportsman’s Lodges Fishing & Ice Report 3-3-2022

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Rainy River

Cool Weather – 3+ Weeks of Ice Fishing Days Left
With over 3 feet of ice, plenty of snow, and cold temperatures are in the forecast between negative 9 to 17 above, Mother Nature is giving us the green light to keep on ice fishing. It looks like we will continue to ice fish right through the end of the season, March 31 this year at this point. Give us at 800-862-8602 to call to book your trip!

Pink, White, Wonderbread, and gold jigs and small spoons as well as a plain hook have been good tackle options tipped with a minnow. The best depths have been between 19’-33’. Fish finders such as vexilars really help catch rates. We have rentals available if you would like to give one a try. They go fast, so be sure to call ahead to reserve.

Time to renew your fishing license
Minnesota Licenses expired Feb 28. Hop online or give the DNR a call 24 hours a day to renew yours.

Licenses are available 24 hours a day on the DNR website or by calling 888-665-4236.

Mardi Gras Sportsman’s Style!
Join us for ice fishing and our last party of the season, March 26. 7 pm – 1 am in the Sandbar.

This annual event is always a great time. Beads, Drink Specials, Entertainment, and more. Be sure to dress up too and enjoy the fun! Must be 21 years or older to attend. Contact us to secure your lodging today at 800-862-8602.

Oak Island

Walleyes, saugers, perch, pike, tulibee…..March Fishing is going on now
As the days get longer, the bite heats up for a variety of species. Anglers are catching a variety of species and sizes right now. 20’-27’ on and around reefs has been the sweet spot using orange, pink, gold, and bright green 3/8 oz jigs and small spoons tipped with a minnow. A mix of jigging and dead sticking is the way to go. We have openings available in March. Our season runs through the weekend of March 20. After March 20, be sure to check out our sister resort, Sportsman’s Lodge in Baudette for ice fishing trips through late March.

Ice & Snow
We currently have over 3’ feet of ice and 3-4’ of snow in the areas we fish and travel. Cold weather continues!

Trails & Ice Road
The snowmobile trails are open and marked from Baudette, Warroad, and to the island and Northwest Angle. The ice road is in good shape from Young’s Bay at the Northwest Angle to the lodge top. Take a cruise right to our front door.

Sportsman’s Lodges Fishing & Ice Report 2-25-2022

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Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River

Fishing Away
Check out the pictures of the week! Guests have been fishing away this week. They have been catching mainly walleyes and saugers and an occasional perch, pike, eelpout and sturgeon. Average size has been between 10”-18”along with a few trophies. A 30.5” walleye caught by Corey. What a catch!

We have houses scattered between 20’-32’ to give you the best fishing experience. Pink jigs and small spoons have been hot for jigging tipped with a minnow. On a dead stick, a plain hook has been the way to go with the minnow hooked through the tail. Anglers have been marking lots of fish. For your best shot at catching some nice fish, every day is a little different, try some different techniques, dead stick and jigging. Try different jigs and spoons.A little rattle or glow on your lure can really help too. Talk with the guides, they are always happy to give some tips. We currently have over 3 feet of ice and snow in the areas we fish and travel. February has been a very cold month, many days below zero, but it looks like that is changing this weekend. We are moving into more comfortable weather with highs in the teens and lower twenties. Perfect for March fishing! Remember, unlike many lakes in Minnesota, we ice fish until late March and our walleye season runs through April 14.

Time to renew your fishing license
Minnesota Licenses expire Feb 28.

Licenses are available 24 hours a day on the DNR website or by calling 888-665-4236.

March openings available

Come for one last blast. www.sportsmanslodges.com

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge & Eagle Ridge

Good Bite

The walleye and sauger bite has been good in the islands. Gold, pink/white and chartreuse jigs and the slab rap have been good tackle along with a minnow. It has been about a 60% walleye and 40% sauger catch mix along with some nice jumbo perch and tullibee. Anglers have been having good luck stirring the bottom up with their lure by slapping or moving it to get the attention of the passing fish. The best depth has been 22’-25. Come try your luck. Give us a call to make your March reservations 800-772-8411. Our island location will be open for the winter season through March 20.

Ice & Snow
We currently have over 3’ feet of ice and 3-4’ of snow in the areas we fish and travel.

Trails & Ice Road

The snowmobile trails are open and marked in the area and the ice road is in good shape from Young’s Bay at the Northwest Angle to the lodge. Take a cruise right to our front door.

Northwest Angle Edge Riders Snowmobile Rally is this weekend

Take a ride on the trails and stop by before and after the rally for food, drinks and gas. Click here to learn more about this year’s rally

Sportsman’s Lodges Fishing & Ice Report 2-15-2022

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Rainy River

Wonderbread, Rattle, Days are Getting Longer
Hey anglers, how is everyone doing this week? Here on Lake of the Woods we are doing well. Catching fish, enjoying more sunlight, good company and taking nature’s beauty all in. What a great way to enjoy the winter.

The Bite – Those crazy wonderbread jigs coated in white and dotted with red, yellow and blue have been bringing in walleyes and saugers. Jigs and spoons with a rattle as well as plain hooks are also worth having in your tackle box too. The best depth has been 24’-33’. The best approach is to deadstick with a bobber and small presentation on one rod and use the noisy lure on the jigging line. Electronics are very helpful to have. If you don’t have one of these gadgets, give us a call to reserve one. They go fast, so we recommend calling ahead. We have around 3 feet of ice right now and we plan to continue to ice fish through late March, mother nature willing. Unlike many lakes in Minnesota, we can have our houses out through March 31 and walleye season is open through April 14.

Friendly Reminder to Keep it Clean
We all love this incredible resource and to continue to make it a great place to enjoy we need to keep it clean. Let’s all work together and Keep it Clean by not leaving any garbage on the lake or disposing of any down the ice holes. Thank you for yoir cooperation.

Snowmobile Trails
Trails are marked and grooming is in progress. For more information about the trails and the latest on the land trails, check out Lake of the Wood’s Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders Face book pages.

Oak Island

Island Time
Slower paced and great fishing is what island time is like. When you want to get away from it all, this is the place to be.

Glow Shot Spoons have been hot this week in enticing the walleyes and saugers to take a chomp at the line. A few suspended fish are showing up on the electronics. The best approach to lure one of those in is to stay on bottom and reel up to it. If you hang more than a few inches off bottom too long, you will miss out on most of the fish. If you are seeing lots of fish on the electronics but they aren’t biting, try downsizing your presentation, do some dead sticking or jigging. Average jig size we use is 3/8 oz but many times something less can really work well. The best depth continues to be 25’-33’. Walleyes and saugers are biting. Variety of sizes. Jumbo perch and pike are nibbling a bit too.

We have 3 feet of ice on average. We plan on fishing through most of March.

Have you visited lately and have a picture to share? We love seeing and sharing your photos. Email or Facebook message us and tell us about your adventure.

Many ways to get to us!
Lake Country Air can get you here quickly by plane. Lake of the Woods Passenger Service is currently booked for February but taking reservations for March and throughout the summer for bombardier and boat transportation. The snowmobile trails from Baudette, Warroad and the Northwest Angle as well as the ice road from Young’s Bay are all open too. Click here to learn more.

Sportsman’s Lodges Fishing & Ice Report 2-9-2022

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Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River

Mild temps and Good Fishing

Gold, pink, yellow, orange, glow jigs, buckshots and charmers as well as green and red hooks tipped with a minnow have been noted as catching some nice fish this week. Temps have come above the donut and it looks like we are going to get more nice weather this week too.

A variety of sizes, mostly walleye and sauger, are being caught by guests. Some real nice jumbo perch have been in the mix this week too. A sure sign we are sliding into February. The best bite has been in 26’-33’ of water. We currently have 33-36 inches of ice and a few feet of snow or better with another shot in the forecast for Thursday. Electronics are helping catch rates. We have houses scattered to give you the best experience. Lots of good fishing and good times are going on around here.

Snowmobile Trails

Trails are marked and grooming is in progress. For more information about the trails and the latest on the land trails, check out Lake of the Wood’s Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders Face book pages.

Valentines Day Specials & the Big Game Party is Coming Up
Join us for the Big Game on Sunday, Feb 13 in the Sandbar on our 14 TV’s. We will be having food and drink specials like $8 pitchers of Coors Light, Appetizer Platter and more along with giveaways throughout the game. Monday, make plans to treat your sweetie to a delicious dinner, $5 house wine specials and delectable desserts. Reservations suggested. Call 218-634-1342 to make yours.

Oak Island

Work that Lure

A popular Lake of the Woods ice fishing method has always been a mix of dead sticking and vertical jigging. Sometimes working the jig or lure can really be successful. Use something with some noise or flash and give the bottom some good slaps. With the other rod, take a more subtle approach. A smaller lure like a light spoon or even just a hook tipped with a minnow. Let it sit, add a bobber if you wish and get ready to set the hook. We currently have 30-35 inches of ice and 15-20 inches of snow or better. Best fishing depths have been in 25’-32’ of water. Come wet a line.

Many ways to get to us!

Lake Country Air can get you here quickly by plane. Lake of the Woods Passenger Service is currently booked for February but taking reservations for March and throughout summer for bombardier and boat transportation. The snowmobile trails from Baudette, Warroad and the Northwest Angle as well as the ice road from Young’s Bay are all open too. Click here to learn more.

Valentine’s Day Dinner Special

Make reservations for dinner. We will be featuring a Flat Iron Steak with 3 Deep Fried Shrimp served with a baked potato, choice of soup or salad, fresh baked bread and turtle cheesecake for dessert for $37.95 along with our dinner menu. Your night won’t be complete without one of our tasty drink specials. Blushing Rose, Love Potion #9 and Cherry Crush. Reservations suggested 218-223-8411. Give us a call. 

Sportsman’s Lodges Fishing & Ice Report 2-1-2022

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Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River Fishing Report

Mid Season
Here we are already at the mid-season mark. Two months of ice fishing left. Unlike many lakes due to our location and since we are a border water lake,  we ice fish until late March. If you haven’t had a chance to get out this year or are looking to get out for the first time, we have some midweek openings in February and midweek and weekends open in March right now. Give us a call at 800-862-8602 to plan your trip.

Mother Nature continues to make ice. It has been a cold winter here. We currently have 32-34 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel and a good base of 18-24”+ of snow.

Guests have been catching some nice fish. Check out the pictures of the week!

A mix of throwbacks, good eating size, and a few trophies for walleyes. Saugers, lots of throwbacks, and good eating size. Few perch being caught, most nice jumbos. Pike 20”+ and an occasional eelpout and sturgeon 20”+. We have houses in a range of depths and areas right now 26’-32’. The ride out is anywhere from a half-hour to an hour ride dashing through the snow. Orange, green, gold, and pink have been hot colors. Buckshots, gumball jigs, and macho minnows have been working well as well as plain hooks all tipped with a minnow or minnow head. Electronics are helpful in reeling in more fish and especially pinpointing the suspended fish.

Snowmobile Trails
Black stakes mark the trails from the south shore of the lake to Oak Island and NW Angle and south shore to Warroad as well as Wheeler’s Point to Baudette. For more information about the trails and the latest on the land trails, check out Lake of the Wood’s Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders Facebook pages.

Spend Spring Break at the Lake
March openings are available! We ice fish through late March and great kids rates too! Free lodging for kids 17 and younger when they stay with 2 adults in lodge rooms and fishing only $55 per kid per day plus tax includes a ride in the giant snowmobile (an adventure in itself!) to and from the house, bait, use of jig sticks or rods/reels, jigs and fish cleaning. Give us a jingle at 800-862-8602 or find us online here.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

On the hunt for Willie the Walleye
Guests have been catching some nice walleye and saugers this week. Some looking for a nice fish fry and others seeking out a trophy, Willie the Walleye. Gold and green jigs, jigs and lures with a rattle, stop signs, and slab raps have been hot tackle. Chubs have been the preferred bait.  The average depth to find them has been in sandy areas and along reefs in 24’-30’. Electronics help and it is important to have sharp hooks. The jig that really worked last year, may not be a good idea this year. A new purchase may be the best approach. A good thing to check before dropping a line.

Ice
We now have 29-33 inches of ice and 14-16 inches of snow in the areas we fish and travel.

Many ways to get to the island.
The ice road from Young’s Bay (approx 9 miles)
Bombardier passenger service with Lake of the Woods Passenger Service by plane with Lake Country Airand snowmobile via the staked trails from Warroad and Baudette are available.

Unfortunately, the ice road planned from Warroad halted operations last week due to the weather making it difficult to keep the road open. Click on the links to learn more and schedule your trip to experience Oak Island.

Winter Openings Available
Openings at Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge are available now through March 20. Openings at Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge midweek now and the weekend of March 17-20. Give us a call to book your Oak Island adventure at 800-772-8411 or click here to find us online.

Sportsman’s Lodges Fishing & Ice Report 1-25-2022

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Sportsman’s Rainy River

Cold Front Moving through Today, Warm Weather on its Way

Very cold today, but much warmer tomorrow, and for the most part the week ahead it looks like.

Guests have been catching a mix of walleyes, saugers, and a pike, sturgeon, perch, and eelpout once in a while. Plain single or treble hook or small spoon with a minnow on a dead stick continues to be hot. For jigging, a macho minnow, gold, pink and green jigs, and wonderbread glow jigging rap have been hot. We are fishing in varying depths, 26’-33’.

Ice Conditions
Currently, we have 25-29 inches of ice and about 14- 18 inches of snow in the areas we fish and travel.

Snowmobile Trails

Black stakes mark the trails from the south shore of the lake to Oak Island and NW Angle and south shore to Warroad as well as Wheeler’s Point to Baudette. For more information about the trails and the latest on the land trails, check out Lake of the Wood’s Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders Facebook pages

Spend Spring Break at the Lake

March openings are available! We ice fish through late March and great kids rates too!
Free lodging for kids 17 and younger when they stay with 2 adults in lodge rooms and fishing only $55 per kid per day plus tax includes a ride in the giant snowmobile (an adventure in itself!) to and from the house, bait, use of jig sticks or rods/reels, jigs and fish cleaning. Give us a jingle at 800-862-8602 or find us online here.

Oak Island

The Bite
Hello from Oak Island at the top of the Nation! Walleyes are being caught along with a few sauger and jumbo perch.Plain hook and chartreuse jigs tipped with a minnow or minnow head has been working well in the sandy bottom in 25-30 feet. The extreme cold blasts can be challenging for the bite but if you keep working at it, anglers are getting success. Warmer weather is coming tomorrow along with a more consistent temp for a stretch of days, that should help! The fish have been nibbling light rather than aggressive lately so watching electronics, using medium-light or medium action rods, trying a mix of dead sticking and jigging, and even some hard jigging smacking the bottom to really stir things up sometimes really can help. And don’t forget the most important tip of all. Relax and have fun!

Ice
We now have 28-32 inches of ice and 10-13 inches of snow in the areas we fish and travel.

Many ways to get to the island.
The ice road from Young’s Bay (approx 9 miles)Bombardier passenger service with Lake of the Woods Passenger Service by plane with Lake Country Air, snowmobile via the staked trails from Warroad and Baudette, and ice road from Warroad (40-45 miles). Click on the links to learn more and come experience Oak Island!

Winter Openings Available
Our 3 Bedroom Cedar cabin has openings on some weekends and midweek now through the end of the season. This cabin is just a 1/4 mile ice road jaunt, walk, or snowmobile ride away from the lodge. It is great for groups of 4-10 and has two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living area, and an awesome view. Our season runs through late March. We also have openings midweek February and March at our condos and villas. Fish house rentals are available for all accommodations. Our rentals include a warm and ready-to-go fish house, transportation to and from the fish house, bait, fish cleaning and we have some rods available too to use if you would like. Give us a call to book your Oak Island adventure at 800-772-8411 or click here to find us online.