The river is open in front of the lodge and all public boat landings on the river are open.Over 40 miles of fishable water is now open from Wheeler’s Point to Birchdale and beyond. Four Mile Bay is still pretty locked up today but it won’t be long before it starts breaking up.
Fishing has been great! Anglers have been reeling in nice walleyes and sturgeon this week along with a few suckers and saugers too. Best depths for walleyes have been 16′-22′ holding tight to rocks. Trolling slowly into current jigging a 1/2 oz. gold, pink or bright jig tipped with a live fathead or shiner. Some are doing well trolling with crankbaits too.For sturgeon, a heavy rod and tackle that can withstand a fish of 100lbs, #4 or #5 circle hook, no roll sinker and a gob of worms anchored in or near a hole in the river are producing.
More bays should start opening up this week. Water clarity remains good and water temp is 37 degrees.
Lots of melting going on but still mostly ice in the islands right now. We expect to see more water this week. It is a good time to make plans for summer. We have some great spring deals May 10-25. Check us out and give us a call 800-772-8411.
The river has opened up a couple more miles the past couple of days despite the cool temps. It is now open within 1/4 mile of Birchdale /Nelson Park Landing when we checked yesterday afternoon. At Birchdale there are a few open water spots but for the most part, pretty locked up still at this point. Today is supposed to be high in the upper 40’s and possibly a few rain showers which will certainly help the thaw. Stay tuned for another update Thursday afternoon!
We have made great progress! The river is opening quick! The river has an open water channel now within a couple miles from Birchdale Landing. It has opened up 10-11 miles since Thursday. ️
Another day of warm temps and a few more after to get the shore ice pushed away should be all we need until this landing opens is our best guess at this point. We are also seeing lots of bare ice spots between Birchdale and Frontier so this should break up fairly quickly this week too. We will be out checking again Tuesday afternoon. Stay tuned for updates! It’s almost time! ️
Birchdale Landing 3-24-2019
Franz Jevne Park 3 miles east of Birchdale Landing
Lodging Specials and Mardi Gras Party!
Give us a call to book your lodging and guided trips. Now through May 22, Lodging special starting at only $43* per person per night and our Annual Mardi Gras Party is this weekend! Saturday, March 30! Come have some fun! www.sportsmanslodges.com/spring
Goodbye winter, Wednesday, March 20 was the last day of our ice fishing season. The winter season has come to an end and signs of spring are showing up. Thanks to everyone who visited and tuned in to our reports this winter. We appreciate your patronage.
From one season to the next, the popular Rainy River fishing is next on tap in our neck of the woods. We are already starting to see signs of spring show up. The current in the river and the warm spring sun is already starting to change up the landscape. Yesterday we took a drive east of Baudette to check on the river status. We found the river was open 39 miles east of Baudette, and about 12 miles east of Birchdale Landing. It had opened up about 2 miles within 24 hours. Open water holes were spotted 30 miles east of Baudette at Franz Jevne Park (3 miles east of Birchdale Landing).
We are forecasted to get lots of sun this weekend. If the warm weather keeps up, it wouldn’t be out of the question to see Birchdale landing open up in a week. For information about spring fishing at Sportsman’s, boat landing map and more, click here. Stay tuned for updates!
Walleye season remains open on Lake of the Woods.
Unlike many Minnesota lakes, walleye season remains open through April 14, re-opening May 11, pike season never closes and sturgeon season catch and release is going on now through April 23, keep season April 24-May 7 and catch and release again May 8-15 before closing for about 6 weeks. Spring is a fun time to reel in the monsters! Guided trips available, check us out.
Spring Specials have started, we are open!
Our spring special, lodging starting at only $43 per person per night is now available through May 22 and up to 20% off summer lodging and charter packages May 10-May 22. The bar and dockside dining room remain open through the spring. Come for a visit. For our current hours click here. End of the Winter Bash is next weekend!
Join us! Mardi Gras Sportsman’s Style!
Live Band, Costume contest ($100 cash!!), Free Hurricane 7pm-8pm, Specials, Lots and lots of beads, Lodging Special and a whole lot of fun. Check it out.
Well folks, it’s that time of year. Based on the forecast, Wednesday, March 20 will be our last day of ice fishing for the year. Mother Nature says it’s warm up time. Thanks to everyone who visited us and tuned into our Facebook page and website this winter. We are looking forward to the river opening up and splashing the boats in the water!
Remember walleye season remains open here through April 14, pike season never closes and sturgeon season heats up in April. Stay tuned on our Facebook page and website for river updates coming soon!
The March Bite is Heating Up
We are starting to see more action this week. Nice eating size walleyes 15”-17” have been caught along with a few slot fish (19.5”-28”) and some nice pike too by guests. The majority of the fish coming in have been walleye. Best depth has been 18-25 ft. A dead stick with a plain hook and a minnow has worked well and also jigging buck shots, glo shot spoons, glo shot gigs, tungsten jigs, gem-n-eye jigs, lindy glo spoons. Glow seems to be producing the best. Tip them whole, half, or just the minnow head depending on how aggressive the bite is from day to day.
Ice Conditions
We still have a very solid 30”-40” of ice in the areas we fish and travel on the lake. The guides are running the bombardiers on the groomed trails and keeping the trails packed. The snow on top of the ice is sloppy during the day on the days the temperature rises above freezing but then freezes again at night. We received some drizzle, a few inches of snow and wind with the storm. Not too bad. The sleepers are done for the year but we will continue to have day houses available for a while longer until conditions change.
Ice Roads
We use a private groomed trail but there are a few local ice roads open. If you are venturing out on your own, a few we suggest are Zippel Bay and Morris Point. We suggest calling the outfitter of your choice ahead of time for the latest conditions, it’s that time of year.
Never too early to start thinking about Spring and Summer trips. Spring is an excellent time for walleye, pike and sturgeon. Lodging starting at only $43* per person per night April 1- May 22. Check us out www.sportsmanslodges.com
*Plus tax and based on double occupancy.
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge 3/14/2019
The Bite
The Bite
Gold, pink and glow jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow have been working best in 20’-30’. The walleye and sauger bite has been spotty this week. Using vexilars and changing up techniques is helpful to bring in more fish. Try some dead sticking with a just a plain hook and jigging jigs or spoons tipped with a minnow for the best results. Watch for the suspended fish too. Reel up and do a little tackle dancing to get their attention. This weekend marks our last weekend for ice fishing for the 2019-2020 season up here in the islands. The south end location, Sportsman’s Lodge will continue to have day houses available for awhile longer. Thank you for another great season! We look forward to seeing everyone again in May. If you are thinking about a spring or summer trip, give us a call, dates are filling up. We open May 10 and have some great spring rates to kick off the season. www.oakislandlodge.com 800-772-8411.
Ice Conditions
We have anywhere from 24-36 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. No ice loss yet, just snow. We received a few more inches of snow the past couple of days.
Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is open and in good shape, plowing continues.
A mix of walleyes, saugers, tulibees, a few perch and pike are being caught right now. Dead sticking plain hooks with a minnow and jigging glow, gold and pink jigs or spoons, charmers, anything that flashes and has a little noise tipped with a minnow is working the best. We have houses scattered out in 20-30 feet of water. It has been another cold week here this week with most nights below zero. Ice fishing continues through late March. Walleye season is open through April 14, re-opening May 11.
What a story! A fun read.
Roy, Wayne and Dan, long time guests visited us last week. Their tangle with a 30″ walleye was quite the ordeal. We thought their story was just too good not to share. Fun times and good memories were made. Thanks for coming guys. As always, it is a pleasure having you and thanks for sharing your story with us. Until next time…..
In Wayne’s words…….Wednesday afternoon Roy hooks into this 30” Walleye which wasn’t at interested in cooperating. I went across our 6 man house to help get the fish landed. While doing so there was a loud crash on the other side I was fishing on. As I looked back I noticed my dangler rod holder was flipped over next to the open hole and rod & reel obviously gone down the hole! Needless to say I was bummed with the loss but we still needed to catch the fish. Roy finally was able to get the fish up thru the hole. His rod in the hole next to him had gotten tangle while the fish was fighting so it was a mess. We measured, and secured it and then Roy began to untangle mess of fishing lines. As he did so, a gold Macho Minnow surfaced, and Roy says, “Wayne what kind of lure were you using” at the same time showing what he was holding in his hand”! I couldn’t believe what I saw, but was ecstatic when he continued pulling the line and my rod and reel followed up from the deep. A great ending, Roy got a beautiful fish to have mounted, and I got my $190.00 rod and reel back!!😩😂 Sure glad to have good fishing line on my reel after all that!
Ice Conditions No changes this week. We have 30”-40” of ice in the areas we fish and travel. Lots of ice!
Ice Roads
We use a private groomed trail but there are local ice roads open in the area at this time. Contact the resort or outfitter maintaining the ice road for the latest conditions.
Never too early to start thinking about Spring and Summer trips. Spring is an excellent time for walleye, pike and sturgeon. Check us out www.sportsmanslodges.com
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge 3/6/2019
March Fishing
Macho minnows, buck shots, jigs and spoons and plain hooks tipped with a minnow are good go-to tackle right now. Gold, pink and glow have been good colors. Mix of walleyes and saugers have been nibbling in 23’-28’, mainly eater size with a few whoppers, 25”+.
Ice Conditions
We have anywhere from 24-36 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.
Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is open and in great shape.
Heading into the last month of Ice Fishing Here we are sliding into March, the last month of the ice fishing season already. It has once again been a fun winter with lots of good fishing, laughs, memories made and of course a few rounds of crazy weather. Speaking of the crazy weather, yes the wind sure kicked up here on Sunday, upwards of 40 mph gusts at times. The guides headed out for the day, as always keeping a close eye on the weather. They quickly decided the wind was not going to let up and it was just going to get to harder to navigate safely as the day went on. So we made the decision to call off fishing for that day. Not too often this happens, we have lots of equipment for many different weather conditions, but Mother Nature was hollering and it was time to listen.
Now we are back to normal; guests have been fishing all week. We have a few slush spots here and there but nothing real crazy where we travel. That being said, if you get off the trails or roads with all of this snow we have this year, it is another story. So, if you are thinking about coming up, come with us and let us do the navigating. You deserve to relax anyways. We have lots of ice in the area we travel, up to 40 inches. The guides have been working hard to keep our fishing area groomed and houses moved often to avoid any issues. So yes, we are open and fishing away. If you are itching to go fishing, give us a call. Unlike many Minnesota lakes, walleye season is open through April 14 on Lake of the Woods, pike season never closes and in little over a month the sturgeon will be lurking. Lots of fishing opportunities abound here year round.
Back to Fishing
Plain hooks, glow, green gold and pink jigs or spoons, charmers, chubby darters or tackle with some flash and noise tipped with a minnow have been the tackle and bait of choice this week. To get into the most action, anglers are reporting, to watch electronics, try a few techniques; dead sticking, jigging and when you see some fish that just don’t nibble, let them know you are there! Dance your tackle in front of them. Some anglers have been having success with a half a minnow vs a whole minnow. We have a variety of houses out in 22’-30’ of water just a 15 minute ride out.
Ice Conditions We have 30”-40” of ice in the areas we fish and travel.
Ice Roads
We use a private groomed trail but there are local ice roads open in the area at this time. Contact the resort or outfitter maintaining the ice road for the latest conditions.
Couple of Reminders: March 1~ Don’t forget to get your new fishing license for the 2019 license year.
New Regulations on Lake of the Woods go in effect starting March 1. March 1 – April 14 the limit is combination of six walleye and sauger, with no more than four walleye. The same slot limit remains in effect. All walleye 19.5”-28” must be immediately released. Only one walleye over 28” may be in possession. On the Rainy River & Four Mile Bay March 1-April 14, walleye and sauger is now catch and release only.
Oak Island
Fishing, Ice & Trail Report 2/28/2019
Late Season Fishing Continues into March
Shallow has been better this week, 24’-26’ and afternoons have been favored over mornings. A mix of jigging, bottom slapping and dead sticking has had the most success. Walleyes, saugers, several pike and a few perch have been coming up the holes. We didn’t see too many perch the past few weeks but now seeing more again. Guests have been catching a few big walleyes 22”-26” but mostly fish for the pan or throw backs. Electronics are key as well as tackle with some shimmer, flutter and noise to get their attention. We have a few more openings for trips through late March, come enjoy one last blast. Give us a shout. 800-772-8411. Walleye season is open on Lake of the Wood’s through April 14, re-opening May 11.
Ice Conditions
We have anywhere from 24-36 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.
Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is open and in great shape.
The Bite has been picking up Nice mix of walleyes and saugers with some trophies have been coming up the holes this week. Best depth has been 22’-30’. Pink and white, gold, red, white, green and white have been hot colors. Dead sticking plain red hooks, charmers, gem n eyes, Lindy glow spoons, glow shot jigs, glo spoons, buck shot spoons, chubby darters, tungsten jigs and the hooks that glow have really been hot. Electronics like Vexilars sure help catch rates as well as changing up techniques if something isn’t working for you. We have fishing trips available through March 31, great midweek rates and FREE lodging for kids 17 and under when they stay with 2 adults in lodge rooms. Spend Spring Break on the Lake! Give us a call 800-862-8602.
Ice Report
36 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel and plenty of snow. We have lots of good ice to keep is rocking and rolling through late March.
Few Reminders
Walleye season runs through April 14 on Lake of the Woods. We have ice fishing trips available through March 31!
March 1~ Don’t forget to get your new fishing license for the 2019 license year. Available online or by phone 24/7. 888-665-4236 or http://www.licenses.ndr.state.mn.us
New Regulations on Lake of the Woods go in effect starting March 1. March 1 – April 14 the limit is combination of six walleye and sauger, with no more than four walleye. The same slot limit remains in effect. All walleye 19.5”-28” must be immediately released. Only one walleye over 28” may be in possession. On the Rainy River & Four Mile Bay March 1-April 14, walleye and sauger is now catch and release only. Trail Report
Plenty of snow! Trails are in great shape! Come ride some of the most untouched and best trails in the state. For more information about the trails, check out the south shore, Baudette area club information here. For more information about the trails on the northern side of the U.S. side of the lake around the Northwest Angle and Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge, click here.
Great Midweek Rates ~ Ice Fishing continues at Sportsman’s through March 31
Starting at just $229* per person for 2 nights lodging and a day of full service ice fishing including the fish house, transportation to and from the fish house, use of jig sticks, jigs, bait and fish cleaning Sunday – Thursday stays. Tell us when you want to come and we will tailor a package just for you. We have great kid’s rates too! Kids 17 and under always stay free in lodge rooms with 2 adults. Looking for a weekend trip? March openings available. Check us out. (*Plus tax and based on double occupancy.)
2/21/2019 Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Catching some Nice Fish Macho minnows, gold and pink jigs, chubby darters and anything that glows tipped with a minnow have been working this week in depths between 26’-32’. Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes and saugers. Electronics help! We have a few available for rent if you would like to give one a try. Call ahead to reserve.
Ice Conditions
21-28 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel and plenty of snow.
Ice Road from Young’s Bay to the Island
The ice road is in good shape. Just cruising around? Come on out and enjoy a delicious meal at the lodge.
Enjoy Spring Break on the Lake
Ice fishing trips available! We have a two bedroom condo for up to 5 people that opened up for this weekend Friday & Saturday and openings Feb 25-March 7 and March 10-17. Click here to check out our packages and give us a call today to book your trip 800-772-8411.
Moving and Grooving
The guides have been doing a lot of fish house shuffling this week. They have been working hard chasing down the best bite. Check out the pictures of the week! If you have stayed with us recently and have a picture to share, we always love to see your pics. Text them to 218-395-0042 or email [email protected].
Tips & Techniques
Dead sticking with a plain hook, gold, pink, pink and white, green and white, glow jigs and spoons, Tom’s tackle’s charmers and the smaller tungsten jigs tipped with a live minnow have been the most successful. If that doesn’t give you success, jig with the other line using the same colored jigs and spoons as mentioned above. Sometimes even a little smacking on the bottom and teasing up the water column will get those finicky fish to take a chomp. For the best results, watch the electronics and try some different techniques. We have houses spread out from 22’-32’ of water in various spots about 20-30 min ride out just off a nice groomed trail. Overall some anglers doing better than others depending on the day, hour, weather, depth, approach and Mother Nature. Electronics users seem to do better than those without.
Don’t forget to watch for suspended fish and jig up to lure them in. The fish coming up the ice holes have been mainly made up of walleyes and saugers for the pan or throwback with an occasional slot walleye (19.5”-28”) or larger. Best tip if you are not getting the fish to bite, change it up! Try some different techniques, tackle and talk with your guide for the tips of the day. Sunny March days are just around the corner and ice fishing continues at Sportsman’s through late March, winter walleye season is open until April 14.
Ice Report
30-32 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel and plenty of snow. The auger extensions are on!
Regulation Changes March 1
Reminder ~ Walleye fishing regulations are changing starting Friday, March 1, on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The new regulations on Lake of the Woods will begin March 1. The new winter regulations will match the current summer regulations, reducing the aggregate walleye and sauger limit from eight to six, with no more than four walleye. The protected slot limit remains the same requires anglers to immediately release any walleye between 19.5 and 28 inches, with only one fish over 28 inches allowed in possession.
On the Rainy River and in Four Mile Bay, (Where we fish in the spring, summer and fall. At Sportsman’s we do not have any ice houses in this area in the winter.) a catch-and-release season only will now be in effect March 1 to April 14 instead of the current Rainy River spring season regulation allows anglers to keep two walleye or sauger, and requires the immediate release of walleye 19.5 inches in length or larger.
Great Midweek Rates
Starting at just $229* per person for 2 nights lodging and a day of full service ice fishing including the fish house, transportation to and from the fish house, use of jig sticks, jigs, bait and fish cleaning Sunday – Thursday stays. Tell us when you want to come and we will tailor a package just for you. We have great kid’s rates too! Kids 17 and under always stay free in lodge rooms with 2 adults. Looking for a weekend trip? March openings available. Check us out.
(*Plus tax and based on double occupancy.)
2/14/2019 Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
The Latest Bite The bite has been spotty this week but the guides continue to shuffle house deeper in the mud around the 30’ mark. Anglers continue to catch most walleyes and saugers just a few inches off bottom but a few suspended too, some nice ones for the pan, a few trophies as well as plenty of little guys. It is not uncommon to reel in a perch or a northern pike too. Plain hooks, macho minnows, golds, pinks and glows tipped with a minnow have been catching most. Mix of jigging and dead sticking is the best approach and electronics help. Sometimes even a little smacking your jig on the bottom helps gets the attention of those finicky fish watching your line.
Ice Conditions
20-28 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel and plenty of snow.
