Weekly Oak Island Fishing Report
$99 Lodge Rooms & 20% off Cabins & Villas
Now through March 31
Lodging starting at only $42 per person per night
April 1- May 24
Up to 20% off Summer lodging & charter fishing packages
May 12-24
May 12-25
Lodging starting at only $60 per person per night
& 10% off packages
*All specials valid in 2017. Rates are plus tax and based on double occupancy.
Our ice fishing season has ended for the year but we are already gearing up for spring. Our spring specials start in early May and run through May 25 including lodging starting at $60 per person per night and 10% off summer packages. If you are looking to get into a boat in April be sure to check out our sister resort, Sportsman’s Lodge. The Rainy River is opening up and the walleye, pike and sturgeon bite is on fire! For reservations for Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge click here or call 800-772-8411. For Sportsman’s Lodge click here or call 800-862-8602.
Based on the weather forecast and changing conditions in the islands we have decided to close Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge for the season. Thanks for another great season! The office remains open. Give us a contact us to book your summer trip 800-772-8411
The latest…..
Crazy weather week with wind, a few warm days and now subzero temps. I guess that is the way Mother Nature works sometimes. We currently are still maintaining 24-26 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. Not much snow cover on the ice right now so be sure to bring along your cleats or traction shoes. It has been a decent morning and late afternoon bite this week. The bite has mainly been nice eater size walleyes along with a few 22”+ walleyes, few pike, perch and some little ones to keep you paying attention. J A 35 inch northern was caught by a guest earlier this week. Plain hooks with a split shot using a whole or half minnow has been working well. Some days have been a finicky bite. Lots of fish showing up on the electronics. Guides suggest using a mix of dead sticking and jigging techniques, changing up bait techniques and lures for best results. Electronics have worked well to entice the suspended fish. If you are planning on venturing out on your own, we strongly suggest checking with local resorts and guides before going out and stay on the marked routes. Conditions change this time of year and the entire lake never freezes equally.
Ice Road Conditions from Young’s Bay to the Island
The ice road from Young’s Bay is open but we suggest calling out for the latest conditions and information before venturing out 800-772-8411. Due to the lack of snow and changing conditions our signs are no longer standing up along the road and some routes have changed. Give us a call!
Trail Report
Minimal snow cover on the ice right now.
At Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge & Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge we plan to be open through March 19 for the winter season and then re-open early May for the summer season. Sportsman’s Lodge on the south side of the lake near Baudette will be open through the spring. Walleye season runs until April 14 and excellent pike and sturgeon fishing can be had during April on the Rainy River and south shore. For reservations at Sportsman’s Lodge click here or call 800-862-8602. To make your last minute ice fishing and summer reservations for Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge click here or call anytime 800-772-8411. Our office is open year round.
The guides on the island report a nice mix of walleyes and saugers and good catch rates lately but it has been a light bite so jigging with plain hooks with a split shot or gold jigs tipped with a chub or shiner minnow have been working the best. Work the jig and watch the electronics. Anglers are seeing fish in all depths. We are currently seeing the best results along some structure in depths between 20’-28’ of water.
Hot lunch delivered to you
We may be on an island, but we don’t believe in “roughing it”. Ask how you can enjoy a hot lunch prepared and brought right to your fish house midday when you join us for your next fishing trip.
The fun hasn’t stopped, it has really just begun! March is usually one of the best times for ice fishing! Warm weather, lots of sun and walleyes! Come on up! We are open until mid/late-March.
Ice Condition Report
We currently have 24-26 inches of ice, plenty of ice for lots of winter fun.
Trail Report
We don’t have a lot of snow in the area but groomers are out and the trail from Baudette to Oak is good. For more information on the NW Angle & Islands area click here. For the Baudette area click here. The NW Angle club will be hosting their annual Snowmobile Rally March 4 in the NW Angle area. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
Ice Road
The ice road is open. Take the 9 mile drive out from Young’s Bay to the lodge. Signs are posted.
The bite yesterday was great, but overall spotty this week. Nice buckets of fish came in with a variety of walleyes and saugers. Best depth has been in 23-31 feet of water. Gold and pink jigs, rattle spoons and macho minnows have been working well tipped with a minnow. Mix of jigging and dead sticking is the best approach. Electronics users tend to do the best.
Ice Conditions
We have lost snow but not much ice if any. Weather is cooling off starting tomorrow. Back to ice making!
Trail Report
We have lost most of our snow so the trails are rough. Groomers will start again as soon as we get another shot of snow.
Ice Road from Young’s Bay to the Island
The ice road is in good shape. The landing is pretty muddy so trucks only. Cars will probably not make it out. Cooler weather is coming back tomorrow!
The afternoons have been favoring the mornings this week. Gold and pink jigs and spoons have been working well tipped with a minnow. Anglers have been having good luck in 23’-29’ on and off the reefs. It has been a 60% walleye/40% sauger bite. If you are looking to increase your catch rate we highly recommend using a fish flasher. They really help you pin point at what depth the fish are at. If you don’t have one, call us ahead of time to reserve one to rent.
23 inch walleye caught by the Prudhomme Group Sportsmans Oak Island Lodge
Kevin Coye 23.5 inch walleye caught on a gold jig and minnow Sportsmans Oak Island Lodge
Ice Conditions
Currently we have 20-24 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. We run a groomed trail to our houses. Forecasted highs this week are a little warmer than we like to see this time of year but with the lows below freezing we should only lose some snow. I am sure Mother Nature will be blowing in some subzero temps again soon.
Trail Report
Area lake and land trails are being groomed weekly. For more information on the NW Angle & Islands area click here. For the Baudette area click here. The NW Angle club will be hosting their annual Snowmobile Rally March 4 in the NW Angle area. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
Ice Road
The ice road is open. Take the 9 mile drive out from Young’s Bay to the lodge. Signs are posted.
We gained 3-4 inches of snow this week and below zero temps the past few days. It looks like we are going to warm up tomorrow. Buck shots, flutter spoons, plain hooks and pink, gold and glow in the dark jigs have been good this week tipped with a minnow. Vexilar users are almost doubling their catch rate. 23’-29’ of water around structure has been the best place to find some nice walleyes and saugers.
42 inch northern pike caught by Jim Kusilek on a medium action St Croix rod 8lb test and swedish pimple Sportsmans Oak Island Lodge
Nice 19 inch walleye caught by Chad Young Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
13 inch perch caught by Chad Young Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Ice Conditions
Currently we have 21-24 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.
Trail Report
The area lake and land trails are being groomed weekly. For more information on the NW Angle & Islands area click here. For the Baudette area click here. The NW Angle club will be hosting their annual Snowmobile Rally March 4 in the NW Angle area. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
Ice Road
The ice road is open. Take the 9 mile drive out from Young’s Bay to the lodge. Signs are posted.
2016 Krueger Group Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Krueger party 2017 from Boulder, WI Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Krueger Party from Boulder, WI 2017 nice pike!
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
If you want to reel in some fish like the Krueger’s, give us a call! We ice fish until late March. Pink, gold and glow in the dark jigs, buckshots and charmers have been working well tipped with a minnow. Jig with one pole and dead stick with the other. Be sure to bring or rent a vexilar for even better results. Mix of walleyes and saugers has been coming through the holes this week in 22’-29’ feet of water on and around structure.
Ice Conditions
Currently we have 20-22 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.
Haesly Group 21 inch walleye caught on a gold jig and minnow Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Haesly Group Sportsmans Oak Island Lodge 21 inch walleye caught on a gold jig and minnow