Weekly Oak Island Fishing Report
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
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.
 |
| Long Point December 17, 2015 |
 |
| Morris Point December 17, 2015 |
 |
| 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.
12/14/2015
ICE ICE ICE BRING IT ON!
Below zero temperature is in the forecast! The ice making process this year is slower than average but the temperatures are cooling down. We hope to see some decent progress made by the end of this weekend. The water is cold; it should freeze fast once we cool off. Currently we have ice in the bays and low current areas at this time. Our next projected start date is December 26. We will be doing another ice update on Friday, Dec 18. Stay tuned!
Has this ever happened before?
It has not happened often, but it does happen. We typically start our season Dec 5-15. Twice in the past 30 years we have started Dec 26.
Enjoy the holiday with us! Book your stay between Dec 26-Jan 1!
Lodging & ice fishing packages available starting Dec 26! Enjoy a cozy room, delicious food, exciting walleye fishing, a dip in the pool and hot tub and musical entertainment on the weekends. Something for everyone! Lodging & ice fishing packages starting at only $228* per person! Lodging packages starting at only $110 per room per night. Click here to book now or call 800-862-8602.
*plus tax and based on double occupancy
Ice Update 12/7/2015
We are holding the ice we have made in the bays and have had temperatures in the teens at night, however the air temperature has not been cold enough to make anymore ice. Even though the season is starting off warm we know the cold is coming and we will have ice before we know it!
Keep doing your ice dancing! Heck, maybe if we all crank up the A/C and open your doors that might help too! LOL! Make your reservations now online (http://sportsmanslodges.com/rainyriver/facility/lodging-request/) or by calling us at 800-862-8602. Once the season starts it is going to get crazy! If you book for early December and we do not have ice, we are always happy to re-schedule your stay or refund your deposit.
Stay tuned! We will continue to do updates every few days!
12/01/2015
Ice at Oak Island!
We have the first layer of ice at Oak Island and in the Northwest Angle area near our two Oak Island resort properties! ChiChi the manager reports ice as far as the eye can see in the bay and south of Oak Island. We are hoping the wind stays calm and we can start building more ice from here. As far as the south end of the lake near Sportsman’s Lodge, the shallow bays are frozen at this time. The main lake, river and larger bays still have open water. The water temperature continues to decrease. We are down to 33 degrees from 34.5 last week. The current in the river continues to subside. Now we just need a blast of cold air for 7-10 days and we will be good to go!
 |
| Ice at our docks! Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge 11-29-2015 |
 |
| The bay is frozen over and as far as the eye can see south of Oak Island 11-30-2015 |
Still on track
Last year we started fishing for the year early, Dec 5. On average we start the winter season between Dec 10-15. Keeps ice dancing; it will be here before we know it!
Gift Cards Available
Looking for a great gift idea for the angler on your list? We have gift cards available. Always the right color, size and price! Click here to purchase online now.
Ice Fishing Packages starting at $166!
Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location
Hook this Hot Deal before it is gone!1 night lodging in a room or cabin and 1 day ice fishing including the fish house warm and ready just off a quiet groomed trail, transportation to and from the fish house, use of jig sticks, jigs, bait and tackle.
Rates quoted are price per person plus tax, based on double occupancy at the Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location. Upgrade to our new villas for an additional $18 per person.
Click here to book now or call us at 800-862-8602!
Happy Thanksgiving!
From our homes to yours, the staff at Sportsman’s Lodges wishes you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!
It’s Freezing Season!
The freezing season is in progress. Late last week small bays froze over including the Baudette Bay in Baudette and parts of Young’s Bay at the Northwest Angle near our Oak Island location. The forecast for the week ahead is calling for lows in the teens. We expect to see the bays continue to make ice and the big lake continue to cool down. Now all we need is the wind to keep calm and subzero temperatures and we will start to make some serious ice. It is crazy how fast the season can change. Once we get below zero we can make an inch or two a day! When we get 10-12 inches of safe ice, we are ready to roll! Stay tuned for updates. At this point an early December start date is in our sights.
 |
| Bays are making ice! |
 |
| Baudette Bay |
Gift Cards Available
Looking for a great gift idea for the angler on your list? We have gift cards available. Always the right color, size and price! Click here to purchase online now.
Saturday, December 26, Wednesday, December 30 and Saturday, January 2
Wednesday, January 6 and Thursday, January 14
Rates quoted are price per person plus tax, based on double occupancy at the Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location. Upgrade to our new villas for an additional $18 per person. Click here to book now or call us at 800-862-8602!
Thanksgiving Day Office Hours
Our office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. We will re-open Friday at 8am.
Weather is cooling down!
We are starting to see the temperature dip. Snow and lows in the teens is in the forecast today and for the rest of the week! We are ready to get this water cooled down and make some ice. Current water temperature is 37 degrees. Fall projects are in full swing and we are doing our ice dance! Who is with us?
Once we get the our first blast of cold air we just need zero degrees or colder for 10 days and we will have 10-12 inches of safe ice to start our season. It doesn’t take long once we start freezing. Get your reservations in now. Many dates are filling up fast!
Ice Fishing season is soon here!
Stay tuned for updates. We are looking to another fun year!
For reservations click here to book now or call us at
Baudette/Rainy River Location: 800-862-8602
Oak Island & Eagle Ridge Location 800-772-8411
Who wants a FREE ICE FISHING TRIP this year? Click here to enter for your chance to win!
Happy Veteran’s Day!
Thank you to all the great men and women who have served! Our hats are off to you!
Ice Fishing starts in less than a month
The stage is starting to be set for the 2015-2016 ice fishing season! Water temperature is on the decline, air temperature is in the 30’s and 40’s and snow is in the forecast. We are busy working on fall projects an tuning up equipment. It has been a beautiful fall but we are ready for ice fishing! It is amazing how fast it can turn. Once we get the blast of cold air we just need zero degrees or colder for 10 days and we will have 10-12 inches of safe ice to start our season. Get your reservations in now. Many dates are filling up fast!
 |
| Who is ready for some ice fishing fun? |
Stay tuned for updates. We are looking forward to another fun year!
For reservations click here to book now or call us at
Baudette/Rainy River Location: 800-862-8602
Oak Island & Eagle Ridge Location: 800-772-8411
11/4/2015
Few more weeks of fishing in boats
Anglers are still launching boats and reeling in some walleyes. A few more weeks of fishing in boats and then we should start seeing some ice forming to get us ready for an early December ice fishing start. We start ice fishing with 10-12 inches of safe ice. Our typical start date of our winter ice fishing season is by the first or second week in December. The ice can form quickly when the temperatures cool down. Once we get down to zero degrees or less we can make an inch of ice a day.
This week’s bite has been good and the cooler it gets the better we expect it to get.
Current water temperature is 43 degrees. The best bite has been outside the Light House Gap and Morris Point Gap in 22’-26’ of water using pink and gold jigs or spinners tipped with a minnow. In the Rainy River the best bite has been at first light in the morning for a few hours and just a few hours in the evening before dark in 14’-19’ using pink and gold jigs or spinners tipped with a minnow. Wheeler’s Point, Wabanica Bay, just out in front of Anchor Bay Trailer Park about 3 miles west of Baudette, in front of the Baudette airport just on the west edge of Baudette and Clementson Rapids area have all produced some nice walleyes. Our guide boats are all put away for the season but lodging and docking is available if you would like to go out on your own.
This week’s forecast
Fall Lodging Specials through November 30!
Take advantage of our fall lodging as low as $40* per person per night. Our restaurant, bar and pool are now closed until December but lodging remains open through November! Click here to learn more. Book your stay today! *plus tax and based on double occupancy
Ice fishing season is just around the corner.
Book your stay now for the most options and availability.