Category Archives: Weekly Oak Island Fishing Report

Weekly Oak Island Fishing Report

Ice Update 12/13/20

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It’s time! The guides have been working hard checking ice, prepping the trail and getting houses ready.  We have some day houses ready now and will continue to pull more out as the week goes on.  All of our house rentals include transportation off a private trail.  We currently have 8-10 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel and the forecast continues to look favorable for ice making to continue. Give us a call 800-862-8602.

Going out on your own? For your safety, it is always a good idea to check with local resorts or outfitters for the latest conditions as ice conditions vary and change across this large lake. Some of the local ice roads near us are currently allowing ATV’s, snowmobiles and portables out at this time. For the most up to date information, it is best to contact the road maintainer of your choice for the latest conditions. Stay safe and fish on!

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Ice continues to thicken in the islands.  The forecast is looking good for a December 26 open date.  Give us a call to make your winter reservations 800-772-8411.

Ice Update 12/7/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge
Good News! We are gaining ice. We are now finding 6.5-9 inches of ice in most areas we will fish and travel once our season starts but still have some areas we want to take a closer look at. We fought fog today so we will be doing more checks tomorrow once it clears. For snow, we have a dusting of snow on the lake and a couple of inches on the shore. Stay tuned for more information! We are excited to see the forecast is looking colder! Please remember not all areas of the lake have the same ice conditions. Always check with local resorts and outfitters before venturing out. We are looking forward to another fun season! Get your reservations in call 800-862-8602 or click here

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
We are gaining ice at the Northwest Angle too. In our travels between the mainland and Oak Island, we are now finding more areas with 5-7 inches compared to the 3-6 inches last week. Still, areas of less, and we haven’t ventured south yet but we are gaining! Snow, we have just a few inches and haven’t had any measurable precipitation within the last few weeks which we are very happy with at this time of year since it helps the ice making. Stay tuned for more updates! For reservations call 800-772-8411 or click here.

Sportsman’s Lodges Ice Update – 11/30/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge
On Four Mile Bay, the bay we use to access our fishing spots on the lake, we found 3-6 inches of ice Sunday where we checked. On the lake, we have areas with ice and areas of open water too. The wind kicked up over the weekend and chewed up some areas that had thin ice. Last night the winds calmed down and the temperature cooled into the single digits which did help but more progress needs to be made. Ice making process continues….. For now, bring on the cold temps, light winds, and stay tuned for updates!   

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge & Eagle Ridge
Making Progress
We are finding 3-6 inches of ice in the areas of low current and bay.  Still some areas of open water on the lake and less ice where there is more current, but it is moving along. Stay tuned for updates!

Ice Fishing season will be kicking off before we know it. Contact us to plan your trip by calling 800-862-8602 or clicking here! Trips available from December through March.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 10/23/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Jig……set…….reeeeeeeeel!

Weather continues to be unseasonably cool.

Water temp has dipped down to high 30’s. River bite is getting better but outside the gap has been more favorable lately.   Jigging pink, green, or gold jigs tipped with a shiner in 7’-14’ and 17’-23’ have been good depths.

Some nice sturgeon are being found in deep holes of the river using a 4/0 or 5/0 hook, no roll sinker, gob of works and a shiner or two. Our sturgeon tournament is still on for next weekend. Openings are available. 

Friday 10/23/20 – no ice!

One more week left to sign up! Sturgeon Tournament on October 30 & 31
Cash and prizes! Prime Rib Dinner and lots of fun. Click here to learn more or call us at 800-862-8602.

Ice fishing on your mind? Make your winter reservations now.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Our island resorts are now closed for the season. See you this winter!
For winter and next summer, reservations give us a call at 800-772-8411 or contact us online.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 10/15/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Up & Down
The walleye bite has up and down like the weather and the wind lately.

Gaps, bays, river, just outside of the gap, and areas up north all good places to try. Keep working it, you will find them. Anchored with a brightly colored or gold 3/8-1/2 oz jig and shiner or chub has been the go-to method in 9’-15’ and 18’-23’. A good shiner run hit the river last week which usually means the walleyes are soon after.

So be ready for that. Water temp 50-51 degrees, the current is slower than normal and the water level is low. Some nice pike has been caught. These two were caught while targeting walleye!

For sturgeon, holes in the river and bay are the place to be using a 5/0 circle hook, 3-5 ounce roll sinker, and a gob of minnows with a shiner or two. Areas with a little current along a hole are a good spot to try too.

Sign up for our Sturgeon Tournament on October 30 & 31
Cash and prizes! Click here to learn more or call us at 800-862-8602.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Few more Days
This is our last week of the season here in the islands before ice fishing. If you are interested in a last-minute trip for the weekend, give us a jingle at 800-772-8411! The passenger service is still running and guides, restaurant/bar, and lodging is available.

The what, where, and how hasn’t changed too much from last week’s fishing report. Points, shorelines, and areas with current are still the hot spots for walleye. 13-26 feet of water anchored jigging gold, glow in the dark, and pink jigs tipped with a chub or shiner. Pike and muskies hitting in bays and rock points.

Thank you to everyone who was able to visit this season and to those who couldn’t, we can’t wait to see you again next year. We know many people had to change their mode of transportation to get to us and we appreciate the extra effort. We are looking forward to a more “normal” soft water season next year!

It’s time to make your ice fishing reservations!
Lake of the Woods passenger service will be running to get you here and back. Check out our winter packages and contact us to lock in your dates. 

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 10/7/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Walleyes – Pike – Sturgeon – Bass
Take your pick or try them all. Water temp is now in the lower 50’s. The jig bite for walleyes is heating up more and more by the day in gaps, river, and bays. Anchored using glow in the dark, bright colored or gold jigs have been working the best in 8’-14’ and 20’-26’tipped with a shiner or chub. More shiners are running this week!

Large pike have been biting in the bays, some on walleye rigs, and reeled in by surprise. If you are looking to target pike, try trolling crankbaits around rocky points and cabbage weed bays. For sturgeon, holes in the river and bay are the place to be using a 5/0 circle hook, 3-5 ounce roll sinker, and a gob of minnows with a shiner or two. Don’t count out the smallmouth bass. There are thousands of rock reefs and rock piles in the lake and river where they like to be. Throw out a crankbait and give it a shot.

Midweek October Openings
Give us a call and come wet a line. Lodge Rooms only $89 per night for 2 people and up to 20% off summer lodging and charter packages.
*plus tax

Sign up for our Sturgeon Tournament October 30 & 31
Cash prizes!
Click here to learn more or call us at 800-862-8602.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Walleye for Dinner

Points, shorelines, and areas with current are the hot spots right now to reel in a nice limit of walleye. Anchored jigging gold, glow in the dark, and pink jigs tipped with a chub, shiner, or Gulp have been working. The last few days a morning, afternoon, and evening run have been prominent.

You still have time!

We are open for softwater fishing for a few more weeks. Openings available for lodging, guides, and the passenger service can get you here and back. Give us a call at 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 9/30/20

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Sportsman’s Rainy River

Walleye and Sturgeon Biting at the Line
The weather is cooling down again. A sure reminder October is just a day away. 

For walleyes, anchored with a gold, pink or red jig and a chub or shiner is working just outside of the gaps and bays 9’-15’ amd 21’-27’.  Varied sizes biting at the line.  Water temp in the mid 50’s.  The sturgeon bite has been good in areas of current and on the edge of a deep hole in the river using a 18″ snell made of 60 lb line, 5/0 circle hook, 3-5 ounce roll sinker and a gob of minnows with a shiner or two.  Today is the last day of keep season but you can catch and release these prehistoric monsters October through April 23.

Fall Midweek Special
Lodge Rooms only $89 per night for 2 adults plus tax through October.

Join us for our Fall Sturgeon Tournament October 30 & 31
Sign up for this fun event!  Our normally scheduled spring tournament is coming up this fall October 30 & 31.  We had rescheduled this year’s tournament due to COVID. Cash prizes! Check out the details online and give us a call 800-862-8602 to sign up.

Oak Island

Rig up a jig
Jigs and a minnow is reeling the walleyes and crappies. Shorelines and points with current 8’-24’ have been good for walleyes and areas around structure 15’-30’ hot for crappies.  Gold, pink, bright green and glow in the dark have been good colors. Muskes and pike are hitting in areas of rocky points and cabbage weed bays trolling with crankbaits or casting with jerkbaits.  Not sure where to go? Ask about booking a gudie.  You still have time for one last soft water blast. The passenger service is still running to get you from Sportman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge. Give us a jingle and enjoy the peaceful island atmosphere.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 9/23/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Warm Week
Is this the last warm blast? We have had highs in the upper 60’s and 70’s this week. Sounds like a cool down is coming starting Sunday.

Hit and miss bite this week but yesterday it picked up. Water temp has pushed up to lower 60’s. Anchored and jigging a chub or shiner or drifting pulling spinners with a crawler or chub has been luring in the walleyes.  9’-15’ and 22’-28’ outside of Pine Island and Zippel Bay. Gold, yellow and orange have been popular colors. 

Fall Sturgeon Tournament Openings October 30 & 31
Limited space! Sign up for this fun event!  Our normally scheduled spring tournament is coming up this fall October 30 & 31.  We had rescheduled this year’s tournament due to COVID. Cash prizes! Check out the details online and give us a call 800-862-8602 to sign up.

Oak Island

The Bite
Jigging a gold, orange or glow in the dark jig tipped with a minnow in 10’-14’ and 21’-27’ on or around structure and shorelines has been good for walleyes.  The landscape with the leaves turning is absolutely beautiful right now.

Check out our Great Fall Rates through mid October
Click here or call 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 9/18/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge Fishing Report

Fall Patterns
The week started out up and down but the bite is getting better and we are seeing more shiners in the river. Fall patterns are taking shape. The current water temp has decreased and is in the upper 50’s.

Walleyes are starting to move into shallower depths and to the river. Some of the best techniques to getting a nice stringer of walleyes have been anchored using a jig tipped with a chub or shiner or drifting with a spinner tipped with a minnow or crawler along shorelines 11’-16’ and out deeper in the mud in  22’-28’.  Gold, glow in the dark and orange have been popular colors. 

  • Josh 28.5″ walleye caught on jig/shiner. Guide Captain Landon
  • Dick 28 3/4″ walleye. Guide Captain Mike Marquart
  • Mike Lanier 22″ walleye. Guide Captain Mike Cline
  • Mike Lanier with a young sturgeon. Guide Captain Mike Cline

Looking for more species to fish?

Sturgeon
Sturgeon are being reeled in in the deep holes of the bays and river bottom using a 4/0 hook, few ounce no roll sinker, a gob of crawlers, and topped with a shiner.

Pike & Smallmouth Bass
Give jerk baits a try when fishing for pike in the fall in cabbage weeds adjacent to rock structure. Pike often hang out on the fringe of cabbage weeds. Start at 10’-12’ and work to deeper water off reefs and points using a spinnerbait or a jig and a minnow. 

Great Fall Rates
Up to 20% off summer lodging and charter packages and lodging starting at just $89 a night for two people now through Oct 31, 2020. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or email us for a rate quote and availability. *Plus tax

Fall Sturgeon Tournament Openings
October 30 & 31 Cash prizes! Always a fun event! Check out the details online and give us a call 800-862-8602 to sign up.

Oak Island

Jigging
Similar to the south end of the lake, jigs and spinners are working right now. Jigging getting better by the day. A gold or orange jig tipped with a minnow or hammered gold spinner tipped with a minnow or crawler in 10’-15’ and 21’-27’ on or around structure and shorelines. Crappies are hitting on small jigs on structure 15’-30’. Muskies and pike are hot after the topwater baits in the weedy bays.

Check out our Great Fall Rates. Openings are available!
Click here or call 800-772-8411.