Category Archives: Weekly Oak Island Fishing Report

Weekly Oak Island Fishing Report

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

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Water temp is falling and leaves are changing. Currently, the water temperature is sitting around 59-62 degrees and some shiners are starting to show up in the river.

Walleyes are being caught on a variety of methods right now. Drifting with pink, orange, and hammered gold spinners and a crawler in 11’-16’ and 26’-36’ as well as on crankbaits with some shimmer and rattle in the mud 26’-36’. Some dabbling with the jig and a minnow or shiner but most are finding the spinners and cranks are working the best. Areas outside Lighthouse Gap, Zippel Bay, and Garden Island have been good. It won’t be long and anchored with a jig/minnow method will start to take precedence, so be ready!

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

Variety of Methods
Fall is in the air and that means it is time to start thinking about changing up methods to stay on the walleye bite. Jigs, spinners, and crankbaits are methods of choice right now but the jig and minnow will start to be the go-to soon. Drifting with gold and pink spinners tipped with a crawler in 15’-28’ on rock structure, trolling with shad raps in 26’-36’ in the mud and anchored jigging a minnow or shiner in 11’-15’ and 20’-26’ on or around structure has been working the best. Water temp is in the lower 60’s now.

Looking for some crappies? Crappies are biting on small jigs and a minnow in 10’-30’.

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

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 9/3/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Cooling Down
Feels like fall. Lows in the 40’s and highs in the ’50-’70s lately.

Water temp is down to 65 and likely to dip lower this week. Currently, anglers are pulling spinners with a crawler or trolling with a shad rap for the best luck. It won’t be long and the jig and a minnow will start to take the stage. For spinners, anything glow, hammered gold or anything in the orange/red/gold color family has been good. For shad raps, shiny and noticeable is key. In the stained waters of Lake of the Woods, a little more shimmer, rattle, or bright color never hurts to try. Best depths have been in 11’-17’ along shorelines and 28’-36’ in the mud. Come have some fun.

Have you tried to call?
Yesterday afternoon until today around noon we suffered a phone outage at the lodge and in the area due to some local construction going on. Just wanted to let you know we are back up! Sorry for the inconvenience, give us a call 800-862-8602.

Let’s go Fishing!
Openings available this fall. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or email us for a rate quote and availability.

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.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Drifting Away in the Islands
Drifting with gold and orange spinners tipped with a minnow or crawler has been working well for walleyes in 15’-26’. Trolling with shad raps and anchored with a jig/minnow combo also getting some nice ones. Water temp is down to mid-’60s. Muskies are hitting on blades and topwater baits in weedy bays and rock points. Crappies on small jigs in 10’-30’. We received some cancellations for Sept 9-13, so now have openings for that time and have openings available here and there throughout fall. Give us a call at 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 8/27/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Leaves are starting to Change
Pulling spinners and trolling with cranks continue to work the best for walleyes. Some anglers finding fish in 12’-16’ and others in deeper waters 28’-36’. Pink, silver, and gold for colors. The leaves are starting to change, fall is just around the corner and so is the shiner run. Once the shiners start run the river, we know it won’t take long for the walleyes to follow.

Anglers fishing the river are reeling in some nice sturgeon. Anchored in a deep hole or along the incline above the deep hole has been good. A sturgeon rig tipped with a gob of crawlers works well. Lots of species and miles of water to explore. Charter trips available through late October. Give us a call 800-862-8602.

Sturgeon Tournament October 30 & 31
Cash prizes! Openings are available. Call up some fishing buddies and join us.
Click here to learn more and to sign up.

Fall Openings
Lodging starting at only $89* per night in lodge rooms and up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages Sept 8-Oct 31. Check out our packages and make plans to visit us, call 800-862-8602. *plus tax and based on 2 adults

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Trolling
Trolling in 24’-28’ using spinners with a minnow, crawler harness or crankbaits in the mud and around structure has been working for walleyes. Gold, red, pink, and yellow tackle have been good options.

Nice pike and muskies have been reeled in. Several 30”+ pike right off the dock. Muskies have been hitting on topwater baits and blades in weedy bays and rock points. Pike mainly in deep water with rocks using spinnerbaits. Crappies are hungry using small jigs and a minnow 10’-30’ on structure.

The Canadian border remains closed at this time but the Lake of the Woods Passenger Service is available to get you to the island. For fall and winter trips, give us a call 800-772-8411 or contact us online.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 8/20/20

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Combination of Techniques
A combination of eaters, small fish, and nice trophies are being reeled in.

Pulling spinners with a minnow, crawler harnesses , and pulling crankbaits on a slow drift or troll continue to be the go-to methods in the deep mud 27’-36. Gold, glow, and anything shiny is popular tackle colors. Warm weather continues with highs in the 70’s and 80’s this week. Water temp is in the lower 70’s.

Fall is just around the corner
Lodging starting at only $89* per night in lodge rooms and up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages Sept 8-Oct 31. Check out our packages and make plans to visit us 800-862-8602. *plus tax and based on 2 adults

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Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Spinners, Cranks and & Jigs
Rock reefs and points in 18’-30’ using red/white and gold 3/8 oz. jigs tipped with a minnow or a spinner with a nightcrawler has been a successful method for reeling in the walleyes. Pulling crankbaits in the deep mud is also a great method. Water temp is in the lower 70’s.

Muskies and Pike
Working point to point in weedy bays with structure using topwater and jerk baits are luring in the muskie and pike.

Fall is just around the corner
We have some openings for September and October. Give us a call 800-772-8411 or contact us online here for availability.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 8/4/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge

Chasing Walleyes

Drifting or trolling using spinners tipped with a leech or crawler or a crankbait are the go-to methods right now. On the move in the mud bottom 27’-34’ is a good way to find them. Pink, gold, white, and glow in the dark colors are working well. Water temp is 74 degrees and the 14-day forecast continues to show upper 70’s and lower 80’s. We have had lots of beautiful weather this summer.

Discounted Fall Rates start Sept 8 and our Sturgeon Tournament is Oct 30 & 31
Click here to check out our fall packages and here to learn more about our sturgeon tournament.
We have tournament spots open. Cash prizes!

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Fish On!
Muskie, walleyes, pike, bass…take your pick. Walleyes have been snapping in the mud 27’-34’ and the reefs 14’-22’. A mix of using spinners with a crawler or leech, jigging with a minnow, and trolling with crankbaits. Hammered gold, pink, and white are popular colors. The water temp is 75 degrees. Muskie and pike are hitting in cabbage bays using a bucktail, topwater, or jerk bait. Smallmouth bass has been found around rock reefs in 4’-14’ using crankbaits. Check out the pictures of the week. Lots of nice fish!

October in the islands is excellent for all species.
Come get into the phenomenal fall bite. We have some great fall discounts too.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/29/20

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Heading into August
And just like that here we are in the last month of summer. As much as I love summer fishing, the anticipation of the change in the season always gets me excited for the fall bite.

This week… The forecast for the week is looking like the mid-’70s. A nice summer temp for us Minnesotans. LOL Whew, the ’90s are a little warm for many of us northerners. Anglers are catching some nice walleyes mainly in deep water in the mud right now 27’-34’, drifting using gold, silver, or glow in the dark spinners tipped with a crawler, leech or minnow. Trolling with crankbaits has been a great approach too. The Water temp is 73 degrees.

Discounted Fall Rates start Sept 8 and our Sturgeon Tournament is Oct 30 & 31! Click here to check out our fall packages and here to learn more about our sturgeon tournament.

We have tournament spots open. Cash prizes.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Deep Waters
25’-34’ has been a good bite. A mix of using spinners with a crawler or leech, jigging with a minnow, and trolling with crankbaits have been the angler’s choice right now. Gold, pink, and bright orange are popular colors. Water temp is about 73 degrees.

Muskies & Northern Pike
A number of great spots among the islands of the Northwest Angle and Oak Island are ideal for trophy muskie and pike. Trolling deep bays and rocky points with bucktails, topwater and jerk baits are good bets.
Don’t count out throwing a few casts in a weedy bay too.

Bass
Smallmouth bass has been hitting around rock reefs in 4’-14’ using crankbaits.

October in the islands is excellent for all species.
The walleye, muskie, bass, sauger, perch, crappie, and pike bite can be absolutely phenomenal and we have some great fall discounts too.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/21/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

Lots of slots
It has been a good bite this week, lots of slot fish and plenty to fry up. A slot walleye is a walleye 19.5”-28” in length that must be released after catching. Check out the lunkers in the pictures of the week. Many long time guests have been saying this summer, “Fishing has been some of the best they have ever experienced!”

What’s working? Drifting with hammered gold or bright colored spinners, 1-2 ounces of weight tipped with a crawler. Some anglers are now trying their luck at trolling with shad raps and having good luck too. Water temperature is 74 degrees.

Best depth has been 18’-27’. Tip of the Week: Keep your line tight and your drag light to bring in those trophy fish. Don’t let summer pass you by. Midweek guided trips available over the next few weeks. Weekends available late August and through the fall. Lodging available, midweek most anytime the rest of the season and weekends after July 25.

Fall Discounts Sept 8-Oct 31
Up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages. Check out our packages here and make plans to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Sturgeon Tournament
Our spring tournament was rescheduled to October 30 & 31. Openings are available. Click here to learn more about this popular tournament and sign up today.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Walleye, it’s what’s for Dinner
12’-23’ in the sand and 23’-29’ in our around rocks continues to produce results when going after walleyes. Drifting with a spinner, ounce or two of weight and a crawler has been working well. Trolling with shad raps has been worth a shot too. Deep bays and rocky points are hot spots for muskies right now using bucktails and topwater lures. The water temperature is 74 degrees.

Openings available
Sportsman’s Oak Island: July 27/28, August 2-6, 9-11, 16-17, 23-26, 30-Sept 1, 7-9, 14, 15, 20-23, 27-Oct 18

Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge Cedar Cabin – Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free: July 24-30, Aug 2-5, 15-21, 30-Sept 23, 27-Oct 18.

Call to book this cabin 800-772-8411.

Canadian Border Update
Unfortunately, we have once again been notified that the Canadian government has extended its border closure to August 21, 2020, at this time. The good news is, you still have options to come and enjoy some island time! The Lake of the Woods Passenger continues to provide service to and from the island from Sportsman’s Lodge in Baudette and has follow boat options. No border crossing required. For any questions or reservation changes, please contact us here or by calling 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/15/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

The Bite

Drifting with hammered gold spinners tipped with a crawler, leech or minnow and 1-2 ounces of weight and has been luring in the walleyes in 15’-25’ this week areas along the south shore and northern islands. A mix of good eaters and trophy walleyes. Water temp in the mid ’70s.

Fall & Winter Fishing

It is not too early to think about making fall and winter reservations. The fall bite can be incredible and ice fishing here on Lake of the Woods is one of a kind. Check out our fall and winter packages and contact us today.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

For the walleye bite, rock structure in 23′-29’ and in the sand 12’-23’ using hammered gold and orange crawler harnesses tipped with a crawler or using 3/8 oz jigs tipped with a minnow has been bringing in some nice walleyes and saugers. Smallmouth bass has been found around rock reefs in the islands in 5’-12’ using crankbaits or lipless cranks bounced off the bottom. Pike have been biting along rocky shorelines and weedy bays throwing out flashy daredevils and bucktails. Muskies are biting trolling in deep bays and rocky points using bucktails and topwater lures. Water temp is in the mid-’70s.

Cedar Cabin Special
July 24-August 8 Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night FREE!
Call to book this cabin 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/8/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

Check out this triple caught yesterday and more great pics from the week!

What a day!  Soukup Group guided by Captain Mike Marquardt.

It was another warm week but temperatures are now falling into the 70’s for the week ahead.

Water temp is currently in the upper 70’s. The may fly hatch started about a week ago.  Hatch seems to be more prominent on the north end of the lake compared to south shore.  Anglers have been catching some nice walleyes using jigs and spinners.  The jig bite has been slowing and more anglers now favoring the spinners  It is a shallow bite with jigs 8’-12’ and deeper, 15’-20’ drifting with spinners. Worms, chubs and shiners are the bait of choice. Gold and chartreuse are the hot colors.  Lots of summer left to enjoy, come have some fun.

Summer Deals

$99 Lodge Rooms and kids 17 and under stay free with 2 adults in lodge rooms too! Give us a call at 800-862-8602 to book your stay. The pool is open!

*Plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Hot Holiday
The 4th of July was a hot one in the 90’s.  Weather is cooling down this week. Water temp is in the upper 70’s. A mix of good fishing 9’-18’ in the sand and 24’-29’ on the edge of rock reefs have been working well to entice the walleyes. A 3/8 oz. gold jigs tipped with a minnow or gold and pink spinners and a few ounce sinker tipped with a night crawler.  Anglers are also find a few pulling crankbaits in shallow bays as well. The may flys have hatched. 

Muskies & Northern Pike
Shallow weedy bays using crankbaits and bucktails are working well using a slow retrieval method.

Check out this 67” sturgeon caught this week on a 3/8 oz jig by Scott O’Neill! WOW!
Now that would be a suprise to reel in while walleye fishing! Sturgeon season opened back open July 1 and runs through Sept 30. Catch and release season kicks off Oct 1.  What are you going to reel in?

Cedar Cabin Special
July 24-August 14 Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night FREE!
Call to book this cabin 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/1/20

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Happy 4th of July!
It has been a warm week here this week in the 80’s.

Drifting with gold and chartreuse spinners in 23’-31’ and jigging with jigs in 7’-15’ has been working well to reel in some nice walleyes this week. Spinners tipped with a worm and jigs tipped with a chub or frozen shiner. The water temperature is 70 degrees. If you are not having success, try changing up the color of your tackle and/or jig size. Always be sure to find the bottom of the lake. On the bottom or just up 4-6 inches is usually the ideal location to find walleyes.

4th of July is Saturday
We still have a few openings. As of this morning, we had a 3 bedroom cabin, 3 and 5 bedroom villa open for the weekend and lodge rooms open for the next few days, Friday and Sunday nights. Our pool is open, we have some openings for guided trips and lake tours this week. Nearby Zippel Bay State Park beach and Oak Harbor golf course are open and of course, lots of areas to take the boat out and float around to enjoy. For entertainment Dynasty DJ will be entertaining Friday and Saturday in our bar and a fireworks display will be put on in Baudette on the 4th. Give us a call and come relax at the lake.

Can’t make it until after the 4th?
No problem, we still have some openings this summer. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or shoot us an email. We would be happy to check availability and give you a quote anytime.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Anglers are finding lots of nice fish
Despite not being able to fish on the Canadian side yet this summer due to the COVID border restrictions anglers are finding lots of nice on the Minnesota side. Check out the pictures on our Facebook page! Huge muskies, pike, walleye, and saugers as well as plenty for the pan are being caught. Hundreds of areas are being explored, many of which are normally hardly ever fished so don’t let the border restrictions keep you away.

Walleyes & Saugers
Gold and pink jigs and spinners continue to be the hot ticket along with some anglers using shad raps wth a shine or shimmer to them. A mix of minnows, crawlers, and leeches are being used for bait. Depths 8’-17’ in the sand and 25’-28’ around structure have been hot spots. Water temperature is in the lower 70’s currently and warming up more by the day.

Muskies & Northern Pike
Shallow weedy bays using crankbaits and bucktails are working well using a slow retrieval method.

4th of July week openings available and here and there throughout the summer.

Give us a call at 800-772-8411.
Passenger service is available from Sportsman’s Lodge to the island. No border crossing required.