Category Archives: Weekly South Shore Fishing Report

Few Weeks Left of Soft Water Fishing

November 1, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Walleyes, pike and sturgeon bite is hot. Guided trips, boat slips and lodging available for one last blast.
Water temperature has dipped to 46 degrees and we are setting the stage for the big freeze! Fishing has been great. Walleye action in the Rainy River in varying depths 12’-26’ using a 3/8-1 oz. orange, pink or glow in the dark jig and a shiner minnow is good. Many points have been good, Wheeler’s Point, Anchor Bay and Clementson. Just outside the gaps and bays Lighthouse Gap, Morris Point and Zippel Bay in 14’-18’ using the same tackle and bait has been very good too. The sturgeon bite is on fire. Deep pockets of the river using 4/0 hook, 1-2 oz. no roll sinker and a gob of worms is the ticket. The pike has been hitting on dead bait in the bays.

All the way from Madrid Spain to Lake of the Woods to catch his first walleye! Nice catch Luis

Ice fishing season is only 35 days away!
Check out our full service trips and 25% off special. Now is the best time to make your winter reservations. Planning a holiday party this year? We have lots of options!
Click here or call 800-862-8602.

Looking for a Christmas gift idea?
Sportsman’s gift cards available! Always the right color, size and price! Order yours online here or call 800-862-8602.

The shiners keep coming

October 26, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

The bite is on! Shiners keep moving in the river and the walleyes are following. Water temperature is down 6 more degrees this week sitting at 47 degrees now. Vertical jigging 3/8 oz-1oz gold, glow in the dark and bright colored jigs tipped with a shiner is working well. Areas outside of Pine Island, Four Mile Bay, and many points in the Rainy River from Wheeler’s Point to Clementson have been good. Once you find the school of walleyes, it’s game on! Morning and evening has been the best time. We have guided trips available in our 18’-20’ outfitter boats for a few more weeks, great for a group up to 4 people and charters available for groups up to 6 per boat through the weekend. Dock slips and boat rentals available too.

Check out some of the latest catches and the shiners!

28.5 inch walleye Berdan Group Guided by Travis Madrazo

Guide Travis Madrazo 27.75 inch walleye released

Shiners in the Rainy River. Picture courtesy of Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau

Fall Walleye

Sturgeon & Pike are popping too!
The fall transition has got the fish moving and aggressive. Pike are in good supply in the river and bays in cabbage weeds adjacent to rock structure. Jerk, spinner baits or dead bait out in 10’-12’ and working deeper have been the best approach. Lake sturgeon are roaming in the deep pockets of the river and bays where there is current. A 4/0 hook, 2 oz. no roll sinker and a gob of worms topped off with a minnow or two is working well. Right now lake sturgeon is catch and release through April 23. Pike limit is 3. Only 1 over 40″; all northern pike from 30″ through 40″ must be immediately released.

Ice Fishing Season is soon here. Do you have your reservations in?
25% off ice fishing on select dates, double reward points if you pay in full by November 1 and a No worries ice guarantee! Click here to learn more.

The bite is on in the Rainy River!

October 20, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

The best action for nice 15+ inch walleye is around Wheeler’s Point, Wabanica Church, and Clementson as well as areas on the lake just outside Pine Island and around the Morris Point Washout area. Water temperature is 51 degrees. The best depth is approximately 13-18 feet, but fish are being caught anywhere from 12 – 24 feet of water. Jigging with a 1 oz. jig tipped with a shiner minnow using colors gold, pink, white and glow in the dark. Guides available!

Pike a plenty!
Check out these whoppers caught by a group this week guided by Captain Travis Madrazo. Crankbait and large dead bait is working well.

Aggressive Sturgeon action
24 Sturgeon in two days including a double, 41 inch and 55 inch! That was the report from a group that was here and fished with Captain Travis Madrazo this week. Deep pockets in the river are holding the sturgeon. (This group also caught 42 walleyes and 26 northerns!   ) Fall fishing is hot! Book your guided fall trip today! 800-862-8602

Dock Cam
Our dock cam is back up and working! Check it out!

Winter Specials
Get in on the early bird deals! 25% off Ice Fishing & Double Reward Points. These specials won’t last long!
Click here for more information.

Openings available this weekend! Kids 17 and under stay free!
Kids 17 and under stay free with 2 adults in lodge rooms. Indoor pool, live entertainment, restaurant, game room and incredible fishing! Escape to the lake! 800-862-8602

Here they come! River fishing is heating up!

October 12, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

We have seen a real big change this week in the movement of the walleye schools. We are seeing more walleyes in shallower, in Four Mile Bay, Lighthouse Gap and the Rainy River. The shiners are pushing through and the walleyes are chasing! Anglers have found a really hot bite this past week in 16’-24’ using bright colored 3/8 oz-1/2 oz. jigs tipped with a shiner minnow. Many boats reported a very aggressive bite and anglers have been enjoying hours of catch and release action or a limit in just a few hours. The water temperature has dropped 7 degrees this week, currently at 53 degrees.

One of the nice fall walleyes caught recently. 23 inch walleye caught and released by Joy

More than just walleyes
A good northern pike, smallmouth bass, lake sturgeon and perch bite have also been a hot topic this week. Pike and bass are in good supply in the river and bays in cabbage weeds adjacent to rock structure. Jerk or spinner baits or a jig and a minnow starting out in 10’-12’ and working deeper have been the best approach. Lake sturgeon are roaming in the deep pockets of the river and bays where there is current. A 4/0 hook, 2 oz. no roll sinker and a gob of worms topped off with a minnow or two is working well. Right now lake sturgeon is catch and release through April 23. Mixed into where the walleyes have been found, a large amount of sweet jumbo perch have as well. Lots of fishing action! We have lodging and docking available through freeze up and guided trips and boat rentals available through October.

Crappies! A few of our guides went out the other day and brought in a nice bunch!

Halloween Party is Oct 29!
Throw your costume in the tackle box and join us for our annual Halloween party 7pm-1am. $200 Cash prize for best costume, free witch’s brew 7pm-8pm, $3 shots, $2 can beer, entertainment and much more! Lodging specials starting at $45 per person per night! Click here
*plus tax and based on double occupancy

Ice fishing season is less than 2 months away!
We offer no equipment required, hassle free ice fishing trips.
Check out our Sportsman’s Lodge & Sleeper House packages here.
For our island locations on Oak Island, Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge click here.

Rainy River Fall Walleye Fishing

October 5, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

The water temperature is now 58 degrees and the forecast is cooling down. We expect to see a sizeable dip in the temperature this week which means better fall fishing! More and more shiners are showing up in the river every day and the walleyes are starting to chase after them. Right now the best fishing has been outside of the Lighthouse Gap, Zippel Bay and Graceton Beach in 21’-26’ of water anchored using gold and orange 3/8-1/2 oz. jigs tipped with a shiner minnow. The sturgeon bite has been good in deep pockets of the Rainy River and Bays using 4/0 hook, 1-2 oz. no roll sinker tipped with a gob of worms and a few minnows. Get into some great soft water fall fishing action now through early November!

Nice walleye caught by a member of Hank Specialities Group. Guided by Captain Dave

Fall Fishing Hanks Specialities Group Guided by Captain Dave M.

Winter Ice Fishing Deals!!
Limited Time Deals! 25% off ice fishing and Double Rewards! Click here to learn more and to book your trip today!

Water temperature is down a few more degrees and more shiners are showing up

September 27, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

The water temperature dipped a few more degrees this week to 61 right now. We are seeing more shiners in the river every day. The big walleye schools are moving but not quite to the river yet. The best fishing continues to be in 22’-26’ of water outside of Pine Island, Graceton Beach and on the northern reefs. It won’t be long and the walleyes will be moving into the bays and river. Jigging with a gold or pink ¼-1/2 oz. jig tipped with a shiner or gold spinner, 1-2 oz. sinker and a night crawler is working well.

22 inch walleye caught and released by the Lyman Group. Guided by Captain Travis M

26 inch walleye caught and released by the Lyman Group. Guided by Captain Travis M

Sturgeon- The sturgeon bite continues to be good in deep holes of the river and bays where there is current. A 4/0 hook, 2 ounce no roll sinker and a gob of minnows works well.

Time to start thinking winter reservations!
For the best dates and accommodations, book your winter trip now! 800-862-8602 or online here.

We Have Shiners!

September 21, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

We are starting to see some shiners in the river! The leaves are changing and the walleyes, saugers, sturgeon, pike and bass are biting. The water temperature has held steady this week at 64 degrees but based on this week’s forecast it looks like it is going to start dipping again. Fall fishing is here!

Where, What, How

Walleyes – The best fishing this week has been jigging using shiners outside of Pine Island 7-9 miles out in 22’-26’ feet of water as well as outside of Graceton Beach and Zippel Bay areas. Gold and pink ¼-1/2 ounce jigs have been working best.

Nice walleye! Guided by Captain Travis M

Sturgeon- The sturgeon bite has really picked up in the deep holes of the river and bays where there is current. A 4/0 hook, 2 ounce no roll sinker and a gob of minnows works well. Some anglers also swear by adding a minnow or two.

Art Kaunonen from Braham, MN 57 inch sturgeon released. Guided by Captain Mike

Pike & Smallmouth Bass- Give a jerk bait 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. Bass are starting to move deeper. Best approach has been starting at 10’-12’ and work to deeper water off reefs and points using a spinnerbait or a jig and a minnow.

Winter Forecast
According to the 2017 Farmer’s Almanac winter 2016-2017 predictions for our area and areas from North Dakota to Maine will have below normal temps. Ice fishing season is 75 days away. Now is the best time to make your reservations to get your pick on dates. Click here to check availability now.

Cooling Off and Catching Fish

September 14, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Temperature dipped down to 37 degrees here this morning. Fall is here! Water temperature has dipped 5 degrees this week down to 64. We expect to start seeing some shiners show up in the river within the next week. Once the shiners start to run the walleyes are soon to follow and it makes for some great fall fishing on the Rainy River! Fall soft water fishing is typically really good right until freeze up.

Good fishing this week!
Check out some of the pics from Captain Travis Madrazo this week! Guided charter (27’ boat holds up to 6 passengers plus guide) and guided outfitter trip (18’-20’ boat holds up to 4 passengers plus guide) are still available through late October. We have some great fall deals going on too! A mix of bait fishing using gold jigs and shiners and trolling with crank baits has been the best approach this week although the guides are starting to remove the downriggers and turning over to only bait fishing. Nice walleyes are being found along shore lines and on the reefs in varying depths along Pine Island, Long Point and Bridges.

Sturgeon, Bass & Pike
The sturgeon bite has been really picking up this week in the Rainy River and Four Mile bay. A gob of worms on a 4/0 or 5/0 hook and 2 oz. no roll sinker works best. Deep holes in the river where current is found are hot spots for sturgeon. Throwing top water baits for smallmouth bass and northern pike in the bays has been the best approach to lure in these fish. We have a rental boat and guided trips available now through late October.

Ice fishing season is 82 days away!
We offer no equipment required, hassle free ice fishing trips.
Check out our Sportsman’s Lodge & Sleeper House packages here.
For our island locations on Oak Island, Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge click here.

Fall is here!

September 9, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

The fish are biting, the weather is beautiful, the leaves are changing and the fall specials are hot!
Now is the time to get to the lake! Check out the forecast and a few of the pictures from the week. If you have a picture from a recent stay please share them with us!

Trolling with crank baits has been the most successful approach this week to reel in some walleyes but bait fishing with a gold jig or spinner tipped with a worm has produced some nice fish as well. Depths on the reefs around Garden Island and Bridges in 12’-16’ and 25’-30’ or in the mud outside of Pine Island and Zippel Bay in 25’-30’ have been best. The water is at 69 degrees this morning. The famous aggressive Rainy River fall bite is just a few weeks away! Get your reservations in!

Syngenta Seeds group reeled in some nice fish this week with Captain Baihly

A double! Great way to kick off fall fishing! 28.75 inch walleye caught by Marcus Mara from Worthington MN and 24.5 inch walleye caught by Mary Collins from Minneapolis MN. Guided by Captain Mike Marquardt.

Sturgeon, Pike, Smallmouth Bass
Fall is a great time to reel in these species. Anglers are starting to see the bite pick up in the river and bays. For sturgeon a 4/0 or 5/0 hook, 2 oz. no roll sinker and a gob of minnows is the best approach. Anchored in or near a hole in the river bed or channel is a good spot to find them. To lure in the bass and pike, throwing out top water baits in weedy bays with some rock structure is good approach. There are hundreds of spots along the Rainy River and bays along the south shore to fish these fish. Not sure how to do it or don’t have the equipment? No problem! We have guided trips available via our 18’and 20’ boats, great for groups up to 4 plus the guide. For more information about guided trips click here.

Walleyes Are Biting!

August 31, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Lake of the Woods continues to have a great summer season. Walleyes are biting from Long Point to Zippel Bay in 29-32 feet of water. Anchored and jigging with worms or trolling with crank baits have been working well. Hot tackle colors have been silver, white, red and orange. Around Pine Island in 25-30 feet of water is another hot spot. For those anglers heading to the north end of the lake, Garden Island and Little Oak are still producing nice limits of fish. The current water temperature is down a few more degrees from last week at 71. The forecast looks great so now’s the perfect time to visit.

49 inch sturgeon caught by Larry Deacon. Guided by Travis M

28 inch walleye caught by Molli Burns and guided by Captain Matt

Openings still available for this weekend!
If you are looking for a place to relax this weekend, give us a call! Lodging, Camping, Guided Fishing Trips and dock rental available. [email protected] or call 800-862-8602

Sturgeon & Bass
The sturgeon are starting to bite. Holes in the river bottom anchored using a 5/0 size hook, 1-2 ounce no roll sinker and a gob of minnows has been working good for sturgeon. The bite should only get stronger as the water starts to cool. Keep one season runs until Sept 30 and Oct 1-April 23 is catch and release season. Guided trips available! The smallmouth bass bite has been good around shallow rocks casting spoons in the river and around reefs.