Category Archives: Weekly South Shore Fishing Report

Lake of the Woods & Rainy River Fishing Report April 26, 2016

April 26, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Sturgeon and pike fishing is hot, hot, hot!

We are seeing big numbers of sturgeon and pike being caught this week. Now is the time to get into a great spring bite. Lodging, Guided Trips and Boat Rentals available. Make plans to visit us today!

The current water temperature is 41 degrees down from 47 on Friday. Forecast is calling for highs in the 50’s this week and warming up next week. Water clarity is decent.

Sturgeon
The sturgeon are moving around. Anglers have not just been finding them in the holes of the river bottom but also sitting along break lines along the bank. We even had 10 caught right off our dock this weekend. A 3-4 oz. no roll sinker, 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook tipped with a gob of night crawlers and a shiner works perfect. Anglers are also finding the sucker and the eelpout bite has been crazy!

Check out some of the action!
Check out these sturgeon! 67, 58, and 60 1/2 inch. Caught by Nick Emanuel, Aaron Garrelts, Brian Clusiau and Nick Emanuel. The bite is on!
www.sportsmanslodges.com

Pike
The pike bite really heated up this past weekend! Creeks and the river are hot spots. One group landed over 10 pike over 35 inches. Dead smelt lying on the bottom has been working well. Make sure to hook all the way through the body of the bait to keep it nice and secure. Long shaft jigs work well.

Cayla Bendel with a nice nothern pike photo courtesy of The Simple Outdoorsman

Drew Selvestra with a nice pike! Photo courtesy of The Simple Outdoorsman

Our 10^th Annual Sturgeon Tournament is May 6 & 7
The tournament is full but lodging is still available. Join us to learn more about sturgeon fishing with some of the pros that have been doing it for years. The tournament runs 8:30am-4pm Friday, May 6 and 8:30-3pm Saturday, May 7. All of the fishing takes place in front of the lodge so lots of excitement can be seen right from the lodge windows and dock. Happy hour and dinner served in the Sandbar as well as nightly musical entertainment. Join us!

Spring Specials!
Lodging starting at only $40* per person per night now through May 26 and up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages May 14-26. *plus tax and based on double occupancy

Win a free night lodging with your photo!
Do you have a photo from a recent summer trip to Sportsman’s Lodge? Submit it here and tell your friends to vote. You could win a free night lodging this summer!

Lake of the Woods & Rainy River Fishing Report April 20, 2016

April 20, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Lake of the Woods & Rainy River
Fishing Report April 20, 2016

It’s Sturgeon & Pike time!

The sturgeon and pike fishing has been great!
The water temperature has warmed up 6 degrees this week. Current temperature is at 46 degrees today and the weather is holding steady. Anglers are finding lots of sturgeon and pike to bite this week. Lodging and guided trips are still available. Click here or give us a call 800-862-8602.

Sturgeon Bite
Lots of nice 30”-65” sturgeon have been found in Four Mile Bay, areas within of the river near the lodge, Clementson and Birchdale. Size 3/0 or 4/0 circle hooks and a 3 ounce no roll sinker tipped with a gob of crawlers and a frozen shiner has been working well. To keep the worms from sliding off a good tip is to use piece of a plastic grub at the end. Anchored at deep river holes or crevices with a little current are best. Catch and release is open now through April 23 and May 8-15. You can keep on within 45”-50” or over 75” April 24-May 7. They are a blast to reel in!

Northern Pike bite is heating up!
Tributaries along the river and Clementson Rapids are stacked with pike right now. Anchored and casting out a jig tipped with a shiner and bouncing off the bottom and rocky areas has been producing some huge pike.

Ryan 48 inch sturgeon, released. Way to go Ryan!

Mike reeled and released a 52 inch sturgeon! Nice one!

Now-thats-a-whopper-63-inch-sturgeon-caught-and-released-by-Michael-Daly

Forecast for the Week

Walleye Opener is May 14

Up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages May 13-May 26 and lodging packages starting at only $40 per person per night now through May 26. It’s fishing time!

Check out the fishing action on our Dock Cam!

Photo Contest!
Submit your summer photo from a trip to Sportsman’s, tell your friends to vote and you could win a free night lodging at Sportsman’s Lodge! Click here.

Few days left of walleye season, bring on the dinosaurs & pike!

April 12, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

April 14 is the last day for walleye season until it re-opens May 14. The weather is warming up and the walleye bite is heating up. Lodging only $40* per person per night in our lodge rooms and cabins midweek. Guided trips, boat rental and dock slips available too! Give us a call!
*based on double occupancy and plus tax

Bring on the sunshine!

Walleye Bite
The past week has been tough, the weather was cool. The weather is warming up and we expect the last few days of the season to be much better. Jigging with long shank bright colored jig tipped with a shiner minnow or rainbow has been working the best in 14’-18’ and 22’-26’ of water around points and gaps with current. The current water temperature is 35 degrees but should warm up quite quickly with the forecast ahead.

24 inch Walleye Rich Chacich released

Its Sturgeon’s Time
Now through May 15 is one of the best times of year to reel in these prehistoric dinosaurs. The Rainy River is home to thousands of the shovel nosed species whom can live for over 100 years and have been recognized dating back to 136 million years ago. The largest sturgeon caught on record in Minnesota measured in at 180 inches in 1903 (MN DNR). The bite has been good! Many anglers have had great success finding several in the river bottom in deep holes and crevices. Some prefer areas with a little current. Anchor and set up your rig with a 2-4 ounce no roll sinker, 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook tipped with a gob of night crawlers and even a minnow or two. Sturgeon catch and release season is now through April 23 and May 8-15. You can keep one April 24-May 7 between 45”-50” or over 75”. Remember to purchase a sturgeon tag if you plan on harvesting a sturgeon. They are $5 and can be purchased at the lodge, online or anywhere that sells Minnesota fishing licenses.

Charlie Borak 66 inch sturgeon! (released)

50 and 63 inch sturgeon Daly Group pic 2

50 and 63 inch sturgeon Daly Group

One of the Best Lakes in the State for Trophy Pike
Lake of the Woods has an incredible habitat for northern pike and is one of the top five lakes in Minnesota to reel in a trophy. Spring is one of the best times of year to reel in these fish. Just when the weed growth starts in the bays, they are great spots. Throw a dare devil or shiny shad rap in their direction and get ready for the action. The weather is getting warmer, we expect in a week the bite should really get going. There are several bays along the river to try; along with Four Mile Bay and Zippel Bay.

Experience a great day of fishing!
Guided trips available! No hassles with the boat, motor, no fish to clean, poles to buy or bait to pick up. Your biggest worry of the day is what snacks to bring. We offer spring guided outfitter trips aboard an 18 or 20 foot boat, guide, bait, use of poles and fish cleaning provided through late May. We offer charter trips aboard our 27’ charter boats equipped with an onboard restroom, use of poles, bait, tackle and fish cleaning starting May 14 through late October. It’s the way to go!

Who’s Hungry?
The Sandbar is open daily at 11am and breakfast is available by reservation the night prior Monday through Friday and anytime 6:30am-10:30am Saturday & Sunday. For more information and our current specials, click here.

The Dock Cam is back up! Check out the view!

Walleye season open through April 14

April 6, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

You still have time to reel in some walleyes before the season closes for 30 days. The Rainy River and Lake of the Woods offers a unique season running through April 14. What happens after walleye closes? Monster sturgeon and aggressive northern pike cranks up! Sturgeon catch and release is now through April 23. You can keep one within 45”-50” or over 75” April 24-May 7. Many people catch and release but they are a very good smoked fish too. May 8-15 is catch and release again. Northern Pike season never closes. We have guides and boats available and ready to give you a fun fishing experience. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or click here to book online.

Walleye Bite
This week has been a cool one but the bite is picking up. Water clarity is decent. Anglers are catching some 14”-21” and a few 25”-32”. Pitching long shank jigs tipped with a rainbow in varying depths has been working, the fish are scattered. Let the current do the work. Half ounce or less gold or pink jigs in the bays and three quarter or one ounce in the river. Four Mile Bay, outside Lighthouse Gap, areas in the Rainy River including Wabanica Bay and around the Baudette airport have been decent spots. Water temperature is currently 35 degrees. Guided trips, lodging and dock slips available.

Thanks Guide Bryan Beef Sathre on the tip where to go Saturday evening. Finally got a few keepers in the livewell and this 29 inch fatty! Caught by Jake Neu

Oelrich Party guided by JP Tessier. Caught on a jig and a minnow

Sturgeon are active
Anglers are finding lots of sturgeon lately. Sizes between 25-70 inches in length are common. These prehistoric bottom feeders swim the bottom of the river and are usually found in deep holes and areas where there is current. The best approach is to anchor and use a 2-4 ounce no roll weight, 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook tipped with a gob of night crawlers and even a minnow or two.

57 inch lake sturgeon caught by Guide, Mike Marquardt

69 incher!!!!! What a catch Melissa Schibonski Denning!!

Spring Pike Bite is soon here
Did you know Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River is one of the top 5 lakes in Minnesota to catch a trophy pike? The nearly one million acres of border waters offers an enormous habitat for these fish. The bite will really start to pick up in the next few weeks when the weed growth starts. Casting shiny and glittery dare devils and rapalas catch the eye of these aggressive fish in the bays of the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods.

Tips for Lifting Big Fish
When lifting a big fish, try and grab the sturgeon by the tail and support the fish under its mid-section. Holding a large fish vertically can actually tear its internal organs and gill plates, eventually leading to mortality.

$40 Lodging & Guided Trips Available
Lodging starting at only $40* per person per night now through May 26. Guided trips available aboard an 18’-20’ boat, bait, use of poles and fish cleaning provided $450 for a full day trip for up to 4 people. Charter trips available starting May 14. Up to 20% off lodging and charter fishing packages May 14-26.*plus tax and based on double occupancy. Book your trip online now or by calling 800-862-8602.

Open Water
The Rainy River is open from Birchdale to Lake of the Woods. All boat ramps are open. Lake of the Woods is open a few hundred yards outside of Pine Island.

Sturgeon fishing is hot, Walleyes are starting to bite!

March 29, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Logan and Luke reeled in 15 sturgeon on Sunday! Way to go guys!

It’s a double! 48 inch and 57 inch by the Eklund’s from Bemidji, MN

The sturgeon bite has been hot this week. Circle 3/0 and 4/0 hooks, 2-4 ounces of weight and a gob of night crawlers works best. Anchor up in or just near a hole in the Rainy River. Once you get a bite, be ready for a fight! Some monsters take up to an hour to reel in! Sturgeon fishing is catch and release now through April 23. Keep one within size limits April 24-May 7 and catch and release again May 8-15. Don’t have a boat or haven’t taken it out yet? We have guides available!

Water is clearing up!
The water is clearing up we have gained about 6 more inches of clarity. Reports of 8-18 inches of clarity have been found, much better than last week. Keep in mind, Lake of the Woods and Rainy River always have stained look. It is never a clear lake by any means. Jigging with a gold 1 oz. jig tipped with a shiner has been working. The water temperature is 35.5, water level is low and the current has slowed some but is still moving pretty quick. Debris has cleared up considerably, we are not seeing much anymore. Walleye season is open through April 14.

Open Water
All boat ramps along the river are open to all boats. The entire river is open and Four Mile Bay. We have open water about 75 yards out of the Light House Gap on the lake right now.

Let us guide you to the catch!
We have guides available for spring walleye, sturgeon and pike fishing. $450 for the day aboard an 18’-20’ boat. The trip includes up to 4 passengers plus the guide, bait, use of poles, and fish cleaning. Book your spring trip today.

Still a few rooms, cabins and villas open for the weekend!
Lodging starting at only $40* per person per night midweek and $45 weekend! *plus tax and based on double occupancy. To reserve click here or call 800-862-8602.

CATCH THE ACTION AT THE SPORTSMAN’S LODGE RAINY RIVER LOCATION THIS SPRING!

March 28, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

CATCH THE ACTION AT THE
SPORTSMAN’S LODGE
RAINY RIVER LOCATION THIS SPRING!

Spring Fishing Fever 2016

The extended walleye season we enjoy on the Canadian border allows for a phenomenon not available for much of the state. The warming weather and increased currents at the beginning of April work to open the Rainy River just as the walleyes are beginning their spring run. The action is fast, and the fish are huge, pulled up one after another. Most fishermen prefer jigging with minnows this time of year. Walleye season closes from mid-April to mid-May, giving anglers an opportunity to try their luck with Minnesota’s largest fish – the mysteriously prehistoric lake sturgeon and the frisky fighting northern pike. Lake of the Woods is proud to be one of the top ten lakes in Minnesota offering the best catch opportunity for you to catch a trophy sized sturgeon or pike in the whole state.

Spring Lodging Rates available March 14 – May 26

Lodging as low as $40 per person per night
$40 midweek/$45 weekends cabin or lodge room based on dbl occ.
Enjoy our new villas $59

For our spring rates and packages Click here.

All boat landings now open from Birchdale to Wheeler’s Point

March 24, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

All boat landings now open from Birchdale to Wheeler’s Point

All boat landings are now open from Birchdale to Wheeler’s Point. Sturgeon fishing has been good! Anglers are finding some nice sturgeon in and on the incline of the deep holes of the Rainy River. 5/0 hooks 2-4 ounces of weight and a gob of night crawlers is working well. Reel in one of these huge dinosaurs!

The water temperature is currently 34.5 degrees. Water level is low and clarity is 6-12 inches and getting better by the day. Walleye bite has been sluggish but improving. Bite should get better in a few days. The current is fast. 1 oz gold or pink jigs tipped with a minnow works well.

Minnesota Lake of the Woods Fishing seasons:
-Walleye open until April 14 and re-opens May 14
-Pike – continuous – never stops!
-Sturgeon – catch & release until April 23, keep 1 (within size limits) April 24-May 7, catch & release May 8-15

Limits:

Walleye & Sauger
Rainy River & Four Mile Bay
(Four Mile Bay is the SE bay of Lake of the Woods near Wheeler’s Point)
March 1, 2016-April 14, 2016
Limit of 2 Walleye 19 ½” and larger must be immediately released.

May 14, 2016-Nov 30, 2016
Limit of 6
Not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28″; walleye 19 ½” through 28″ must be immediately released.

Lake of the Woods
Dec 1, 2015-April 14, 2016
Limit of 8
Not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28″; walleye 19 ½” through 28″ must be immediately released.

May 14, 2016-Nov 30, 2016
Limit of 6
Not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28″; walleye 19 ½” through 28″ must be immediately released.

Northern Pike
Limit 3
Only 1 over 40″; all northern pike from 30″ through 40″ must be immediately released.

Lake Sturgeon
October 1 – April 23
Catch & release only

April 24 – May 7
One per calendar year. Fish must be 45″-50″ inclusive or over 75″. Immediately upon reducing a fish to possession, you must validate and attach your sturgeon tag. Harvested sturgeon must be registered within 48 hours.

May 8 – May 15
Catch & Release Only

May 16 – June 30
Closed

This information has been taken from the Minnesota Fishing Regulations information printed by the DNR and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Regulation books are available at the lodge for your convenience or can be viewed online here. Border Waters information starts on page 44,

Minnesota Fishing licenses are available at Sportsman’s Lodge or by purchasing online here

For more information about spring fishing and our great lodging and guided fishing rates click here

Open water channel through Four Mile Bay is getting wider!

March 24, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Open water channel through Four Mile Bay is getting wider!

The Rainy River is wide open all the way from Birchdale to Wheeler’s Point now. An open water channel through Four Mile Bay to Lake of the Woods is widening by the minute.
All boat ramps from Birchdale to Wheeler’s Point are now open to all boats.

Walleye season runs until April 14. Sturgeon season is catch and release now through April 23. Keep one sturgeon within 45″-50″ or over 75″ is April 24-May 7, be sure to pick up a $5 tag at the lodge or anywhere where you can buy a Minnesota fishing license. May 8-15 is catch and release again. Northern pike season is always open. Lake of the Woods is home to some beautiful walleyes, huge sturgeon and one of the top 5 lakes in Minnesota to catch a trophy pike. Get your fish on! Spring fishing is here!

Lodging starting at only $40 per person per night and guided trips available! Click here

The river is open in front of the lodge!

March 21, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

3/21/2016

The river is open in front of the lodge!

What a year! The river opened quickly! Over the weekend the Rainy River opened in front of the lodge. It is now wide open to Wheeler’s Point and there is a channel open through Four Mile Bay that is within ½ mile of Lighthouse Gap where Lake of the Woods starts. All boat ramps on the Rainy River are to all boats except for Wheeler’s Point. Wheeler’s Point has about 15 feet of shore ice this morning but we expect that to be gone in a couple of days.

Wheelers Point Access 3-21-2016 Shore ice should be gone in a few days! All other ramps on the Rainy River between Birchdale and the lodge are open to all boats now.

View from the lodge looking onto the Rainy River 3-21-2016

Looking towards Wheeler’s Point on the Rainy River from Wheeler’s Point Public Access 3-21-2016

Last week the tributaries opened up and muddied up the water making the walleye bite tough. The water is starting to clear and should be much better by this weekend. Jigging with 3/4-1 oz ounce jigs tipped with a chub or shiner minnow does the trick! In the meantime the sturgeon bite is good! Anglers have been reeling some nice 30”-65” monster sturgeons. Anglers are anchored in deep holes around current using a size 5/0 hook, 2-3 ounces of weight and a gob of worms. Sturgeon catch and release season is open until April 23. April 24-May 7 you can keep one within 45”-50” inclusive or over 75” with a sturgeon tag. Sturgeon tags are $5 and available online or at the lodge. May 8-15 is catch and release again. The season is closed May 16-June 30.

The current water temperature is a cool 33 degrees. The current is quick and the water level is low.

Check out this dinosaur! Lake Sturgeon caught and released this past weekend. Guided by JP Book your spring guided walleye, sturgeon and northern pike trip today!

Monster Sturgeon being caught! Guided by JP. released

Lodging, Guided trips & Dock Slips available!
Lodging starting at only $40 per person per night plus tax Sun-Thurs and $45 on weekends in our lodge rooms and cabins. $59 in our new villas. Guided trips for up to 4 people including guide, boat (18’-20), use of poles, bait and fish cleaning is $450 per day. Dock slips $10 per night. Book by calling 800-862-8602 or book online here.

The lodge will be closed Easter Sunday but lodging is still available!
Book by calling 800-862-8602 or book online here.

Lake of the Woods Fishing Seasons
Walleye open through April 14. Reopening May 14
Northern Pike – always open
Sturgeon catch and release open now through April 23. Keep one within size limits April 24-May 7, catch and release May 8-15. Closed May 16-June 30. Keep one within size limits July 1-Sept 30. Catch and release Oct 1-April 23. For limits and more information click here.

Check out the cool drone footage from Bryan “Beef” Sathre from Fathead Guide Service shot on March 19!!

Spring is here! Time to get your fish on!

Rainy River Open Water Update! 3-16-2016

March 16, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Rainy River Update!

Vidas landing (8 miles east of Baudette) and Birchdale landing (30 miles east of Baudette) are now both open. Frontier has about 30 feet of shore ice so that will be a few more days. The river is open shore to shore 5 miles east of Baudette and open spots showing up 2 miles east. At this rate we should have open water at our docks with the week.