Category Archives: Weekly South Shore Fishing Report

Sportsman’s Lodges Ice Report 12-23-2015

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Sportsman’s Lodges Ice Report 12-23-2015

12/23/2015

Need some more time….
We received 3 inches of snow yesterday so temperatures were not cool enough to make any ice but the good news is cooler temperatures are in the forecast! We did not have any snow on the lake before so these few inches should not change the ice making process to much. Temperatures are forecasted to dip into the single digits and below zero for the week ahead. This should help significantly. We are going to be checking ice again on Saturday, Dec 26 and going from there. Safety is our number one concern. Mother nature willing, we should be able to start the ice fishing season shortly after Christmas. Stay tuned!

No trails or roads are open at this time
We only report on the areas we fish and travel. Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River stretch many, many miles and every area freezes differently. We strongly encourage anyone venturing out to check with local resorts and bait shops before doing so.

From the Sportsman’s family to your family, Merry Christmas! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sportsman’s Lodge Lake of the Woods South Shore Ice Report

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Sportsman’s Lodge Lake of the Woods South Shore Ice Report

12/21/2015 

ICE ICE ICE BABY!!!  We’re getting really close to fishing on the big lake.  We sent out the guides out today and we are getting reports of 4”-6” in the bay and on the lake side of Pine Island we are seeing 6” out to 25 feet of water in the areas we fish and travel.  We have made good progress the past few days.

We will be checking ice again on Wednesday. At this point we are hoping to start fishing on Dec 26 in our day houses based on the forecast but will know for sure on Wednesday, Dec 23.   Our sleeper houses will take a few days longer to get ready as they are a little heavier, looking at Dec 29 or 30 at this point.  We are eager as many of you to get out fishing, but safety is our #1 priority.  We need to gain a few more inches of ice to be safe.  The forecast looks great with lows in the single digits to below zero.  Their is minimal, if any snow cover on the lake right now. We are forecasted to get a few inches of snow in the next few days which should not affect ice making at all.

If you decide to venture our on your own.
Our report is based on the areas we travel. No ice roads or trails are open at this time. As we ramp up, please stay on marked trails and don’t venture out on your own.  Ice can be good on the trail and not good in other spots. The Rainy River like every year and high current areas are the last to get a good base of ice. We don’t travel these areas until mid to late season if at all depending on conditions. At this time 1-4 inches is reported in these areas. Stay tuned for another report in a few days.

Book your stay
Winter is here! Lodging and Fishing packages available! Click here to book now or call 800-862-8602.

The lake has sealed up!

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The lake has sealed up!

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! 

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We have ice!

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12/17/2015

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!

weather forecast
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 12-17-2015
Long Point
December 17, 2015
Morris Point 12-17-2015
Morris Point
December 17, 2015
Four Mile Bay 12-17-2015
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.

Current Ice Conditions

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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!

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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

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Finally cold temperatures are in our forecast for next week! Bring on the ice! We are ready!!!

We have ice in the bays and low current areas at this time. The water temperature is hovering around 32-33 degrees. As soon as we get a cold blast we expect it to freeze fast! We are shooting for a Dec 20 start date at this point but will be doing another update on Monday, Dec 14 with more information. Stay tuned!

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Ice Update 12/7/2015

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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!

Current Ice Conditions

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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
Ice at our docks! Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
11-29-2015
The bay is frozen
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.

  • Saturday, Dec 26, Wednesday, Dec 30 and Saturday, Jan 2
    $166 per person
    With breakfast, lunch and dinner $215
  • Wednesday, Jan 6 and Thursday, January 14
    $142 per person
    With breakfast, lunch and dinner $190

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!

 

Current Ice Conditions

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11/25/2015

 

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!
Bays are making ice!
Baudette Bay
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.

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.

Saturday, December 26, Wednesday, December 30 and Saturday, January 2

  • $166 per person
  • With breakfast, lunch and dinner $215

Wednesday, January 6 and Thursday, January 14

  • $142 per person
  • With breakfast, lunch and dinner $190

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.