Up & Down The MN walleyes must be wondering if they swam too far and aren’t in MN anymore with all of this heat. Uffda!
The action has been up and down this week. Some days are better than others but still getting some good action overall. Drifting with using spinners and worms and a bit of trolling with crankbaits have been the go-to methods. Variety of depths 16’- 21’ and deeper 27’-33’ in the mud and reefs. Gold, pink, silver, and red have been good colors.
Muskies! Late July through October is an excellent time to wrestle with a muskie here in the islands. Check out the nice one Bryan caught this week in the video. Bucktails, topwater baits and jerk baits all are good choices, take your pick and do some trolling around the rocky points and weedy bays.
Walleye/Sauger Bite 17’-19’ and 28’-33’ have been good using jigs, spinners/worms, and crankbaits drifting or slow troll. Gold, bright green, and red/white have been popular colors. The Water temp is in the mid-’70s.
Great fall deals in October The walleye, muskie, bass, sauger, perch, crappie, and pike bite can be absolutely phenomenal and we have some great fall discounts too.
Walleyes & Saugers A mix of trolling or drifting with spinners and a little bit of trolling with crankbaits have been the way to find the walleyes and saugers this week. Varied depths 17’-34’ in mud and areas with structure using gold, pink, silver, and yellow tackle. Crawlers and leeches have been tipping the spinners. The Water temp is mid 70’s. The days with a little wind always help the bite. We had a shot of rain Monday, not much but it was nice to see it come down and a little bit cooler temps the last few days.
The bite has picked a bit. A monster sturgeon was caught this week on a charter boat too. You never know what you might reel in on Lake of the Woods!
Join us this Fall Right after Labor Day through late October. Lodging starting at just $95 per night for 2 and lodging/charter packages starting at $232 per person. *plus tax and based on double occupancy.
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Great News! The Canadian government announced this week, they are opening up the border on August 9 to vaccinated Americans. Although we know there are bugs to be worked out in this process we are excited to see things moving in the right direction so guests have another way to get to the island. As for now at this time, a vaccination card and a negative molecular covid test result (done within 72 hours of arrival) must be brought along to pass through. We will continue to communicate information as we know more.
As far as the bite. 19’-21’ and 27’-34’ has been a good bite this week using jigs, spinners, and crankbaits. Jigs are working well with minnows and spinners with crawlers or minnows. Gold, silver, red, and bright orange are the favored colors. The Water temp is about 76 degrees.
Muskies & Northern Pike Hundreds of bays to explore. Check out the 47 1/4 incher caught in the video. Trolling deep bays and rocky points as well as weedy bays with bucktails, topwater and jerk baits are good bets.
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.
Playing in the Mud Drifting with spinners tipped with a crawler or minnow in the deep mud 28’-34’ as well as trolling with crankbaits have been getting fish. The weather has been hot and the forecast continues to show 80’s+.
The water temp is in the mid-’70s. Orange, yellow, gold, and red/white have been good colors for the tackle. A mix of slot+ size walleyes along with the eaters and throwbacks have been the catch of the day.
Summer Deals $109 Lodge Rooms and kids 17 and under stay free with 2 adults in lodge rooms too all summer long! Give us a call to book your stay. The poo and restaurants are open and we have entertainment in the Sandbar on weekends. *Plus tax and based on double occupancy.
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Variety – Sand, Mud & Rocks Try one or try them all. 10’-19’ in the sand, 30’-33’ in the mud, and 24’-29’ on the edge of rock reefs have been the go-to spots using jigs, spinners, or crankbaits. Jigs tipped with minnow and spinners with worms or minnows. Red, gold, pink, and white have been good colors. Water temp is in the mid to upper 70’s.
Muskies & Northern Pike Shallow weedy bays using crankbaits and bucktails are good spots.
Eagle Ridge Opening July 14-23 Relax in our beautiful and spacious two-story 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bath vacation home with full kitchen, living room, deck, dock, and just a short boat ride away from phenomenal fishing. $90 per person per night/$450 minimum or $2,595 for the week plus tax. Our 3 Bedroom Cedar vacation home is also available a few days next week and late August. Give us a call at 800-772-8411.
Warm Weekend and Cool Break – Walleyes are Responding
A break in the hot weather. Yesterday’s high in the 60’s and today’s in the lower 70’s with a forecasted dip to 50 tonight. This seems to be getting the “eater” size walleyes more active. Yesterday we saw a spike in the action. Water temp is currently 73 degrees. Anglers have been finding the bite in the mud 28’-34’ using gold/orange, hammered gold or white/silver spinners along with a few ounces of weight tipped with a worm, leech or minnow as well as trolling with crankbaits. Over the weekend we continued to see several slot size+ walleyes with a mix of throwbacks and eater size walleye and saugers.
Summer Lodge Rooms only $109* per night for up to 2 adults and 4 kids. Enjoy the air conditioned rooms just footsteps away from the pool, hot tub, dock, restaurant, bar, game room and more. Summer Lodging and Charter fishing packages starting at $249 per person for 2 nights and 1 day. Click here to book your summer trip today or give us a call at 800-862-8602. *plus tax, pkgs based on double occupancy
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Sand & Mud 3/8 oz gold jigs, red spinners with a 1-2 ounce sinker or red/white spoons tipped with a minnow or crawler in 26’-33’ have been working the best in the sand and mud bottom for walleyes. Water temp is in the lower 70’s. The cold snap has turned up the catching rate.
Muskies & Northern Pike Shallow weedy bays using crankbaits and bucktails are working well using a slow retrieval method.
Eagle Ridge Opening July 14-23 Relax in our beautiful and spacious two story 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath vacation home with full kitchen, living room, deck, dock and just a short boat ride away from phenonmal fishing. $90 per person per night/$450 minimum or $2,595 for the week plus tax. Give us a call at 800-772-8411.
Jigs & Spinners Not too many changes this week in the approach for walleyes and saugers. A 3/8 oz gold, pink/white/gold or orange/gold jig tipped with a chub or shiner or spinner tipped with crawler or leech have been working well in 26’-32’. A variety of walleye and sauger sizes are being caught. Several slots (19.5”-28”), a few 28”+, plenty of throwbacks, and fish for the pan.
The forecast looks nice for the week ahead. Mainly 70’s, minimal precip and light winds. Looks like it will be a great week to be out on the water.
It is not too early to start planning your fall and winter trips. Get your preferred dates locked in now by giving us a call or contacting us online.
4th of July Celebrations are Planned Join us for fishing, boating, relaxing, swimming, and more then hop into nearby Baudette for parades, fireworks, 5K, games, and more. Click here for the full schedule. Book your lodging by calling us at 800-862-8602.
Oak Island & the Northwest Angle
The Bite
18’-25’ using a jig and frozen shiner in the morning and pulling lindy crawlers in the mud off structure in the afternoon/evening and as well as crankbaits in about 15’ is working the best. Gold, glow in the dark, anything shiny, and chartreuse have been good colors. The average size has been nice 17”-18” walleyes. The bite has been a little slow but steady. With the lunar phase now over we expect it to pick up. We have some openings Sun – Thurs next week if you are itching to get out. Give us a call at 800-772-8411.
Muskie season has now opened up for the season through November 30. Monster muskies have been hitting on large plugs and buck tails in shallow bays.
Need a ride to the Island?
We have options! Lake of the Woods Passenger Service has boat service from Sportsman’s Lodge on the Rainy River to us and Lake Country Air provides air service from Baudette or beyond to the island. Check out their websites and give them a call to book your spot.
Eagle Ridge
We had a last-minute cancellation for our vacation homes at Eagle Ridge July 15-23. Click here to learn more about these 3 bedroom homes located in a private area of the island but just a short walk away from our main lodge.
First Week of June The first week of June is already in the books. The weather has been much warmer than average. Anglers have been catching a good mix of walleyes and saugers along with several slot fish this week. Slot fish (walleyes) on the Minnesota side of Lake of the Woods are considered 19.5”-28” in length. They must be immediately released. The daily and possession limit is the same here, 6 fish, no more than 4 can be walleye and only one over 28”. Gold and chartreuse jigs have been hot tackle tipped with a shiner minnow fishing in the mud in 25’-33’.
It sounds like the warm weather is going to continue for the next few weeks or so. Pack cool clothes and warm clothes too (LOL) because we just never know when things will change!
Thinking about a trip? Book a lodge room conveniently located in the main lodge at just $109 a night plus tax for up to 2 adults/4 kids. Our lodge rooms are air-conditioned, many overlook the Rainy River, and are all are just footsteps away from the restaurant, bar, indoor pool, hot tub, and game room. Contact our front desk staff today at 800-862-8602 or by clicking here for availability.
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Summer Fun has kicked into High Gear Boat motors are running, fish are biting, the sun is shining, guests are making memories and our staff is busy keeping everything running. The summer season has shifted into high gear here at Oak Island and good times are being had everywhere we look. The best season of the year is here.
A good bite in the mud has been had by many this week in 15’-27’ using a jig and a minnow amongst the islands not too far away from the lodge. Gold, pink and orange colors continue to do very well.
Need a ride to the Island?
We have options! Lake of the Woods Passenger Service has boat service from Sportsman’s Lodge on the Rainy River to us and Lake Country Air provides air service from Baudette or beyond to the island. Check out their websites and give them a call to book your spot.
Smallmouth Bass Anglers are having the most success finding the bass casting using mallet spinners and shad raps deep 22’-30’.
Muskie season opens on June 19.
Visit us on the 4th of July July 1-11. Stay 6 nights and get the 7th night free. Give us a call to book your trip at 800-862-8602 or click here.
Fishing Away Grab the sunscreen and sunglasses, it is going to be a warm one this weekend.
The best fishing has been in 16-27 feet around structure, sand and in the mud anchored or slow drift using a 3/8 oz jig and a minnow. Gold and pink have been good colors. Water temp is hovering between 58-62 degrees.
Stop in for cold drinks and great food.We serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. We have live entertainment this weekend, Friday and Saturday. 9pm – 1am. The Rooftop Bar is also open daily weather permitting. Come enjoy the view.
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge & Eagle Ridge
Fresh Walleye, is there anything better? We don’t think so! Yum! Pictured is the Unger group enjoying some of their catch. Thanks for coming!
Depths between 14’-25’ in the mud jigging a 3/8 oz jig tipped with a minnow has been working well. Points have also been a hot spot. Gold, pink, and orange have been good colors in the islands. The water temperature is around 60 degrees.
Nice Pike Casting out flashy spoons and shad raps have been catching the eye of the pike in 7’-20’.
Smallmouth Bass Anglers are having the most success finding the bass casting using mallet spinners and shad raps deep 20’-30’.
Muskie season opens on June 19.
Visit us on the 4th of July July 1-11. Stay 6 nights and get the 7th night free. Give us a call to plan your summer fun at 800-772-8411 www.oakislandlodge.com.
We had a dip in temps the last few days (yes, we actually saw some snowflakes yesterday! yikes), but it looks like we are in for warmer weather by the weekend.
Last weekend’s bite was pretty good. The wind kicked up Tuesday and Wednesday making it more challenging to get to the “ideal spot” but otherwise, we are seeing a mix of walleyes and saugers. Eater size and slots being caught along with some nice pike and a surprise 58” sturgeon nibbled at one of our guest’s walleye tackle this week. What a surprise! That is what makes Lake of the Woods so fun, you just never know what you might catch next.
Anchored with a jig and a minnow is the favored method along shorelines and in 10’-23’ right now. Gold, orange, and red has been popular colors. Check out some of the recent pics from our guests and guides. Water temp has been in the upper 50’s to lower 60’s lately.
Fins Rooftop bar is open for the summer and live entertainment is back! Stop in! www.mysportsmans.com
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Houston reeled in a 29!
What a catch! Many of you may know Houston. He is back on staff here for his second summer. Houston and the gang are looking forward to seeing you this summer! Anchored along shorelines and points continue to be good walleye hot spots 13’-18’. Gold/Chartreuse 3/8 oz jigs tipped with a chub or shiner have been the go-to bait and tackle. The Water temp is in the upper 50’s.
Pike, bass, crappie, and perch season are also open. Muskie season opens on June 19.
Come see us this Summer by Boat or Air As of now, the Canadian Border is still closed but we have options for you to get here. Click here to learn more.
4th of July Week Relax, catch some fish and enjoy Oak Island this 4th of July. Stay 6 nights and get the 7th night free July 1-11.
Incredible Weather for Opener this Year Besides the fishing this weekend, the #2 topic this opener was definitely the weather. Have we ever had it this nice on opening day? Light wind and 70’s, absolutely beautiful.
Well, I am sure we have but it must have been quite a while ago. Nonetheless, it was a great day to be outdoors. The fishing was pretty good too. Some did better than others, some were hoping for more of a walleye chop on Saturday but many I talked to, had a steady bite, and caught a mix of sizes between 12”-20”. Check out some of the fish the Berkner group reeled in with Captain Mike Marquardt.
We always love to see your pictures. Text 218-395-0042 or email [email protected] anytime. Maybe you will find yourself in the next fishing report or on our website. Facebook has recently done an update that is not allowing us to see photos we are tagged in so if you can text, email, or Facebook message (that seems to be working fine) for now, we would appreciate it.
A good bite was had anchored in shallow 7’-15’ along shorelines using a 3/8-1/4 oz jig tipped with a shiner or chub this weekend. Pink, red, glow in the dark, and gold were good colors. Water temperature is hovering in the mid 50s.
Fins Rooftop bar is open for the summer! Stop in and enjoy the view. www.mysportsmans.com
Oak Island Fishing Report
Decent bite Another great opener. 8’-18’ along shorelines and points produced some nice walleyes this weekend. Anchored using a gold, green or glow-in-the-dark jig tipped with a shiner or chub worked well. Water temp is in the mid 50’s, a little warmer than an average opening weekend. Walleye season is open! Time to get out and enjoy the weather.
Pike fishing continues to be good in the bays casting artificial baits or using smelt or large sucker minnows on a hook and a bobber.
Come see us this Summer by Boat or Air As of now, the Canadian Border is still closed but we have options for you to get here. Click here to learn more.
It’s Opener Eve!! Feels like Christmas! The day is finally here and the weather looks pretty favorable too. It’s time to finish up the boat work, string the last rods and enjoy the weekend.
Here on Lake of the Woods, the opener approach is pretty straightforward. Tie up a 3/8-1/2 oz gold or pink jig, tip it with a chub or shiner, and head to the shorelines and shallows for some jigging. 7’-16’ is a good start, anchoring or drift/slow troll. After you get done with walleye fishing try some trophy pike fishing. Lake of the Woods is known to have many trophy-sized pike in its waters. Dead bait in the bays is a great approach. You can also get in one more day of sturgeon fishing. Sturgeon catch and release is open through Saturday before taking a pause for six weeks.
Minnows are in the tank!
The bar and grill are open. Guided charter trips are full for Saturday and Sunday but we have openings next week and throughout the summer. Give us a call at 800-862-8602. Dock slips are all by reservation only. Please check with the front desk for availability. Good luck fishing and we look forward to seeing you!
The 15th Annual Sportsman’s Sturgeon Classic Tournament was held at the lodge this past weekend, May 7 & 8. 200 anglers and 60 boats enjoyed another year of beautiful spring weather and lake sturgeon fishing in a 1.2 mile stretch out in front of the lodge on the Rainy River.
Each day the participant with the longest measured sturgeon went home with $3,000 in cash, 2nd place $1,365 in cash, and the 3rd place winner a custom rod. Other priz-es were given away for the largest sturgeon caught by a youth, woman, largest eel-pout, largest sucker, and as well as many other door prizes.
Over a hundred sturgeon were caught and an unusual catch of a channel catfish over the two days. $12,000 plus in cash and prizes were awarded over the two-day catch and release event. Tournament participants also raised nearly $4,000 for the Lake of the Woods Take a Kid Fishing program. The monies will be used for lifetime fishing licenses that will be awarded at the event this year in June and for program expenses to continue to teach kids the lifelong sport of fishing. Many thanks to the gracious par-ticipants and sponsors who took part in this event. Your donation will make a big im-pact on many kids’ lives for a lifetime. Thank you!
This year the event was sponsored by Northwoods Bait & Tackle, RS Nets USA, Fat-head Guide Service and Promotions, Acme Tools of Bemidji, Lake of the Woods Brewing Company, Log Cabin Bait & Tackle, Striker, Sunnyhill Distributors, D & D Beverage, Northwest Beverage, LaValley Industries, Upper Lakes Foods, Sports-man’s Lodge, and Ralph Christofferson Custom Rods. Additional lifetime licenses and money towards lifetime licenses were given by Acme Tools of Bemidji/Aaron Schmitz, Rodger and Kim Haugtvedt in memory of their son Justin, an anonymous donor, Two Rivers Sportsman’s Club of Karlstad, Hibbing Chrysler and, by Spencer Christianson in memory of his Dad, Scott Christianson.
We want to thank all of the participants, staff, guides, tournament co-director, and em-cee Bryan “Beef” Sathre and sponsors who once again made this year another huge success. Thank you!.
Congratulations to the 2021 winners!
Day 1 First Place-Dan Sheedy 63 1/4 x 21 inches Second Place-Aaron Schmitz 61 1/2 x 23 1/2 inches Third Place-Curt Howe 61 1/4 x 27 1/4 inches
Day 2 First Place-Chuck Hauble 65 3/4 x 29 1/4 inches Second Place-Ben Cumber 65 3/8 x 30 1/4 inches Third Place-Patrick Dunn 62 1/2 x 24 1/2 inches Powder Puff -Hanna Hastings 57 1/2 x 25 1/2 inches Largest Sucker- Brandon Dunn 22 inches Largest Eelpout -K. Johnson 17 inches
We are looking forward to the 16th Annual scheduled for May 6 & 7, 2022. The tournament is full for 2022 but, we are taking a waiting list. To be added to the waiting list, contact us at [email protected] or 800-862-8602.
Sturgeon fishing continues to be very popular on the Rainy River. The catch and re-lease season runs Oct 1- April 23 and May 8-15, the keep one season runs April 24-May 7 and July 1-Sept 30. If you are interested in learning more about sturgeon fishing click here.
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Welcome Back! We are glad to have you back for another season. We open at 2pm today and open at 11:30 tomorrow through May 17. Food, drinks, bait, gas, lodging is available. We will open up for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks starting May 18 for the summer. Good luck fishing and we look forward to seeing you! Visit our website for menus, hours, and more www.mysportsmans.com
Shorelines and points are going to be hot spots for walleye. A 3/8 oz jig tipped with a minnow is all you need. An-chored or slow drift/troll. After walleye fishing try your luck at smallmouth and pike. Both species are very abun-dant in Lake of the Woods. We have some openings next week. Give us a call at 800-772-8411. Good luck fishing!
By Boat or Air As of now, the Canadian Border is still closed but we have options for you to get here. Click here to learn more.
