Category Archives: Weekly South Shore Fishing Report

It’s Freezing Season!

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It’s Almost Time For Ice Fishing

Temperatures below zero and single digits the past few days. Great ice making weather!

We plan to venture out and do our first ice thickness check later this week. Stay tuned! The forecast looks cold.

Do you have your winter reservation in yet?
Give us a for call and ask about our NEW Villas at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location! Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location call 800-862-8602 Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge or Eagle Ridge location call 800-772-8411 or online

Lake of the Woods 11-24-13
View North from Morris Point
View of Four Mile Bay
View up River from Wheeler’s Point

Two degrees! Wahoo!

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Two degrees was the low temp last night and the wind finally calmed down. Wahoo! We have started making the first layer of ice on the deeper waters and the extended forecast looks cold. Check out the latest pics. Early December start date is looking good! Stay safe, and stay tuned!

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 Click images to view full size versions.

Ice_progress_11-22-2013

Have you made reservations for your winter trip yet? Book online or call 800-862-8602 today!

Getting Ready for Ice Fishing

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Getting Ready for Ice Fishing

We are busy getting ready for the ice fishing season. It won’t be long!

Current Ice Conditions
We have had some cold days but also have battled some wind lately, so at this time only the shallow bays have a sheet of ice over them. The good news is the water is cold and the forecast keeps getting colder. The current forecast is calling for highs in the teens and twenties this week and lows in teens and single digits with less wind starting tomorrow. We just need 10 cold days with low winds for the first few and we can easily make 10-12 inches of ice. Stay tuned! We will continue to keep you updated. Do you have your reservation in? Book online or call 800-862-8602. Our season runs from early December through the end of March.

New Villas
Our new 3 new villas are nearly complete. They will be ready to rent in early December. You will enjoy these brand new comfortable accommodations. Full kitchens, log furnishings, flat screen TVs, 1-2 bedrooms per bathroom, most with gas fireplaces and awesome views. For more information, click here. These new units are filling up fast, make your reservation today.

Christmas Shopping Done Easy
Sportsman’s gift certificates are great for the outdoor person on your list. Sportsman’s gift certificates are always the right color, size and price. Certificates are available to use at any of the three locations and never expire.Order yours online today.

working_on_finishing_touches_in_villas

Working On Finishing Touches In Villas

Villas soon complete

Villas Soon Complete

New Villas

New Villas

Ice on Shallow Bays

Ice On Shallow Bays

Fish Houses Are Ready

Fish Houses Are Ready

It’s Freezing Season

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Soft water fishing has pretty much come to a close this week. A few hard core anglers are still out, but for the most part we are getting ready for hard water! It is time to start stocking the tackle boxes and re-stringing the poles.

11-12-2013-freezing-up

It Won’t Be Long Now!

We have had some real cold nights earlier this week that froze up some ice sheets on the river and some of the larger bays. Unfortunately, most of those have dissipated, but that is typical for this time of year. It is still early. The water is cold and ready! If we can get 10 days of below zero weather that usually sets us up with 10-12 inches of ice to kick off the season. Typically we start ice fishing in early December. It won’t be long, we can’t wait!

Lots of projects are going on at the lodge this fall at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location.
Three New Villas are being constructed and in the completion stage. They will be ready to rent in December. Stay tuned on our Facebook page for pictures coming soon! Our 3rd floor of motel rooms is getting a face lift, some new fish houses are being built, landscaping in front the lodge main entrance has been re-done, the lodge was freshly painted on the exterior and new shingles were put on the lodge room wing over the summer too. We are excited to show you are new improvements!

Winter Reservations
If you haven’t made your reservations for winter yet, now is the time! Give us a call Sportsman’s Lodge 800-862-8602, Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge & Eagle Ridge 800-772-8411, Sportsman’s Sleeper Division 218-634-1589 or request online. Ice fishing season starts in is less than a month!

11-14-2013-freezing-up-2

Freezing Up!

 

Soft Water Fishing Is Coming to a Close

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If you still have your boat out, come on up. The fishing has been great! We had an excellent emerald shiner run. Large schools of walleyes have been found in the Rainy River near Wheeler’s Point, Wabanica Church, Baudette Airport and Clementson Rapids this week. Vertical jigging with a 1/2-1 oz jig tipped with a shiner has been working well. Some of the shallow bays have iced over, but the main lake and river have not. Lodging is available at great rates as low as $30 per person per night  plus tax (based on double occupancy). Our restaurant, bar, pool and guided trips are now closed until December.

Making Ice!
The temperature keeps dipping. Ice Fishing is just a month away! Book your winter trip online or call 800-862-8602. We will have 3 NEW Villas ready in December, availability is limited! Call today!

weather_14-1_to_11-13-2013

 

A Few Weeks Left Of Soft Water Fishing

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Water temperature is a cool 41 degrees today. A perfect time to find a good mess of walleyes up the Rainy River. The emerald shiners continue to run strong and the walleyes are pushing up river. Anchoring and vertical jigging a 1/2 -1 oz gold jig or gold spinner and sinker tipped with an emerald shiner (available at most bait stores in the area) is working well. Areas from Lighthouse Gap to Birchdale in 12′-16′ of water have been your best bet. We have a few charter boats available and 18′-20′ outfitter boats for guided trips available for a few more days. Dock slips are also available.

LOTW_Video_10-30-2013

Check out video of a crew that was in the area this past week for some more tips.


Lodging is available through freeze up.
We have some great rates as low as $30 per person per night plus tax now through November. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or book online. Please note our bar, restaurant and pool are now closed until December.

Ice Ice Baby 
The thermometer read 10 degrees yesterday morning. It won’t be long and the big ol’ pond will be ready for ice fishing. Don’t be left at home this winter. Give us a call to book your stay Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River 800-862-8602, Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge or Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge 800-772-8411 or click here to book online. We offer full service ice fishing packages so you do not have to bring a thing, just come and enjoy good fishing. Click here for more information.

Help Stop Invasive Species!

Water Temperature Has Dipped

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The water temperature has dipped into to a cool 40 degrees this morning. We even had a skiff of ice on a few of the shallow bays. Big walleyes are on the move in the river and the shiner run continues to be significant. Anglers are getting some nice walleyes in the river around Wabanica Church, Wheeler’s Point, Baudette Airport and Clementson. Anchored with a half-ounce jig has been successful. We expect to see good soft water fishing right up until freeze up.

Halloween Party is Saturday!
Pack your costume in your tackle box and join us for our annual Halloween Party Saturday, Oct 26! 7pm-1am. $200 cash for the best costume. Drink and food specials, entertainment, contests, prizes and a whole lot of fun!  Click here for more information and to book your lodging reservations.

Lodging
Lodging will continue to be open through freeze up. Many of our amenities will be closed, but if you are looking for good fishing and peace and quiet, late October and November are great times to come relax in the north woods. Our pool is currently closed until December. Our restaurants and bar will close after Saturday, Oct 26. Lodging as low as $30 per person. Call for details and availability 800-862-8602 or online.

Winter Trip
Prime winter dates are booking up! Give us a call Sportsman’s Lodge 800-862-8602, Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge or Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge 800-772-8411 or book online today!

Fishing Has Been INCREDIBLE & AMAZING Lately!

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This is no fish story! Large schools of walleyes have been found just outside Lighthouse Gap and Morris Point Gap in huge numbers. Reports of a limit and some incredible fishing have been found in a couple hours of time lately.  Anchored in 23’-26’ of water and jigging with chubs or shiners is working the best.

10 Day Forecast

River Report
Currently, we are seeing some action in the river but the best action is still outside of the gaps and four mile bay. We expect this to change as soon as the water temperature dips down 8-10 more degrees.  Current water temperature is 54 degrees right now. We are expecting cool weather for the next 10 days; it shouldn’t take long to dip down, maybe 3-4 days.  The shiners continue to run and boy, are they plentiful! River fishing is going to be good right up until freeze up!

Justin McClay with 31.5 inch walleye Victoria, MN pink jig Oct 2013

Justin McClay with 31.5 inch walleye
Victoria, MN pink jig Oct 2013

22 and 24 inch double Matt and Sam with Captain Mike on 10-12-2013

22 and 24 inch double Matt and Sam
with Captain Mike on 10-12-2013

Matt 41 inch sturgeon - largest of 5 as of 2pm for the day 10-15-2013

Matt 41 inch sturgeon – largest of 5
as of 2pm for the day 10-15-2013

Chris reels in a nice pike!

Chris reels in a nice pike!

Guided Trips Available
Guided trips are still available for another few weeks. We have 18’-20’ outfitter boats and 27’ sportscraft boats to guide you to your catch. Equipment, bait, tackle, guide, and fish cleaning all provided!

Come for the Fishing and Stay for the Party!
Annual Halloween Party is Saturday, Oct 26! $200 Cash for best costume. Entertainment, contests, drink and food specials and a whole lot of fun!  Book one of our Stay and Play packages and get lots of free goodies! Limited supply, so book today!

Fall Fishing Update

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Fishing has been hot! Large schools of walleyes are being found just outside Lighthouse Gap and Morris Point. They are ready for the big push to the river very soon. Water temperature decreased 7 degrees this week. We are sitting at 54 degrees right now. Frost was reported in parts of our area yesterday morning. We are looking forward to the cooler temperatures to help push the walleyes to the river soon. Anchored and jigging with gold or pink/gold/white combination has worked well in 23’-28’ of water. The best bait has been chub or shiner minnow. We still have some openings for fall fishing. Give us a call at 800-862-8602 or book online here. Lodging and charter/lodging trips are still available.

10 Day Forecast 

weather_10-8_to_10-17-2013

Newly engaged Ryan and Kenzie fell in love with fall fishing. They enjoyed a great day on the water with friends and family!

Newly engaged Ryan and Kenzie fell in love with fall fishing. They enjoyed a great day on the water with
friends and family!

Book online now or call 800-862-8602. 

Anyone Have a Fever?
Have you heard? A bad case of ice fishing fever has started to rock the fishing world! In 60 days or less, the good times in the fish house will roll. Join us for a fun, relaxing winter adventure. (Fishing trips make great Christmas presents too!) Book and pay in full for your winter fishing trip at any of the three Sportsman’s locations (excluding the sleeper division) by Oct 25, 2013 and receive DOUBLE Sportsman’s reward points. Click here to sign up and book your trip today!

Halloween Party
Come for the fishing and stay for the party! Throw the gorilla costume in the tackle box and join us for our annual Halloween Party, Saturday, Oct 26.  It is always a fun time and great prizes too! $200 cash for the best costume! That is like us paying you to come fishing! We will also have drink and food specials and great entertainment too. Book one of our Stay & Play packages for the best value and free stuff!

Shiner/River Fishing Update

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The weather forecast is looking cool. Good news! That should kick the river fishing into high gear! Walleyes are schooled up just outside the gap right now. The cool weather and shiners should start pushing them up river soon. Current water temperature is 61 degrees.

10 Day Forecast

10 Day Forecast

50 fish in 3 hours
You don’t have to wait for the river fishing to get into some good fishing!  Sunday afternoon, the crew pictured went out for 3 hours just outside the gap anchored in 27’ of water and reeled in fish after fish. They sorted fish and kept a limit in no time. Jigging with red/white/gold and sparkly gold jigs tipped with a minnow was the hot ticket.

3 hours Turner-Hennum-Vig crew

3 hours Turner-Hennum-Vig crew

6-year-old Jameson and 6-year-old Wyatt catching their 8th fish of the day!

6-year-old Jameson and 6-year-old Wyatt catching
their 8th fish of the day!

Fall foliage is at peak right now. Come enjoy the beautiful views, crisp air and incredible walleye fishing!

Halloween Party
Sportsman’s Annual Halloween Party is Saturday, Oct 26. Come for the fishing and stay for the fun! $200 cash prize for best costume! Entertainment, contests, prizes, drink and food specials are being planned. Book one of our Stay and Play packages for the best value. Only 50 are available.

Restaurant & Bar will be open until Oct 26/27. Lodging will remain open through the fall. Come and enjoy peace and quiet this fall.

Book your winter trip today!
**SPECIAL** Book your trip by Oct 25 at any of the 3 Sportsman’s locations and pay in full for winter dates and receive DOUBLE Sportsman’s Loyalty points! Reserve online or call 800-862-8602 today.