We are starting to see quite a stream of shiners the past few days in the river. Water temperature is falling, currently at 61 degrees this morning, down 5 degrees this week. The stage is getting set for the walleyes to start pushing up river soon!

Currently the best bite is in 25’-30’ outside Pine Island, Long Point and Zippel Bay. Crank baits or jigging with spinners or jigs tipped with a minnow have been equally successful.  The Lighthouse Gap has been a good place too, especially late afternoon and evening.

Bernie Jilek 26 inch walleye with Captain Flip

Bob Meyer 27.5 inch walleye with Captain Flip

Fall Specials
Lodging as low as $39* per person per night and lodging and fishing packages as low as $188 per person. Reel in some walleyes and enjoy the view today. Reserve online now.
*Plus tax based on double occupancy.

Halloween Bash
Sportsman’s annual Halloween Bash is Saturday, Oct 26. $200 cash for best costume! Contests, entertainment and a whole lot of fun! Reserve one of our Stay and Play packages today. Two night package is only $169 ($363 value). Packages are available to the first 50 people. Reserve yours today!

Changing weather, changing leaves and changing fish patterns.  The weather especially in the evenings has been cooler this week. We are still enjoying the warm up in the afternoons in the 60’s and 70’s.  We expect to enjoy much of the same weather in the next few weeks.  Water temperature has made a 7 degree drop this week to 64 degrees. Starting to cool down!

We are starting to see some of the walleyes start to make a move a little shallower. Areas outside Long Point and Pine Island were good in 27’-30’ trolling with crank baits or bait fishing, anchored with a minnow and jig yesterday morning and early afternoon.  A shallower bite was found late afternoon and evening bait fishing in 6’-15’ in the same areas.  Some shiners are starting to show up in the river. It won’t be long and the fall Rainy River fishing frenzy will be in full force! Do you have your reservation in?

Does it get any better then this?

Fall Specials
Lodging, Camping, Outfitter Guided Trips, Charter Guided Trips are available all at great fall rates!

Noon with Captain Dave McDougall

Winter is just around the corner
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Halloween Party
Our annual Halloween costume party is Saturday, Oct 26. Contests, $200 Cash for best costume, specials, entertainment and more! Book one of our stay and play packages for discounts and free stuff! We have a limited supply so do not delay.

We are still finding some of the best fishing in the usual late summer areas, but cooler temperatures are in the forecast.

Captain Dave reports some of the best fishing this week has been found in 30’-35’ of water pulling crank baits over shallow rocks. Areas near Zippel Bay and Long Point have been some of the best. A good evening bite just near Pine Island in 6’-12’ of water bait fishing with a minnow and 3/8 oz. gold  jig or gold spinner has also been consistent.

Walleyes should start moving in shallower waters and up river and bait fishing with jigs or spinners will dominate the presentation of choice in the coming weeks.  Once the emerald shiners start to run up river the walleyes will sure to be after them. Water temperatures in the lower forties are usually one of the indicators of prime time for the shiners to start to run. Right now our current water temperature is sitting between 69-71 degrees. The forecast is calling for highs in the 60’s  and lows in the 40’s maybe even a dip into the 30’s this week. Few rain showers tonight. The wind forecast is reporting winds light and variable for the next few days.

Fall Sturgeon Bite
The fall sturgeon bite has been very good. A large 5 or 6 size circle hook tipped with a gob of worms works best. Areas at the edge of deep holes in the Rainy River bottom have been the most successful.

Erica Eichhoff from Shakopee with
28 inch walleye and Captain Darryl

Mark and Captain Dan

No equipment necessary!
Reserve your guided charter trip today and just bring yourself and a camera. We supply the bait, tackle, poles and clean your fish. We can even prepare you a box lunch or shore lunch. No hassles, just fun! Click here to book now.

Beautiful fall weather started out the week and it sounds like the balance of the week will be the same.  Cool nights and warm days. Up next, fall colors, emerald shiner run and changing walleye patterns.

A mixed bag of approaches for targeting walleye has been working this week. Pulling crank baits in the mud and along rocky points in 11’-12’.  Bait fishing in 20’-25’and 38’-40’ along rock edges with a minnow and gold spinner too.  For an evening bite, bait fishing with a minnow and 3/8 oz jig along Pine Island and Morris Point in shallow 8’-12’ has been very successful.

Don’t count out the sturgeon!
The lake sturgeon season to keep one is only open for one more month. September 30 will mark the close until next spring. These dinosaurs of the water can put up quite a fight so if you are looking for a challenge or would like to extend your day of fishing, ask about our, Guided Outfitter trips. We have a few eighteen to twenty-foot Lund boats that work great for sturgeon and northern pike fishing in the river.

It’s a double! Captain Troy’s crew had a great day!

Connor Cusick with 28 inch walleye guided by Captain Troy

Fall Specials
Check out our fall specials and book your fall charter or outfitter trip. Soft water trips are available until late October. We can accommodate groups of 1-200. Reserve one of our packages that include 2 nights lodging, guided fishing, use of gear and meals starting at only $188 per person.

Summer heat came back! Walleye fishing has been great! Lots of action! Nice quality 14”-18” and 23”+ too.  Trolling with crank baits in the mud 32’-35’ in northern Big Traverse and shallow rock 11’-15’ is working. Drifting and jigging in the evening in the shallow sand near Pine Island 6’-12’ has also been successful.

Lake Sturgeons are active!
Lake sturgeons are biting in the river in the deep holes with current. Anglers have spotted several jumping in the evening hours. Quite the show! Keep one (within size limits, refer to DNR regulations for details) season lasts until Sept 30 and catch and release season is Oct 1-April 23. To keep one you just need to purchase a $5 sturgeon tag and have Minnesota fishing license. Click here for more information on licenses and limits.

6-year-old Andrew Burquest from Elk River, MN & 28.5 inch walleye caught in 34 feet of water using a crawler harness 8-10-2013

Veteran fisherman Kenny Hopp reeled in a nice 30 inch walleye on a fire tiger shad rap while fishing with Captain Dave

30.5 inch walleye caught by Joe Waller and guided by Captain Darryl

28 inch walleye caught by a member of the Hagen group Captain Mike

Labor Day Weekend Special!
Stay 3 and get the 4th night FREE at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location! We will also be hosting our 2nd Annual 80’s Party on Saturday, Aug 31. Pack your zubaz! For reservations book online or call 800-862-8602.

July 26, 2013

Late July and August on the south shore of Lake of the Woods is known for its lunker walleyes and that is just what has been going on!  The fishing has been good.  Several slot fish and larger as well some nice 14”-18” walleyes for shore lunch or to take home too.   Trolling with crank baits using controlled depth methods just off the rock reefs in 28′-32′ and in the mud in 30′-34′ have been working very well.  Red and white crank baits have been hot the past few days.  Areas around Knight & Bridges have been good spots. Drifting and bait fishing with crawlers or leeches in 29’-31’has brought in some nice ones too. If you like the thrill of reeling in a 20+ inch walleye now is the time! We have some openings left in August. Give us a call to book your last minute summer  trip!

Dianne Streiff 28 inches red shad rap released Captain Dave

100% Walleye Guarantee
Our guarantee to you continues to the end of our season, Oct 31, 2013! Book a 2 day fishing trip on one of our charter boats and we guarantee you will leave with or eat your limit of walleyes or we will pay you $10 per fish short!

Kelly Haberling Miller, SD 28 inch walleye Guided by Captain Dave

50% off Camping this Fall
Take advantage of our 50% off camping site offer when you book a two night or better stay for dates  of Sept 2-Oct 16 or Oct 20-31 by Aug 15. Don’t delay this offer only lasts until Aug 15!

80’s Party & Labor Day Special
This Labor Day Weekend we will be holding our 2nd Annual 80’s party!  Throw your Zubaz in your tackle box, feather your hair and get ready for a whole lot of fun! Specials, Entertainment, Games, Costume Contest and much more planned. Check out our website for more information by clicking here.  We will also be offering a stay 3 nights, get the 4th night free special that weekend as well. Give us a call today 800-862-8602 to book your lodging reservations.

Walleye fishing remains steady on the rocks along the north end of the Big Traverse. Nice walleyes have been located in 8’ to 11’ of water on top of shallow rock piles and rocky windblown shoreline areas. Deeper rock structure also has its share of nice walleyes, most of the active fish have been located on the top of rock. 

Pulling spinners over the top of the shallow rock with crawlers and leeches has been very productive. A wide variety of colors have been working, gold and orange are good starters. A jig and minnow is a good alternative in 1/4 to 3/8 ounce, vertically jigged over top of the rock structure. Gold, orange, and chartreuse are always good.