Summer rolls on!

Nice weather patterns have stuck around the area producing nice warm summer days and hot fishing! The fishing has remained steady and so have the patterns, deep rock structure still seems to hold a majority of the fish and fishing pressure. On overcast or windy days these fish are moving shallow to feed, shallow shorelines or rock piles adjacent to the deep structure. Crayfish and minnows of various sorts abound in the shallow rock and sand and the walleyes look for low light conditions to put the sneak on. We can’t forget about the mud though, nice walleyes still cruise the main basin.

Spinners and crawlers have been really good this past week, hammered gold and pink blades are hot right now but keep changing colors because the fish do. Drifting shallow windswept gravel and sand flats or shallow rock piles are a good option. 3/8 ounce rattle jig in the “wonder bread” color is hot right now, minnow and leeches are good options to start with but you can also use pieces of crawler or gulp as well.

Luke Rankin 29 inch walleye

Fish flies are on the rise in Lake of The Woods!

Mayflies are hatching out all across the lake leaving blankets of bugs on the water and in your boat. Fishing has not been affected however, the Woods has so many walleyes that it’s tough to shut down this bite. The deep rock structure remains the steady pattern for the most part, fish are moving up and down this structure routinely and will often be up shallow on top of the rock when aggressive and will slide off to the deeper edges when not so aggressive.

Pulling crank baits and spinners are a steady go to right now, #5 and #7 shad raps in assorted colors are a good option to start with. For a more relaxing option you can hold on the tops or the edge of deep structure and vertically jig with a minnow. 3/8 ounce jig, change colors to find the fish’s choice of the day.

Have a blast in Baudette on the 4th of July

Several activities planned including a parade, entertainment, good food, games and a spectacular fireworks display. Bring the whole family and stay 3 nights at Sportsman’s Lodge Baudette/Rainy River Location and get the 4th night free! Click here for the complete schedule of events and to make your reservation now. 

Fishing remains good and mosquitoes remain plenty!

Most of the boat traffic has been headed north to the Garden Island area, the expansive rock structure the area has to offer has been littered with walleyes. Numerous presentations will work now, jigs and pulling spinners are the bread and butter for the guides right now but trolling crank baits will work as well and often times catch the biggest fish. Don’t forget about the south basin in the mud, big schools of walleyes still hold here and you can sometimes find “hot spots” in the mud.

Tie on a 3/8 ounce jig and tip it with a minnow or leech and your set if your going to jig fish. Change color and try jigs with rattle chambers or props, the extra noise and vibration is helpful sometimes. Look for fish “on top” of rock piles and scattered around the bottom of the structure where it starts to meet the mud. Depth of the fish will vary on these reefs, you may find them in 10′ to 12′ of water on top of a pile or holding part way down the pile in 20′ to 24′. In the mud look for fish to be in water over 30′ right now.

Lodging, Fishing & Meals!

Take a trip to Sportsman’s Lodge and catch the summer excitement!

Check out summer packages here.

Lots of activities planned for the 4th of July. You won’t want to miss it!

Cormack 27 inch walleye part of MFM group

New windsock on the river.
Thanks to those responsible

Ramona Mitchell of Bismark, ND 28 inches.
Capt. Dave (Green spinner w/ minnow)

Even the guide catches one now and then

Summer Begins!

6/21/13

The fishing and weather has remained steady all week. We have had some nice warm sunny days and the water has had a chance to start warming up. Fishing reefs and rubble rock areas have been most productive as of late, the mud still has some fish but catches have been spotty. Weed growth in the bays and river are prime for multi species right now.

Jig and minnow combo is still one of the most consistent ways to catch fish right now. Change colors to find a hot color, gold and orange are good starters right now. Pulling spinners and crank baits are still effective. Cast weed less spoons, spinner baits, and plastic minnow immitations in and around weed cover for northerns, bass, walleye, and maybe and occasional random musky.

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4th of July Free Night Lodging!
Make plans to stay at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River/Baudette location over the 4th of July holiday.

Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night FREE! We have something for everyone!
Incredible Walleye Fishing, Charter Trips, Lodging, Camping, Indoor Pool, Bar, Restaurant, Entertainment, 4th of July Events and much more!
Click on the link for more information and to book your trip today!

Andrew Kramer 28 1/4 inch walleye

Jacque Blackman 28 inch walleye

Anthony Hermanson with Hermanson group caught a big 27 inch with Capt. Troy.

Nice week of walleyes and weather!

Some rain has found its way back into the area by the end of the week but the last week has beautiful and fishing has been steady. The stable weather pattern has prompted many fish to continue on into early summer patterns. Many walleyes are being found scattered on rock piles and sand and gravel flats. The mud continues to hold fish too, anchoring and jigging.

Jigging with minnows and leeches around rock piles with ¼ to 3/8 ounce jigs. 20 to 25 feet of water has been productive but they change depths rapidly. Pulling #7 shads along gravel and rocky shorelines has still been effective. Pulling bottom bouncers and spinners around the rock reefs is a good option too, and is a good way to find where they are concentrated on a piece of structure. Look to gold and orange to start with for spinners, and “baby bass” for shad raps. Gold and anything glow or with a rattle for jig options.

Celebrate Dad this June at Sportsman’s Lodges!
Father’s Day is June 16.
Fishing Packages and Gift Certificates available.
100% Walleye Guarantee!

Book a 2 day charter with us. Click here for more about our charter fishing trips and our 100% walleye guarantee!

Brian Mason catches this 28 ½” monster fishing with Captain Troy
Steve Melcher reels in a 30” with Captain Dave on 6/8/13!
Captain Darrel’s double