Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/29/20

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Heading into August
And just like that here we are in the last month of summer. As much as I love summer fishing, the anticipation of the change in the season always gets me excited for the fall bite.

This week… The forecast for the week is looking like the mid-’70s. A nice summer temp for us Minnesotans. LOL Whew, the ’90s are a little warm for many of us northerners. Anglers are catching some nice walleyes mainly in deep water in the mud right now 27’-34’, drifting using gold, silver, or glow in the dark spinners tipped with a crawler, leech or minnow. Trolling with crankbaits has been a great approach too. The Water temp is 73 degrees.

Discounted Fall Rates start Sept 8 and our Sturgeon Tournament is Oct 30 & 31! Click here to check out our fall packages and here to learn more about our sturgeon tournament.

We have tournament spots open. Cash prizes.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Deep Waters
25’-34’ has been a good bite. A mix of using spinners with a crawler or leech, jigging with a minnow, and trolling with crankbaits have been the angler’s choice right now. Gold, pink, and bright orange are popular colors. Water temp is about 73 degrees.

Muskies & Northern Pike
A number of great spots among the islands of the Northwest Angle and Oak Island are ideal for trophy muskie and pike. Trolling deep bays and rocky points with bucktails, topwater and jerk baits are good bets.
Don’t count out throwing a few casts in a weedy bay too.

Bass
Smallmouth bass has been hitting around rock reefs in 4’-14’ using crankbaits.

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.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/21/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

Lots of slots
It has been a good bite this week, lots of slot fish and plenty to fry up. A slot walleye is a walleye 19.5”-28” in length that must be released after catching. Check out the lunkers in the pictures of the week. Many long time guests have been saying this summer, “Fishing has been some of the best they have ever experienced!”

What’s working? Drifting with hammered gold or bright colored spinners, 1-2 ounces of weight tipped with a crawler. Some anglers are now trying their luck at trolling with shad raps and having good luck too. Water temperature is 74 degrees.

Best depth has been 18’-27’. Tip of the Week: Keep your line tight and your drag light to bring in those trophy fish. Don’t let summer pass you by. Midweek guided trips available over the next few weeks. Weekends available late August and through the fall. Lodging available, midweek most anytime the rest of the season and weekends after July 25.

Fall Discounts Sept 8-Oct 31
Up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages. Check out our packages here and make plans to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Sturgeon Tournament
Our spring tournament was rescheduled to October 30 & 31. Openings are available. Click here to learn more about this popular tournament and sign up today.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Walleye, it’s what’s for Dinner
12’-23’ in the sand and 23’-29’ in our around rocks continues to produce results when going after walleyes. Drifting with a spinner, ounce or two of weight and a crawler has been working well. Trolling with shad raps has been worth a shot too. Deep bays and rocky points are hot spots for muskies right now using bucktails and topwater lures. The water temperature is 74 degrees.

Openings available
Sportsman’s Oak Island: July 27/28, August 2-6, 9-11, 16-17, 23-26, 30-Sept 1, 7-9, 14, 15, 20-23, 27-Oct 18

Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge Cedar Cabin – Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free: July 24-30, Aug 2-5, 15-21, 30-Sept 23, 27-Oct 18.

Call to book this cabin 800-772-8411.

Canadian Border Update
Unfortunately, we have once again been notified that the Canadian government has extended its border closure to August 21, 2020, at this time. The good news is, you still have options to come and enjoy some island time! The Lake of the Woods Passenger continues to provide service to and from the island from Sportsman’s Lodge in Baudette and has follow boat options. No border crossing required. For any questions or reservation changes, please contact us here or by calling 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/15/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

The Bite

Drifting with hammered gold spinners tipped with a crawler, leech or minnow and 1-2 ounces of weight and has been luring in the walleyes in 15’-25’ this week areas along the south shore and northern islands. A mix of good eaters and trophy walleyes. Water temp in the mid ’70s.

Fall & Winter Fishing

It is not too early to think about making fall and winter reservations. The fall bite can be incredible and ice fishing here on Lake of the Woods is one of a kind. Check out our fall and winter packages and contact us today.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

For the walleye bite, rock structure in 23′-29’ and in the sand 12’-23’ using hammered gold and orange crawler harnesses tipped with a crawler or using 3/8 oz jigs tipped with a minnow has been bringing in some nice walleyes and saugers. Smallmouth bass has been found around rock reefs in the islands in 5’-12’ using crankbaits or lipless cranks bounced off the bottom. Pike have been biting along rocky shorelines and weedy bays throwing out flashy daredevils and bucktails. Muskies are biting trolling in deep bays and rocky points using bucktails and topwater lures. Water temp is in the mid-’70s.

Cedar Cabin Special
July 24-August 8 Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night FREE!
Call to book this cabin 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/8/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

Check out this triple caught yesterday and more great pics from the week!

What a day!  Soukup Group guided by Captain Mike Marquardt.

It was another warm week but temperatures are now falling into the 70’s for the week ahead.

Water temp is currently in the upper 70’s. The may fly hatch started about a week ago.  Hatch seems to be more prominent on the north end of the lake compared to south shore.  Anglers have been catching some nice walleyes using jigs and spinners.  The jig bite has been slowing and more anglers now favoring the spinners  It is a shallow bite with jigs 8’-12’ and deeper, 15’-20’ drifting with spinners. Worms, chubs and shiners are the bait of choice. Gold and chartreuse are the hot colors.  Lots of summer left to enjoy, come have some fun.

Summer Deals

$99 Lodge Rooms and kids 17 and under stay free with 2 adults in lodge rooms too! Give us a call at 800-862-8602 to book your stay. The pool is open!

*Plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Hot Holiday
The 4th of July was a hot one in the 90’s.  Weather is cooling down this week. Water temp is in the upper 70’s. A mix of good fishing 9’-18’ in the sand and 24’-29’ on the edge of rock reefs have been working well to entice the walleyes. A 3/8 oz. gold jigs tipped with a minnow or gold and pink spinners and a few ounce sinker tipped with a night crawler.  Anglers are also find a few pulling crankbaits in shallow bays as well. The may flys have hatched. 

Muskies & Northern Pike
Shallow weedy bays using crankbaits and bucktails are working well using a slow retrieval method.

Check out this 67” sturgeon caught this week on a 3/8 oz jig by Scott O’Neill! WOW!
Now that would be a suprise to reel in while walleye fishing! Sturgeon season opened back open July 1 and runs through Sept 30. Catch and release season kicks off Oct 1.  What are you going to reel in?

Cedar Cabin Special
July 24-August 14 Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night FREE!
Call to book this cabin 800-772-8411.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 7/1/20

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Happy 4th of July!
It has been a warm week here this week in the 80’s.

Drifting with gold and chartreuse spinners in 23’-31’ and jigging with jigs in 7’-15’ has been working well to reel in some nice walleyes this week. Spinners tipped with a worm and jigs tipped with a chub or frozen shiner. The water temperature is 70 degrees. If you are not having success, try changing up the color of your tackle and/or jig size. Always be sure to find the bottom of the lake. On the bottom or just up 4-6 inches is usually the ideal location to find walleyes.

4th of July is Saturday
We still have a few openings. As of this morning, we had a 3 bedroom cabin, 3 and 5 bedroom villa open for the weekend and lodge rooms open for the next few days, Friday and Sunday nights. Our pool is open, we have some openings for guided trips and lake tours this week. Nearby Zippel Bay State Park beach and Oak Harbor golf course are open and of course, lots of areas to take the boat out and float around to enjoy. For entertainment Dynasty DJ will be entertaining Friday and Saturday in our bar and a fireworks display will be put on in Baudette on the 4th. Give us a call and come relax at the lake.

Can’t make it until after the 4th?
No problem, we still have some openings this summer. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or shoot us an email. We would be happy to check availability and give you a quote anytime.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Anglers are finding lots of nice fish
Despite not being able to fish on the Canadian side yet this summer due to the COVID border restrictions anglers are finding lots of nice on the Minnesota side. Check out the pictures on our Facebook page! Huge muskies, pike, walleye, and saugers as well as plenty for the pan are being caught. Hundreds of areas are being explored, many of which are normally hardly ever fished so don’t let the border restrictions keep you away.

Walleyes & Saugers
Gold and pink jigs and spinners continue to be the hot ticket along with some anglers using shad raps wth a shine or shimmer to them. A mix of minnows, crawlers, and leeches are being used for bait. Depths 8’-17’ in the sand and 25’-28’ around structure have been hot spots. Water temperature is in the lower 70’s currently and warming up more by the day.

Muskies & Northern Pike
Shallow weedy bays using crankbaits and bucktails are working well using a slow retrieval method.

4th of July week openings available and here and there throughout the summer.

Give us a call at 800-772-8411.
Passenger service is available from Sportsman’s Lodge to the island. No border crossing required.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 6/25/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

Lots of Sun in the Forecast

Looks like it is going to be a nice week to be out in the boat. Bring on the walleyes! Drifting with gold and glow in the dark spinners and a few ounces of weight has been working well tipped with a leech or crawler. Water temperature is in the mid 60’s and warming up by the day. The best depth has been 25’-31’ outside of the Lighthouse Gap, Morris Point, and north. The walleyes are waiting.

4th of July is next week
Come enjoy some lake time!

We have some openings available. Lodging, guided trips, lake tours, indoor pool, a nearby beach, and golf course. Dynasty DJ takes the stage July 3 & 4 and a fireworks display is planned in Baudette. Something for everyone, come have some fun.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Walleye, Pike, Bass….lots of options

Gold, pink or orange jigs or spinners tipped with a minnow or crawler has been working well to lure in the walleyes along shorelines in 8’-14’ and 26’-28’ of water around structure and the sand. Water temperature is in the mid 60’s.

Pike & Smallmouth Bass
Northern pike and bass have been found in shallow weedy bays. We have hundreds of bays just waiting for you. Successful anglers are using small spinners and spoons.

4th of July week openings available. Give us a call at 800-772-8411.
Passenger service is available from Sportsman’s Lodge to the island. No border crossing required.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 6/18/20

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

Lots of nice fish being caught! Check out the pictures of the week!

The guides have been finding some incredible fish this week. Lots of lunkers 25”+ and good eaters. It is always a blast to see so many smiling faces and memories being made. With everything going on in the world, a few days in the great outdoors can be just what a person needs. Water temp is warming up in the lower to mid 60’s now. Drifting with crawler harnesses or spinner with a leech in 24’-29’ has been hot spots. Some anglers continue to find luck anchored and jigging with a minnow in 13’-26’ on structure. Gold and orange have been hot colors. Come wet a line.

Father’s Day is June 21 and the 4th of July is just around the corner

We have gift cards and vacation packages available this summer. Purchase your gift card online and give us a call 800-862-8602 to book your summer trip.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Fishing Report
Lake of the Woods NW Angle & Islands

Drifting Away

Drifting with spinners and a leech or crawler harness around structure in 13’-25’ has been pulling in some incredible walleyes. Gold, orange, and yellow have been hot colors. Lots of slots and healthy-sized eaters. Water temp is about 63 degrees. The bays and rocky points have been producing huge pike and quality sized smallmouth bass using spinnerbaits. Check out the 41” er caught this week in our pictures of the week.

Border Update

Unfortunately, we didn’t get the news we were hoping for but we do have options to still get you here to enjoy the islands! To help reduce the spread of Covid-19 the Canadian government decided to extend their border closure to recreational travel through July 21 this week. That means no access to the Northwest Angle by land from the United States or fishing on the Canadian side of the lake is allowed at this time. However, we do have options for you to enjoy the beautiful islands and catch some fish until then! Lake of the Woods Passenger service runs a service from Sportsman’s Lodge to our dock. They have been running since early May and have openings available for the summer. No border crossing required. They also have options for people who would like to follow them up with their boats. Once you get here, we have guided fishing, lodging, full restaurant and bar, gas, bait, incredible views, and hundreds of acres to fish. Another option is our Adventure packages which include lodging a few nights at Sportsman’s Lodge and a few nights at Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge as well as fishing via a charter up to the island, around the island and back. Enjoy two locations in one trip. Give us a call for all the options, reservations, and any questions 800-772-8411.

 
Last-minute openings for this weekend!
Give us a call, we have some hot specials! 800-772-8411

www.oakislandlodge.com

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 6/10/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

Warmer Days Ahead

A few storms have rolled through the past few days but the forecast is calling for dryer weather and a warming trend in the week ahead. The best bite for walleyes has been in 23’-28’ drifting with spinners tipped with a leech or trolling with crankbaits. Gold and yellow have been popular tackle colors. The water temperature is in the upper 50’s. Tip of the Week ~ You can’t catch ’em sitting at home, come fish with us!

Father’s Day is June 21

We have gift cards and vacation packages available this summer. Purchase your gift card online and give us a call 800-862-8602 to book your summer trip.

Our pool, indoor dining, and bar opens back up today!

We continue to use extra cleaning protocols and social distancing practices to help keep everyone safe.

Oak Island Fishing Report

A good bite not too far away
Vertical jigging over rocks, rocky points and shorelines have been hot spots. Gold, orange, and yellow are popular tackle colors. Jigs tipped with a minnow in 12’-20’ has been good. Some anglers finding success drifting with spinners tipped with a leech too. Water temperature is still in the upper 50’s. Won’t be long and the muskie action will start cranking up in the bays.

We have openings available this weekend and throughout the summer. Give us a call 800-772-8411 or contact us online here.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 6/4/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge South End

A good bite continues

A mix of anchored while jigging with 3/8 oz jigs and a minnow, drifting with spinners and a few ounces of weight tipped with a leech or crawler and trolling with crankbaits are all methods used this week in 18’-25’. Pink, gold, and orange have been notable colors. One method over another did not necessarily mean a better catch rate but drifting and trolling at a slower speed did help.

Water temp is currently 55 degrees. Tip of the Week ~ Make sure to give the fish a good taste of the bait and then set the hook! Tight lines everyone!

Charter trips available for groups up to 6!

Come have some fun this summer. Two nights lodging and a full day of charter fishing including the guide starting at only $241 per person based on 6. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or click here, Let’s go fishing! *Plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Outdoor Dining is now available and our Rooftop Deck is complete!

Oak Island Fishing Report

Island Time

A good bite is close to Oak Island and the surrounding islands on the Minnesota side. The flats have been a popular spot. Jigging with an orange or gold 3/8 ounce jig tipped with a chub minnow along points 12’-20’ of water is bringing in nice walleye and saugers. Anglers are finding good success drifting with spinners in 8’-17’ of water tipped with a crawler or leech too. Water temperature is hovering between 55-60 degrees. The catch has been mainly 13”-18” walleyes and a few saugers in the mix.

We have openings available this weekend and throughout the summer. Give us a call 800-772-8411 or contact us online here.

Lake of the Woods South Shore & Oak Island Fishing Report – 5/27/20

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Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

The Summer Season has begun and the bite has been great!
So nice to see guests out enjoying the great outdoors. Many guests who headed out on the lake found a great bite the past week. Plenty to eat and some lunkers for some added excitement!

Water temperature is on the rise, 59 degrees now. Drifting and jigging with a white or gold jigs tipped with a frozen shiner or chub minnow is working well in 20’-24’. Tip of the Week ~ Don’t forget to set the hook!

Check out the pictures of the week! The Kimm group reeled in 17 trophy walleye over 28”!

$99 Lodge Rooms are back, all summer long and charter trips are available!
Charters available for groups of 2 plus the guide through May 31 and starting June 1, up to 6. All boats and equipment are thoroughly sanitized and our guides are wearing protective gear. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or click here, let’s go fishing!

Oak Island Fishing Report

Fishing is heating up!
Lots of nice walleyes were caught this past weekend. Shorelines and points in 12’-22’ were hot spots using gold or pink jigs tipped with a minnow. Some had success anchored and others drifting. Pike, bass, crappie and perch season is also open. We have lodging and guided trips available. Come enjoy some island time!

Need a ride to the island? Passenger service is available from Sportsman’s Lodge.
Contact us to book your trip.