Our Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge locations are now closed until December. Thanks for a great season! We look forward to seeing you this winter. For winter reservations and information, click on the link or call us at 800-772-8411.
Sportsman’s Lodge Fishing Report – 10/18/18
More sun this week!
Last week we wondered if it was December or October? Wind, snow and rain showed up in our neck of the woods. The good news is the forecast is calling for a lot more sun this week! Woohoo!
Looks like we are going to get a few warm days and then hold on to the cool temps the rest of the week but more sun is great!
Water temp has fallen 7 degrees this week. We are sitting at 40 degrees, a great sweet spot for a good fall bite.
Anglers are reeling in some nice walleyes. Anchored and jigging a jig and a shiner as well as trolling with crankbaits are working well in 12’-25’ in the river, bays and areas with current. Gold, glow and pink have been notable colors. Guided trips are available for a few more weeks, lodging available through the fall. Come have some fun!
Annual Halloween Party is next weekend
$200 CASH for best costume, entertainment, $2 beer special, FREE Witch’s Brew, $96 lodging special great fall fishing and more. Click here or call 800-862-8602.
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge – 10/18/2018
Jig, set, reeeeeeeeeeel
More sun in the forecast this week, yaaaaaaah! Last week was a little crazy. Snow! What???
We are excited about ice fishing season too but snow in early October was a bit of a surprise!
Some nice walleyes are being caught in 13’-26’ in areas where there is current and adjacent to deep water. A jig and a minnow are hot. Big muskie and pike are active. Trolling with jerk baits is working.
Crappies? Yes, they are active 20’-30’ deep holes with structure using a 1/8-1/4 oz. jig and minnow.
Water temp is hovering around 40-41 degrees.
Winter is just around the corner. Do you have your reservations in yet?
Sportsman’s Rainy River Fishing Report – 10/9/18
Nice fish caught this week!
Check out some of the pictures of the week. Thanks to everyone who submitted photos to us.
If you have photos you would like to share of your recent trip, Text 218-395-0042, Tag us on Facebook, or Click here to Email. We always love to hear your fishing story. You just might show up in our next fishing report!
What’s Hot
Anchored and jigging gold or any glow 3/8 or ½ oz. jig tipped with a shiner has been successful approach to bring in some nice walleyes. In the river, break lines and holes have been the best areas. Anchor on or adjacent to these areas. Outside of the gap anglers are finding nice results as well using the same method in 12’-26’. Shallow bite producing better in morning and evenings. Water temperature dipped 3 more degrees this week, sitting at 48. We got some wind and rain this week. Forecast says the wind is going to settle down in a few days and more sun expected next week although not much past upper 40’s. 
This should only help the river bite! Lodging, Bar, Food, dock slips, guided trips available through late October. Come have some fun!
It’s Party Time!
Throw your costume in your tackle box and join us Saturday, Oct 27 for a great time! $200 cash awarded for best costume, FREE Witch’s Brew, $2 Beer Specials and more great food and drink specials, entertainment and a whole lot of fun. Lodging starting at only $48* per person per night. Click here to learn more and book your lodging today.
*plus tax and based on double occupancy
Ice fishing season is just around the corner do you have your reservations in?
Oak Island Fishing Report – 10/9/18
Crisp Fall Air
Jig and a shiner or chub in areas where bait gathers especially in current areas are hot spots 13’-26’. Soldier’s point, Deep Water Bay and small islands just south of Oak have been good. Gold and pink are hot colors to try. Water temp is hovering in the upper 40’s. We are looking forward to more sun next week. An afternoon of fall fishing is hard to beat, great scenery, warm sun and walleyes in the boat.
Crappies
Crappie bite has been really heating up in 20’-38’ holes with structure.
Muskies
Trolling using spinner jerk baits around points and areas with current have been working best.
Anglers are reporting lots of active muskies.
Ice fishing season is just around the corner do you have your reservations in?
Oooooh baby! What a catch!
Oooooh baby!
You just never know what is going to nibble at your line when you are fishing for walleyes on Lake of the Woods! 
😳 Check out this awesome pike reeled in by Rich McGuire.
43 inch, 22lber caught on a white/pink/yellow jig and a shiner.
Guided by Captain Darryl. Nice catch Rich! Thanks for sharing your picture with us.
Sportsman’s Rainy River Fishing Report – 10/3/18
Check out what a great weekend the Ratajczyk’s had with Captain Brent!
The Ratajczyk’s write: “Wanted to say what a great guide Brent was this past weekend. Three of us got slot fish and had a memorable time at Sportsman with Brent as our guide. Wanted to send you the pics as we are all so excited to come back next fall again!”
Pink and pink/gold were hot colors for them!
The Bite is on!
Anglers are having some great luck anchored, jigging with shiners and chubs in varied depths between 12’-28’ in the main basin of Lake of the Woods, bays and the Rainy River. Lots of nice walleyes and saugers are being boated. Gold, pink and white are all notable colors working well. Some anglers having good luck trolling with plugs too. The shiners are moving and the water temperature continues to dip. We are down to 51 degrees right now.
For more information about the water temperature and statistics, click here for USGS data. The guides are ready to take you out! Guided trips available through late October.
Hook into a Monster
Catch and release sturgeon fishing started October 1 and runs through April 23.
Good Fishing & Party Time
Sportsman’s Annual Halloween Party is Saturday, Oct 27
Rustle up a costume; come for some good fishing and a fun party! $200 cash awarded for best costume, FREE Witch’s Brew, $2 Beer Specials and more great food and drink specials, entertainment and a whole lot of fun. Lodging starting at only $48* per person per night. Click here to learn more and book your lodging today.
*plus tax and based on double occupancy
Oak Island Fishing Report – 10/3/18
Good Fall Fishing
Temps continue to drop and nice walleyes are being reeled in. Jig and a shiner or chub around deep holes and current areas have been hot spots in 14’-26’. Gold, pink and glo are good jig colors. The crappie bite has been good in 20’-30’ holes with structure.
The fall pike and muskie bite is on!
Some veteran anglers swear fall is one of the best times to get into excellent muskie fishing. With 14,552 islands to explore their plenty of great fishing spots to be found. Rocky points and cabbage weed bays trolling with crankbaits or casting with jerkbaits are good areas this time of year. Not sure where to go? Take a guide. Guides and lodging is available for a few more weeks. Give us a call 800-772-8411.
Sportsman’s Rainy River Fishing Report – 9/26/2018
Water temperature is down 14 degrees this week
What a difference a week makes. The water temperature plummeted from 68 degrees to a cool 54 this morning.
The walleyes are really moving now. Anglers are seeing more and more walleyes move in shallower and in bays and the river daily. Anchored and jigging with a gold, glow in the dark or orange jig tipped with a shiner in 25’-29’ feet of water has been working well along the shorelines to find a mess of walleyes. Trolling with crank baits in the main basin also continues to bring in some nice fish too. Sturgeon fishing is hot. Check out this 68 incher caught by Andy!
Sturgeon – What a monster! Nice catch Andy 68 inch sturgeon guided by Captain Dan.
This is the last weekend for the “keep one” sturgeon season until April. Catch and release season starts Oct 1 and runs through April 23. A 4/0 hook, 2 ounce no roll sinker and a gob of minnows works well in deep holes. These monsters are a blast to catch. Come hook into a lunker.
Walleye – Great Day!
Time to start thinking winter reservations!
For the best dates and accommodations, book your winter trip now! 800-862-8602 or online here.
Oak Island Lodge Fishing Report – 9/26/2018
Fall Fishing
Walleyes are biting this week in varying depths between 16’-28’ of water using brightly colored jigs tipped with a minnow on the outsides of points. Soldier’s Point, Massacre Island and Deep Water Bay have all produced some nice walleyes. Water temperature is currently 55 degrees. A few hours in the boat is bringing in a nice meal. We have openings available now through mid-October and for the winter season. Give us a call 800-772-8411.
Muskies & Northern Pike
September and October are phenomenal months for some incredible muskie and pike fishing. Trolling using spinner jerk baits around points and areas with current are great spots as well as casting around rocks.
Crappies are biting
A good crappie bite going on right now in areas with structure. Jigging a pink or gold jig tipped with a minnow does the trick in 20’-30’ of water.
Winter is just around the corner, time to get your reservations in!
It won’t be long and the bombardiers will be running the ice, the fish houses will be placed and we will be reeling in walleyes through the ice. Now is the best time to get your reservations in for the best options of dates and accommodations. Reserve online here or give us a call. Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River 800-862-8602, Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge & Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge 800-772-8411 and Sportsman’s Sleeper House Division 218-634-1589.