Fishing is great!

July 22, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Lots of nice walleyes have been caught this week. Guests going out on charters have been enjoying good fishing action with a mix of 12”-28” walleyes. A mix of bait fishing and trolling for crank baits has been working well! If you jump on a charter, no equipment is required. We will take care of the bait, poles, tackle, get you on the fish and clean your fish too. It has been a warm few days with highs in the upper 80’s, great weather to be floating around and reeling in walleyes. Water temperature is currently 73 degrees. Gold, orange, silver/white and white/red have been popular colored tackle. Bait fishing has been best using a spinner, 1-2 ounces of weight and tipped with leech or crawler. Hot spots have been out in the mud along the south shore of Lake of the Woods or further north up on the reefs in 26’-32’.

Groups of 1+ welcome!
We welcome groups from 1+. Charter trips include the guide, aboard a 27’ Sport Craft boat, onboard restroom, use of poles, bait, tackle, assortment of water and pop and fish cleaning. Box lunches and shore lunches available for an additional fee. Give us a call and pack the camera! July & August trips still available!

Check out some of the fishing action this week from guides Wes, Travis & Mike!

Spinners & Reefs

July 15, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

This week we have experienced a mixture of sun and rain. The 10 day forecast looks much more stable and lots of sun. The best approach for reeling in the walleyes this week has been using a silver, white or gold spinners, 1-2 ounces of weight tipped with a minnow or leech in the mud bottom and around the reefs in 20’-30’ of water. Water temperature is 71 degrees.

Muskies & Pike
Shallow weedy bays have been best although we do notice they are on the move to the points. Rock piles and cabbage have been good spots. Casting buck tails and jerk baits has been working best during the day and top water baits in the evening.

Blue Skies & Walleyes are in the Forecast

July 15, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

The past week the weather has been up and down but it looks like starting tomorrow the forecast is shaping up! We still have openings for the summer and fall season. Come enjoy some summer fun!

The Scoop
The water temperature is holding stable at 70-72 degrees. A bunch of really nice fish have been reeled in this week. Check out these pictures! The best technique has been mixed. Some anglers are doing really well with white/silver and red spinners, 1-2 ounces of weight and tipping it with a leech or minnow. Other anglers are finding that trolling with crank baits is working the best. Outside of Zippel Bay, Graceton Beach and the northern reefs in Big Traverse have all been hot spots in 26’-32’. Our guides always want to give you the best experience but if you prefer one approach over another we are happy to accommodate. Charter trips include a guide aboard a 27’ Sport Craft boat with onboard restroom, use of poles, bait, tackle, assortment of pop and water and fish cleaning. Shore lunches and box lunches available too.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge Fishing Report July 6, 2016

July 6, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Hit or Miss
The fishing has been hit or miss this week. The best tip is if one method doesn’t work try another. We are also getting to the end of the fish fly hatch so that should help the bite as well. The best approach has been using 3/8 oz. gold jigs tipped with a minnow or gold and pink spinners and a few ounce sinker tipped with a night crawler or leech in 20’-30’ of water on the reefs. Anglers are also find a few pulling crankbaits in shallow bays as well. The current water temperature is 68 degrees.

Muskies & Northern Pike
The bite was a little slow last week with the cold snap but the weather the past week has warmed up nicely and the bite has started to pick up. Shallow weedy bays using small baits are working well. Guide tip is to slow down your retrieval. As we move into late July we expect the bite to really get good!

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report July 6, 2016

July 6, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Lots of Options
Stock up your tackle box or leave the hassle to a guide. The fish flies have hatched and the weather is warming up which means the best way to lure in some walleyes is changing. The best method right now is using a few methods. Drifting or trolling with a gold and pink spinner tipped with a night crawler or leech is one method. Drifting and jigging with a 3/8 oz. flashy colored jig and a minnow is another option. The third option anglers are just starting to use is down rigging with rapalas. The walleyes are starting to go deeper. 20’-32’ outside of Zippel Bay and on the northern reefs have been hot spots. It has been a beautiful week of weather here this week. The water temperature has warmed up to 70 degrees now, up 5 degrees this week. Don’t let summer pass you by! Get out and enjoy it!

Billy Hedtke reeled in a nice 27 inch walleye! (released)

2nd time fishing and she reels in a 27 inch walleye! Nice job Chris from Sleepy Eye MN! (released) Guided by Captain Mike

SUMMER HOT DEALS! SUMMER HOT DEALS!
The weather is warming up and so are the hot deals! Sign up here to receive hot deals right to your inbox.

100% Walleye Guarantee!
Yes you heard it right! Click here for more information.

Muskie fishing is heating up and walleyes are on the move

June 29, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Walleyes are on the move this week to the reefs. Anglers have been finding the best schools in 20’-30’ of water on the reefs using a 3/8 ounce gold and orange jigs and a minnow. Pulling gold spinners and bottom bouncers in the same depth outside of the reefs using crawlers or leeches has been working too. Areas around Big Narrows, Little Oak and east side of Falcon Island have all been producing lots of nice walleyes.

Kuechle Group guided by Captain Mike Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Muskie
We are starting to hear of more muskies being seen. Lots of picture snapping has been going on and stories to tell. Several measuring 40+ inches have been found lately. Top water and small baits have been the best in shallow weedy bays.

Fishing, Fireworks & Lake Time

June 29, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

It’s that time of year when it is time to sit back, take in some lake time and reel in the walleyes. The forecast is looking much better too! It has been a little windy and rainy here lately. The Baudette area is also gearing up for their 4th of July celebration. If you haven’t made plans yet, come for a visit. Lots of events are planned for the whole family.

Fresh Walleye YUM!
Nothing beats fresh walleye! Enjoy a shore lunch midday on a nearby island where your guide will fry up your morning catch over an open flame and serve it with all the fixings. Another great option is enjoying some of your fresh catch in the bar as an appetizer. We will do the cooking and the dishes!

Jay Swanson from Argyle MN 27 inch walleye released. Guided by Captain Dave McDougall

Olson Group guided by Captain Darryl

So what is hot and what’s not?
The best fishing has been in the northern reefs of Big Traverse using gold, pink or white/silver spinners, a 2-3 ounce sinker and a night crawler or leech. A mix of approaches including anchored and jigging as well as drifting or trolling depending on the wind speed for the day have both been successful. A combination of shallow and deep depths 12’-16’ outside of Pine Island and Zippel Bay and 26’-30’ further north near Garden Island, Little Oak and Bridges. The water temperature has been between 66-70 degrees this week. The best advice I can give you is? Get here now!

4th of July Celebration is Monday
Are you ready? We are! Enjoy fishing, lodging, camping, musical entertainment, full service bar, game room, indoor pool and 3 dining venues at the lodge. The Baudette/Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce and area businesses have a lot of fun planned, parade, vendors, fireworks, 5k and entertainment to name a few. We have some construction we are working around in town right now but still lots of room for all of the events. Click here for the full schedule of events. Lodging and fishing still available! Give us a call 800-862-8602.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge Fishing Report June 22, 2016

June 22, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Walleye Bite
Not too many changes this week. Anglers using jigs tipped with a chub minnow are having luck along shorelines in 8’-14’ and 26’-28’ of water. Gold jigs or spinners tipped with a minnow or worm is the best approach. Water temperature is holding steady at 66 degrees.

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

Muskie season is open!
Some success was had this week with several nice follows and a few nice ones reeled in. South facing shallow bays with a soft bottom in 4’-10’ of water using a buck tail are good spots this time of year. Buck tails are a great early season lure to start with. Interested in learning more about the best technique? Ask about our guided trips. Our experienced knowledgeable guides are available to teach you more about the sport and the Lake of the Woods area. Trips available through October.

The view from our front window

SUMMER HOT DEALS! SUMMER HOT DEALS!
The weather is warming up and so is the hot deals! Sign up here to receive hot deals right to your inbox.

66 years of fishing Lake of the Woods!

June 22, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Check out one of our long time guests, Fran 90 years young. Fran has been coming to Lake of the Woods since 1950 and to Sportsman’s since it was built in 1971. Her first trip was on her honeymoon. Fran doesn’t miss her annual fishing trip with guide Tony Beckel and she still has the touch to real in the walleyes. We can’t wait to see you again next year. Nice catch Fran!

The bite on Lake of the Woods continues to be good despite a few storms that passed through last week. The current water temperature is 66.5 degrees. Drifting with a spinner and 2-3 ounce sinker in 18-26 feet of water around Garden Island and Graceton Beach has been good. Plenty of 17-19 inch walleyes are being caught along with some larger walleye. Worms are being favored but leeches and minnows are not a bad idea to bring along too depending on the day. Guided trips available. Enjoy your summer and wet a line today.

Rob Close from Ellsworth WI reeled in a nice 23 inch walleye released. Guided by Captain Cam

Fran Wittfoth from Holland, MN 27 inch 8.5 lb walleye released Captain Tony Beckel

SUMMER HOT DEALS! SUMMER HOT DEALS!
The weather is warming up and so is the hot deals! Sign up here to receive hot deals right to your inbox.

4th of July Celebration
Walleyes, Fireworks, Parade, Entertainment and Summer Fun!
Click here to read all about the activities planned.

Deep during the day, shallow in the evening

June 17, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Walleyes are biting in 20’-25’ during the day and in shallow 7’-12’ in the evenings this week. Gold, white/red and pink spinners along with a 1-2 ounce sinker tipped with a minnow or night crawler has been working best. Jigging with a ¼-3/8 ounce jig tipped with a minnow or night crawler in 18’-25’ has been hit or miss but definitely a good alternative to try if you are not successful with the spinner. Water temperature is currently 66 degrees.

Pike
Northern pike on the smaller size 15”-25” have been reeled in this week and found in shallow weedy bays. We expect to see bigger ones moving in within the next few weeks. Successful anglers are using small spinners and spoons.

Bass
Shallow weedy bays right along with pike using small spinners and spoons is best.

Muskie season opens this Saturday!
South facing shallow bays with a soft bottom in 4’-10’ of water should be ideal. Buck tails are a great early season lure to start with. Interested in learning more about the best technique? Ask about our guided trips. Our experienced knowledgeable guides are available to teach you more about the sport and the Lake of the Woods area. Trips available through October.
Summer Trips Available. Lodging and guided trips available through October.

Don’t forget about dad!

If you are still looking for something to get dad, we have gift cards available and it is not too late to book a fishing trip for this summer.