Sportsman’s Lodge

Rolling into August
A good bite has been going on this week for walleye and sauger.

Drifting or trolling with spinners tipped with a crawler or minnow and trolling with crankbaits in the mud 28’-34’ and 17’-23’ off the south shore. Silver, pink, hammered gold, white and red have all been good colors.

Get your Labor Day Weekend Reservations In
www.sportsmanslodges.com

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Warm Weather Continues On
Another warm week is ahead of us this week. Water temperature is sitting in the mid-’70s. Drop a line with a spinner, ounce or two of weight, and a minnow in 17’ – 23’ in the rubble rock and mud to find the walleyes and saugers. There is a lot of baitfish getting out offshore so look for those clouds of baitfish on your electronics. Pull spinners through these areas and you should find some fish.

Walleyes, Saugers, Muskie, Pike, Crappie, Perch, and Bass have been the catch of the day. Lots of species in the islands to go after. Check out some of the variety in the pictures of the week. You can find the pike, bass, and muskie in the weedy bays and rock points. Go deep for the best bass fishing. Spinnerbaits spoons and bucktails work well for pike and bass. Muskies are hot after topwater and jerk baits. Good luck fishing!

Canadian Border Opens to American Travelers August 9
Progress is being made. Travelers must have a negative PCR COVID test less than 72 hours old and be fully vaccinated. At this time, we believe fishing in Canadian waters may not be allowed until a later date but traveling to the Northwest Angle to get to us will be. Please keep in mind, we do not have any COVID tests available at the Northwest Angle or Island. For more information about the current guidelines click here.

For more ways to get to the island….
Check out Lake of the Woods Passenger Service & Lake Country Air Service.

Catch a great deal in October
The walleye, muskie, bass, sauger, perch, crappie, and pike bite can be absolutely phenomenal and we have some great fall discounts too.

Sportsman’s Lodge

Up & Down
The MN walleyes must be wondering if they swam too far and aren’t in MN anymore with all of this heat. Uffda!

The action has been up and down this week. Some days are better than others but still getting some good action overall. Drifting with using spinners and worms and a bit of trolling with crankbaits have been the go-to methods. Variety of depths 16’- 21’ and deeper 27’-33’ in the mud and reefs. Gold, pink, silver, and red have been good colors.

Get your Labor Day Weekend Reservations In!
www.sportsmanslodges.com

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge & Eagle Ridge

Muskies!
Late July through October is an excellent time to wrestle with a muskie here in the islands. Check out the nice one Bryan caught this week in the video. Bucktails, topwater baits and jerk baits all are good choices, take your pick and do some trolling around the rocky points and weedy bays.

Walleye/Sauger Bite
17’-19’ and 28’-33’ have been good using jigs, spinners/worms, and crankbaits drifting or slow troll. Gold, bright green, and red/white have been popular colors. The Water temp is in the mid-’70s.

Great fall deals in October
The walleye, muskie, bass, sauger, perch, crappie, and pike bite can be absolutely phenomenal and we have some great fall discounts too.

Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River

Walleyes & Saugers
A mix of trolling or drifting with spinners and a little bit of trolling with crankbaits have been the way to find the walleyes and saugers this week. Varied depths 17’-34’ in mud and areas with structure using gold, pink, silver, and yellow tackle. Crawlers and leeches have been tipping the spinners. The Water temp is mid 70’s. The days with a little wind always help the bite. We had a shot of rain Monday, not much but it was nice to see it come down and a little bit cooler temps the last few days.

The bite has picked a bit. A monster sturgeon was caught this week on a charter boat too. You never know what you might reel in on Lake of the Woods!

Join us this Fall
Right after Labor Day through late October. Lodging starting at just $95 per night for 2 and lodging/charter packages starting at $232 per person.
*plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Great News!
The Canadian government announced this week, they are opening up the border on August 9 to vaccinated Americans. Although we know there are bugs to be worked out in this process we are excited to see things moving in the right direction so guests have another way to get to the island. As for now at this time, a vaccination card and a negative molecular covid test result (done within 72 hours of arrival) must be brought along to pass through. We will continue to communicate information as we know more.

As far as the bite. 19’-21’ and 27’-34’ has been a good bite this week using jigs, spinners, and crankbaits. Jigs are working well with minnows and spinners with crawlers or minnows. Gold, silver, red, and bright orange are the favored colors. The Water temp is about 76 degrees.

Muskies & Northern Pike
Hundreds of bays to explore. Check out the 47 1/4 incher caught in the video. Trolling deep bays and rocky points as well as weedy bays with bucktails, topwater and jerk baits are good bets.

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.

Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

Playing in the Mud
Drifting with spinners tipped with a crawler or minnow in the deep mud 28’-34’ as well as trolling with crankbaits have been getting fish. The weather has been hot and the forecast continues to show 80’s+.

The water temp is in the mid-’70s. Orange, yellow, gold, and red/white have been good colors for the tackle. A mix of slot+ size walleyes along with the eaters and throwbacks have been the catch of the day.

Summer Deals
$109 Lodge Rooms and kids 17 and under stay free with 2 adults in lodge rooms too all summer long! Give us a call to book your stay. The poo and restaurants are open and we have entertainment in the Sandbar on weekends.
*Plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Variety – Sand, Mud & Rocks
Try one or try them all. 10’-19’ in the sand, 30’-33’ in the mud, and 24’-29’ on the edge of rock reefs have been the go-to spots using jigs, spinners, or crankbaits. Jigs tipped with minnow and spinners with worms or minnows. Red, gold, pink, and white have been good colors. Water temp is in the mid to upper 70’s.

Muskies & Northern Pike
Shallow weedy bays using crankbaits and bucktails are good spots.

Eagle Ridge Opening
July 14-23 Relax in our beautiful and spacious two-story 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bath vacation home with full kitchen, living room, deck, dock, and just a short boat ride away from phenomenal fishing. $90 per person per night/$450 minimum or $2,595 for the week plus tax. Our 3 Bedroom Cedar vacation home is also available a few days next week and late August. Give us a call at 800-772-8411.

Sportsman’s Lodge Fishing Report

Warm Weekend and Cool Break – Walleyes are Responding

A break in the hot weather. Yesterday’s high in the 60’s and today’s in the lower 70’s with a forecasted dip to 50 tonight. This seems to be getting the “eater” size walleyes more active. Yesterday we saw a spike in the action. Water temp is currently 73 degrees. Anglers have been finding the bite in the mud 28’-34’ using  gold/orange, hammered gold or white/silver spinners along with a few ounces of weight tipped with a worm, leech or minnow as well as trolling with crankbaits. Over the weekend we continued to see several slot size+ walleyes with a mix of throwbacks and eater size walleye and saugers.

Summer Lodge Rooms only $109* per night for up to 2 adults and 4 kids. Enjoy the air conditioned rooms just footsteps away from the pool, hot tub, dock, restaurant, bar, game room and more. Summer Lodging and Charter fishing packages starting at $249 per person for 2 nights and 1 day. Click here to book your summer trip today or give us a call at 800-862-8602.
*plus tax, pkgs based on double occupancy

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Sand & Mud
3/8 oz gold jigs, red spinners with a 1-2 ounce sinker or red/white spoons tipped with a minnow or crawler in 26’-33’ have been working the best in the sand and mud bottom for walleyes. Water temp is in the lower 70’s.  The cold snap has turned up the catching rate.

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

Eagle Ridge Opening
July 14-23 Relax in our beautiful and spacious two story 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath vacation home with full kitchen, living room, deck, dock and just a short boat ride away from phenonmal fishing. $90 per person per night/$450 minimum or $2,595 for the week plus tax. Give us a call at 800-772-8411.

Sportsman’s Lodge

Jigs & Spinners
Not too many changes this week in the approach for walleyes and saugers. A 3/8 oz gold, pink/white/gold or orange/gold jig tipped with a chub or shiner or spinner tipped with crawler or leech have been working well in 26’-32’. A variety of walleye and sauger sizes are being caught. Several slots (19.5”-28”), a few 28”+, plenty of throwbacks, and fish for the pan.

The forecast looks nice for the week ahead. Mainly 70’s, minimal precip and light winds. Looks like it will be a great week to be out on the water.

It is not too early to start planning your fall and winter trips. Get your preferred dates locked in now by giving us a call or contacting us online.

4^th of July Celebrations are Planned
Join us for fishing, boating, relaxing, swimming, and more then hop into nearby Baudette for parades, fireworks, 5K, games, and more. Click here for the full schedule. Book your lodging by calling us at 800-862-8602.

Oak Island & the Northwest Angle

The Bite

18’-25’ using a jig and frozen shiner in the morning and pulling lindy crawlers in the mud off structure in the afternoon/evening and as well as crankbaits in about 15’ is working the best. Gold, glow in the dark, anything shiny, and chartreuse have been good colors. The average size has been nice 17”-18” walleyes. The bite has been a little slow but steady. With the lunar phase now over we expect it to pick up. We have some openings Sun – Thurs next week if you are itching to get out. Give us a call at 800-772-8411.

Muskie season has now opened up for the season through November 30. Monster muskies have been hitting on large plugs and buck tails in shallow bays.

Need a ride to the Island?

We have options! Lake of the Woods Passenger Service has boat service from Sportsman’s Lodge on the Rainy River to us and Lake Country Air provides air service from Baudette or beyond to the island. Check out their websites and give them a call to book your spot.

Eagle Ridge

We had a last-minute cancellation for our vacation homes at Eagle Ridge July 15-23. Click here to learn more about these 3 bedroom homes located in a private area of the island but just a short walk away from our main lodge.

Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River

Fishing Away
Grab the sunscreen and sunglasses, it is going to be a warm one this weekend.

The best fishing has been in 16-27 feet around structure, sand and in the mud anchored or slow drift using a 3/8 oz jig and a minnow. Gold and pink have been good colors. Water temp is hovering between 58-62 degrees.

Stop in for cold drinks and great food.We serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. We have live entertainment this weekend, Friday and Saturday. 9pm – 1am. The Rooftop Bar is also open daily weather permitting. Come enjoy the view.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge & Eagle Ridge

Fresh Walleye, is there anything better?
We don’t think so! Yum! Pictured is the Unger group enjoying some of their catch. Thanks for coming!

Depths between 14’-25’ in the mud jigging a 3/8 oz jig tipped with a minnow has been working well. Points have also been a hot spot. Gold, pink, and orange have been good colors in the islands. The water temperature is around 60 degrees.

Nice Pike
Casting out flashy spoons and shad raps have been catching the eye of the pike in 7’-20’.

Smallmouth Bass
Anglers are having the most success finding the bass casting using mallet spinners and shad raps deep 20’-30’.

Muskie season opens on June 19.

Visit us on the 4th of July
July 1-11. Stay 6 nights and get the 7th night free. Give us a call to plan your summer fun at 800-772-8411 www.oakislandlodge.com.

Sportsman’s Lodge South End Fishing Report

Incredible Weather for Opener this Year
Besides the fishing this weekend, the #2 topic this opener was definitely the weather. Have we ever had it this nice on opening day? Light wind and 70’s, absolutely beautiful. 

Well, I am sure we have but it must have been quite a while ago.  Nonetheless, it was a great day to be outdoors. The fishing was pretty good too. Some did better than others, some were hoping for more of a walleye chop on Saturday but many I talked to, had a steady bite, and caught a mix of sizes between 12”-20”. Check out some of the fish the Berkner group reeled in with Captain Mike Marquardt.

We always love to see your pictures. Text 218-395-0042 or email [email protected] anytime. Maybe you will find yourself in the next fishing report or on our website. Facebook has recently done an update that is not allowing us to see photos we are tagged in so if you can text, email, or Facebook message (that seems to be working fine) for now, we would appreciate it.

A good bite was had anchored in shallow 7’-15’ along shorelines using a 3/8-1/4 oz jig tipped with a shiner or chub this weekend. Pink, red, glow in the dark, and gold were good colors. Water temperature is hovering in the mid 50s.

Fins Rooftop bar is open for the summer!
Stop in and enjoy the view. www.mysportsmans.com

Oak Island Fishing Report

Decent bite
Another great opener. 8’-18’ along shorelines and points produced some nice walleyes this weekend. Anchored using a gold, green or glow-in-the-dark jig tipped with a shiner or chub worked well. Water temp is in the mid 50’s, a little warmer than an average opening weekend. Walleye season is open! Time to get out and enjoy the weather.

Pike fishing continues to be good in the bays casting artificial baits or using smelt or large sucker minnows on a hook and a bobber.

Come see us this Summer by Boat or Air
As of now, the Canadian Border is still closed but we have options for you to get here. Click here to learn more.