Great family summer getaway idea on beautiful Lake of the Woods

April 17, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Great family summer getaway idea
on beautiful Lake of the Woods

These villas are great for a small group or a large family or group of friends.

You will love these luxury accommodations!

These villas feature:

Beautiful Log Furnishings
One, Two, Three, Four & Five Bedrooms
Great for groups of 1-17 per unit
Duplex Units
Full Kitchens with stove, side by side fridge/freezer, microwave, dishwasher
King Suites
Spa Showers (One Bedrooms)
Awesome Views
Efficient heating and air conditioning
One bathroom per every two bedrooms
Wifi
Outdoor Patio

Available Year Round

Click here for more information.

Click here to reserve your villa today, call us at (866) 533-8998!

Click here for more information and our summer packages.

Lack of fishing warning!

April 13, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Don’t get blurry! Book your trip today 800-862-8602 or click here.

Spring Fishing is Here!

Lodging starting at only $40 per person per night,

guided trips & docking available.

The fish are biting!

Book your trip today 800-862-8602 or click here.

Few days left of walleye season, bring on the dinosaurs & pike!

April 12, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

April 14 is the last day for walleye season until it re-opens May 14. The weather is warming up and the walleye bite is heating up. Lodging only $40* per person per night in our lodge rooms and cabins midweek. Guided trips, boat rental and dock slips available too! Give us a call!
*based on double occupancy and plus tax

Bring on the sunshine!

Walleye Bite
The past week has been tough, the weather was cool. The weather is warming up and we expect the last few days of the season to be much better. Jigging with long shank bright colored jig tipped with a shiner minnow or rainbow has been working the best in 14’-18’ and 22’-26’ of water around points and gaps with current. The current water temperature is 35 degrees but should warm up quite quickly with the forecast ahead.

24 inch Walleye Rich Chacich released

Its Sturgeon’s Time
Now through May 15 is one of the best times of year to reel in these prehistoric dinosaurs. The Rainy River is home to thousands of the shovel nosed species whom can live for over 100 years and have been recognized dating back to 136 million years ago. The largest sturgeon caught on record in Minnesota measured in at 180 inches in 1903 (MN DNR). The bite has been good! Many anglers have had great success finding several in the river bottom in deep holes and crevices. Some prefer areas with a little current. Anchor and set up your rig with a 2-4 ounce no roll sinker, 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook tipped with a gob of night crawlers and even a minnow or two. Sturgeon catch and release season is now through April 23 and May 8-15. You can keep one April 24-May 7 between 45”-50” or over 75”. Remember to purchase a sturgeon tag if you plan on harvesting a sturgeon. They are $5 and can be purchased at the lodge, online or anywhere that sells Minnesota fishing licenses.

Charlie Borak 66 inch sturgeon! (released)

50 and 63 inch sturgeon Daly Group pic 2

50 and 63 inch sturgeon Daly Group

One of the Best Lakes in the State for Trophy Pike
Lake of the Woods has an incredible habitat for northern pike and is one of the top five lakes in Minnesota to reel in a trophy. Spring is one of the best times of year to reel in these fish. Just when the weed growth starts in the bays, they are great spots. Throw a dare devil or shiny shad rap in their direction and get ready for the action. The weather is getting warmer, we expect in a week the bite should really get going. There are several bays along the river to try; along with Four Mile Bay and Zippel Bay.

Experience a great day of fishing!
Guided trips available! No hassles with the boat, motor, no fish to clean, poles to buy or bait to pick up. Your biggest worry of the day is what snacks to bring. We offer spring guided outfitter trips aboard an 18 or 20 foot boat, guide, bait, use of poles and fish cleaning provided through late May. We offer charter trips aboard our 27’ charter boats equipped with an onboard restroom, use of poles, bait, tackle and fish cleaning starting May 14 through late October. It’s the way to go!

Who’s Hungry?
The Sandbar is open daily at 11am and breakfast is available by reservation the night prior Monday through Friday and anytime 6:30am-10:30am Saturday & Sunday. For more information and our current specials, click here.

The Dock Cam is back up! Check out the view!

LET US GUIDE YOU TO THE BIG CATCH WITH OUR GUIDED OUTFITTER FISHING TRIPS IN MINNESOTA

April 11, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

LET US GUIDE YOU TO THE BIG CATCH WITH OUR
GUIDED OUTFITTER FISHING TRIPS IN MINNESOTA

Spring & Fall is a great time to get in on some great river walleye, northern or lake sturgeon action. Our 20′ Guided Lund Alaskan trips are a great way to navigate the river and inlet waters. The boat holds up to 4 passenger plus the guide.

$450 per day includes the guide, boat, poles, bait & fish cleaning.

Choose a day that includes one or two species. Trips available to reserve by early April through May 31 & September 1 – October 31.

Click for our spring & fall rates or available dates or call us at (866) 533-8998 for more information.

Spring projects are in full swing and we are taking reservations for summer!

April 6, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Spring projects are in full swing and we are taking reservations for summer. We are eager to get the spring projects done and start our summer season in May. We offer some great spring deals in May. Click here for more information and make plans to visit us this summer.

A reminder to guests visiting us this year. U. S. citizens and permanent residents crossing into Canada to travel to the Northwest Angle or fishing in Canada. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must carry proof of citizenship such as a passport, birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization, a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, or a Certificate of Indian Status along with photo identification. If you are a U.S. permanent resident, ensure you carry proof of your status such as a U.S. Permanent Resident Card. For more information click here.

The warm summer breeze, the evening campfire, the views of the northern lights and days of catching fish are soon here. Time to book your spring, summer and fall trip! www.oakislandlodge.com 800-772-8411.

Walleye season open through April 14

April 6, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

You still have time to reel in some walleyes before the season closes for 30 days. The Rainy River and Lake of the Woods offers a unique season running through April 14. What happens after walleye closes? Monster sturgeon and aggressive northern pike cranks up! Sturgeon catch and release is now through April 23. You can keep one within 45”-50” or over 75” April 24-May 7. Many people catch and release but they are a very good smoked fish too. May 8-15 is catch and release again. Northern Pike season never closes. We have guides and boats available and ready to give you a fun fishing experience. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or click here to book online.

Walleye Bite
This week has been a cool one but the bite is picking up. Water clarity is decent. Anglers are catching some 14”-21” and a few 25”-32”. Pitching long shank jigs tipped with a rainbow in varying depths has been working, the fish are scattered. Let the current do the work. Half ounce or less gold or pink jigs in the bays and three quarter or one ounce in the river. Four Mile Bay, outside Lighthouse Gap, areas in the Rainy River including Wabanica Bay and around the Baudette airport have been decent spots. Water temperature is currently 35 degrees. Guided trips, lodging and dock slips available.

Thanks Guide Bryan Beef Sathre on the tip where to go Saturday evening. Finally got a few keepers in the livewell and this 29 inch fatty! Caught by Jake Neu

Oelrich Party guided by JP Tessier. Caught on a jig and a minnow

Sturgeon are active
Anglers are finding lots of sturgeon lately. Sizes between 25-70 inches in length are common. These prehistoric bottom feeders swim the bottom of the river and are usually found in deep holes and areas where there is current. The best approach is to anchor and use a 2-4 ounce no roll weight, 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook tipped with a gob of night crawlers and even a minnow or two.

57 inch lake sturgeon caught by Guide, Mike Marquardt

69 incher!!!!! What a catch Melissa Schibonski Denning!!

Spring Pike Bite is soon here
Did you know Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River is one of the top 5 lakes in Minnesota to catch a trophy pike? The nearly one million acres of border waters offers an enormous habitat for these fish. The bite will really start to pick up in the next few weeks when the weed growth starts. Casting shiny and glittery dare devils and rapalas catch the eye of these aggressive fish in the bays of the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods.

Tips for Lifting Big Fish
When lifting a big fish, try and grab the sturgeon by the tail and support the fish under its mid-section. Holding a large fish vertically can actually tear its internal organs and gill plates, eventually leading to mortality.

$40 Lodging & Guided Trips Available
Lodging starting at only $40* per person per night now through May 26. Guided trips available aboard an 18’-20’ boat, bait, use of poles and fish cleaning provided $450 for a full day trip for up to 4 people. Charter trips available starting May 14. Up to 20% off lodging and charter fishing packages May 14-26.*plus tax and based on double occupancy. Book your trip online now or by calling 800-862-8602.

Open Water
The Rainy River is open from Birchdale to Lake of the Woods. All boat ramps are open. Lake of the Woods is open a few hundred yards outside of Pine Island.

Spring Fishing is here on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River

April 3, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Spring Fishing is here on
Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River

Spring Lodging Rates available March 14 – May 26

Lodging as low as $40 per person per night
$40 midweek/$45 weekends cabin or lodge room based on dbl occ.
Enjoy our new villas $59

For our spring rates and packages Click here.
Guided Outfitter Trips

Hook into the action with you and up to 3 more people and one of our professional guides in one of our 18 or 20 foot outfitter boats. Guided Outfitter trips are all day trips from 8am to 5pm and include the guide, bait, use of rods and reels, fish cleaning and soft drinks/water assortment for your enjoyment. Rates are only $450 for the boat for the day. Trips are available now!

Docking

Dock slips are available for only $10 a night. We anticipate to have water at our docks by March 25 at this point!

Rainy River Boat Access Ramp Directions & Information
New Boat Rental!

Rent our new 20’ Lund Alaskan dual center console boat. Equipped with a 115 hp motor, 4 swivel seats and a casting seat, Graph/GPS, marine band radio, full windshield, anchor, life jackets and one tank of gas.

Rate is $250 day and $150 half day.
Charter Trips

Charter trips are available starting May 14. Let us package a trip for you to include lodging, fishing and meals. Charter trips can be scheduled for a half day (8am-noon or 1pm-5pm) or all day (8am-5pm). Charter trips include a 27′ Sportscraft, space for up to 6 passengers plus a professional guide, onboard restroom, use of poles, bait, tackle, fish cleaning and assortment of soft drinks and water for your enjoyment. Up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages May 14-26. Click here for the discounted spring rates.

Minnesota Lake of the Woods Fishing seasons:

-Walleye open until April 14 and re-opens May 14
-Pike – continuous – never stops!
-Sturgeon – catch & release until April 23, keep 1 (within size limits) April 24-May 7, catch & release May 8-15

Limits:

Walleye & Sauger
Rainy River & Four Mile Bay
(Four Mile Bay is the SE bay of Lake of the Woods near Wheeler’s Point)
March 1, 2016-April 14, 2016
Limit of 2 Walleye 19 ½” and larger must be immediately released.

May 14, 2016-Nov 30, 2016
Limit of 6
Not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28″; walleye 19 ½” through 28″ must be immediately released.

Lake of the Woods
Dec 1, 2015-April 14, 2016
Limit of 8
Not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28″; walleye 19 ½” through 28″ must be immediately released.

May 14, 2016-Nov 30, 2016
Limit of 6
Not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28″; walleye 19 ½” through 28″ must be immediately released.

Northern Pike
Limit 3
Only 1 over 40″; all northern pike from 30″ through 40″ must be immediately released.

Lake Sturgeon
October 1 – April 23
Catch & release only

April 24 – May 7
One per calendar year. Fish must be 45″-50″ inclusive or over 75″. Immediately upon reducing a fish to possession, you must validate and attach your sturgeon tag. Harvested sturgeon must be registered within 48 hours.

May 8 – May 15
Catch & Release Only

May 16 – June 30
Closed

This information has been taken from the Minnesota Fishing Regulations information printed by the DNR and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Regulation books are available at the lodge for your convenience or can be viewed online here. Border Waters information starts on page 44,

Minnesota Fishing licenses are available at Sportsman’s Lodge or by purchasing online here

Click here for the latest open water update and fishing report.

All rates stated are subject to state and local tax.

Click here to book now or call 877-563-3050.

SPORTSMAN’S RAINY RIVER • EAGLE RIDGE • OAK ISLAND

Sturgeon fishing is hot, Walleyes are starting to bite!

March 29, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Logan and Luke reeled in 15 sturgeon on Sunday! Way to go guys!

It’s a double! 48 inch and 57 inch by the Eklund’s from Bemidji, MN

The sturgeon bite has been hot this week. Circle 3/0 and 4/0 hooks, 2-4 ounces of weight and a gob of night crawlers works best. Anchor up in or just near a hole in the Rainy River. Once you get a bite, be ready for a fight! Some monsters take up to an hour to reel in! Sturgeon fishing is catch and release now through April 23. Keep one within size limits April 24-May 7 and catch and release again May 8-15. Don’t have a boat or haven’t taken it out yet? We have guides available!

Water is clearing up!
The water is clearing up we have gained about 6 more inches of clarity. Reports of 8-18 inches of clarity have been found, much better than last week. Keep in mind, Lake of the Woods and Rainy River always have stained look. It is never a clear lake by any means. Jigging with a gold 1 oz. jig tipped with a shiner has been working. The water temperature is 35.5, water level is low and the current has slowed some but is still moving pretty quick. Debris has cleared up considerably, we are not seeing much anymore. Walleye season is open through April 14.

Open Water
All boat ramps along the river are open to all boats. The entire river is open and Four Mile Bay. We have open water about 75 yards out of the Light House Gap on the lake right now.

Let us guide you to the catch!
We have guides available for spring walleye, sturgeon and pike fishing. $450 for the day aboard an 18’-20’ boat. The trip includes up to 4 passengers plus the guide, bait, use of poles, and fish cleaning. Book your spring trip today.

Still a few rooms, cabins and villas open for the weekend!
Lodging starting at only $40* per person per night midweek and $45 weekend! *plus tax and based on double occupancy. To reserve click here or call 800-862-8602.

CATCH THE ACTION AT THE SPORTSMAN’S LODGE RAINY RIVER LOCATION THIS SPRING!

March 28, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

CATCH THE ACTION AT THE
SPORTSMAN’S LODGE
RAINY RIVER LOCATION THIS SPRING!

Spring Fishing Fever 2016

The extended walleye season we enjoy on the Canadian border allows for a phenomenon not available for much of the state. The warming weather and increased currents at the beginning of April work to open the Rainy River just as the walleyes are beginning their spring run. The action is fast, and the fish are huge, pulled up one after another. Most fishermen prefer jigging with minnows this time of year. Walleye season closes from mid-April to mid-May, giving anglers an opportunity to try their luck with Minnesota’s largest fish – the mysteriously prehistoric lake sturgeon and the frisky fighting northern pike. Lake of the Woods is proud to be one of the top ten lakes in Minnesota offering the best catch opportunity for you to catch a trophy sized sturgeon or pike in the whole state.

Spring Lodging Rates available March 14 – May 26

Lodging as low as $40 per person per night
$40 midweek/$45 weekends cabin or lodge room based on dbl occ.
Enjoy our new villas $59

For our spring rates and packages Click here.

Spring restaurant and bar hours at Sportsman’s Lodge. Great specials too!

March 28, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Spring restaurant and bar hours at Sportsman’s Lodge. Great specials too!

Dockside Dining Room
Enjoy a delicious breakfast dockside.

Open March 22-May 8
Mon-Fri by reservation 7pm night prior
Sat & Sun 6:30am-10:30am
Closed Easter Sunday

May 6-8 6:30am-10am
Mother’s Day Brunch May 8 9am-2pm

Closed May 9-13

Open daily May 14 for the summer season 6:30am-10:30am

Click here to view menu.

Sandbar

Come watch the big game, try your luck at pull tabs, play a game of pool, enjoy good food, drinks and entertainment.

New 65 & 40 inch TV’s!

Daily Happy Hour & 1/2 Price Apps!

Open daily 11am – close. Serving drinks all day.
Serving pizzas Mon-Wed 11am-4pm, spring menu 4pm-9pm, drinks until close.
Thurs – Sun spring menu 11am-10pm, drinks until close.

Closed Easter Sunday & May 9-11

Open daily for the summer season My 12 11am-close, menu served 11am-10pm.
Daily Specials

Daily Happy Hour 3pm-6pm
$1 off domestic beer and rails
1/2 Price Apps Daily 3-6pm & 9pm-10pm
$2 Coors Light 16 oz taps during all MN Hockey Games

Watch the big game on 13 of our new 40 and 65 inch TV’s!
Try your luck at pull tabs, pool and arcade games. The Sandbar is a great place to meet up with friends, enjoy great food, cold drinks, musical entertainment & share fish stories.

Click here for our menu.

Musical Entertainment all year long! Check out who is playing this weekend here

Riverside Dining Room

Take in the view of the Rainy River while enjoy a delicious meal. The Riverside Dining Room proudly serves several walleye, steak, seafood, pasta and chicken dishes. We offer a full salad bar, wine, liquor and beer selection.

Closed March 20-May 25
Open daily for the summer starting May 26 5:30pm-10pm.

Click here to view our menu

Ask about our daily specials! Reservations suggested.
Great selections of steaks, walleye, seafood, full salad bar and more!