All boat landings now open from Birchdale to Wheeler’s Point

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All boat landings now open from Birchdale to Wheeler’s Point

Wheelers Point Access 3-23-2016

All boat landings are now open from Birchdale to Wheeler’s Point. Sturgeon fishing has been good! Anglers are finding some nice sturgeon in and on the incline of the deep holes of the Rainy River. 5/0 hooks 2-4 ounces of weight and a gob of night crawlers is working well. Reel in one of these huge dinosaurs!

The water temperature is currently 34.5 degrees. Water level is low and clarity is 6-12 inches and getting better by the day.  Walleye bite has been sluggish but improving.  Bite should get better in a few days.  The current is fast. 1 oz gold or pink jigs tipped with a minnow works well.

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

For more information about spring fishing and our great lodging and guided fishing rates click here 

Open water channel through Four Mile Bay is getting wider!

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Open water channel through Four Mile Bay is getting wider!

Four Mile Bay 3-24-2016

The Rainy River is wide open all the way from Birchdale to Wheeler’s Point now.  An open water channel through Four Mile Bay to Lake of the Woods is widening by the minute.
All boat ramps from Birchdale to Wheeler’s Point are now open to all boats.

Walleye season runs until April 14. Sturgeon season is catch and release now through April 23. Keep one sturgeon within 45″-50″ or over 75″ is April 24-May 7, be sure to pick up a $5 tag at the lodge or anywhere where you can buy a Minnesota fishing license. May 8-15 is catch and release again.  Northern pike season is always open. Lake of the Woods is home to some beautiful walleyes, huge sturgeon and one of the top 5 lakes in Minnesota to catch a trophy pike.  Get your fish on! Spring fishing is here!

Lodging starting at only $40 per person per night and guided trips available!  Click here

 

The river is open in front of the lodge!

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3/21/2016

The river is open in front of the lodge!

What a year!  The river opened quickly!  Over the weekend the Rainy River opened in front of the lodge.  It is now wide open to Wheeler’s Point and there is a channel open through Four Mile Bay that is within ½ mile of Lighthouse Gap where Lake of the Woods starts.  All boat ramps on the Rainy River are to all boats except for Wheeler’s Point. Wheeler’s Point has about 15 feet of shore ice this morning but we expect that to be gone in a couple of days.

Wheelers Point Access 3-21-2016

Wheelers Point Access 3-21-2016 Shore ice should be gone in a few days! All other ramps on the Rainy River between Birchdale and the lodge are open to all boats now.

View from the lodge looking onto the Rainy River 3-21-2016

View from the lodge looking onto the Rainy River 3-21-2016

Looking towards Wheeler's Point on the Rainy River from Wheeler's Point Public Access 3-21-2016

Looking towards Wheeler’s Point on the Rainy River from Wheeler’s Point Public Access 3-21-2016

 

Last week the tributaries opened up and muddied up the water making the walleye bite tough.  The water is starting to clear and should be much better by this weekend.  Jigging with 3/4-1 oz ounce jigs tipped with a chub or shiner minnow does the trick!  In the meantime the sturgeon bite is good!  Anglers have been reeling some nice 30”-65” monster sturgeons.  Anglers are anchored in deep holes around current using a size 5/0 hook, 2-3 ounces of weight and a gob of worms.  Sturgeon catch and release season is open until April 23. April 24-May 7 you can keep one within 45”-50” inclusive or over 75” with a sturgeon tag.  Sturgeon tags are $5 and available online or at the lodge. May 8-15 is catch and release again. The season is closed May 16-June 30.

The current water temperature is a cool 33 degrees.  The current is quick and the water level is low.

Check out this dinosaur! Lake Sturgeon caught and released this past weekend. Guided by JP Book your spring guided walleye, sturgeon and northern pike trip today!

Check out this dinosaur! Lake Sturgeon caught and released this past weekend. Guided by JP Book your spring guided walleye, sturgeon and northern pike trip today!

Monster Sturgeon being caught! Guided by JP. released

Monster Sturgeon being caught! Guided by JP. released

 

Lodging, Guided trips & Dock Slips available!
Lodging starting at only $40 per person per night plus tax Sun-Thurs and $45 on weekends in our lodge rooms and cabins. $59 in our new villas.  Guided trips for up to 4 people including guide, boat (18’-20), use of poles, bait and fish cleaning is $450 per day.  Dock slips $10 per night.  Book by calling 800-862-8602 or book online here.

The lodge will be closed Easter Sunday but lodging is still available!
Book by calling 800-862-8602 or book online here.

Lake of the Woods Fishing Seasons
Walleye open through April 14. Reopening May 14
Northern Pike – always open
Sturgeon catch and release open now through April 23. Keep one within size limits April 24-May 7, catch and release May 8-15. Closed May 16-June 30. Keep one within size limits July 1-Sept 30. Catch and release Oct 1-April 23.  For limits and more information click here.

Check out the cool drone footage from Bryan “Beef” Sathre from Fathead Guide Service shot on March 19!!

Spring is here! Time to get your fish on!

Rainy River Open Water Update! 3-16-2016

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Rainy River Update!

Vidas landing (8 miles east of Baudette) and Birchdale landing (30 miles east of Baudette) are now both open. Frontier has about 30 feet of shore ice so that will be a few more days. The river is open shore to shore 5 miles east of Baudette and open spots showing up 2 miles east. At this rate we should have open water at our docks with the week.

Vidas Landing 3-16-2016

Vidas Landing 3-16-2016

Angler’s are catching some nice fish on jigs and minnows. Water temperature is 36.5 degrees.

Check out some of the nice walleyes the Lyman Group caught 3-15-2016. Guided by JP

Spring Walleye 2 3-15-2016 Lyman Group guided by JP
 Spring Walleye 3-16-2016 Lyman Group Guided by JP

Lodging available $40-$59 per person per night! (plus tax and based on dbl occupancy)
Guided trips available too!

Time for spring fishing! www.sportsmanslodges.com 800-862-8602

Bar and Reataurant is open! Mardi Gras Party Saturday!

Weekly Fishing Report

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03/15/2016


Another ice fishing season is in the books! Thanks for another great season!
The first day on the river went well! Anglers reeled in several nice walleye and sturgeon. Water temperature is 36 degrees. Jigging with jigs tipped with chubs or shiner minnows worked best.
26 inch walleye
Caught by Todd Labine 3-14-2016
Guided by Shane.
27.75 inch walleye caught and released by Andy Labine. Guided by Shane. Nice catch!
The boats are shined up and ready to go! 
The Rainy River is open at Frontier Landing 16 miles east of Baudette (28 miles east of the lodge) as of yesterday.
Crews worked hard to clean out the shore ice at Birchdale Landing, 26 miles east of Baudette (38 miles east of the lodge) yesterday morning and it is ready to go! Only snow and salt remain on the ramp. We anticipate Frontier landing to be open in a few days and Vidas Landing 8 miles east of Baudette (20 miles east of the lodge) a few days after that. Time for river fishing!!!
Birchdale Landing is open! 3-14-2016
Just snow and salt on the ramp remain
Crews started early in the morning March 14 to get the ramp ready for fishing! Thank you for the help!
Birchdale 3-14-2016
Lodging as low as $40 per person per night now through May 26. Guided outfitter trips available now! $450 for the boat for up to 4 people for a full day including guide, bait, use of rods and reels, fish cleaning and soft drinks/water assortment. *plus tax and based on double occupancy
Fishing Seasons
Walleye season is open until midnight April 14. Northern Pike season never closes and lake sturgeon catch and release is open now through April 23, keep one within size limits April 24-May 7, catch and release again May 8-15. For limits and the complete Minnesota DNR regulation guide, click here.
For directions and information about the Rainy River boat access ramps, click here
Join in on the fun 8pm-1am! Entertainment, great specials, wear your favorite costume, FREE Hurricanes 8pm-9pm, stay and play packages and more! You won’t want to miss it!

 

19th Annual Sportsman’s Lodge Mardi Gras Party is this Saturday, March 19!

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19th Annual Sportsman’s Lodge Mardi Gras Party

is this Saturday, March 19!

          Jazz up your winter with the 19th Annual Mardi Gras Party at Sportsman’s Rainy River. There will be lots of activities including music, games, contests, and more. All the fun starts at 8pm so grab your mask and let the beads fly! *Cover charge only $5! (Must be 21 to attend).

*All Lodging guests receive free cover charge
masks.png

  March 19th Mardi Gras Activities Include:

  • Entertainment
  • Wear your favorite costume
  • Good Times
  • 1/2 Price Appetizers 3pm-6pm & 9pm-10pm
  • $2 Beer & Shot Specials
  • Lots of Fun
  • Get the most beads and become the king or queen of mardi gras!
  • FREE HURRICANES 8pm-9pm
  • Stay & Play Packages
  • Drink Specials
  • Beads, Beads & More Beads
  • Must be 21 years or older to attend.

Stay and Play Packages — Limited availability — Book yours today!

Stay two or more nights and receive valuable coupons! 

Stay two or more nights including the night of March 19, also receive a 25% off gift shop coupon to use all weekend long and a stay 2 get 3rd night free coupon for a lodge room or cabin stay for our Halloween Party weekend, Oct 29, 2016!

So if you’re 21 years or older make plans to attend the can’t miss event of the year!  Call (800) 862-8602 or click here to book your stay today!

Birchdale Boat Ramp is open!

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Crews worked hard this morning to clean out the shore ice at Birchdale Landing (26 miles east of Baudette).  The ramp is ready to go! Only snow and salt remain on the ramp. Time for River fishing!!!  Open water runs all the way to Frontier landing right now (16 miles east of Baudette)

We have guided outfitter trips available! Time to get your fish on!

Walleye season is open until April 14. Sturgeon catch and release season is open now through April 23, keep one season is open April 24-May 7 and northern pike season is open year round.

Click here for directions and information.http://sportsmanslodges.com/…/7…/Rainy_River_Access_Map1.pdf

Birchdale 3-14.2

Birchdale 3-14

Birchdale 3-14.3

Hot Lodging Deals!
Lodging as low as $40 per person per night plus tax now through May 26. (based on double occupancy) Book your trip today 800-862-8602

19th Annual Mardi Gras Party is this Saturday!
Join us for entertainment, great specials, beads, beads, beads, FREE Hurricanes 8pm-9pm, stay and play packages and a whole lot of fun!

Another ice fishing season is in the books!

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Another ice fishing season is in the books!

Another ice fishing season is in the books! Thanks for another short but great season! We are now looking forward to spring river fishing. The Rainy River is now open 28 miles east of us about 2 miles east of Frontier Landing (16 miles aeast of Baudette). Birchdale/Nelson Park landing 26 miles east of Baudette is open now for boats to push over the shore ice. Take advantage of our spring rates starting at only $40*per person per night. We also offer guided river trips, boat rentals and dock slip rentals . *Rate plus tax and based on double occupancy. Bar and food available daily! Click here for more information

'Franz Jevne near Birchdale 3-12-2016'
Franz Jevne Landing 3-12-2016
A few miles east of Birchdale, MN
'Franz Jevne near Birchdale 3-12-2016'
Franz Jevne Landing 3-12-2016
A few miles east of Birchdale, MN