NW Angle & Oak Island Lake of the Woods Ice Conditions Report

March 9, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

NW Angle & Oak Island Lake of the Woods Ice Conditions Report

3/9/2016

Another year is in the books

Due to the warm temperatures and areas we need to travel to get to the island, ice fishing is done for the year. The ice road is closing tomorrow. The bar, restaurant and lodging will be open through the weekend. The snowmobile trail will be open through the weekend. We have lodging available if you would like to make one last trip out. Thanks for another great season. Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location will be open for ice fishing through this weekend and spring river fishing starting Monday.

Check out some of these dandies! On the left, Neil Fruechte reeled in this nice 28 inch walleye using a whole minnow on a light pink fat boy lure. On the right is a real nice 40.5 inch northern pike!

Time to plan your summer trip! Give us a call 800-772-8411 or contact us online here.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Ice Conditions & Fishing Report

March 9, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

3/9/2016

Ice Fishing Update
Right now we still have 15-25 inches of ice and plan to fish through this weekend in our day houses. The bite has been improving this week. Anglers have had the best luck in depths outside of Pine Island in 21’-33’ using bright colored small lures and jigs tipped with a minnow. Jigging aggressively 3-6 inches of bottom has been the best approach. Electronics really help pin point the fish. If you do not have one, we suggest trying one, we do have rentals available but be sure to call ahead to reserve, they go fast. We currently have openings every day this week except Saturday. Give us a call to make one last trip 800-862-8602!

Check out some the latest catches!
Ashley is on the left with a nice 18 inch walleye she caught this past weekend, guided by Beef and Jim Fuschetto is on the right with his 25 inch walleye he caught and released.

River Soft Water Fishing Update
It’s that time of year! To many, it seems strange for ice fishing and boat fishing to be going on at the same time, but this is very common in our area due to the difference in the lake and river conditions. This year it is certainly starting much sooner than normal but nonetheless, it appears spring is showing up early this year. 40 miles to our east, the Rainy River is starting to open up. There is open water 10 miles east of Birchdale landing right now. Birchdale is a small town east of Baudette. Due to the current in the river, this body of water opens before Lake of the Woods. As of right now we anticipate the Birchdale landing to be open after this weekend. We are now booking guided boat trips aboard an 18’-20’ boat equipped with a guide, poles, bait and fish cleaning. Hook into a mighty walleye, a monster lake sturgeon (the dinosaurs of the lake) or an aggressive northern pike!

Walleye fishing is open on the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods until April 14, closing for a short time and then re-opening May 14. Lake sturgeon season 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. Northern pike season is open year round. Spring is one of the best times of year to get into an aggressive bite! Take advantage of the early spring and get into some fun fishing action! Book your trip today 800-862-8602.

For a Rainy River Boat Access Map and directions click here

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing/Ice & Snow Report

March 1, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

3/01/2016

Walleyes, Pike & Perch
Anglers are reeling in a mix of walleyes, northern pike and perch lately. Varying depths between 22’-30’ along and on reefs have been best. Lots of fish are showing up on the electronics but anglers are finding them to be finicky. Bright colored jigs and lures and jigs with some noise or flutter to them have worked the best tipped with a minnow or just a minnow head. Dead sticking one pole and jigging the other is the best approach. Anglers have been finding if they see a fish on the electronics, not touching the dead stick until the fish hits it is the most successful. The sun is shining more and the season is getting ready to change, we expect the bite to get more aggressive as we move through the month.

HUGE Sauger 18.75 inches caught by Mike V from Anchorage, Alaska on a pink crappie jig guided by Travis Campbell. Nice catch Mike!

John Jones catching the big ones at Sportsman’s Lodge with Guide Travis Campbell. Northern Pike

Wowser! check out this monster pulled from the Rainy River by Dave Winters. 56 inch sturgeon, released.

Ice Conditions

We still are maintaining 15-22 inches of ice and plan to keep on fishing until late March at this point. Stay tuned for updates.

Ice Road
The ice road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island is open and in good shape.Snow & Trail Report
The lake trails are in decent condition and groomed. Take a ride to Oak Island this weekend for the Annual Northwest Angle Edge Rider’s Snowmobile Rally! Use caution at the pressure ridges when the temperature fluctuates. Land trails are pretty beat up and could use more snow.

Lake of the Woods Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

February 24, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

2/24/2016

Chasing Walleyes
Plain hooks or gold and pink jigs tipped with a minnow have been the tackle and bait of choice this week. The walleyes have been finicky. Anglers are seeing lots of fish on the electronics but getting them to bite has been a little more a of challenge. Successful anglers have been changing up tackle, using something that has some flash or noise. Some anglers have been having more success with part of minnow vs a whole minnow and some are using two minnows. Dead sticking and jigging (4-6 inches off bottom) has worked 50/50. The best depths have been 23’-29’ in the main basin outside of Pine Island and a little deeper 28’-32” on the reefs. We have houses in a variety of areas and depths to chase down the walleyes the best we can. The days are getting longer, the sun is out more, we expect to see the bite only get better as we move into spring.

Ryan Corrick from Grand Rapids, MN

35 inch northern pike caught on a fat boy jig

Jodi Sugden from Hallock, MN

27 inch walleye released

Reeled in a sturgeon, released

Ice Conditions

We have 15”-25” of ice in the areas we fish and travel. We have had a few days above 30 degrees in the afternoon but no ice loss just a little sloppy. The forecast looks good for ice fishing to continue.

Ice Fishing available until March 31
Unlike many lakes in Minnesota, Lake of the Woods has an extended walleye season through April 14 and fish houses can be out until March 31. Click here to sign up to receive information about our late season hot deals!

Trails
The lake and land trails continue to be groomed and maintained. On the lake trails, use caution on the warm days when the temperature fluctuates rapidly, this can make the pressure ridges move. Lake of the Woods like most lakes always have pressure ridges, it is just a part of the ice season. When you come up on one, take your time and check for the best place to cross.

Ice Roads
We use a private groomed trail but most ice roads are allowing trucks out. Contact the resort maintaining the ice road for the latest condtions.

Spring sturgeon, pike and walleye soft water fishing is just around the corner!
The bite can be aggressive and the excitement top notch. Don’t miss one of the best times of the year to fish Lake of the Woods. The Rainy River east of Baudette will be the first to open up sometime early April. Stay tuned for updates on our fishing report page and Facebook page. Hook a great deal with lodging as low as $40 per person per night April 1-May 26 and up to 19% off charter and lodging packages May 14-May 26. Boat Rentals, 20’ Guided Outifitter Trips and Dock slips also available starting early April. Book your trip today!

Oak Island Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

February 24, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

2/24/2016

Spotty Fishing
Bring on the sunshine! The bit has been up and down. I think we need some more sunshine to get the fish HUNGRY! The fish are a little finicky right now. Anglers are reeling in a mix of walleyes, saugers and a few perch and northern pike. Electronics are key and tackle with some shimmer, flutter and nose to get the fish attention. The best depth has been 24’-30’ on the reefs.

Weather Forecast

Ice Conditions

Currently we have 15-22 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is good and open.

Trail Conditions
The lake and land trails continue to be groomed and maintained. Use caution on the warm days and when the temperature fluctuates rapidly, this can make the pressure ridges move. Lake of the Woods like most lakes always have pressure ridges, it is just a part of the ice season. When you come up on one, take your time and check for the best place to cross.

Time to make your summer reservations!
Before we know it we will be shining up the boats and basking in the sun. Sportsman’s is a great place to get away to in the spring, summer and fall too! Click here to learn more and book your trip.

Lake of the Woods Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

February 19, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Catching Walleyes & Making Memories
Boy is it nice to see the sun out longer. Days are getting longer and the fish are getting more active. Mix of walleye and sauger has been reeled in this week. Check out some of the catches here and on our Facebook page.

Walleyes & Good Times

Mulherin Group

Thank you old man Joe for your excellent customer service!

Howard Group

What is working?
Small presentations, gold and pink are working well. Successful anglers have been using anything from a gold ¼ oz. jig to a Northland Tackle Macho Minnow, Buckshot Rattle Spoon and Forage Minnow tipped with a minnow. The best depth has been in deep areas of Big Traverse 26’-35’. Electronics help. Combination of jigging and dead sticking is a good approach to start your day out and see what works best for you. For jigging set your rig 4-6 inches off bottom. The weather forecast is calling for highs in the 20’s and 30’s this week and the possibility of snow showers over the weekend.

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 15-25 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. Not all areas of the lake are the same. Check with local resorts and bait shops for the latest conditions.
We travel a groomed private trail to our houses but here is the latest information from a couple of the local ice roads.
Adrian’s Road at Four Mile Bay 12 miles N of Baudette
Allowing ½ ton trucks with wheel houses up to 21’. ¾ ton trucks without wheel houses.
Morris Point Road at Morris Point 15 miles north of Baudette Allowing ½ ton trucks with up to 16’ wheeled houses. Up to 20’ houses may go out on skids. ¾ ton trucks with portables only.

We received an inch of snow this week. We could use more but the lake trails are pretty good. The lake trails from Sportsman’s Lodge to Warroad, Sportsman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island lodge at Oak Island and now the trail on the Rainy River from Sportsman’s Lodge to Baudette are being groomed regularly and in decent condition. Follow the black stakes. Take caution at the pressure ridges as they will change when the weather warms up. Trail maps are available at the lodge or at local businesses. For the latest conditions for the land trails click here for the Baudette area or here for the NW Angle and Oak Island area.

Walleye season open until April 14 & Fish Houses until March 31
Here on Lake of the Woods we have an extended season. Walleye season is open until April 14 closing for a short while and re-opening May 14. Fish houses can be out overnight until March 31. Only 43 days left of the season! Lodging & Ice Fishing Packages starting at only $193* per person. (*plus tax and based on double occupancy)

Late Season Special
25% off ice fishing day houses March 20-31 Sportsman’s Rainy River location. Call 800-862-8602 or online here.

Oak Island Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

February 19, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Jigs, Plain Hooks & Buckshots
¼ oz. jigs, plain hooks and Buckshot lures have been working the best tipped with a minnow. Walleyes are being found deep 24’-30’ around reefs. Anglers are finding most walleyes in the 12”-17” size range with an occasional larger walleye. A few pike, perch and tullibee are also nibbling. Electronics are key. The best approach is if something isn’t working, try something different. A different lure, a full minnow, a part of a minnow, more jigging, less jigging. The guides suggest starting out your day with one pole jigging and one dead sticking and make adjustments as the day goes on. Weather today is -8 below, supposed to warm up to 22 above. The rest of the week looks warmer with highs in the high 20’s and low 30’s and a chance of snow over the weekend.

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 14-18 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is plowed nice and wide and is in good shape! Come on out!

Trail Conditions
The lake trails from Sportsman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island lodge are marked with black stakes and are being groomed regularly. Trails are in decent condition. We received an inch and a half of snow this week. Forecast is saying we could get some more snow later this week. We could use some more snow but lake conditions are decent. Use caution at the pressure ridges. They are all passable but do change when the weather changes. Trail maps are available at the lodge or at local businesses. For the latest conditions on the land trails click here for the Baudette area or here for the NW Angle and Oak Island area.

Lake of the Wood South Shore Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

February 11, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

2/11/2016

Finding Some Nice Walleyes
Anglers have been finding some nice walleyes this week. Check out some of the pictures:

Nice Walleye!

29 inch walleye – Landmark Group

Caught in 5 lines before coming up but got it through the hole! What a beautiful walleye Sportsmans Sleepers

Here are some tips from some successful anglers this week.

Gold, pink and orange are the hot color jigs or lures tipped with a minnow. The more noise it makes the better! Northland Tackle’s buckshot rattle spoons and the rattling stop sign from Tom’s Tackle are good ones.
Electronics are key and pounding the bottom, let the fish know where to come for a meal.

The guides have houses spread out in many areas in 25’-33’ hot on the fish trail. Grab a good friend or your special someone and make a trip to visit soon! Only 50 days left of the season!

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 13-22 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. We travel a private groomed trail. If you are looking to go out on your own, here are the latest conditions from a few of the local ice roads:

Adrian’s Road – Four Mile Bay, 12 miles north of Baudette 15-18 inches of ice, less in some areas off the road. Allowing ½ ton trucks pulling up to 21’ wheeled houses.
Morris Point Road – Morris Point, 15 miles north of Baudette Allowing ½ ton trucks with up to 16’ wheeled houses. Up to 20’ houses may go out on skids. ¾ ton trucks with portables only.

Trail Conditions
The lake trails from Sportsman’s Lodge to Warroad and Sportsman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island lodge at Oak island are being groomed and in decent condition. We could use some more snow but lake conditions are decent. The trail was recently marked right from the Sportsman’s Lodge. Follow the black stakes. Trail maps are available at the lodge or at local businesses. For the latest conditions for the land trails click here for the Baudette area orhere for the NW Angle and Oak Island area.

Lodging & Fishing packages start at only $193 per person for 2 nights lodging, 1 day ice fishing including the fish house, transportation to and from the house, use of jig sticks, jigs, bait and fish cleaning. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or contact us online here.

Oak Island Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

February 11, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

2/11/2016

Here fishy, fishy….
Bite has been up and down this week. 24’-29 feet on the edge or reefs and on top of the sand has been the best. Mix of walleyes and saugers. Jigging a buckshots lure, macho minnows and anything that makes noise tipped with a minnow has worked the best. Vexilars help too! Dead stick with one rod and jig with another. Be sure that the rod you dead stick with you leave it alone and watch the bobber for the best success.

Nice pike! Del McHugh from Del’s Taxidermy & Archery from Huron, SD caught at Oak Island

Check out this nice walleye! 26.5 inch walleye released

Del McHugh from Dels Taxidermy & Archery from Huron, SD Sportsmans Oak Island Lodge

Del’s lucky tackle.

This slow spinning lure really worked well for Del!

Ice Conditions
Average depth is about 18 inches, although still finding a few spots of 13-14 inches.

Trail Conditions
The lake trails from Sportsman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island lodge are being groomed and in decent condition. We could use some more snow but lake conditions are decent. The trail was recently marked right from the Sportsman’s Lodge. Follow the black stakes. Trail maps are available at the lodge or at local businesses. For the latest conditions on the land trails click here for the Baudette area or here for the NW Angle and Oak Island area.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is in good shape, nice and wide.

It is the sweetest week of them all!
Gift certificates available for that special sweetie or plan a trip for a getaway this winter or upcoming summer. Click here.

Fishing, Ice & Trail Report from Oak Island/Lake of the Woods, MN

February 4, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Fishing, Ice & Trail Report

Lake of the Woods NW Angle & Oak Island Area

2/4/2016

Island Bite

It has been a little spotty this week in the islands like the south shore. Depths between 24-28 feet have been best. There has been a mix of walleye, saugers and perch caught and on a sunny day we are seeing a few pike. The best tackle this week has been gold and glow in the dark jigs tipped with a minnow. Most of the fish found are hugging bottom however we are seeing some suspended walleyes 5’-6’ off bottom too. Electronic fish finder users tend to have better results than non-electronic users. The fish being caught are nice eaters with a few 20”+ also thrown in the mix.

Ice Conditions
We currently have 12-16 inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island The road is in good shape and nice and wide.