Nestled on Oak Island just a hop, skip and a jump from Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge this beautiful lake home awaits you. This home is in the middle of paradise, Lake of the Woods. An excellent fishery, beautiful scenery and awesome wildlife. This three bedroom two and half bath home has all of the comforts of home and is available to rent. Check out this place for your next vacation getaway. Click here for more information.
Minnesota Walleye Opener started out with a bang!
Good fishing was found this weekend. Sand and rock bottom in 14’-18’ feet of water around points were some of the best spots. A limit was easy to come by. Gold or gold and pink 3/8 ounce jigs or hammered gold spinners and a 1 oz. sinker tipped with a minnow worked best. Ontario opens this weekend. Water temperature is 52 degrees. The summer season is starting!
Northern Pike & Smallmouth Bass
The pike and bass bite have been real active. Shallow weed beds have been hot spots. Flashy crank baits and spoons are working well.
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Forecast for the week
| Decent start! Walleye opener produced an active bite. Anglers found lots of nice walleyes for the pan and to release. Check out the pictures of a few of the big walleyes caught and released. The best bite was found in bays or outside Pine Island in 14’-19’ of water. We expect the upcoming week to be a lot of the same. Water temperature is 53 degrees. Gold 3/8 oz. or chartreuse jigs or a hammered gold spinner and 1 oz. sinker tipped with a chub or shiner minnow has been working well. |
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| 27 inch walleye caught and released by Kenneth Bowman from McAllen, TX
Guided by Captain Dave 5-9-2015 |
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| 1st Fish Fry of the season! |
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Forecast for the Week |
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| Few more days of Sturgeon Season Sturgeon catch and release season runs through May 15. The season will close for 6 weeks. The season opens back up July 1-Sept 30 allowing anglers to keep one within size limits. Oct 1-April 23 is catch and release season once again. Lots of nice 30”-70” sturgeon are being found in the Rainy River. Anchor in a deep hole, throw on a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook and 1-2 ounces of weight with a gob of night crawlers and get ready for some action. Northern Pike Spring Special until May 20!
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| Captain Mike 24 inch walleye, released 5-9-2015 |
No equipment & experience required
Book a charter. Equipped with an experienced guide, bait, tackle, poles, 27’ Sportcraft with onboard restroom and fish cleaning provided. Take the work and hassle out of fishing and just sit back, relax and reel in the walleyes. Charters hold up to 6 passengers plus the guide. Groups of 1-4 in size are welcome to join another group or purchase our private charter option. Lodging and charter fishing packages starting at only $201* per person. *plus tax and based on double occupancy.
5/7/2015
Sturgeon & Pike are biting now! Walleye Opener is this Saturday!
The sturgeon bite has been good in the Rainy River. Areas right in front of the lodge, Wheeler’s Point, Four Mile Bay as well as up river by Baudette and Clementson have been hot. Anchor up in a deep trough of the river bed with a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook, 2-3 ounces of weight and a gob of night crawlers on the end. It might take a few minutes, it might take an hour but once one of these prehistoric monsters hit, be ready! They will take you for all your worth! The past week we saw several in the 50”-60” range and under 40”. Keep one season (within size limits) runs through May 7. Make sure you pick up a sturgeon tag at any licensed agent before going out if you plan to keep one. Catch and release season runs May 8-15. The season closes a short time May 16-June 30 and then starts again July 1. Sturgeon bite all year but spring in the river is definitely one of the best times to find them. Check out some of the recent catches!
Sturgeon caught this week!
Pike season is heating up. Weed beds in Zippel Bay, Four Mile Bay and most any creek flowing into the Rainy River you will find this feisty fish right now. Throw a few casts with a flashy spoon to get their attention.
Who’s ready for walleye?
Now on to walleyes! The season begins Saturday, May 9! We expect to see a very active bite. The walleyes are off their spawning beds and looking to eat. Four Mile Bay, Light House Gap, Morris Point Gap and just outside of Pine Island will be hot spots. Drifting or casting whatever you like to do should work in 6’-12’ of water. Gold or pink jigs or spinners tipped with a shiner or fathead minnow is all you need. Morning and evening try a slip bobber. We have hardly any current in the river right now. Water temperature is around 55 degrees. Weather forecast looks nice!
No equipment & experience required
Book a charter. Equipped with an experienced guide, bait, tackle, poles, 27’ Sportcraft with onboard restroom and fish cleaning provided. Take the work and hassle out of fishing and just sit back, relax and reel in the walleyes. Charters hold up to 6 passengers plus the guide. Groups of 1-4 in size are welcome to join another group or purchase our private charter option. Lodging and charter fishing packages starting at only $201* per person. *plus tax and based on double occupancy.
Walleyes, Mom and Sportsman’s Champagne Brunch
Join us for Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch, Sunday May 10 9am-2pm. Several delicious selections from eggs benedict, to cheesy garlic walleye, waffles, mimosas, desserts and much more. Make your reservation today.
Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch is this weekend. Treat your mom to something special.
May 10, 2015 from 9am-2pm
Enjoy a delicious brunch while overlooking the beautiful Rainy River.
Featuring Cheesy Garlic Walleye, Our Signature Deep Fried Breaded Walleye, Eggs Benedict, Carved Bone in Honey Ham, Cheesy Hash Browns, Make your own Waffles and Crepes, Fried Chicken, Slow Roasted Roast Beef, Fresh Fruit, Chocolate Fountain, A large spread of Delectable Desserts, Parfaits, one complimentary Mimosa or Bloody Mary & more! Click here for more information.
Adults $17.95
Kids 7-12 $8.95
Kids 4-6 $5.95
3 and under Free
Sportsman’s Lodge
3244 Bur Oak Rd NW
Baudette, MN 56623
Make your reservations today 800-862-8602
[email protected]
9th Annual Sturgeon Tournament
Results for Day 2
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| Day Two 1st Place Winner
Derek Ferestad 64 inch length, 20 inch |
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| Day Two 2nd Place Winner
Ethan Rogers 53 inch length, 18 inch girth |
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| Day Two 3rd Place Winner
Duane Bode 50 3/4 length, 17.5 inch girth |
Do you want to hook into a sturgeon? You still have time!
Sturgeon keep one season runs until May 7. Catch & release season runs May 8-15. Guided Trips, Lodging and Dock Slips available. Book your trip today!
The Walleye Opener is May 9th!
Lodging and guided fishing trips still available. Lodging as low as $45* per person per night. Lodging and charter fishing packages starting at $201* per person.
*plus tax and based on double occupancy through May 20
Call us at 866-998-7280 or book now for your trip to Sportsman’s for the Walleye Opener!
9th Annual Sturgeon Tournament
Results for Day 1
The 9th Annual Sportsman’s Lodge two day catch and release sturgeon tournament is underway! The fishing and the weather was excellent! The weather was a beautiful 68 degrees, sunny and a light breeze. Over 100 sturgeon in varying sizes were caught and released in the 1.2 mile allowed tournament area right out front of the lodge. Tournament anglers caught many between the 50″-60″ range and under 30″.
One hundred and fifty anglers attended and 50 boats making this for the 7th year in a row a full tournament. This year was highest cash and prize payout boasting over $6,500. First place each day receives $2,140, second place $915 and third place a custom rod. Many other prizes are awarded for the largest eelpout, sucker, and bullhead over the two days along with youth and door prizes.
Day one started at 8:30am running until 4:00pm and rounds out with lots of good stories and entertainment in the bar. Day two starts at 8:30am on Saturday, May 2 running an hour shorter than day one, ending at 3pm. Day two also includes an awards banquet and musical entertainment. Check out the pictures of the day one winners and many more pictures of all of the fun on our Facebook page here.
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Day One 1st Place Winner |
Day One 2nd Place Winner
Dusty Nielson
60 inch length, 20 1/4 inch girth
Day One 3rd Place Winner
Jason Albertson
55 1/2 inch length, 21 inch girth
Do you want to hook into a sturgeon? You still have time!
Sturgeon keep one season runs until May 7. Catch & release season runs May 8-15. Guided Trips, Lodging and Dock Slips available. Book your trip today!
The Walleye Opener is May 9th!
Lodging and guided fishing trips still available. Lodging as low as $45* per person per night. Lodging and charter fishing packages starting at $201* per person.
*plus tax and based on double occupancy through May 20
Call us at 866-998-7280 or book online now for your trip to Sportsman’s for the Walleye Opener!
Sturgeon season is in full swing!
Some nice sturgeon continue to be found this week and how about this weather! Excellent days to be out on the water. 4/0 and 5/0 circle hooks, 1-3 ounce no roll sinker and night crawlers work best. Anchor up along the incline of a deep hole in the river bottom and get ready for the action. Areas in front of the lodge, Four Mile Bay, Wheeler’s Point and Clementson have all produced some nice sturgeon. Keep one season, fish must be 45”-50” inclusive or over 75” last until May 7. Catch and release season runs May 8-15. Guided Trips available.
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| Brett Heinlein 65 inch sturgeon guided by JP What a catch! |
Cindy Hunter 60 inch sturgeon guided by JP Nice catch Cindy! |
Check out this forecast!
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9th Annual Sportsman’s Sturgeon Tournament is this weekend
The tournament is full but we do still have lodging available. Get into the sturgeon action! Lodging starting at only $45 per person per night. *plus tax and based on double occupancy.
Pike Season
Pike season never closes on Lake of the Woods and we have a very large population of nice trophy pike right now. Some of the best luck has been found in Zippel Bay, Four Mile Bay and shallow creeks. Casting dare devils or any shiny spoon has been working well.
Walleye Opener is only a few weeks away
May 9 walleye season will be back open! Lodging and guided trips are filling up fast.
The ice continues to break up!
This week we expect to see lots of changes due to the warm weather. Check out the latest pictures.
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| Morris Point Gap 4-28-2015 |
Pine Island and Light House Gap 4-28-2015 |
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| View from Rocky Point looking East 4-28-2015 |
Check out this forecast!
View of Pine Island & Light House Gap from the South Shore
View of Morris Point Gap from the South Shore
Book today! http://sportsmanslodges.com/rainyriver/rates/spring/
800-862-8602
