http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/300169731.htm
http://www.grandforksherald.com/outdoors/recreation/3720459-brad-dokken-big-one-got-away
And what to use to reel in one of these prehistoric fish.
http://lakeofthewoodsmn.com/how-to-catch-a-sturgeon/
Sturgeon Fishing is in full swing! Now through May 15 is the best time of year to land one these prehistoric monsters!
Check out this cool video. Lodging and Guided Trips still available! Give us a call www.sportsmanslodges.com 800-862-8602
Sturgeon & Northern Pike are in the spotlight!
With walleye season closed until May 9, sturgeon and pike are taking center stage! The sturgeon bite this week has been consistent. Not as many monsters, but still good action. Lots of 25-40 inchers were caught and released. The best approach has been anchoring up in the Rainy River in deep holes or mid channel. Mornings favored the afternoons this weekend, but that can usually change with the day. Areas 3 miles west of Baudette, in front of the lodge and near Wheeler’s Point have all been good spots. A 2 oz. weight, 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook and gob of night crawlers bring them in. We still have openings this weekend! Book your stay 800-862-8602!
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| 40 inch sturgeon caught by Devin Guided by Dave Winters |
51 inch sturgeon Kyle Hanson |
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| 57 inch sturgeon Joshua LaFerriere & Harleigh Beth O’Dier Guided by Evan Smith |
April 11 – Nice sturgeon caught by Harleigh Beth O’Dier Guided by Evan Smith |
The pike bite has been best in the winter road river area and any creeks along the river that are open. A decent bullhead bite has also been reported when targeting pike. Flashy spoons or dead ciscos floated with a bobber are great approaches. Some have been just using a jig and a minnow too.
Stats
Water temperature currently 51 degrees. Water is churned up from the wind but not too bad. Water level is lower than normal and run off is minimal if any. Forecast this week is:
Ice Out
Slow but sure, we are making progress.
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| April 18, 2015 | April 11, 2015 |
Guided Trips Available!
We have 18’-20’ boats available with a guide, poles, tackle and fish cleaning all provided. Take the work out of fishing and let one of our knowledgeable guides do the work so you can sit back, relax and reel in the fish! The boats hold up to 4 passengers plus the guide. $450 for the day. Book your trip today.
Spring Lodging Special
$40 per person per night midweek, $45 weekends lodge rooms or cabins. $59 in our new villas. Based on double occupancy plus tax now through May 20. Food and Drinks available too. Click here for our current hours and make your spring trip reservation today 800-862-8602.
Great Fishing All Year Long
All months, all seasons, Sportsman’s has great fishing!
We’re known for having world class Minnesota fishing, and we know what all great fisherman love to do… to catch a lot of fish, be comfortable, and have a great time! We pride ourselves on providing all the right tools for you to have the fishing trip of your dreams. 
FISH ON!
What a week! Lots of great fishing has been enjoyed. The walleye bite has been steady. Lots of nice fish were found and most released. Rattle, glow or whistler jigs and lures worked well tipped with a frozen shiner or chub. Today is the last day of the season until May 9. We are looking forward to May!
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| 26″ walleye released by our very own Christi Pierce |
Mike Toay 28 inch walleye |
Walleye season may be closing but that DOES NOT mean there are not lots of other species to fish for! The sturgeon bite is really heating up! Anglers have been very successful this week. Four Mile Bay and right out in front of the lodge have been hot spots. A group that was fishing yesterday even had good luck after dark! Lake of the Woods isn’t usually known for after dark fishing. The water level is very low, run off and the current is minimal. Current water temperature is 40 degrees in the Rainy River near the lodge and Wheeler’s Point. It is slightly warmer hovering around 47 degrees up river near Birchdale.
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| Heath Rosenau, 55 inch sturgeon took over an hour to land |
Dan Bruun nice sturgeon |
Catch and release sturgeon season lasts until April 23. Keep one season within size limits runs April 24-May 7 and catch and release again May 8-15 before the season closes for a short time May 16-June 30. The best approach is using a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook tipped with a gob of night crawlers and this year you only need 1-2 ounces of weight. A no roll weight is best. Stop in our gift shop for your tackle needs. Anchoring just up the slant of a deep hole of the river bottom works well. Set up your rod, sit back and relax. It can sometimes be boring to start out but when you get a bite, HOLD ON! They will give you a fight!!! It is worth the wait!
Northern Pike
Spring season on the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods is not only known for walleye and sturgeon, but the elusive pike as well! Zippel Bay, Bostic Creek, Four Mile Bay and most any creek up river that has opened up are great spots. Flashy spoons or dead ciscos floated on with a bobber are great approaches. You will find them in real shallow shorelines this time of year.
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| View of Four Mile Bay and the lake 4-13-2015 |
Ice Out
Open water is found outside of Pine Island now up to 20’. Forecast is calling for highs in the 50’s and 60’s this week. We should start to see some big changes by the end of the week.
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| Ice is starting to deteriorate! Satellite Pic 4-14-2015 |
Guided Trips Available!
We have 18’-20’ boats available with a guide, poles, tackle and fish cleaning all provided. Take the work out of fishing and let one of our knowledgeable guides do the work so you can sit back, relax and reel in the fish! The boats hold up to 4 passengers plus the guide. $450 for the day. Book your trip today.
Spring Lodging Special
$40 per person per night midweek, $45 weekends lodge rooms or cabins. $59 in our new villas. Based on double occupancy plus tax now through May 20. Food and Drinks available too. Click here for our current hours and make your spring trip reservation today 800-862-8602.
Morel mushroom picking season is soon here! Early May is usually the time we start to see them popping up in our area. A common sign is when the first of the wild flowers start to come up. For more information about how to identify the morels and where to find these delicious mushrooms click here http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/guide-to-hunting-for-morel-mushrooms-zmaz02amzgoe.aspx
For a delicious cheesy mushroom recipe click here http://lakeofthewoodsmn.com/morels-stuffed-with-cheese-n-stuff/
Last day of walleye fishing is tomorrow, April 14. The season will then close for almost a month, reopening May 9. This past weekend the action really heated up! We are looking forward to May 9! Check out our Facebook page for some pictures of the latest action! www.facebook.com/sportsmanslodges
Moving on to Lake Sturgeon and Northern Pike!
Just because walleye season is ending doesn’t mean their is nothing else worth fishing for at the Walleye Capital of the World, Lake of the Woods. The prehistoric monster lake sturgeons are active. This past weekend was excellent. Lots of 30-65 inch were caught and released. Catch and release season goes until April 23. Take one season (within size limits) is April 24-May 7. We have another catch and release season May 8-15 before the season closes altogether for a month and a half May 16-June 30. Spring is also an excellent time to catch some nice pike. This season never closes and Lake of the Woods is one of the top 5 lakes in all of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes to catch a trophy!
Hook a deal with our spring lodging rates as low as $40* per person per night through May 20!
*plus tax and based on double occupancy
www.sportsmanslodges.com 800-862-8602
Wheeler’s Point landing is open!
Birchdale, Frontier, Vidas and Timbermill Park as well. Our lodging is full for 4/10 & 4/11 but we have openings the rest of the month.
Lots of fishing opportunities available!
Walleye season is open until April 14, re-opening May 9. Sturgeon catch and release season is open now through April 23. Keep one within size limits April 24-May 7 and catch and release again May 8-15 before the season closes for a short time May 16-June 30. Northern Pike season will be heating up very soon. Spring is a great time to catch some of these monsters and did you know Lake of the Woods is one of the top 5 best places in the state to catch a trophy pike! Northern pike season is open year round.
Spring Lodging Special
Lodging as low as $40 per person per night! (plus tax based on double occupancy) Now through May 20. Guided trips and boat docking available too. Book your trip today! 800-862-8602 or online by clicking here.
The walleye bite is picking up and the ice is on the way out! Walleye season is open until April 14 and re-opens May 9 here on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. Good reports coming in from the weekend of many slot fish being caught with keepers mixed in. This weekend, 1/4 ounce jigs tipped with frozen shiners or rainbows produced well. Bryan “Beef” Sathre and Evan Smith two of our guides here ventured Saturday and found some nice eyes in the 22″-25″ class. The ice is out up to Wheeler’s Point and a channel is open in Four Mile Bay. The Wheeler’s Point public access just a mile away from us at this point only has 6 feet of shore ice in front and will be gone soon. Timbermill Park in Baudette, Vidas Landing, Frontier and Birchdale landings all east of Baudette are open as well.
Sturgeon are being caught by both those targeting them and the accidental one caught while walleye fishing. The best approach for sturgeon is sturgeon rigs, 18″ heavy leader material paired with a 5/0 circle hook. Teamed up with a 4 oz no roll sinker, a nightcrawler and a frozen shiner and you are in business. Find a deep hole in the river and anchor up. Sturgeon catch and release is open until April 23, keep one season is open April 23-May 7 within size limits, we go back to catch and release May 8-15 and the season closes for a short time May 16-June 30.
More bays will be opening up this week. We expect the spring northern pike bite to be strong! Time to get the boat out, lots of soft water fishing opportunities have begun!
Spring Lodging Specials Lodging starting at only $40 per person per night plus tax based on double occupancy April 1-May 20! Guided Outfitter trips and boat slips are available too. Weekends are filling up, get your reservations in now 800-862-8602 or click here.
Summer is just around the corner Excellent fishing, lodging, camping, indoor pool, entertainment, new villas, and outdoor activities. Just a few things Sportsman’s offers for your next summer vacation. Click here and make plans today.