Ice Report
We plan to ice fish through this weekend and take it day by day after that. We still have 32-48 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. Overcast with a NW wind today should help keep things cool. We check ice daily. Safety first! Stay tuned!
Who is ready for summer vacation?
The countdown has begun! Summer days will soon be here! Check out our new villas for a great place to bring your family and relax at the lake!
Lake of the Woods Ice Conditions & Fishing Report
3/11/2015
Is spring coming early or are we just being teased?
Like much of the state we have received some warm weather this week too. What does this mean for ice fishing? Safety first! At this point we have only lost snow. We still have 33 inches of ice on the river, 38 inches on Four Mile Bay and nearly 4 feet on the lake. The forecast is calling for highs in the forties through the weekend and lows in the upper twenties/lower thirties. Mostly overcast skies (this helps!). Next week’s forecast cools down with highs in the thirties and lows in the lower twenties. We see no problem fishing through this weekend and possibly next week. It all depends on how much sun and warm temperatures we get through this weekend. We check ice conditions daily and will keep you updated! Daily reports can be found on our Facebook page here.
24 inch walleye
Caught & released by a member
of the Rohwedder group, caught on
a chartreuse swedish pimpleGarrett Rohwedder
25 inch walleye, released
Caught on a red buckshot spoon
in one of the sleeper housesA good day! Pink was the hot color!
Sent in by Travis Campbell
How’s fishing?
We have a variety of houses in the mud and reefs in 25-32 feet of water. The ride out to the fish houses takes anywhere from 15-45 minutes. If we had it our way, the shorter the ride the better however, the fish aren’t agreeing this year. That’s fishing! Our goal is to give you the best fishing experience possible so we go where the fish are. A mix of walleyes, saugers, tulibees, a few perch and pike have been reeled in this week. Bright colored jigs orange, pink and gold have been working well tipped with a minnow. Buck shots have also done well. A little jigging and using a vexilar helps your fishing success!Walleye fishing open until April 14, re-opening May 9. Limit change on the Rainy River and Four Mile Bay March 1-April 14. Pike season never closes and 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.
Trail Report
Grooming has ended for the year. Trails are being maintained by local resorts with drags. Use caution around the pressure ridges. Pressure ridges pull apart and push together when the temperature warms and cools.
River Fishing
Won’t be long and we will be back in the boats. The river is open 58 miles east of the resort right now. The first landing near us that will open will be at Birchdale, 38 miles away. When? Good question? My guess is 10-14 days at this point. Lots of factors come in to play of course, stay tuned! Lodging rates as low as $40 per person per night (plus tax based on double occ) April 1-May 20! Get your reservations in now!
Oak Island Ice Conditions & Fishing Report
3/11/2015
Fish On!
Warm weather has been in the area, but we are still freezing at night and the 10 day forecast is calling for much of the same. We have lost some snow but ice is good, no loss. As long as we don’t get a stretch of nights not freezing we see no problem continuing to ice fish through our season. Here at Oak Island we will be for ice fishing through March 21 and the lodge open through March 22. The main lodge near Baudette does not close during ice out.
Anglers have been reeling in 30% walleyes, 60% saugers and the balance in perch and northern pike. The catching success has increased over the past week. Depths ranging from 17’-27’ have been doing the best. As far as big fish, a few nice 38” and 41” pike have been caught as well as some nice walleyes in the 22”-27” range. A good run from 8am-10am and 2pm-5pm have been the most aggressive times of the day. Gold jigs tipped with a minnow are the hot ticket and keeping your jig really tight to bottom.
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| Grant with one of his nice walleyes he caught! Way to go Grant! Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge |
Ice Conditions
38+ inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish.
Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
Open and in good shape. This could change based on the weather conditions so please call before coming out.
Trail Report
Trails are in fair condition. A little slushy depending on the daily temperature.
Summer is just around the corner!
Get your reservations in now! 800-772-8411 or click here.
Who is ready for spring soft water fishing?
It won’t be long and we will be launching boats and fishing for walleyes, northern pike and lake sturgeon! We have our sites on early April. Walleye season on Lake of the Woods is open until April 14, closing for a short time April 15-May 8 and then opening for the season again May 9. The spring bite can be incredible! 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 to reel in the walleyes. For sturgeon big hooks and a gob of worms work well and for northern pike, dare devils or buck tails are popular lures.
For more information about Sportsman’s Lodge lodging and fishing packages, click here.
New Lake Home on Oak Island
Looking for a place to get away for a few nights or a week or two? If you are looking for somewhere quiet, peaceful, comfortable and beautiful look no further than Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge. Nestled on Oak Island near the Northwest Angle and Canadian border of Minnesota. We have two vacation homes to choose from. The newest home is a privately owned and is now apart of our rental pool. This home as of Fall 2014 includes 3 bedrooms with six beds and three futons with a comfortable 8″ innerspring mattresses. Great for groups up to twelve people. Bedroom one has 1 king & 1 twin, bedroom two has 1 Queen & 1 Twin, Bedroom three has 1 Queen & 1 Twin. The vacation home also includes 2.5 baths, 2 living areas, full kitchen with electric range, dishwasher, microwave, fridge/freezer, 6 beds, washer and dryer, wifi, and an awesome view with a glass paneled wrap around deck.
For more information and availability. Click here
Lake of the Woods Ice Conditions & Fishing Report
3/5/2015
Last month of ice fishing
Here we are in the last month of the season. More sun, warmer days and active walleyes are what we have in our sights. It will be a fun month of fishing! Currently we have houses scattered anywhere from 25’-31’ in the mud and on the reefs, 5 to 18 miles away. The action has been hit and misses. Some days the catching is real good and the others a little less, all in all the fishing is good. Vexilar/Fish Finder users tend to have the best success. The good old gold jig, chartreuse jig and spoons with some shine to them tipped with a minnow are doing the best right now. Vertical jigging a few inches off bottom is a good approach. We are seeing a 75% sauger, 25% walleye mix this week. The walleyes are nice size and many 20” plus.
Ice Conditions
We have 38 inches plus of ice right now in the areas we travel and fish. Nice week of weather in the forecast. Highs in the teens early in the week and 30’s by the weekend. Lows in the single digits to keep our ice nice and safe.
Trail Conditions
Trails are in the best shape they have been in all winter. Grooming continues weekly and as needed.
Late season openings
We still have openings in March. Come on up and get your fish on! www.sportsmanslodges.com 800-862-8602
Sturgeon, Pike & Walleye Soft water Fishing Anyone?
April is just around the corner and that means excellent river and bay fishing. Walleye season is open until April 14, reopening May 9. Pike season never closes and sturgeon season is open until May 15. Spring fishing is action packed! You won’t want to miss it! Lodging, Guided Trips, Boat Slips, Boat Rental, Restaurant, Indoor Pool, Camping available. Lodging as low as $40 per person per night! *plus tax based on double occupancy.
Oak Island Ice Conditions & Fishing Report
3/5/2015
Get in on the late season action!
The best action has been between 8am-10am and 2pm-5pm this week. Anglers are reeling in a 50/50 walleye and sauger mix along with a few perch. The white gemini tipped with a minnow has been the hot tackle this week in 22’-26’ of water on hard bottom. Combination of a little jigging but mostly dead sticking has worked well.
Ice Conditions
38+ inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel right now.
Trail & Road Conditions
Snowmobile trails are in good shape. Ice road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island is in good shape too.
Snowmobile Rally is this weekend!
Come on out for the day, Saturday March 7 and join the Northwest Angle Edge Riders and us for this fun annual event. Events, prizes, enter for a chance to win a Polaris Ranger, food and fun! For more information click here.
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge last day of ice fishing will be March 21 and the last day of the lodge will be open will be March 22. Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location will continue to ice fish until March 31 and the lodge will remain open through ice out.
Fish Houses can be out on Lake of the Woods until March 31
Unlike many lakes in Minnesota. On Lake of the Woods you can have fish houses out until March 31. Most lakes in Minnesota you have to remove them by Feb 28. Not only are permanent shelters allowed to be out until March 31 but the more important thing is the ice is usually very stable until then as well. Right now we have over 3 feet of ice in the areas we travel and fish and making more daily. It is not uncommon for us to have 4 feet by mid March.
Ice Fishing Packages Available Until Late
March at all 3 Locations at Sportsman’s Lodge
More sun = active fishing!
Starting at $193 per person for 2 nights lodging and 1 day ice fishing (fish house heated and ready to go, transportation to and from the fish house, use of jig sticks, jigs, bait and fish cleaning)
*plus tax based on double occupancy, rainy river location midweek
Book your late season trip today.
Sportsman’s 18th Annual Mardi Gras Party is March 28!
Join in the fun!
Entertainment
Drink and Food Specials
Crowning of the king and queen – he and she who have the most beads wins!
FREE Hurricanes 8pm-9pm
Beads, Beads and more beads!
Get valuable coupons if you lodge with us!
$5 Cover Charge – free for lodging guests
Good Times
Click here for more information and to reserve your lodging
http://sportsmanslodges.com/index.php?cID=310
