Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

May 8, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

The biggest day of the year in Minnesota is this weekend (May 10)! Walleye season opens for the summer bright and early Saturday morning, and we can’t wait! Fishermen have reported a strong walleye bite ahead of the season opener, and we expect that to carry into the weekend. Finding walleye hasn’t been difficult, and you certainly don’t have to go far. Most of the largest fish have been reeled in along the Rainy River and in 4-Mile Bay (ice still remains on parts of the lake, but there are plenty of areas to find fish now).

Sturgeon season has now switched over to catch and release from now through May 15. Guests have been boating quality sturgeon at all times of the day and along a majority of the river. However, the best sturgeon have been found lingering in deep crevices. Pack your shiners and crawlers to help land you a monster!

If pike are more your style, you’re in luck, because they’re biting too! Test your fishing skills in either the 4-Mile Bay or Zippel Bay areas. Find a weed bed and drop a line and spoon and get ready! Don’t forget, pike season never closes!

Sturgeon Tournament Recap This year was our best one yet. We started out with a record number of fish boated, and ended with one of the largest daily winners ever. The weather may have been cold, dark and rainy, but spirits were high throughout both days. Here’s a look at the final leaderboard.

For more pictures from the weekend, check out our Facebook page!

Spring Lodging Special

Starting at only $40 per person per night through May 22 at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location. Give us a call to book your trip 800-862-8602 or request online.

*plus tax based on double occupancy.

Guided Fishing

Prefer to let us find the fish and bring the gear? Our guided outfitter trips are great for spring and fall fishing. Enjoy great river fishing in one of our 18′ or 20′ boats equipped with poles, bait, tackle, experienced guide, assortment of pop and water and fish cleaning. $450 for an all day trip for the boat. Boat holds up to 4 passengers plus the guide.

Our New Villas are great for summer vacations!

Have you checked out our beautiful new villas yet? They are brand new and spacious 1-5 bedroom lodging units great for groups of 1-17. Log furniture, fireplaces, beautiful river views, open floor plans and more. Check them out today and make plans to book your summer vacation at Sportsman’s.

Mom’s & Fishing

Treat mom to a fishing weekend or maybe a relaxing and quiet weekend in a cabin while you go fishing on Walleye Opener and treat her to our delicious Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch. You will love our vast selection of entrees, desserts, mimosas and more.Lodging starts at only $45 per person plus tax based on double occupancy. Walleye Opener is May 10 and Mother’s Day is May 11.

Sportsman’s Sturgeon Classic: Day 2

May 3, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

That’s a wrap! We’ve officially closed the books on the 8th Annual Sportsman’s Sturgeon Classic! This year has been our best one yet. We started out with a record number of fish boated and ended with one of the largest daily winners ever. The weather may not have cooperated (it snowed most of the day today), but we had a great weekend. Thanks to all of the participants for a fun weekend! Mark your calendars for next year’s tournament, May 1 & 2!

Here they are, the results of day 2!

1st Place, winning $1,880: Greg Merschan reeled in a sturgeon measuring in at 68” with a 29” girth, weighing 90 pounds!

2nd Place: Dave Clement, 56” sturgeon with a 23” girth, weighing in at 47 pounds.
3rd Place: Tony Z, 56” sturgeon with a 20” girth, weighing 38 pounds

Here’s a look at the overall leader-board!

Visit our Facebook to see all the pictures from this weekend!

Sturgeon Classic 2014 – Day 1

May 2, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

Today was INCREDIBLE! Here’s a breakdown:

Anglers boated over 100 fish throughout the day! That’s more than we’ve ever seen on a single day during the Sturgeon Classic!

The Minnesota DNR spent the day tagging sturgeon near the lodge, and tagged over 50 sturgeon that measured over 40” throughout the day!

The weather may have been cold, dark and rainy, but spirits were high throughout the day. Tomorrow certainly looks to be better with a high temperature expected to hit the 50 degree mark under partly cloudy skies.

Interested in how the tournament works? Here are the basics.

–This year marks the 8th Annual Sportsman’s Lodge Sturgeon Classic.
-The tournament is hosting a field of 50 boats and over 140 participants.
-The tournament consists of two days of catch-and-release fishing.
-The three longest sturgeon of each day receive prices. First two receive cash & the third a custom built rod.
-The tournament is held on the Rainy River in front of Sportsman’s Lodge.
-Live Entertainment, food and drinks will close out the day.

Official Day 1 Results: Sportsman’s 8th Annual Sturgeon Classic
Prizes awarded to the 3 longest fish of each day

1st Place: Doug Decker measuring in with a 65.5” length and 26” girth. Doug ‘s winning fish snagged him $1,880 cash!

2nd Place: Courtney Dobmeier (pictured left) measuring in at 65.5” length with a 28” girth.

3rd Place

Looking forward to tomorrow
We will kick off tomorrow (Saturday) at 8:30 a.m. and close the tournament at 3 p.m. A prime rib dinner banquet with a prize presentation begins at 6 p.m. Live entertainment in the Sandbar will close out the weekend!

Book your sturgeon adventure now!
The sturgeon season is open now (keep one within size limits) through May 7 and May 8-15 is catch and release season before closing for about a 6 week period of time. A number of nice sturgeon have been caught this spring, and there is still plenty of time to get in on the action. Give us a call to make a quick trip and reel in one of these monsters! 800-862-8602

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

May 1, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

Fishing Report 4/30

Sportsman’s Lodge

It’s sturgeon season, and it’s already been one for the record books! Two 100”+ sturgeon have already been caught and released along the Rainy River in the last few weeks! The sturgeon have been on the move, but remain easy to find, which is perfect for our annual sturgeon tournament this weekend. Most of the biggest sturgeon have been found lingering around the deeper depths along the river, and are biting on circle hooks tipped with crawlers and frozen shiners.

Sturgeon Tournament This Weekend

Our 8th annual sturgeon tournament takes place right in front of the lodge this weekend! Stay up to date with the happenings and photos on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages! If you’re fishing in the tournament, be sure to tag us in your photos using #SportsmansSturgeon14.

Make a Date

Don’t forget when each season opens and closes! Here’s a little list for your reference!

Sturgeon: Keep one (within size limits) from now through May 7, and then catch and release again May 8 – 15.
Walleye: Opens for the season on May 10
Northern Pike: Open year round

Spring Lodging Special

Starting at only $40 per person per night through May 22 at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location. Give us a call to book your trip 800-862-8602 or request online.

*Plus tax, based on double occupancy.

Guided Fishing

Our New Villas are great for summer vacations!

Mom’s & Fishing

Treat mom to a fishing weekend or maybe a relaxing and quiet weekend in a cabin while you go fishing on Walleye Opener and treat her to our delicious Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch. You will love our vast selection of entrees, desserts, mimosas and more. Lodging starts at only $45 per person plus tax based on double occupancy. Walleye Opener is May 10 and Mother’s Day is May 11.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

April 29, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

Sportsman’s Lodge
It’s sturgeon season, and it’s already been one for the record books! Two 100”+ sturgeon have already been caught and released along the Rainy River in the last few weeks! The sturgeon have been on the move, but remain easy to find, which is perfect for our annual sturgeon tournament this weekend. Most of the biggest sturgeon have been found lingering around the deeper depths along the river, and are biting on circle hooks tipped with crawlers and frozen shiners.

Sturgeon Tournament This Weekend
Our 8th annual sturgeon tournament takes place right in front of the lodge this weekend! Stay up to date with the happenings and photos on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages! If you’re fishing in the tournament, be sure to tag us in your photos using #SportsmansSturgeon14.

Make a Date
Don’t forget when each season opens and closes! Here’s a little list for your reference!
Sturgeon: Keep one (within size limits) from now through May 7, and then catch and release again May 8 – 15.
Walleye: Opens for the season on May 10
Northern Pike: Open year round

Spring Lodging Special
Starting at only $40 per person per night through May 22 at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location. Give us a call to book your trip 800-862-8602 or request online.
*Plus tax, based on double occupancy.

Guided Fishing
Prefer to let us find the fish and bring the gear? Our guided outfitter trips are great for spring and fall fishing. Enjoy great river fishing in one of our 18′ or 20′ boats equipped with poles, bait, tackle, experienced guide, assortment of pop and water and fish cleaning. $450 for an all day trip for the boat. Boat holds up to 4 passengers plus the guide.

Our New Villas are great for summer vacations!
Have you checked out our beautiful new villas yet? They are brand new and spacious 1-5 bedroom lodging units great for groups of 1-17. Log furniture, fireplaces, beautiful river views, open floor plans and more. Check them out today and make plans to book your summer vacation at Sportsman’s.

Mom’s & Fishing
Treat mom to a fishing weekend or maybe a relaxing and quiet weekend in a cabin while you go fishing on Walleye Opener and treat her to our delicious Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch. You will love our vast selection of entrees, desserts, mimosas and more. Lodging starts at only $45 per person plus tax based on double occupancy. Walleye Opener is May 10 and Mother’s Day is May 11.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

April 23, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

Fishing Report 4/22

Spring fishing is rockin’! Just over two weeks into the spring fishing season, and we’ve already seen some of the most impressive spring fish ever! The river has produced a number of 64”+ sturgeon, and at least one over 100 lbs! We’ve also seen more than the average amount of trophy walleyes being reeled in and released. Prior to walleye season closing on April 14, a 31”+ walleye, and a few more 27-30” were caught and released along the Rainy River. Fishermen have also been after the elusive pike on the open river. Remember, pike season doesn’t close, so you have lot’s of time to reel yours in!

The Rainy River has now opened up past our docks, into Four Mile Bay. All of the landings between Birchdale and the lodge are also open. This includes both Timber Mill landing (east side of Baudette) and the Wheelers Point landing. The water along the river is a little dirty, but it hasn’t seemed to have any kind of negative impact on fishing. The dam at Little Fork was released on Monday, and has certainly increased the current along the river.

Wheelers Point access is open and ready for the season!

The sun has been shining, and the river has been flowing in front of our docks!

Sturgeon season opens this Thursday, and fishing, river and weather conditions look to be great for the weekend! The keep 1 sturgeon season (within size limits) starts April 23 and goes through May 7, May 8-15 is catch and release. Don’t miss out the season closes May 16-June 30.

Click here for a live look from our docks on the Rainy River!

Lake of the Woods & Oak Island

There is still quite a bit of ice on the lake and around the islands. Fishermen have been heading out for ice fishing from Graceton Beach, and having some luck with tip ups. Ice conditions are changing daily, so before you make your ice fishing plans, make sure you have the most up-to-date ice conditions from the local tourism bureau (218-634-1174)

Weather

The weather this week will have a little bit of everything. From sunshine, to rain, snow and wind, every day will be a bit different. The only constant seems to be temps rising above freezing during the day and dipping down to the 20s in the evenings. Click here for a full 10-day forecast

Spring Lodging Special

Starting at only $40 per person per night through May 22 at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location. Give us a call to book your trip 800-862-8602 or request online. *plus tax based on double occupancy.

Guided Fishing

Our New Villas are great for summer vacations!

Mom’s & Fishing

Treat mom to a fishing weekend or maybe a relaxing and quiet weekend in a cabin while you go fishing on Walleye Opener and treat her to our delicious Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch. You will love our vast selection of entrees, desserts, mimosas and more. Lodging starts at only $45 per person plus tax based on double occupancy. Walleye Opener is May 10 and Mother’s Day is May 11.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

April 18, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

Fishing Report 4/17

Walleye season may be closed (reopening May 10), but there are still plenty of fishing opportunities in the Lake of the Woods area! Pike season is open year-round, and has been presenting a steady bite of sizeable fish. If you’re looking to land a monster this season, start planning your trip NOW! Sturgeon season is now open for catch-and-release through April 23, and opens up for keeping one fish (within size limits) April 24 through May 7. Sturgeon catch and release continues May 8-15

We’ve been fishing on soft water for less than 10 days, and we’ve already seen more than the average amount of trophy-sized fish reeled in by our guides and guests.

River Conditions

TThe river has continued opening up, and has worked it’s way west every day. As of early this week, the river has opened to the Vidas landing, located approximately 6 miles east of Baudette. Watch our Facebook page for the latest on the river conditions.

Lake Conditions
Ice fishing enthusiasts have had quite the season. Fishermen are still accessing the frozen lake near Graceton Beach, and heading just a few miles out to find a good bite. This week’s cold weather has slowed the fast thawing that occurred last week. However, conditions change daily. For the most up-to-date lake ice and safety conditions, please contact the local tourism bureau.

Spring Lodging Special

Starting at only $40 per person per night through May 22 at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location. Give us a call to book your trip 800-862-8602 or request online.

*plus tax based on double occupancy.

Our New Villas are great for summer vacations!

Mom’s & Fishing

Treat mom to a fishing weekend or maybe a relaxing and quiet weekend in a cabin while you go fishing on Walleye Opener and treat her to our deliciousMother’s Day Champagne Brunch. You will love our vast selection of entrees, desserts, mimosas and more. Lodging starts at only $45 per person plus tax based on double occupancy. Walleye Opener is May 10 and Mother’s Day is May 11.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

April 9, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

Fishing Report 04-09-14

River Open Update – It’s Time for Spring Fishing
Are you ready? Because spring fishing has officially begun! After a warm and sunny week, the river opened up several miles, and is now open to the Birchdale landing and beyond. Sportsman’s Lodge guide, Dave, fished near Birchdale on Tuesday afternoon, and reeled in a ton of fish ranging from eating sized to wall hangers, and lots of slot sized fish in between! Outfitter trips are now available for the rest of the spring season. Give us a call to book yours!

A fair amount of ice is still covering most of the lake, but a string of warm days has certainly knocked out some of that ice. Ice conditions continue to change on a daily basis, be sure to give us a call before you head up for your trip!

High temperatures will be creep into the 40’s throughout most of the next 10 days, and may even inch into the 60’s on one occasion.

. Click here for a full weather report for the Lake of the Woods and Rainy River area.

Come reel in the excitement!
Don’t forget, spring is great for sturgeon fishing! The sturgeon season is catch and release through April 23, and opens up to keep one (within size limits) April 24-May 7! Walleye season remains open until April 14 (reopens May 10) and pike season never closes!

Visit our website to download the area boat landing map.

We are open!
Lodging and food is available at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location! Guided Outfitter trips will be available as soon as we get rid of a some more ice. Forecast is warming up. It shouldn’t be long! Lodging as low as $40 per person per night. (plus tax based on double occupancy) Give us a call to book your spring trip 800-862-8062

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

April 1, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

Fishing Report – 04/01/14

That’s a wrap! Sportsman’s lodge has officially wrapped up its 2013/2014 ice fishing season! Thank you to all of our guests for making the trek up to Lake of the Woods to spend some time fishing with us! We had a blast spending our winter with you!

Katie caught this Northern on Lake of the Woods this weekend!

Fishermen have continued to reel in a lot of fish throughout the last week. Some of the fish have flirted with with lengths near the slot limit, but most have been good eating fish. Either way, the fish are biting!

Sportsman’s Lodge guides and guests have been fishing in water depths ranging from 18’ to 26’ about 5 miles from the lodge. Shallow water has been consistently producing fish in the early and late hours of the day, while deeper water has been successful during the afternoon hours.

Minnows and fatheads remain the popular bait, while buckshot lures in pink and gold have been the tackle of choice.

Ice Conditions
We still have plenty of it. We are still sitting on 40+ inches of ice, and, after Monday’s blizzard, a substantial amount of snow.

Sportsman’s Lodge has removed all permanent ice houses from the lake. However, Based on current ice and weather conditions, we expect the ice to remain for a while longer. So, if you still haven’t gotten your ice fishing fix, pack your ice augers and take your own ice fishing adventure.

Rainy River Update
The river is beginning to open up about 15 miles from Birchdale, MN. Birchdale is located approximately 50 miles downstream from Sportsman’s Lodge and the mouth of Lake of the Woods. The Birchdale landing is usually the first one to open for the year in our area. Stay tuned! Once we start warming up, it shouldn’t take too long to deteriorate the river ice and start our soft water fishing season.

Visit our website to download the area boat landing map.

Trail Conditions
Public trails had their last groomings last week, and remain in fair to good condition. The trail markings will be left up until conditions deteriorate.Many resorts help maintain the trails or use their own private trails.

Weather
We may officially be in the spring season, but we are a long ways off of spring-like weather. Daytime temperatures will only be climbing into the mid- to upper-30’s throughout the next 10 days, and will drop below the freezing mark to the teens and 20’s during the overnight hours. A slight chance of snow is expected late this week, and again early next week.

Sturgeon! Pike! Walleye! Make plans for April & May soft water fishing!

Excellent sturgeon, walleye and pike fishing will soon be here.

Walleye season is open until May 14, reopening May 10

Pike season never closes

Sturgeon season is catch and release through April 23. Keep one (within size limits) April 24-May 7, catch and release again May 8-15.

Get your reservations in today.

Oak Island Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

March 26, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

Big shoutout to the Bryan “Beef” Sathre group that visited us at Oak Island this weekend! Thanks for sharing your photos!

To book your winter or summer Oak Island adventure, call us at 800-772-8411!

Kevin Workman with his 26” walleye!

Ever wonder what it’s like to fish in a winter storm?

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge is now closed for the winter season. Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location is open and will remain open through the ice breakup season. Thank you for a great season! Give us a call to make your spring, summer and fall trip plans. We open May 9.