Lake of the Woods Oak Island & Northwest Angle Fishing & Outdoor Report 7/1/13

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The reef bite is on its way in the Islands!

The mayflies are hatching out and fish are gorging themselves on bugs and jigs and minnows! It’s the beginning of the deep reef bite, fish are gathering in big numbers on some of the deeper off shore structure. Look for reefs topping out in the mid 20’ level and that extend into deeper water over 30’.

3/8 ounce jig and minnow is the standard go to in the island area, it’s a laid back approach like the island life style. Gold, orange, and chartreuse are good starter colors but not always the choice of the day so changing it up is recommended. Look for deep reefs located in the Little Traverse Bay, on windy days the Skeet Island area is sometimes a better option. Musky and northern action has been good as well, shallow bays are loading up with good weed cover right now. Spoons, spinner baits, buzz baits and plastic swim baits are good options.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing & Outdoor Report 7/1/13

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Fish flies are on the rise in Lake of The Woods!

Mayflies are hatching out all across the lake leaving blankets of bugs on the water and in your boat. Fishing has not been affected however, the Woods has so many walleyes that it’s tough to shut down this bite. The deep rock structure remains the steady pattern for the most part, fish are moving up and down this structure routinely and will often be up shallow on top of the rock when aggressive and will slide off to the deeper edges when not so aggressive.

Pulling crank baits and spinners are a steady go to right now, #5 and #7 shad raps in assorted colors are a good option to start with. For a more relaxing option you can hold on the tops or the edge of deep structure and vertically jig with a minnow. 3/8 ounce jig, change colors to find the fish’s choice of the day.

Have a blast in Baudette on the 4th of July

Several activities planned including a parade, entertainment, good food, games and a spectacular fireworks display. Bring the whole family and stay 3 nights at Sportsman’s Lodge Baudette/Rainy River Location and get the 4th night free! Click here for the complete schedule of events and to make your reservation now. 

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing & Outdoor Report 6/24/13

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Fishing remains good and mosquitoes remain plenty!

Most of the boat traffic has been headed north to the Garden Island area, the expansive rock structure the area has to offer has been littered with walleyes. Numerous presentations will work now, jigs and pulling spinners are the bread and butter for the guides right now but trolling crank baits will work as well and often times catch the biggest fish. Don’t forget about the south basin in the mud, big schools of walleyes still hold here and you can sometimes find “hot spots” in the mud.

Tie on a 3/8 ounce jig and tip it with a minnow or leech and your set if your going to jig fish. Change color and try jigs with rattle chambers or props, the extra noise and vibration is helpful sometimes. Look for fish “on top” of rock piles and scattered around the bottom of the structure where it starts to meet the mud. Depth of the fish will vary on these reefs, you may find them in 10′ to 12′ of water on top of a pile or holding part way down the pile in 20′ to 24′. In the mud look for fish to be in water over 30′ right now.

Lodging, Fishing & Meals!

Take a trip to Sportsman’s Lodge and catch the summer excitement!

Check out summer packages here.

Lots of activities planned for the 4th of July. You won’t want to miss it!

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Cormack 27 inch walleye part of MFM group

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New windsock on the river.
Thanks to those responsible

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Ramona Mitchell of Bismark, ND 28 inches.
Capt. Dave (Green spinner w/ minnow)

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Even the guide catches one now and then

 

Lake of the Woods Oak Island & Northwest Angle Fishing & Outdoor Report 6/24/13

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The longest days of the year and the islands, perfect!

Its a perfect time of the year to visit the islands, the days are long so you have plenty of time to try and see everything. The fishing is decent too, great multi-specie action right now. Walleyes are moving to rock piles, look for 20′ to 24′ reefs. 3/8 ounce jig and minnow is perfect for these rock piles. Small mouth are found shallow holding around boulders in and around sand, crank baits and plastic worms or swim baits will work well. Toothy critters like musky and northern are being caught as well, look to shallow weed bays to hold fish of both specie but also look at fishing around rock cover near shore as well. Weedless spoons and small bass style spinner baits work well for the weed cover and catch anything that swims in the shallows.

NW Angle & Oak Island Lake of the Woods, MN Fishing Report

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Walleye season off to good start!

6/21/13

Some of the reefs are beginning to load up with fish, but walleyes are still being found up shallow on shore. Reefs topping out at 22′ to 24′ have been most productive. 3/8 ounce jig in your favorite color and a minnow. Pulling spinners along shore lines and points is still producing fish. Musky fishing is now open and many fish are being caught near shallow spawning bays. Look for new weed growth and big boulders to hold fish. Bass are in shallow sandy bays with nice boulders, crank baits and plastic swim baits will work well for this.

South Shore Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

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Summer Begins!

6/21/13

The fishing and weather has remained steady all week. We have had some nice warm sunny days and the water has had a chance to start warming up. Fishing reefs and rubble rock areas have been most productive as of late, the mud still has some fish but catches have been spotty. Weed growth in the bays and river are prime for multi species right now.

Jig and minnow combo is still one of the most consistent ways to catch fish right now. Change colors to find a hot color, gold and orange are good starters right now. Pulling spinners and crank baits are still effective. Cast weed less spoons, spinner baits, and plastic minnow immitations in and around weed cover for northerns, bass, walleye, and maybe and occasional random musky.

Check us out on Facebook!
For pictures, events, specials and more!

4th of July Free Night Lodging!
Make plans to stay at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River/Baudette location over the 4th of July holiday.

Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night FREE! We have something for everyone!
Incredible Walleye Fishing, Charter Trips, Lodging, Camping, Indoor Pool, Bar, Restaurant, Entertainment, 4th of July Events and much more!
Click on the link for more information and to book your trip today!

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Andrew Kramer 28 1/4 inch walleye

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Jacque Blackman 28 inch walleye

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Anthony Hermanson with Hermanson group caught a big 27 inch with Capt. Troy.

Lots of 4th of July events planned in Baudette, MN!

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Get ready for some family fun coming up this 4th of July at Sportsman’s Lodge and the Baudette area.  The Baudette/Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce has planned lots of fun events along with a spectacular fireworks display shown over Willie Walleye hill in Baudette.

Baudette on the 4th of July is known for family fun. Two parades, kids games, pie and ice cream social, pancake breakfast, vendors, inflatable games, live entertainment, firecracker 5k, bobber race, street dance and more! Of course incredible walleye fishing, boating, beaches and many outdoor activities are surround.  If that isn’t enough, how about a free night lodging?

Sportsman’s Lodge is offering this spectacular special. Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night FREE when you stay over the 4th of July holiday. *special based on double occupancy and cannot be combined with any other offer. Reserve online now http://sportsmanslodges.com/rainyriver/facility/lodging-request/ or call 800-862-8602 and escape to the lake!

For more about Sportsman’s Lodge and the complete list of events planned for the 4th of July, click here http://sportsmanslodges.com/fourth-of-july

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Oak Island Fishing Report 6-12-13

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The summer begins on Oak Island!

It seems like it took longer than normal but things are in full summer mode on the islands. The nice warm weather has greened up the islands and the water is slowly warming, allowing some of the late spawning fish like musky’s and smallmouth to seize their moment. Walleyes continue to bite well and are beginning to spread out more.

Shallow reefs close to shore have been good, jigging with minnows. The shallow bays are just now getting some weed growth in them and would b good places to find norhterns right now. As the weed beds grow the small baitfish will seek out shelter and the big predators will move in too. Cast weed less spoons and spinner baits thru the weeds and hold on!

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Bob Ibberson Jr. of Denver, NC caught and released this 30″ walleye.
His son Ben netted this beautiful fish.
They boated 57 fish in one afternoon just north of Oak Island!!
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25″ 6 lb. Walleye caught by John Gambrino from Stafford, VA
off Oak Island near buoy 2 using a night crawler. 
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Lee Ibberson. Catch and release 28 ½”

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report 6-10-13

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Nice week of walleyes and weather!

Some rain has found its way back into the area by the end of the week but the last week has beautiful and fishing has been steady. The stable weather pattern has prompted many fish to continue on into early summer patterns. Many walleyes are being found scattered on rock piles and sand and gravel flats. The mud continues to hold fish too, anchoring and jigging.

Jigging with minnows and leeches around rock piles with ¼ to 3/8 ounce jigs. 20 to 25 feet of water has been productive but they change depths rapidly. Pulling #7 shads along gravel and rocky shorelines has still been effective. Pulling bottom bouncers and spinners around the rock reefs is a good option too, and is a good way to find where they are concentrated on a piece of structure. Look to gold and orange to start with for spinners, and “baby bass” for shad raps. Gold and anything glow or with a rattle for jig options.

Celebrate Dad this June at Sportsman’s Lodges!
Father’s Day is June 16.
Fishing Packages and Gift Certificates available.
100% Walleye Guarantee!

Book a 2 day charter with us. Click here for more about our charter fishing trips and our 100% walleye guarantee!

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Brian Mason catches this 28 ½” monster
fishing with Captain Troy

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Steve Melcher reels in a 30” with
Captain Dave on 6/8/13!
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Captain Darrel’s double

 

Sweet Summertime ~ Lake of the Woods, MN

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6/12/2013

Aaaahhhh! The warmth of summer is finally upon us. The sparkling waters of the lake are dancing with delight today. Hope you can come visit us soon!

We have lots of activity going on at the lodge today.  The painters just finished painting the entire outside of the lodge.  It looks great with a fresh coat of new paint. We also added a brick accent along the dockside and roadside of the lodge along the lodge rooms. Fishing has been great! Lots of nice walleyes are being found this week. The guides are hot on the walleye trail. Check out more information in our fishing report section.

Our entertainment line-up is in full swing in the Sandbar.  Thunderfoot is entertaining now followed by musical entertainment, mostly live bands every weekend through September. The bands play 9pm-1am.  We also have pull tabs, daily drink and food specials and a great view of the Rainy River to watch the boats come in.  Guests have been enjoying the pool and hot tub this week too. The pool depth ranges from 3 feet to 9 feet. Lots of room to swim and relax. The gals in the gift shop just stocked some more souvenirs and clothing this morning. Stop on by for a hot piece of tackle, a walleye whistle, sunglasses, souvenirs and our new summer wear.

When you are in the area, be sure to check out Willie the Walleye, our two ton walleye statue along Hwy 11 in the middle of Baudette. Also enjoy in Baudette, souvenir shops, county museum, the views from the Baudette Bay, the weekly Saturday Farmer’s Market, a movie at the Grand Theater, a coffee at the Smiling Moon coffee shop and Timbermill Park.  Venture east six miles along Hwy 11 and check out the Clementson Rapids and then venture north on Hwy 172 12 miles and 5 miles west on County Rd 8 to Zippel Bay State Park.  Zippel Bay Park has a vast swimming beach and nature trails to enjoy.  Our area also has an 18 hole golf course, thousands of acres of water for boating, fishing and relaxing and much more. Check out all the fun things to do at Lake of the Woods here.