Tag Archives: baudette fishing report

Fishing for walleyes and BAM! A Monster Sturgeon!

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Targeting walleyes and saugers is always our #1 priority in the winter, but Lake of the Woods is an incredible fishery and you just never know what might be looking for something to munch on. Lake of the Woods is home to not only walleyes and saugers but also northern pike, lake sturgeon, tullibee, perch, eelpout, muskie, bass, lake trout and crappies.  Check out some of the pictures from the past week and two monster sturgeons! It is quite a rush to see a 45+ inch fish come through an ice fishing hole!

Bite
The weather continues to be mild and it looks like it will continue for at least through the weekend at this point.  The bite has been fair the past week.  Anglers have been having the most success jigging and dead sticking glow and gold colored jigs, small rippin raps, glo-shots and forage minnows tipped with a minnow. 8am-11am and 2pm-4pm have been some of the best times in a range of depths 16’-29’.  The best depth has really been changing frequently.  The guides are always moving houses and doing their best to stay on the best bite.  If you have electronics, bring them along. We consistently see a lot of success with folks who use them. If you don’t have your own, give us a call ahead of time, we have a few vexilars available to rent.

Ice Conditions
We have a good base of ice of over two feet, 28-32 inches in the areas we fish and travel.  Looking good for March ice fishing! Remember walleye season is open through April 14 on Lake of the Woods and we plan to keep our houses out until the end of March.

Trails
Grooming is in full swing. Groomers caution riders to stay on the trails especially this year with how rough the lake froze; there are a lot of ice chunks sticking up off the trail.  Click below for the latest conditions and more information about the Lake of the Woods area trails.
South Shore Lake of the Woods
Northwest Angle Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods Trail Information

Join us for the BIG GAME and GREAT FISHING!
Feb 3-6 Trips available! Click here

Snuggle up with your Sweetie in February at Sportsman’s.
Two night lodging and fishing packages starting at just $215 per person. Can’t make it in February? Sportsman’s gift cards make great gifts! Click here to order yours.
Come see us! 800-862-8602 or [email protected]
*plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Wheeler’s Point landing is now open!

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Wheeler’s Point landing is now open!

Wheeler’s Point landing is just a mile away from the lodge.
Many great fishing opportunities opening daily!

Wheeler's Point landing Baudette, MN

Check out the view from the lodge 3-27-2017

Sportsman's Lodge

IMG_4596

Walleye season open through April 14, reopening May 13

Pike season open all year
Sturgeon season catch and release now through April 23, keep one (within size limit)
April 24-May 7 and catch and release again May 8-15 before closing for 6 weeks.

We have ice!

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12/17/2015

What a difference a day makes!
Yesterday we had only shore ice and after last night (only getting down to 17 degrees) we now have ice as far as the eye can see on the main lake from the south shore view. The forecast is calling for below zero temps the next two days so we should make even more progress in the next two days!

weather forecast
Four Mile Bay, the bay near Wheeler’s Point we use to access the lake has also made significant progress.
The water is cold and freezing! We should start building ice fairly quickly now. The extended forecast is calling for lows in the teens and highs in the lower twenties. Cold enough to make some ice!  Gregg, the owner will be going up to fly over the lake on Saturday to see how everything seals looks. Stay tuned! We will post a report and pictures as soon as he gets back.

Long Point 12-17-2015
Long Point
December 17, 2015
Morris Point 12-17-2015
Morris Point
December 17, 2015
Four Mile Bay 12-17-2015
Four Mile Bay
December 17, 2015

When will we start ice fishing?
After this weekend we will be able to make a much better prediction, but at this point based on the information we are setting our sights on sometime between December 26 – January 1. Safety is always our first concern. We will start our season as soon as we have 8-12 inches of safe ice.

Ice Update 12/7/2015

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Ice Update 12/7/2015

We are holding the ice we have made in the bays and have had temperatures in the teens at night, however the air temperature has not been cold enough to make anymore ice. Even though the season is starting off warm we know the cold is coming and we will have ice before we know it!

Keep doing your ice dancing! Heck, maybe if we all crank up the A/C and open your doors that might help too! LOL! Make your reservations now online (http://sportsmanslodges.com/rainyriver/facility/lodging-request/) or by calling us at 800-862-8602. Once the season starts it is going to get crazy! If you book for early December and we do not have ice, we are always happy to re-schedule your stay or refund your deposit.

Stay tuned! We will continue to do updates every few days!

Open Water & Fishing Report from Sportsman’s Lodge 4-22-2013

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4/22/2013
We have open water in front of our docks! A channel of open water opened up in front of the lodge yesterday!  We expect it to be wide open by the end of today or tomorrow and Four Mile Bay to be open by the weekend. Bring on the sturgeon and pike fishing! It is prime time!
view from oru docks 4-22-2013

Sturgeon Bite Check out some of the recent action!

Steven Wintemute
Steven Wintemute from Hooked Magazine reels
in a monster sturgeon!

Ryan Knutson
Ryan Knutson from Hooked Magazine
reels in a nice sturgeon.

Nikki Breuer 57 inch
What a fish! Nikki Breuer reeled in a 57 inch beauty!

The sturgeon bite is heating up! Anglers reported reeling in good numbers of sturgeon this past weekend and they expect it to be a real good bite through the season.  Several 30-40 inch sturgeons as well as some monster 50”plus were found.  Areas near Baudette Bay, Baudette Airport and near Wabanica Bay were good. Once the river opens up completely in front of the lodge and Four Mile Bay we expect those areas to be hot as well.  These dinosaurs are usually found in the deepest hole you can find.  Use 2-3 oz sinkers, 5/0 or 6/0 circle or octopus hook and a gob of crawlers.  Anchor above the hold and work it. Test the bottom, mid and upper rim of the hole. It may be quiet at first, but once you hook into one, get ready for a fight!
The water clarity continues to be good, water level low and current slow.  Sturgeon season is catch and release through tomorrow, April 23. April 24-May 7 you can keep one with a sturgeon tag, within 45”-50” or over 75”. These fish are excellent smoked.  Sturgeon tags are available for purchase at the lodge.  May 8 you have another chance for catch and release before the spring season closes May 16. Sturgeon season then remains closed until July 1.

Our 7th Annual Sturgeon Tournament is May 3 & 4. Stay tuned for coverage next week on our Facebook page. To get into next year’s tournament call 800-862-8602 to reserve your space today.

Pike Bite
A few pike have been found in the river. Most of the larger pike are still staging just outside the tributaries. We expect to see them start moving into the bays, river and creek as soon as we see a few days of temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s. Possibly by the weekend!  We suggest anchoring  at the mouth of the river, creek or stream and use dead suckers or frozen ciscos.  Lake of the Woods currently has a very healthy population of trophy size pike right now, so your odds are good!  The limit is 3, only 1 over 40” and all pike between 30”-40” must be released.

Get on the bite!
Guided Outfitter trips available!  Head out with one of our knowledgeable guides watching the fish patterns daily. Boat holds up to 4 passengers plus the guide. All day trips only $400 for the day. Poles, bait and tackle included. Call 800-862-8602 to schedule yours today.

Boat Ramps
The nearest boat ramp to us as of this morning is Timbermill Park Ramp just 1 mile east of Baudette off Hwy 11. We expect Wheeler’s Point Ramp to be open by the weekend. For a map of all river ramps, click  here.

Walleye Opener is just around the corner!
 Less than 19 days and walleye fishing will be here again!  Get your reservations in! We expect with the late spring spawn the bite will be good!

Lodging, Restaurant, Bar, Specials, Camping, Indoor Pool ~ We have it all! Sportsman’s is your spring fishing headquarters.

Lake of the Woods Fishing Report May 25, 2011

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5/25/2011

Early Season
Walleye fishing has been pretty good this past week. Anglers have had plenty of action, a few meals and a limit to go home, so I

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Check out a few of last years catches.

29 inch, 9 lb Walleye
Released by Curt Herwers
Curt caught this on a 1/4 oz chartreuse jig & minnow 
 

 Curt releasing his walleye

would say the season is starting out well.  The water temperature continues to increase. This past week the surface temperature increased about five degrees now hovering around the upper fifties right now.  We are starting to see the walleyes push a little deeper. The best fishing this past week have been in the 23′-26′ range although some anglers have done best fishing deep early in the day and moving shallower as the day warms up.  Some current hot spots have been around the Lighthouse Gap, Morris Point and Zippel Bay.  The best technique and presentation continues to be anchored and vertical jigging with a gold or orange jig, tipped with a minnow. It looks like it will be in the mid 60’s for the next 3-5 days, full sun for a few days, cloudy Friday and maybe a threat of rain on Saturday and Sunday. The guides are all geared up; give us a call to book your trip today.  Don’t have a group of 6 or more? No problem we have affordable rates for you too.

Summer 2011 Outlook
According to the MN DNR we have a strong and moderate year class of walleyes reaching the size of 13-17 inches this year.  We also have the same amount of trophy sized walleyes swimming like the past few. The past few years have been exceptional for both good eating and trophy walleye fishing; many guides have been known to say it is some of the best fishing they have seen in years!  Lake of the Woods also has one of the largest northern pike populations in Minnesota.  We are looking forward to another excellent fishing season. Come fish with us and explore Lake of the Woods this summer.

Keep those boats, rods and anchors clean
Are you transporting your boat from lake to lake this summer? Make sure you spray off your boat and gear before entering a new body of water. Those pesky spiny water fleas are known to follow. These fleas compete for the same food the fish do, so do the right thing and give that boat a spray.

2011 Fishing Seasons & Notable Dates
Minnesota
Walleyes –  May 14, 2011-April 15, 2012
Northern Pike  – Continuous
Muskie – June 18-Nov 30
Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass – Continuous
Lake Sturgeon – July 1-Sept 30, Oct 1-April 23, 2012
Crappie – Continuous

May 30 – Memorial Day
June 10-12  – MN DNR Take a Kid Fishing Weekend – MN residents 16 and older fish free with children younger than 16.
June 19 – Father’s Day
July 4 – Baudette’s Annual 4th of July Celebration
Aug 25-28 – Sportsman’s Take a Kid Fishing Weekend
Sept 5 – Labor Day