Tag Archives: baudette

Sportsman’s Lodge South Shore Lake of the Woods Fishing, Trail & Ice Report 1-11-2017

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Bouncing off Bottom
Guides report it has been a good bite for the 11”-17” walleyes and saugers this week. A few big walleyes and another large eelpout were reeled in too.   Varying depths between 19’-26’ jigging Rapala slab raps, gold and pink jigs, silver blade spoons and flutter spoons have been working well.  Dead sticking a rock and roll jig or a red has also proved to be successful.  Anglers found that bouncing off the bottom to churn up some lake bottom to get the attention of the fish at least 4-6 inches and sometimes even up to 2’ was a successful approach. Chub or shiner minnows are the live bait of choice.

Another big eelpout! The Albiston Group a group of 4 gals reeled in this 12lb and 30 inch eelpout while fishing in the Sportsman's Sleepers. What a fish!

Another big eelpout! The Albiston Group a group of 4 gals reeled in this 12lb and 30 inch eelpout while fishing in the Sportsman’s Sleepers. What a fish!

Doug Loos caught this 25.5 in walleye just over 7lb on a Gold Rapala Slab Rap guided by Troy

Doug Loos caught this 25.5 in walleye just over 7lb on a Gold Rapala Slab Rap guided by Troy. Doug and his son Dan caught over 90 fish on their recent trip to Sportsman’s!

What a nice walleye!

What a nice walleye!

Ice Depth
17-20 inches of ice on the lake in the areas we fish and travel right now.  The bombardiers are ready to bring you out fishing!

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Adrian’s Ice Road
If you are planning to go out on your own, Adrian’s ice road out of Four Mile Bay near Wheeler’s Point 12 miles north of Baudette is a good option.  As of Jan 1, they were allowing ½ ton trucks pulling up to 17’ wheel house and smaller vehicles pulling up to 21’ houses. ¾ ton and 1 ton trucks can drive out not pulling houses.

Trail Conditions
We have 15”-20” of really nice snow in the area. The lake trails are in good shape and being maintained weekly. As soon as we get more ice the heavier groomers will be out. The trails are staked across the lake with black stakes from Baudette to Oak Island and Wheeler’s Point to Warroad.  Come enjoy our over 100 miles of lake trails and 500 miles of land trails!  For area land trail information click here to contact the Lake of the Woods Drifters Snowmobile Club.

Ice fish with us until March 31!
Ice fishing packages available through March 31. Click here to learn more and book your trip today.

Short on time? Take a quick trip!
One night/one day trips available including lodging, ready to go fish house, transportation to and from the fish house, use of jig sticks, jigs bait and fish cleaning starting at only $144* per person. One day fishing only trips $115* per person.  Available: Jan 12, 18, 19, 22, 26, 29, Feb 1, 8,12,16,19 & 22.
*plus tax and based on double occupancy.

NW Angle/Oak Island Lake of the Woods, MN Fishing, Trail & Ice Report 1-4-2017

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Jig & a Minnow
A 3/8 oz. gold or chartreuse jig and a minnow head have been working well in 17’-26’ of water this week. A mix of walleyes and saugers are coming up the ice holes.   Many anglers enjoy bringing along or renting a fish finder and find they have more success with it. If you would like to try one out, give us a call to reserve one.

More snow!
We received about 12 inches of snow Monday and in the early morning hours of Tuesday.  We now have plenty of snow for riding the trails and banking the fish houses J!  Trails are marked with black stakes from Baudette to our door step.  They are also marked around the Northwest Angle with wooden stakes.  The trails are now being maintained as best as possible and will be groomed as soon as we get a few more inches of ice.  Get out and take a ride today!

Ice Road
The ice road from Young’s Bay/Northwest Angle to our door step is open. Drive on out!

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Happy New Year! We can build a snowman now!

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Good ol’ Mother Nature decided we needed more snow so she threw down 12 inches the past few days J.   The guides have the bombardiers out in full force getting guests to the fish houses, moving houses and chasing down the best bite.  We aren’t slowing down…..just another day in the north land. Come see us!

The latest bite
What a great start to the year!  14lb walleye, a few 50”+ sturgeons, 19.67 lb. eelpout and many other nice fish caught.

We are seeing many nice pails of walleyes and saugers and a few nice 25”+ walleyes this week.  Jigging pink, gold or red glow 1/8-3/8 oz. jigs tipped with a minnow head or full minnow has worked well.  Some anglers are finding the smaller jig and minnow head is working best to entice the fish and set the hook with better success.  The bite is on the move deeper, 18’-29’now.  Check out some of the pictures.

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Ice Conditions
Current ice conditions are 17-20 inches in the areas we travel and fish.  We run a private groomed trail. If you looking to venture out on your own, check out Adrian’s Road report below.

Adrian’s Road Four Mile Bay near Wheeler’s Point Access
As of January 1, ½ ton trucks pulling up to 17’ wheel houses and smaller vehicles pulling up to 21’ wheel houses are allowed out. ¾ ton and 1 ton trucks can drive out but cannot pull a wheel house.

Trail Report
Lake trails are marked from Baudette on the Rainy River all the way around Wheeler’s Point to Lake of the Woods  and 40 miles north across the lake to Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge. The trails are also marked from Wheeler’s Point to Warroad. The crew is dragging the trails now and as soon as we get a few more inches of ice they will start grooming. This new snow has really improved trail conditions.  The land trails are being groomed often.  For more information about the land trails check out the Lake of the Woods Drifters Snowmobile Club.

Lake Sturgeon
Anglers have been reeling in a few lake sturgeons lately.  Most sturgeon have been caught on a jig and minnow while targeting walleyes however this has raised several questions I thought I would take the time to address.  Can I target sturgeon now? Can I use the same large hook, sinker and worm method as I do in the spring? Does Sportsman’s have fish houses available that target sturgeon?  Yes, you can target sturgeon anytime July 1-May 15. The season to keep one is April 24-May 7 and July 1 – Sept 30. The rest of the season is open to catch and release.   The only time you cannot target sturgeon is when the season is closed May 16-June 30.  Yes, you can use the same method to catch sturgeon in the winter as you do in the summer using a large 4/0 or 5/0 hook, no roll sinker and a gob of minnows however worms can be hard to come by this time of year so many people use shiners.  Sportsman’s  does not have houses that we use to primarily target sturgeon but as we know the sturgeons are out in our fishing areas and it is not that uncommon to sIf you are looking for a soft water trip to target these prehistoric dinosaurs, our guides would love to take you out. Click here for more information.

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Ice fishing is here! Book your trip today!
Lodging & fishing packages starting at only $191 per person. Click here to learn more.
*plus tax and based on double occupancy

Ice! Ice! Ice! We are making progress! Lake of the Woods

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Ice! Ice! Ice! We are making progress!
Lake of the Woods, MN

12/8/2016

Ice Update
We are making progress! Bobbie’s Bay the bay that is in front of our Sportsman’s Oak Island location on Oak Island near the Northwest Angle of Minnesota iced over yesterday and today we have some ice on Four Mile Bay.   Four Mile Bay is the bay near Wheeler’s Point that we use to access the lake in the winter time.  The channel in the bay still has open water but this is progress and we like progress! The wind is supposed to die down tonight and below zero temperatures are in the forecast for the weekend. No safe is yet, but we like what we see!  We are moving in the right direction. Get your reservations in!

Bobbie's Bay in front of Sportsman's Oak Island Lodge Lake of the Woods www.oakislandlodge.com 12-8-2016

Bobbie’s Bay in front of Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge
Lake of the Woods
www.oakislandlodge.com 12-8-2016

Four Mile Bay Lake of the Woods near Wheeler's Point. Ice Forming 12-8-2016

Four Mile Bay Lake of the Woods near Wheeler’s Point.
Ice Forming 12-8-2016

 

Ice Condition Report 12/7/2016

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Here it comes!
The thermometer is dropping and the landscape is about to change! Ice making is happening now! Stay tuned, we should have lots to report next week!  For now, get your reservations in and put that new line on your favorite rod you have been thinking about doing for the last two months! Lodging and ice fishing openings available through late March.  Get your gang together and make plans!  It’s almost fishing time!

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It’s getting colder!

 

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Make it a New Year’s Eve to remember.
What a better place to ring in the new year than at Sportsman’s Lodges on beautiful Lake of the Woods. Ice fishing, snowmobiling, indoor pool, 3 restaurants, bar with entertainment, game room and more! Sportsman’s Lodge will be featuring many dinner specials, musical entertainment, party favors, champagne and lots of holiday cheer. Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge will be featuring dinner specials, party favors, a midnight wine toast and lots of fun island style. Reservations required. Space is limited. Book your trip today!
Check us out on Facebook
For ice condition updates, fishing pictures, hot deals and contests like us on Facebook.

Cold weather is headed in our direction! Woohoo!

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It looks like we should start to make some decent ice starting next week!  Bring it on!  A good week of cold temperatures and light wind is what we need! A lot can happen in a week.  Get your fishing buddies together and make your plans, ice fishing season is coming soon!

Ice fishing season runs longer on Lake of the Woods than most lakes in Minnesota.  It starts in December and we have to pull our houses off by March 31.  Openings available, give us a call Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River/Baudette 800-862-8602, Sportsman’s Sleepers 218-634-1589 and Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge/Eagle Ridge 800-772-8411 or email us by clicking here.


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Hungry for more updates? Like us on Facebook.

Check out our winter musical entertainment schedule.

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Dipping below freezing

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Let’s cool things down and make some ice!  The forecast is looking more promising. History has told us it doesn’t take long for the weather to change and for ice to build.  Stay tuned to reports here and on our Facebook page and gets your reservations now for the best selection of dates.  Many weekends are filling up fast!

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No Equipment Required!
Ready to go ice fishing but don’t have the equipment? No problem! We supply the fish house warm and ready with your holes drilled. Jig sticks, assortment of jigs and bait is waiting for you. Hungry for lunch? We can deliver that too and clean your fish. So what are you waiting for? Give us a call to book your winter ice fishing trip today 800-862-8602 or contact us online.

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FREE ICE FISHING TRIP!
Who wants a free ice fishing trip? Click here to enter  our contest now for a chance to win a day of ice fishing for you and 3 friends! Contest ends soon!