Tag Archives: fishing package

Fishing Report from Sportsman’s Lodge Lake of the Woods 12-26-2011

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12/26/2011

Happy Holidays Everyone! We hope everyone had a nice Christmas! Fishing has been great!
We had another great week of fishing last week here on Lake of the Woods. Many excellent and over the top action days! 50-100+ fish per days, not bad, not bad at all!  Some of the best fishing we have seen in years!  The past few days we have seen the bite slow a bit but still very good! A nice pail of walleyes by the end of the day is still a great day!  We are seeing about a 60% sauger and 40% walleye ratio right now.  The best depth has been in 22’-27’ of water just outside of Pine Island.  Stop signs, Buckshots and the glass pink and orange jigs have been hot this week. A little shine to your tackle in our waters tend to really do well.  Anglers using Vexilars/Fish Finders have had even better luck.  Vertical jigging with a minnow has been the best technique at this time.

Ice Conditions
We currently have 14-16 inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish just outside of Pine Island at this time.  If you plan to venture out on your own please remember, ATV’s and light vehicles only are advised at this time and allowed out on the trails and roads. Please check with local resorts before going out as the entire 950,000+ acre lake does not freeze equally or at the same time.

Trail Report
As of today we only still have just a dusting of snow and not a whole lot in our forecast at this point maybe a little shot on Wednesday.  It is a strange start to your season here in the northland.  The land trails are closed and only the trails to fish houses are marked at this time. 

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Looking to rent a Vexilar or hot tackle?
Check out our gift shop open 6am – 11pm daily located next to our front desk.  Vexilar rental is in high demand, we suggested calling to reserve prior to your arrival.

Latest Ice Conditions Lake of the Woods, MN 11-16-2011

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Latest Ice Conditions Lake of the Woods, MN 11-16-2011

Latest Ice Conditions
The bays are starting to freeze and we had some shore ice on the river this morning.

The forecast this week looks cold, lows in the single digits. We received a blanket of snow last night.  It is beginning to look like winter!  It won’t be long and ice fishing season will be here. At this point we are looking at Dec 10 to start our season. We just need 10 days of zero degrees and we will have 12 inches of ice to start fishing right outside of Pine Island.  First ice is usually one of the best times of year! Be sure to check out our new 5 bedroom, 4 baths Villa available starting early December on facebook!  Get your reservations in now 800-862-8602. For rates & packages click here.  

Christmas Shopping…we’ve have you covered!
Check us out online for all your favorite Sportsman’s attire, gift items and that item that always is the right color, price and size, a Sportsman’s Lodges gift certificate. Remember you can use our certificates at any of our three Sportsman’s Lodges locations.

New Years!
Ring in the New Year, Sporty’s style! We are always game for a party and this year will once again be a blast. Choose our Rainy River location or our Oak Island location for fun and relaxation.  Sportsman’s Rainy River, we will be having live entertainment, a special one night only menu, party favors, champagne and always a whole lot of fun.  How about ringing in the year island style?  Sportsman’s Oak Island will be featuring dinner specials, party favors, and champagne. Make your reservations today 800-862-8602, space is limited so don’t delay.

Frost Fest is this weekend!
Enjoy family fun at Frost Fest 2011! Saturday, Nov 19 in Baudette. Stay with us and take in the festivities. Huge Craft Fair, Turkey Bingo, Holiday Light & Fish House Parade, Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides, Magic Show, Fireworks & more! http://www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/pdfs/frostfest.pdf $39 pp per night lodging special.  Give us a call to book your stay and join in the fun! 800-862-8602 http://sportsmanslodges.com

NW Angle & Lake of the Woods Report

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12/13/2010

It won’t be long now!
The guides and staff are opening up camp this week.  We have 8+ inches of ice around the area and making more ice by the minute.  We plan to have food and drinks available by the weekend and a few fish houses. Give ChiChi a call to book some early season fishing. More information to come in a few days.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge 800-772-8411

www.oakislandlodge.com

Fishing, Ice & Trail Report Lake of the Woods

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For the Areas of Four Mile Bay and just outside of Pine Island on Lake of the Woods

12/13/2010

ICE!!!!
It’s here, it’s nice and think and the walleyes are just waiting to be hooked at Sportsman’s Lodges.
We currently have 12+ inches on the lake right now in the areas that we travel and it was -31 below this morning! We are making more ice every minute!

Walleyes!
The fishing started out fair last week, but over the weekend it really picked up and limits of fish was not uncommon.  The guides found the fish out deeper than in normal years at this time.  Chubby Darters, stop signs and gold jigs have been the hot tackle lately tipped with a minnow. Check out this beauty caught last week, Joe Cooper from Baudette, MN caught this 11 lbs, 31 inches! Wow! It was released, and is waiting for you!

A few tips from the guides, jigging helps, change up your tackle after awhile if you don’t get any bites and the morning and late afternoon bites are the best.  Vexilars are also a helpful thing to bring along or rent from the front desk.   Also keep in mind last winter we had quite a few fish caught not just at bottom, but also suspended 1, 2, 3, and even 6 feet off bottom.  The best technique to catch one of those is to leave your jig on the bottom, have a vexilar and watch it, when something comes up, reel up. The most popular seasons on Lake of the Woods is here!

Trail Report
The Lake of the Woods Drifters snowmobile club is planning on staking the trail from Wheeler’s Point to Oak Island this Saturday.  The land trails have 12-14 inches of snow but are just starting to be groomed. Hopefully by the weekend we can have our first nice grooming done. No word yet on when the Wheeler’s Point to Warroad trail will be marked. I am sure it will be soon. Stay tuned.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing & Outdoor Report 10/20/2010

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Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing & Outdoor Report

Sportsman’s Lodge

Baudette, MN

www.sportsmanslodges.com

800-862-8602

10/19/2010

The Shiners are starting to show up!
Just in the past day we are starting to see more measurable amounts of shiners starting to show up in the Four Mile Bay and Rainy River!
The Current Bite

The current water temperature is at 47-50 degrees this morning, down a few degrees from a couple of days ago. The best fishing as of yesterday had been in 18’-25’ of water outside and around Lighthouse Gap and Zippel Bay however in the next few days we feel this will rapidly change to the Lighthouse Gap, Four Mile Bay and onward up river. Right in front of Sportsman’s is usually a hot spot. We have also heard a few reports of some good walleye fishing in the river around Wabanica Bay, Baudette Airport and Clementson lately.  The best presentation is a 3/8 – ½ oz brightly colored jig tipped with a minnow.

Water Temperature? Current? Water Level? Rain? How long does it last?

These questions are all hot topic right now with the annual shiner run starting.  From what I understand, there is no documented official study ever done in our about the run, but based on my experiences and talks with many veteran anglers, guides and DNR fishery staff here are the common answers I found to the popular questions being asked right now. 

Water Temperature – this seems to be the #1 thing that dictates the start of the run and the fast paced walleye fishing that accompanies it. The upper forties and ideally mid forties are the start of this run. We are currently at 47-50 degrees right now. Warm weather spikes after the first dip into the forties can affect it but the run normally starts back up after it cools off again.

Current – The current in the Rainy River is always fairly rapid. Many said they didn’t feel this speed made much of a difference over the years they have been watching the shiners and fishing for walleyes during this time.

Water level – This again was not something many veterans felt was a factor. Some said if their was an extreme difference they thought it could have some affect but nothing that they remember made that big of a difference.

Rain fall – This does have an affect on the fishing, but only for a few days. Once the rain subsides and the waters have a few days to clear up the fishing usually improves again.

Wind – Other than early in the run when the fishing is best in Four Mile Bay and the Gap did anglers say they have found this to be an issue where the wind really churned the waters up. Many said once the shiners moved in the river the wind didn’t seem have as much affect.
How long does the shiner run last & the active walleye fishing in the Rainy River? Usually right thru November! Many anglers said in the years they fished if they were able to get out fishing in November before the ice starting forming, the good walleye fishing continued.

Guided Trips available through October!

Guided charter trips and alaskan outfitter trips are still available through October. Book a trip today and let the guides lead you right to the walleyes. No equipment or experience required!

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge 10/20/2010

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Lake of the Woods Northwest Angle & Islands Fishing & Outdoor Report

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Oak Island, MN

www.oakislandlodge.com

800-772-8411

10/19/2010

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge is now closed until mid December. Thanks for a great season and we look forward to seeing you this winter! 

Time to book your winter trip!

Before we know it their will be a blanket of snow and ice on the lake. Sportsman’s Oak Island and Eagle Ridge are taking reservations for our winter season starting mid December. Give us a call and get in on some excellent early season walleye fishing.  We are open December thru March for ice fishing, snowmobiling, relaxing and fun.