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!
Sturgeon Bite Check out some of the recent action!
Steven Wintemute from Hooked Magazine reels
in a monster sturgeon!
Ryan Knutson from Hooked Magazine
reels in a nice sturgeon.
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.
