Tag Archives: Fishing Report

Few days left of walleye season, bring on the dinosaurs & pike!

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April 14 is the last day for walleye season until it re-opens May 14. The weather is warming up and the walleye bite is heating up. Lodging only $40* per person per night in our lodge rooms and cabins midweek.  Guided trips, boat rental and dock slips available too!  Give us a call!
*based on double occupancy and plus tax

Bring on the sunshine!

weather1

 

Walleye Bite
The past week has been tough, the weather was cool. The weather is warming up and we expect the last few days of the season to be much better.  Jigging with long shank bright colored jig tipped with a shiner minnow or rainbow has been working the best in 14’-18’ and 22’-26’ of water around points and gaps with current.  The current water temperature is 35 degrees but should warm up quite quickly with the forecast ahead.

24 inch Walleye Rich Chacich released24 inch Walleye Rich Chacich released

 

Its Sturgeon’s Time
Now through May 15 is one of the best times of year to reel in these prehistoric dinosaurs.  The Rainy River is home to thousands of the shovel nosed species whom can live for over 100 years and have been recognized dating back to 136 million years ago.  The largest sturgeon caught on record in Minnesota measured in at 180 inches in 1903 (MN DNR).  The bite has been good!  Many anglers have had great success finding several in the river bottom in deep holes and crevices.  Some prefer areas with a little current.  Anchor and set up your rig with a 2-4 ounce no roll sinker, 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook tipped with a gob of night crawlers and even a minnow or two. Sturgeon catch and release season is now through April 23 and May 8-15. You can keep one April 24-May 7 between 45”-50” or over 75”. Remember to purchase a sturgeon tag if you plan on harvesting a sturgeon. They are $5 and can be purchased at the lodge, online or anywhere that sells Minnesota fishing licenses.

Charlie Borak 66 inch sturgeon! (released)

Charlie Borak 66 inch sturgeon! (released)

50 and 63 inch sturgeon Daly Group pic 2

50 and 63 inch sturgeon Daly Group

One of the Best Lakes in the State for Trophy Pike
Lake of the Woods has an incredible habitat for northern pike and is one of the top five lakes in Minnesota to reel in a trophy.  Spring is one of the best times of year to reel in these fish.  Just when the weed growth starts in the bays, they are great spots.  Throw a dare devil or shiny shad rap in their direction and get ready for the action.  The weather is getting warmer, we expect in a week the bite should really get going.  There are several bays along the river to try; along with Four Mile Bay and Zippel Bay.

Experience a great day of fishing!
Guided trips available! No hassles with the boat, motor, no fish to clean, poles to buy or bait to pick up. Your biggest worry of the day is what snacks to bring.  We offer spring guided outfitter trips aboard an 18 or 20 foot boat, guide, bait, use of poles and fish cleaning provided through late May.  We offer charter trips aboard our 27’ charter boats equipped with an onboard restroom, use of poles, bait, tackle and fish cleaning starting May 14 through late October. It’s the way to go!

Who’s Hungry?
The Sandbar is open daily at 11am and breakfast is available by reservation the night prior Monday through Friday and anytime 6:30am-10:30am Saturday & Sunday. For more information and our current specials, click here.

Dock Cam

The Dock Cam is back up! Check out the view!

Walleye season open through April 14

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You still have time to reel in some walleyes before the season closes for 30 days.  The Rainy River and Lake of the Woods offers a unique season running through April 14.  What happens after walleye closes?  Monster sturgeon and aggressive northern pike cranks up!  Sturgeon catch and release is now through April 23. You can keep one within 45”-50” or over 75” April 24-May 7.  Many people catch and release but they are a very good smoked fish too.  May 8-15 is catch and release again. Northern Pike season never closes. We have guides and boats available and ready to give you a fun fishing experience.  Give us a call 800-862-8602 or click here to book online.

Walleye Bite
This week has been a cool one but the bite is picking up.  Water clarity is decent.  Anglers are catching some 14”-21” and a few 25”-32”.  Pitching long shank jigs tipped with a rainbow in varying depths has been working, the fish are scattered. Let the current do the work.  Half ounce or less gold or pink jigs in the bays and three quarter or one ounce in the river.  Four Mile Bay, outside Lighthouse Gap, areas in the Rainy River including Wabanica Bay and around the Baudette airport have been decent spots. Water temperature is currently 35 degrees.   Guided trips, lodging and dock slips available.

Thanks Guide Bryan Beef Sathre on the tip where to go Saturday evening. Finally got a few keepers in the livewell and this 29 inch fatty! Caught by Jake Neu

Thanks Guide Bryan Beef Sathre on the tip where to go Saturday evening. Finally got a few keepers in the livewell and this 29 inch fatty! Caught by Jake Neu

 Oelrich Party guided by JP Tessier. Caught on a jig and a minnow

Oelrich Party guided by JP Tessier. Caught on a jig and a minnow

 

 

 

Sturgeon are active
Anglers are finding lots of sturgeon lately.  Sizes between 25-70 inches in length are common.  These prehistoric bottom feeders swim the bottom of the river and are usually found in deep holes and areas where there is current.   The best approach is to anchor and use a 2-4 ounce no roll weight, 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook tipped with a gob of night crawlers and even a minnow or two.

57 inch lake sturgeon caught by Guide, Mike Marquardt

57 inch lake sturgeon caught by Guide, Mike Marquardt

 69 incher!!!!! What a catch Melissa Schibonski Denning!!

69 incher!!!!! What a catch Melissa Schibonski Denning!!

Spring Pike Bite is soon here
Did you know Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River is one of the top 5 lakes in Minnesota to catch a trophy pike?  The nearly one million acres of border waters offers an enormous habitat for these fish.   The bite will really start to pick up in the next few weeks when the weed growth starts. Casting shiny and glittery dare devils and rapalas catch the eye of these aggressive fish in the bays of the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods.

Tips for Lifting Big Fish
When lifting a big fish, try and grab the sturgeon by the tail and support the fish under its mid-section. Holding a large fish vertically can actually tear its internal organs and gill plates, eventually leading to mortality.

$40 Lodging & Guided Trips Available
Lodging starting at only $40* per person per night now through May 26.  Guided trips available aboard an 18’-20’ boat, bait, use of poles and fish cleaning provided $450 for a full day trip for up to 4 people. Charter trips available starting May 14. Up to 20% off lodging and charter fishing packages May 14-26.*plus tax and based on double occupancy. Book your trip online now or by calling 800-862-8602.

Open Water
The Rainy River is open from Birchdale to Lake of the Woods. All boat ramps are open.  Lake of the Woods is open a few hundred yards outside of Pine Island.

Sturgeon fishing is hot, Walleyes are starting to bite!

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Logan and Luke reeled in 15 sturgeon on Sunday! Way to go guys! 2Logan and Luke reeled in 15 sturgeon on Sunday! Way to go guys!

 

Logan and Luke reeled in 15 sturgeon on Sunday! Way to go guys!

It's a double! 48 inch and 57 inch by the Eklund's from Bemidji, MN

 

It’s a double! 48 inch and 57 inch by the Eklund’s from Bemidji, MN

The sturgeon bite has been hot this week. Circle 3/0 and 4/0 hooks, 2-4 ounces of weight and a gob of night crawlers works best. Anchor up in or just near a hole in the Rainy River. Once you get a bite, be ready for a fight! Some monsters take up to an hour to reel in! Sturgeon fishing is catch and release now through April 23. Keep one within size limits April 24-May 7 and catch and release again May 8-15. Don’t have a boat or haven’t taken it out yet? We have guides available!

Water is clearing up!
The water is clearing up we have gained about 6 more inches of clarity. Reports of 8-18 inches of clarity have been found, much better than last week. Keep in mind, Lake of the Woods and Rainy River always have stained look. It is never a clear lake by any means. Jigging with a gold 1 oz. jig tipped with a shiner has been working. The water temperature is 35.5, water level is low and the current has slowed some but is still moving pretty quick. Debris has cleared up considerably, we are not seeing much anymore. Walleye season is open through April 14.

Open Water
All boat ramps along the river are open to all boats. The entire river is open and Four Mile Bay. We have open water about 75 yards out of the Light House Gap on the lake right now.

Let us guide you to the catch!
We have guides available for spring walleye, sturgeon and pike fishing. $450 for the day aboard an 18’-20’ boat. The trip includes up to 4 passengers plus the guide, bait, use of poles, and fish cleaning. Book your spring trip today.

Still a few rooms, cabins and villas open for the weekend!
Lodging starting at only $40* per person per night midweek and $45 weekend! *plus tax and based on double occupancy. To reserve click here or call 800-862-8602.

NW Angle & Oak Island Lake of the Woods Ice Conditions Report

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NW Angle & Oak Island Lake of the Woods Ice Conditions Report

 

3/9/2016

Another year is in the books

Due to the warm temperatures and areas we need to travel to get to the island, ice fishing is done for the year.  The ice road is closing tomorrow. The bar, restaurant and lodging will be open through the weekend.  The snowmobile trail will be open through the weekend. We have lodging available if you would like to make one last trip out. Thanks for another great season. Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location will be open for ice fishing through this weekend and spring river fishing starting Monday.

Check out some of these dandies!  On the left, Neil Fruechte reeled in this nice 28 inch walleye using a whole minnow on a light pink fat boy lure. On the right is a real nice 40.5 inch northern pike!

Sportsman's Oak Island Lodge 28 inch walleye was caught with a whole minnow on a light pink fat boy lure by Neil Fruechte 40.5 inch northern pike caught at Sportsman's Oak Island Lodge

Time to plan your summer trip! Give us a call 800-772-8411 or contact us online here.

Fishing, Ice & Trail Report from Oak Island/Lake of the Woods, MN

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Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Fishing, Ice & Trail Report

Lake of the Woods NW Angle & Oak Island Area

 

2/4/2016

Island Bite

It has been a little spotty this week in the islands like the south shore. Depths between 24-28 feet have been best. There has been a mix of walleye, saugers and perch caught and on a sunny day we are seeing a few pike. The best tackle this week has been gold and glow in the dark jigs tipped with a minnow.  Most of the fish found are hugging bottom however we are seeing some suspended walleyes 5’-6’ off bottom too.  Electronic fish finder users tend to have better results than non-electronic users.  The fish being caught are nice eaters with a few 20”+ also thrown in the mix.

Ice Conditions
We currently have 12-16 inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish.

Trail Conditions
The lake trails from Sportsman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island lodge are being groomed and in decent condition. We could use some more snow but lake conditions are decent. The trail was recently marked right from the Sportsman’s Lodge. Follow the black stakes.  Trail maps are available at the lodge or at local businesses.  For the latest conditions on the land trails click here for the Baudette area or here for the NW Angle and Oak Island area.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island The road is in good shape and nice and wide.

Oak Island Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

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1/20/2016

Mix of Walleyes & Saugers
Anglers reeled in a mix of walleyes and saugers this week. Mostly 11-18 inch but a few nice slot size walleyes too. (19.5-28 inches).  On Lake of the Woods all walleyes between 19.5-28 have to be thrown back and one over 28 inches may be kept.  Plain hooks tipped with a minnow head in 20’-26’ of water has been working well.  A combination of dead sticking and jigging the bottom and up to 6-8 inches off bottom is your best bet. If you have a vexilar, that helps. If you don’t, we have a few to rent. Give us a call ahead of time to reserve.

Ice Road
The ice road is open to vehicles from Young’s Bay to Oak Island. Conditions are good.

Ice Conditions
We have 10-15 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel right now.

Snowmobile Trail Report
The snowmobile trail on the lake from Pine Island to Oak Island is marked and groomed. Another fresh grooming will be done before the weekend. The trail from Pine Island to Warroad is marked and being maintained as best as possible. The crew is checking ice tomorrow to see if heavier equipment can be used yet for grooming. These trails are marked with black stakes.

For the NW Angle and Islands land trails – check with the Northwest Angle Edge Riders Club

For land trail updates for the south shore, check with the Lake of the Woods Drifters Club

Lake of the Woods Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

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1/20/2016

Fishing Report
Fishing has been up and down this week. The cold snap we have been experiencing for the past week is moving out. That should help! The forecast is calling for temperatures between the single digits and in the twenties for the next week ahead.

The best presentation has been gold, pink and orange 1/8-1/4 oz. jigs, buckshots, demons, forage minnows tipped with a minnow or just a plain minnow tipped with a minnow head. Jigging 4″-6″ off bottom using a vexilar has been working well in depths between 22′-29′. Mix of walleyes, saugers, a few 23″+ walleyes and tullibees have been coming up the holes. We are having fun!

Bill Petersen 1-19-2016
30 inch walleye caught and released
plain hook, fat head minnow and a bobber
Jeremy and Austin McMannes
26.25 inch walleye released
caught on a dead stick

Ice Conditions
In the areas we fish and travel we are finding on the bay/trail 9-18 inches and 9 inches off the trail. On the lake 13-17 inches. We use a private road.

On the public roads nearby us maintained by local resorts, this is what they are finding and allowing as of this morning.

Adrian’s Road out of Four Mile Bay
13 1/2- 15 1/2 inches of ice on the road. Allowing 1/2 ton pickups but not pulling wheeled houses. Wheeled houses up to 16′ are allowed to be pulled by light vehicles, ATV’s and snowmobiles.

Morris Point road out of Morris Point
Allowing ATV’s and snowmobile only and wheeled houses less than 16′.

The ice is inconsistent this year so it is important to stay on the roads and trails and know where you are going. We suggest checking with the local resort who maintains the road before venturing out. No travel is advised on the Rainy River; it is iced over but varies in ice depth.

Snowmobile Trail Report
The snowmobile trail on the lake from Pine Island to Oak Island is marked and groomed. Another fresh grooming will be done before the weekend. The trail from Pine Island to Warroad is marked and being maintained as best as possible. The crew is checking ice tomorrow to see if heavier equipment can be used yet for grooming. These trails are marked with black stakes.

For land trail updates for the south shore, check with the Lake of the Woods Drifters Club

For the NW Angle and Islands – check with the Northwest Angle Edge Riders Club

Oak Island Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

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Walleyes, Saugers, Pike & Tullibee Oh My!
We have been seeing a mix of walleyes, saugers, northern pike and tullibee this week.  Walleyes and saugers have been in the 12”-15” size and a few larger walleyes 20”-25”.  Some real nice northern pike 20-45 inches in length and a pile of tullibees have also come through the holes this week. The best depth has been 18’-26’. Anglers have had the most luck jigging with one pole and dead sticking with the other.  Gold, pink and orange jigs tipped with a minnow. Vexilars definitely help too.  We are reeling in some fish and having a good time!  You can’t beat that!

Check out this mix of fish!
Peter Krueger Group Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge

Ice Conditions
We have 10-15 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel right now.

Ice Road
The ice road is now open to vehicles!  From Young’s Bay to Oak Island opened Wednesday, Jan 13. Signs are being put up now.

Passenger Service from Sportsman’s Lodge, Baudette
The service is now available. For availability and rates go tolakeofthewoodspassengerservice.com or call the lodge at 800-862-8602.

Ice Fishing until late March
Lodging and fishing packages available until late March! Give us a call 800-772-8411 or log on to www.oakislandlodge.com

Lake of the Woods South Shore Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

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Fishing Away
We have been seeing some nice fish caught this week. Mainly saugers but a nice mix of walleyes especially 18”+ too.  Gold and pink ¼ oz. jigs, glow buckshot rattle spoons and stop sign lures have been working well tipped with a minnow.  The best depth has been in 22’-29’. Drop your line down to bottom and jig up 4”-8”, you will find them! Vexilars help too.

Check out some of these fishing stories & pictures

Jake Steivang, 49 inch sturgeon released
caught on a red hook and minnow
29 inch walleye caught by
Sam Ingemansen of Bismarck		 Doug Loos, 12 in perch
Dan & Doug caught 60 fish in
3 days walleye, sauger, tullibee,
1 perch, and of course eelpout

Ice Conditions
We have 10”-14” of ice in the areas we fish and travel right now. It is a slow ice making process this year. Usually by this time we have at least a couple of feet of ice but I guess Mother Nature is in charge so that is the way it goes. The good news is we have enough good safe ice to get out and do some fishing!

More Fishing Tips

Trails
The snowmobile trails from Pine Island to Warroad and Pine Island to Oak Island are marked with black stakes.  The trails continue to be dragged on a regular basis until there is enough ice for groomers to get out.  To get to Pine Island, take Adrian’s road from Four Mile Bay by Wheeler’s Point. The ice conditions do vary off the trail so check ice often if you decide to go off the trail. For land trail conditions contact the Lake of the Woods Drifters Snowmobile Club for the latest conditions.

If you decide to venture on your own
We use a private road but here is the latest information about two of the public roads in the area.

Adrian’s road at Four Mile Bay is reporting 9 ½-10 ½ inches of ice in Four Mile Bay alongside the trail and 11-14 inches on the lake. They are allowing small to mid-size vehicles to drive out but not pulling wheeled houses. Wheel houses up to 16’ can be pulled out using ATV’s or UTV’s. No full size vehicles.

Morris Point road out of Morris Point is reporting 12.5 inches of ice on average.  They are allowing ATV’s and snowmobiles and up to 16’ wheeled houses at this time. No trucks.

Rainy River & High Current Areas
The Rainy River and high current areas have much less ice right now and are not advised to travel on. We suggest checking with local resorts or bait shops before going out.

Lodging & Ice Fishing Packages available until March 31!
Packages available starting at only $193 per person plus tax for two nights lodging and one day of ice fishing including the fish house, transportation to and from the house, use of jig sticks, jigs, bait and fish cleaning. Book your trip today!www.sportsmanslodges.com 800-862-8602