Tag Archives: ice fishing

Lake of the Woods South Shore Ice Conditions & Fishing Report

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January 2, 2014

Below Zero, anyone?

Lows below zero and highs in the low teens have made its way North. But when you fish with us, there is no need to fear the cold. We provide heated transportation to a heated fish house so you can stay warm from start to finish. History has shown that when the colder weather sets in, the fish go deep. The guides have been moving houses daily to find the best bite. We have houses in varying depths between 21′-28′ to keep on the best bite.  The bite has been spotty, but they are out there.  Hammered gold or pink jigs tipped with a minnow or shiner seem to be getting the bite from either saugers or walleyes. Keep the line active so you can get in on the action. Vexilars help your success and don’t be afraid to change up a jig now and then.

nathankennedy

Nathan Kennedy, 23” walleye, released
December 2014

Ice Conditions
Ice conditions range anywhere from 18”-22”. We haven’t had but a dusting of snow in the last few weeks so we continue to make good ice.

Our report is based on the areas we travel and fish. Please keep in mind the entire lake does not freeze equally. If you venture out on your own, we urge you to follow marked trails and know the latest conditions. All of our fish houses are on groomed trails not accessible by wheeled vehicles. More peace and quiet and better fishing.

joelkuester

Joel Kuester with the Hannan Party
26 ½” walleye, released
December 20, 2014

Four Mile Bay Ice Road
The ice is around 20 inches plus thick so at this time, they are allowing most everything out on the lake. If you have an extreme oversize vehicle or wheelhouse, you will want to call and double check before heading out.

Trail Conditions

Lake Trails
The Lake Trails are all marked.  Once there is enough snow, the trails will then be groomed.

Land Trails
Right now, it’s basically a waiting game for the snow to arrive so that the trails can be groomed. For the latest information, please click here.

7 New Villas are available now
!Check them out and make your reservations today! They are in high demand, so don’t wait too long!

Oak Island Ice Conditions & Fishing Report

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January 2, 2014

Anglers have been reporting catching their limits in depths around 24’. Pink, white or green jigs tipped with minnows or shiners have been getting results. The morning bite or right before dark is bringing anglers their best success.

Ice Road is open!
The ice road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island is plowed and open.

Snowmobile Trails
Lake Trails – All lake trails are staked except The Angle to Warroad. The snowmobile trail has been moved and marked around the cracks around Garden Island and Knight Island. If you venture off the trail, be advised there are some pressure ridges around the lake. Grooming is dependent upon snow.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Ice Conditions & Fishing Report

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December 19, 2014

Snow, Sun, Warm and Cold…

….we’ve had it all this past week. Ice Fishing has been spotty with some houses reporting great action while others have seen slower bites.  We are moving houses shallow and some deep to try to get on the fish.  Right now, we are anywhere between 18’ and 31’.  Anglers have reported that the bite is mostly saugers at this time with some nice walleyes in the mix too.  Gold jigs with some flash or some glow are the hot jigs this week.  Afternoons are producing the best action at this time but the weather has also been tricky this week as well.  The weather forecast through next Wednesday is all over the board again with varying temps from the low teen’s to the mid-30’s with a chance of snow leading up to Christmas.

Tom Frisch
27 ½” walleye
December 2014

Kendall Simmons
26 ¼” walleye
28 ft with a gold/pink jig

Ice Conditions
Ice conditions range anywhere from 14’-17’. The warm up late last week made for a little slush but the cold temperatures the past few days have firmed it back up. It looks like the lows are going to be in the teens and twenties for the week ahead. We have a nice base of ice at this time.

Our report is based on the areas we travel and fish. Please keep in mind the entire lake does not freeze equally. If you venture out on your own, we urge you to follow marked trails and know the latest conditions. All of our fish houses  are on groomed trails not accessible by wheeled vehicles. More peace and quiet and better fishing!

Four Mile Bay Ice Road
The cool down from the warm spell did not cause any cracks on the road. They are now letting ¾ ton trucks pulling up to 22 ft long wheel houses out as well. The ice is about the same thickness as last week which was around 15-16 inches on the bay and 16-18 inches on the lake just outside of Pine Island.

Trail Conditions

Lake Trails

The Lake Trails are all marked.  Work is being done to smooth the trails as best as possible.  Once there is enough snow, the trails will then be groomed.  When traveling please watch for the pressure ridges and use caution especially when their is a drastic change in the air temperature.

Land Trails

Groomers for the land trails report that they have been working on clearing the trails. It was slow going earlier as there was no snow thus wheeled vehicles were used and this was making the progress slow. After the snow the pace was improved. No other information was given at this time as to the progress but there is not enough snow for packing or grooming. You can find the latest information by clicking here.

7 New Villas are available now!
Check them out and make your reservations today! They are in high demand, so don’t wait too long!

New Year’s Eve Party!
Join us for live entertainment, one night only exclusive menu, party favors, champagne toast and a whole lot of fun! Make your reservations now.

Oak Island Ice Conditions & Fishing Report

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December 19, 2014

We are open for the season!  Fishing has been good. Gold jigs tipped with a minnow in 18′-26′ of water. Nice 14″-18″ walleyes have been found the past few days. Give us a call to book your winter trip! 800-862-8602

Ice Road is open!
The ice road from Young’s Bay to OakIsland is plowed and open. Call for directions before you come as it has not been marked yet. 14-15 inches of ice is reported.

Snowmobile Trails
Lake Trails – All lake trails are staked except Driftwood Point to Warroad. Grooming is dependent upon snow.

Make your dinner reservations now for New Years!
Dinner Specials, Party Favors, Champagne Toast and a whole lot of fun!

We will be closed both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for the angler on your list?

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Sportsman’s Lodges offers gift certificates available to use at any of their three locations on Lake of the Woods.

Open year round on legendary Lake of the Woods and offering full service walleye, northern pike, sturgeon, muskie and crappie fishing these locations are an anglers dream. Sportsman’s Lodges offers new accommodations, dining, bar, entertainment, indoor pool and much more. Get the angler on your list what he or she really wants this year. Always the right color, size and price too!

Click here to purchase yours today.

Looking for a great place to ring in the New Year?

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Sportsman’s Lodge or Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge on Lake of the Woods are great places to have some fun!

Lodging, Ice Fishing, Snowmobiling, Food, Drinks and both host great parties!

Sportsman’s Lodge 12 miles north of Baudette will feature a one night only exclusive menu along with their bar menu, live entertainment by Fireline, party favors, champagne toast and a whole lot of fun! Lodging and ice fishing packages are also available. For more information and reservations click here or call 800-862-8602 today.

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge on Oak Island just nine miles from the Northwest Angle on Lake of the Woods is an awesome island hideaway to ring in the New Year.  Just off the groomed snowmobile trail and ice road you can drive right out, or if you contact us early enough we may have lodging and ice fishing packages available too!  Enjoy dinner specials, party favors and holiday cheer!

For more information and reservations click here or call 800-862-8602.

Ice Update

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12-4-2014

Ice update!!!

The crews have worked hard all week and have made some nice smooth trails to and from the fish houses. There is 16″ of ice on the lake and 14″ on Four Mile Bay (the bay we access early in the season to get to the lake). The cracks have mostly healed and things have come together nicely for our opening weekend of ice fishing. The rainy river has 8″-10″ of ice.

 

The snowmobile trail to Oak Island will be marked next Tuesday or Wednesday with the trail to Warroad and the Rainy River to Baudette trail being marked the day after the oak trail. We are very excited about the ice thickness and the upcoming season. The guides have done some scout fishing and report good water clarity and some hot action. Please remember that it is still early and there may be thin weak spots of ice yet. At this time there are no full size vehicles allowed. Please call ahead or check our website to find out the latest ice report. Also remember we only report on the areas we travel and fish and the entire lake is certainly not treated equally. Safety first!  Good luck fishing! For reservations contact us online or call 800-862-8602.  Bring on the season!!!

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

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12/2/2014

Ice Fishing Season begins Friday!!!!!!

The ice has come along nicely but we must stress safety and for people venturing out on your own, follow the resorts marked trails…if there isn’t a resort trail it is a no go area. Any place there is current is still going to be thin ice. Thin spots of ice remain and with the new dusting of snow it is tough to see different areas of ice. With all that said we have a strong 11″-12″ in the Four Mile Bay and 12″-13″ on the lake. We have checked ice all the way out to 26′ of water. Water clarity is good and there are have been quite a few small to nice eating fish being caught in 22′ and some slot fish being caught in shallow in the morning and evening. The ice is rough and we will be spending the beginning of the week grooming and making trails and the most importantly checking and rechecking the ice thicknesses.

Lodging is available now. The Sandbar and Riverside Dining Room opens Friday, Dec 5 serving lunch, dinner and drinks. The Dockside Dining Room serving breakfast opens Saturday, Dec 6.

Oak Island Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

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12/2/2014

It won’t be long!

The ice is coming along nicely, we are very happy with the early, cold start to the year. We currently have 6-10 inches of ice around the island, a little less and a little further out. We have a couple of inches of snow that is also blanketing the ice. We do not have an official start date yet but we anticipate within the next 10-12 days. It takes a little longer around here than the south end to get things sealed up due to current. We are excited to start but safety first!

The season starts soon! Do you have your reservations in yet?
Give us a call 800-772-8411 or log on to www.oakislandlodge.com