Tag Archives: lake of the woods fishing

Fall is in the air

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The nights are getting cooler and the days are getting longer here in the north woods of Minnesota.

The nights are getting cooler and the days are getting longer here in the north woods of Minnesota. You can definately tell Fall will soon be here. We have once again had another incredible year of fishing on Lake of the Woods. It is great to have such a healthy lake to enjoy.  Area bear hunters have been busy getting their spots ready, bear season opens up tomorrow.  It won’t be long and the early goose, grouse and duck season will be here as well.  The annual Lake of the Woods Duck’s Unlimited Banquet is scheduled for Sept 10 here at Sportsman’s Lodge. Tickets are limited so give us a call asap if your interested in attending. Over $8000 in hunting merchandise and guns will be given away. This event is always a good time and has relatively small attendance in comparison to many big city events so your odds of winning are pretty good.
Our fall rates start Sept 6. Lodge for just $39* per person per night through Nov 30. Fall is a great time for some good walleye, sturgeon and pike fishing at Sportsman’s Lodge and walleye, pike, muskie, bass and crappie at Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge. No boat? No problem! We have guides and boat rentals available. Relaxing in a boat in a quiet atmosphere surrounded by beautiful fall colors. AAhhhhh. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Have a great day everyone! Hope to see you soon!

*Rate is for Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location and is based on double occupancy plus tax.

Island Fish Fry Experience

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Island Fish Fry Experience

An island fish fry, an experience in itself during a day of fishing.  If your looking to catch a nice mess of good eating fish that is certainly not hard to come by right now too. Fishing continues to be very good and there is nothing better than enjoying authentic island fish fry midday during a day of fishing. Ask about booking a shore lunch when you book your next trip.  Your guide will prepare your fresh catch over an open fire including all of the fixings,  fried potatoes, beans, bread and cookies to top it off after enjoying a hearty lunch all while you take in the beautiful scenerythat surrounds you.   For more information about Sportsman’s fishing experiences click here.

Sportsman’s Lodge 5th Annual Sturgeon Tournament

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4/30/2011

The 5th Annual Sportsman’s Lodge sturgeon tournament was a success! Over 155 sturgeon were caught over the two day catch and release event. 50 boats and 128 anglers battled it out for over $4800 in cash and prizes April 29 & 30. The two day event will conclude with an awards banquet tonight and Live Entertainment by Fireline. We only have 15 spots left for 2012! Reserve your spot today 800-862-8602 www.sportsmanslodges.com

The winners:
Day 1 (for pictures see 4/29 report below)
#1 64.5 inch length, 27 inch girth & 73 lbs- Derek Ferestad from Park Rapids, MN $1400 Cash
#2 57.75 inch length, 21 inch girth & 43 lbs– Pat Schrieber from White Bear Lake, MN $600 Cash
#3 56.5 inch length, 18.5 inch girth & 36lbs – Randy Shoen from Hastings, MN Custom Sturgeon Rod handcrafted by Lake of the Woods Guide Ralph Christopherson 

Day 2
#1 60.5 inch length, 21.5 inch girth & 45lbs Randy Shoen from Hastings, MN $1400 Cash

#2 59 inch length, 24 inch girth & 54 lbs Dan Brown from Hudson, WI $600 Cash #3 58.5 inch length, 20.5 inch girth & 43 lbs
No picture available

Mark Lyons from Roseville, MN Custom Sturgeon Rod handcrafted by Lake of the Woods Guide Ralph Christopherson pictured behind him is Scott Steinbring from Warroad, MN with a close contender holding his 52 inch caught at the same time. 

Other awards
Bullhead – 13 inch Kevin Weber from East Grand Forks, MN
Eelpout – 17 inch two way tie Steve Stoskopf from Warroad, MN & Gary Rutherford from Pengilly, MN
Sucker – 20.5 inch Hunter Deziel from Grand Forks, ND
Best Boat – Brian Stennes from Grand Forks, ND

The tournament was once again a big success and alot of fun as had. Next year’s tournament is set for May 4 & 5, 2012. To sign up contact Sportsman’s Lodge 800-862-8602. Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks to all the participants for making the tournament once again a success!

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.