Tag Archives: lake of the woods
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge Oak Island Minnesota
The Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge is Surrounded by Water, Wildlife and is Located Right in the Heart of The Walleye Capital of the World.
38 miles from the Main Lodge, Sportsman’s Lodge near Baudette, MN is the secluded Oak Island Lodge. It’s on the same island as our Eagle Ridge Lodge. It’s not uncommon to see bear, moose or a whitetail deer swimming when you’re out fishing. If you like nature, you’re going to love our Oak Island lodge.
This undisturbed remote island is a place where nature thrives. It’s filled with bald eagles, deer, bear and the fishing is undoubtedly world class. In this part of the Lake of the Woods, there is abundant population of Walleye, Sauger, Northerns, Muskies, Smallmouth Bass, Perch, and big Slab Crappies. Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources has determined this to be a World-Class Fishery.
“From the Oak Island Lodge and Eagle Ridge Lodge, we fish more in Canadian waters and catch a greater variation of species than we do from the Main Lodge. We catch a lot of the big Muskies that can get over 60-inches. This lodge has the feel of a fly in lodge, it is tucked away in nature, it’s amazing,” said Sportsman’s Lodges, Co-Owner, Gregg Hennum.
Oak Island Outdoor & Fishing Report
Not many changes from last week…just lots of good fishing!We have not seen too many changes this week in the walleye fishing near Oak Island from last week. The fishing continues to be great! Twenty-six to twenty-eight feet of water on the reefs using flashy colored spinners tipped with a minnow or twenty-one to twenty-three feet in the mud using shad raps has been the hot spots. Falcon Island and areas south of Oak Island and Little Oak still are producing very well.
Muskies and Pike
The muskies and northern pike are active. We have thousands of weedy bay and rock point’s s to choose from just a few miles away from the resort. Spinner and jerk baits have been working well. Top water late in the day has been very successful. We have seen some very large 50+ inch muskies lately as well as many 20-30 inch muskies and northerns too.
A look ahead
Beautiful fall foliage and excellent walleye, crappie fishing will soon be upon us. Make your reservations now and fall into walleyes with our reduced fall rates! Ask about our hot Eagle Ridge stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free deal!
Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report
7/27/2015
Hot Summer Fishing
The weather is hot and so is the fishing! Bait fishing using hammered gold or orange spinners tipped with a crawler or 3/8 oz. gold jigs tipped with a minnow has been the best approach. Some anglers are also finding success pulling shad raps as well. Eighteen to twenty-two feet and twenty-eight to thirty-two feet outside of Pine Island, Little Oak Island and Garden Island are producing some nice fish. A nice variety of 14”-18” and 25”-30” walleyes have been found this week.
Island Fish Fry
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. Our guides prepare the fish and all of the fixings while you take in the beautiful scenery of the area. This is definately an experience you won’t want to miss.
Fall is around the corner
We are roughly 8 weeks out from the legendary “Emerald Shiner Run” which normally occurs in late September and early October on the Rainy River and Four Mile Bay. This event normally brings in thousands of walleyes to the Rainy River as they chase the shiners upstream. Get your reservations in now and take advantage of lodging as low as $40 per person lodging.
Top Ten Reasons to visit Sportsman’s this August!
Looking for the perfect vacation destination? Here are the top ten reasons to visit Sportsman’s this August!
1. Excellent fishing and no equipment or experience required!
From the beginner to the seasoned pro, Sportsman’s located in the heart of the walleye capital of the world offers the best fishing around. If you like catching big walleyes, July & August are the best months to find catch big walleyes!
2. New Villas
And with a multitude of accommodation options to choose from, including charming lodge rooms, well-equipped cabins, and our new private villas, you’re sure to love everything about Sportsman’s! Rent these accommodations by the night or the week.
3. Entertainment
Enjoy our live musical entertainment in our bar and restaurant,
4. Indoor Pool
Stroll along the beach at neartby Zippel Bay State Park, or relax at Sportsman’s indoor pool or hot tub.
5. Awesome Views
Let your worries drift away as you take in the beautiful views and rich history of the area on one of our lake tours.
6. Three Locations
Three locations to choose from: Sportsman’s Lodge located 12 miles north of Baudette, MN, Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge & Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge located on Oak Island near the Northwest Angle of Minnesota.
7. Game Room
Walleye Sportsman’s Lodge Lake of the Woods
Both youth and adults will enjoy our game rooms that feature a variety of games.
8. Three Dining Venues
Great food with great prices, sample all the menus in our 3 dining venues.
9. Area Activities
Whether you are looking to spend time on the water, enjoy a great game of golf, stroll along the beach at the Zippel Bay State Park or shop in local Baudette, there is something for everyone at Sportsman’s Lodges.
10. Lodging and fishing packages starting at only $232 per person!
So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call at 866-998-7280 or click here to book online.
Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report
Life is better when I am fishing!
Isn’t that the truth! Nothing is better in my mind than a holding a rod on a beautiful day. Right now the weather is great and the bite is pretty darn good too. We still have openings for soft water fishing now through late October. Give us a call. Lodging, all-inclusive fishing packages, camping, boat slips and boat rentals are available.
The bite……
The best walleye action has been in 10’-18’ and 29’-36’. We are starting to use a little bit of controlled depth fishing but the best bite has been jigging using spinners tipped with a minnow or crawler this week. Some of the best fishing has been just outside of Graceton Beach, Zippel Bay and Garden Island.
Oak Island Fishing Report
Great weather and excellent fishing.
We are reeling in some nice fish this week. Check out this muskie! What a catch! Points and rock piles have been successful. The guides know right where the action is and have lots of great tips to get you one that looks just like this! The muskie bite is the best July through October.
Walleyes
Best bite has been in 26’-30’ jigging with minnows or spinners tipped with a crawler. Massacre Island, Deep Water Bay and Skeet Island have all been hot spots.
Pike
Smaller fish have been found in big bays up shallow and the larger pike around points and rock piles. Casting flashy spoons or rapalas have been working well.
Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free!
What a deal! Stay in our brand new Eagle Ridge lake home on Oak Island just near the main lodge and take advantage of this great deal! Check out the beautiful 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home here and contact us today to reserve.
There’s a Rich History in Lake of the Woods!
There’s a Rich History in Lake of the Woods!
The history of the area goes back eons. During the Ice Age, four major ice sheets covered northern Minnesota. When the glaciers withdrew, a lake formed between the height of the land to the south and the ice walls to the north. Known as Glacial Lake Agassiz, it submerged the county as well as part of the rest of Minnesota, North Dakota and a large portion of Canada. Eventually this lake shrank to leave the Lake of the Woods as a remnant body of water. The waters of the Lake of the Woods, like those of Lake Agassiz, flow north to empty into Hudson Bay. Lake of the Woods is the biggest lake in Minnesota hosting 14,000 islands & 1 million acres of water stretching from Minnesota into Canada.
Native Americans, especially the Anishinaabe (Chippewa) band in more recent years were the first known settlers to the area. The area was explored by voyageurs, trappers, traders, missionaries and more that were intrigued by the beauty and potential of the area.
The lake area also attracted loggers and commercial fishermen. The sport fishermen came last, but have staked the biggest, most sustainable claim on the Lake. Commercial netting was ceased back in the 1970’s on the Minnesota side of the Lake and the sport fishing has become consistently more productive with a healthy population of good eating size walleyes and breeding stock. Click here to learn more about Lake of the Woods.
Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report
Water is heating up, Weather is Beautiful & the Fishing is Excellent!
Northern areas of Big Traverse around Knight and Garden Island and southern areas of Little Traverse have been hot this week. Gold or pink jigs or spinners tipped with a leech, crawler or minnow have been working well. Bring a few bait options with you. The may flies hatched this week and have really pumped the walleye catch rate up. Water temperature is currently 74 degrees. Anglers are having the most success bait fishing but it won’t be long and controlled depth fishing will start.
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| 6 year old Gavin Anderson reeled in an 18 inch walleye guided by Captain Todd. Nice job Gavin! |
24.5 inch walleye Caught by Art Hallman from Minneapolis Guided by Captain Cam |
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| The Larsons Witschens & Deno with Captain Billy Kloos |
Nice walleye! Guided by Captain Ralph |
July & August are BIG Walleye Months
We see some of the largest walleyes reeled in during the months of July & August. The action is fast and fun! We always promote catch and release but according to Minnesota laws anglers can keep one over 28 inches. All walleyes between 19.5 inches and 28 inches must be released
We still have openings for July & August. Give us a call to book your trip today 800-862-8602 or click here to book online. New Villas, Charter Trips, 20’ boat rental, Indoor Pool, Musical Entertainment, Camping, Playground and area activities. We have something for everyone!
Oak Island Fishing Report
Sparkling Waters & Walleyes
Beautiful weather this week. Now is one of the best times to visit I think. The weather is warm, the scenery is incredible and the fishing is great. Walleyes this week have been biting on gold or orange jigs tipped with a minnow in 26-30 feet of water. Rocky areas and points have been some of the best spots.
Muskies are starting to get hungry. Check out this 49 inch Muskie caught and released by Amy Sheffer. Amy was guided by Captain Jordan. Amy caught this lunker on a lil orange rapala; Anglers have been finding muskies lurking in rock piles and shallow bays. Some of the best tackle has been Amy’s lil orange rapala and small fast blades.
Pike
Many nice 25”+ pike have been caught in shallow bays this week. Flashy blades and rapalas have been working well.
Sportsman’s New Eagle Ridge Lake Home Special
Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night FREE now through October. This beautiful brand new 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathroom lake home and private dock is a great place to relax just a short walk or boat ride from Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge.