Tag Archives: lake of the woods

Water temperature is down a few more degrees and more shiners are showing up

September 27, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

The water temperature dipped a few more degrees this week to 61 right now. We are seeing more shiners in the river every day. The big walleye schools are moving but not quite to the river yet. The best fishing continues to be in 22’-26’ of water outside of Pine Island, Graceton Beach and on the northern reefs. It won’t be long and the walleyes will be moving into the bays and river. Jigging with a gold or pink ¼-1/2 oz. jig tipped with a shiner or gold spinner, 1-2 oz. sinker and a night crawler is working well.

22 inch walleye caught and released by the Lyman Group. Guided by Captain Travis M

26 inch walleye caught and released by the Lyman Group. Guided by Captain Travis M

Sturgeon- The sturgeon bite continues to be good in deep holes of the river and bays where there is current. A 4/0 hook, 2 ounce no roll sinker and a gob of minnows works well.

Time to start thinking winter reservations!
For the best dates and accommodations, book your winter trip now! 800-862-8602 or online here.

Cooling Off and Catching Fish

September 14, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Temperature dipped down to 37 degrees here this morning. Fall is here! Water temperature has dipped 5 degrees this week down to 64. We expect to start seeing some shiners show up in the river within the next week. Once the shiners start to run the walleyes are soon to follow and it makes for some great fall fishing on the Rainy River! Fall soft water fishing is typically really good right until freeze up.

Good fishing this week!
Check out some of the pics from Captain Travis Madrazo this week! Guided charter (27’ boat holds up to 6 passengers plus guide) and guided outfitter trip (18’-20’ boat holds up to 4 passengers plus guide) are still available through late October. We have some great fall deals going on too! A mix of bait fishing using gold jigs and shiners and trolling with crank baits has been the best approach this week although the guides are starting to remove the downriggers and turning over to only bait fishing. Nice walleyes are being found along shore lines and on the reefs in varying depths along Pine Island, Long Point and Bridges.

Sturgeon, Bass & Pike
The sturgeon bite has been really picking up this week in the Rainy River and Four Mile bay. A gob of worms on a 4/0 or 5/0 hook and 2 oz. no roll sinker works best. Deep holes in the river where current is found are hot spots for sturgeon. Throwing top water baits for smallmouth bass and northern pike in the bays has been the best approach to lure in these fish. We have a rental boat and guided trips available now through late October.

Ice fishing season is 82 days away!
We offer no equipment required, hassle free ice fishing trips.
Check out our Sportsman’s Lodge & Sleeper House packages here.
For our island locations on Oak Island, Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge click here.

Walleyes Are Biting!

August 31, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Lake of the Woods continues to have a great summer season. Walleyes are biting from Long Point to Zippel Bay in 29-32 feet of water. Anchored and jigging with worms or trolling with crank baits have been working well. Hot tackle colors have been silver, white, red and orange. Around Pine Island in 25-30 feet of water is another hot spot. For those anglers heading to the north end of the lake, Garden Island and Little Oak are still producing nice limits of fish. The current water temperature is down a few more degrees from last week at 71. The forecast looks great so now’s the perfect time to visit.

49 inch sturgeon caught by Larry Deacon. Guided by Travis M

28 inch walleye caught by Molli Burns and guided by Captain Matt

Openings still available for this weekend!
If you are looking for a place to relax this weekend, give us a call! Lodging, Camping, Guided Fishing Trips and dock rental available. book@slodges.com or call 800-862-8602

Sturgeon & Bass
The sturgeon are starting to bite. Holes in the river bottom anchored using a 5/0 size hook, 1-2 ounce no roll sinker and a gob of minnows has been working good for sturgeon. The bite should only get stronger as the water starts to cool. Keep one season runs until Sept 30 and Oct 1-April 23 is catch and release season. Guided trips available! The smallmouth bass bite has been good around shallow rocks casting spoons in the river and around reefs.

Warm Water Walleyes

August 10, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Lake of the Woods is at its peak temperature for the year right now. The temperature is between 74-78 degrees. Where is the best place to find the walleyes? Deep! Depths between 28-32 feet have been best. Anchored jigging and pulling spinners tipped with a leech or minnow has been producing some eyes and saugers but the most action has been using the controlled depth approach pulling crank baits. Red, gold, white and silver have been hot colors. Anglers are reporting several healthy sized walleyes and saugers. Some anglers have also been finding some nice perch, crappies and smallmouth bass fishing in the river using jigs and buck tails. Lots of fishing opportunities going on!

Stefanich Group with Captain Ralph

Stefanich Group with Captain Ralph. August 2016

Logan and some nice perch!

Crappies right off the dock

Bryan “Beef” Sathre found some nice smallies this week

Fall Fishing is just around the corner
A few more weeks and we will start to see fall creep in. Fall fishing is phenomenal on Lake of the Woods, walleyes, saugers, sturgeon, bass, crappies, pike, perch and muskies abound. Boat rentals, dock slips and guided trips available through late October. Click here to learn more.

Fishing Report NW Angle & Oak Island Lake of the Woods 7-29-2016

July 30, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Fishing Report NW Angle & Oak Island Lake of the Woods 7-29-2016

Good action this week.
For walleyes, Little Oak Island has been a hot spot lately 18″-23″water with chartreuse, blue or black jigs tipped with a minnow. Night crawlers on a good ol’ worm harness have also been the hot lure. Water temperature is 75 degrees.

Muskie and northern fishing is heating up!
This week reports five 38-42″ northerns and eight 45″-52″ muskies have been lured to the surface by a group. Top water crank baits and spinners have all been working casting in a weedy bed. Don’t delay book your trip now before the summer passes you by 800-772- 8411.

Fall rates start September 15

Lake of the Woods Fishing Report Sportsman’s Lodge 7-29-2016

July 30, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Lake of the Woods Fishing Report Sportsman’s Lodge

7-29-2016

Beautiful Weather & Beautiful Walleyes
I just love this time of year. Warm weather, light breeze and lots of walleye action. We continue to do a mix of bait fishing and trolling with crank baits. We expect to continue this approach through August for sure and probably until mid-September. About mid-September is when we usually see the walleyes start to move. Mid basin of Big Traverse has been a hot spot in 28’-32’ as well as the northern reefs in 26’-32’. White/silver, Red/white and gold/red have been good lure colors. A spinner, a couple of ounces of weight and tipped with a worm or leech or the same color crank baits have been working the best. A few anglers have also switching spinners on and off with 3/8 ounce gold jig tipped with a minnow and having some luck in the same areas. The water temperature is currently 77 degrees.

Finding some nice fish!

Bass? Yes, two nice smallmouth bass right off our dock! You just never know what you might reel in! Lots of good fishing this time of year!

Beautiful Weather!

A nice bunch of 16 – 18 inch walleyes are being taken and make great appetizers with a cool beer on the side in the Sandbar after a day on the lake.

We still have openings in July and August
Give us a call 800-862-8602 or email us for a quote book@slodges.com

Top 5 Reasons to book a charter fishing trip!

July 29, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Top 5 Reasons to book a charter fishing trip!

#1 Catch more fish!
#2 No equipment required!
#3 No experience needed!
#4 Your biggest task of the day is reeling in fish and enjoying the day!…
#5 Groups of 1+ welcome! Boats hold up to 6 passengers plus the guide. Bring a group of 6 or groups of less, we will get you on a boat with other guests to enjoy a fun filled day!

What are you waiting for? Give us a call 800-862-8602 or email us at book@slodges.com for a free quote or click here for more information.

Nate Nygard 30 inch 12.86lb walley. Guide, Baihly Hontvet

Get your family fishing trip planned before summer is gone for another year!

July 25, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Get your family fishing trip planned
before summer is gone for another year!

Great time with the Manuel boys and Captain Dave! www.sportsmanslodges.com

Fishing, Fireworks & Lake Time

June 29, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

It’s that time of year when it is time to sit back, take in some lake time and reel in the walleyes. The forecast is looking much better too! It has been a little windy and rainy here lately. The Baudette area is also gearing up for their 4th of July celebration. If you haven’t made plans yet, come for a visit. Lots of events are planned for the whole family.

Fresh Walleye YUM!
Nothing beats fresh walleye! Enjoy a shore lunch midday on a nearby island where your guide will fry up your morning catch over an open flame and serve it with all the fixings. Another great option is enjoying some of your fresh catch in the bar as an appetizer. We will do the cooking and the dishes!

Jay Swanson from Argyle MN 27 inch walleye released. Guided by Captain Dave McDougall

Olson Group guided by Captain Darryl

So what is hot and what’s not?
The best fishing has been in the northern reefs of Big Traverse using gold, pink or white/silver spinners, a 2-3 ounce sinker and a night crawler or leech. A mix of approaches including anchored and jigging as well as drifting or trolling depending on the wind speed for the day have both been successful. A combination of shallow and deep depths 12’-16’ outside of Pine Island and Zippel Bay and 26’-30’ further north near Garden Island, Little Oak and Bridges. The water temperature has been between 66-70 degrees this week. The best advice I can give you is? Get here now!

4th of July Celebration is Monday
Are you ready? We are! Enjoy fishing, lodging, camping, musical entertainment, full service bar, game room, indoor pool and 3 dining venues at the lodge. The Baudette/Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce and area businesses have a lot of fun planned, parade, vendors, fireworks, 5k and entertainment to name a few. We have some construction we are working around in town right now but still lots of room for all of the events. Click here for the full schedule of events. Lodging and fishing still available! Give us a call 800-862-8602.

66 years of fishing Lake of the Woods!

June 22, 2016 by Sportsman's Lodges

Check out one of our long time guests, Fran 90 years young. Fran has been coming to Lake of the Woods since 1950 and to Sportsman’s since it was built in 1971. Her first trip was on her honeymoon. Fran doesn’t miss her annual fishing trip with guide Tony Beckel and she still has the touch to real in the walleyes. We can’t wait to see you again next year. Nice catch Fran!

The bite on Lake of the Woods continues to be good despite a few storms that passed through last week. The current water temperature is 66.5 degrees. Drifting with a spinner and 2-3 ounce sinker in 18-26 feet of water around Garden Island and Graceton Beach has been good. Plenty of 17-19 inch walleyes are being caught along with some larger walleye. Worms are being favored but leeches and minnows are not a bad idea to bring along too depending on the day. Guided trips available. Enjoy your summer and wet a line today.

Rob Close from Ellsworth WI reeled in a nice 23 inch walleye released. Guided by Captain Cam

Fran Wittfoth from Holland, MN 27 inch 8.5 lb walleye released Captain Tony Beckel

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4th of July Celebration
Walleyes, Fireworks, Parade, Entertainment and Summer Fun!
Click here to read all about the activities planned.