Tag Archives: Minnesota Fishing Report

Lake of the Woods South Shore Ice Conditions & Fishing Report

December 19, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

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.

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Ice Update

December 4, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

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

December 2, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

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

December 2, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

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

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

November 12, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

November 12, 2014

I realize this is the fishing report but let’s face it…everyone had hunting on their mind this past weekend. Did you have success??

Thank You

Another great season is in the books! To all of you who visited this past summer, thank you. If we missed you this season, we sure hope to see you soon. The bar, dining room, many lodge rooms and pool are currently closed. Fall projects are in full swing as we get ready for our winter season. Cabins and villas are available to rent through November. The reservation desk is open year round. Make your winter reservations now online or by calling 800-862-8602! We have the first week in December in our sights to start our winter season mother nature willing! Stay tuned!

Also, it looks like the cold and snow are on their way. The high temps might get close to the freezing mark and the lows are dipping down into the low teens. The water temp has dropped below 40 degrees; it currently sits at 34.1. Before you know it, ice will be here and we will be fishing again!!

The Baudette Bay is completely frozen! Ice-making weather is here!

Winter is just around the corner! Have you made your reservations yet?

www.sportsmanslodges.com

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Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

November 5, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

November 5, 2014

River fishing has not disappointed the anglers this week. It seems as if anywhere from the International Bridge to the Gap has produced limits of walleyes and saugers. Depths from 18’-20’ have been producing the most using green, orange or gold jigs tipped with a frozen shiner. Fishing up north has been producing too. Areas by Garden Island in 20’-25’ depths have given anglers their limits as well. Weather-wise, it looks as if we are coming into a cool down. Highs will be in the high-20’s to low-30’s and lows will be dipping down into the mid-teens. The water temperature is currently at 41.9 degrees.

Chuck and Heather Fowler 30.5 in, 26 in and 21 in walleye Guided by Captain Mike




Craig Murphy 30.75 inch walleye Guided by Captain Dave	Ice forming on smaller bays of water.

Thank You

Winter is just around the corner! Have you made your reservations yet?
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Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

October 29, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

October 29, 2014

Calm and clear…

When talking with the guides this last week, they said, “find the calm and the clear water and you can catch fish anywhere. That certainly has been the case. The shiner run continues in the River and most anywhere, especially in the 18’ depth, from the International Bridge to the Gap will put you on the walleyes. Head north towards Garden Island, Hay Island or Little Oak around the 25’ depth, throw your line in that’s tipped with a jig and a frozen shiner and you will catch walleye. Gold, pink or white are the hot colors. The water temp is currently at 47.7 degrees. Temperatures forecasted for the week range from highs in the 40’s and 50’s to lows in the mid-20’s to low 30’s with winds ranging from 6-12mph.

Tim and Sue Nelson
Dale and Kathleen Jansen
Rod Vondrka
October 23, 2014, Guided by Captain Dave

Our last day of charter fishing is October 31, 2014; however, our cabins and villas continue to be available to rent through freeze up. Our dining facilities, the Sandbar and the pool/hot tub will be closed through early December. Our reservation desk is open year round. Make your winter reservations now online or by calling 800-862-8602!

A note to travelers…the Highway 172 detour is scheduled to run through November 20^th. From Baudette, follow Highway 11 West, go North on County Road 6 to Highway 172 and then continue north to Sportsman’s Lodge. You can also find this information at www.511mn.org.

Winter is just around the corner! Do you have your reservations in?
www.sportsmanslodges.com

Contest! Free Trip Giveaway!
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Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

October 22, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

October 22, 2014

Head to the River or the Lake…

…and you shall find fish. The Rainy River provided not only the needed windbreak but also the limits of walleyes and saugers that fisherman were seeking. Gold jigs tipped with frozen shiners are producing the greatest amounts but have also heard that pink or white jigs are productive as well. The shiner run continues in the River and most anywhere, especially in the 18’ depth, from the International Bridge to the Gap, will put you on the walleyes. Areas outside of Morris Point in the 18’-20’ depths are also producing well for anglers. Up and around Garden Island in the 18’-22’ depth gave anglers their limits as well. The water temp is currently at 49.5 degrees. Temperatures forecasted for the week range greatly from highs in the mid-40’s to mid-60’s and lows in the low 30’s to mid-40’s and variable winds from 7-17mph.


Phil Allen 57 inch Sturgeon, caught and released October 2014	Bob 41 inch Northern October 2014, Captain Mike

Boat slips are available at this time. They are on a reserved-basis only so please call the front desk at 1-800-862-8602 to find out if there is one available. However at this time, there is no electricity at the docks so please keep that in mind when wanting to reserve a slip.

A note to travelers…the Highway 172 detour began on Monday, October 20^th and is scheduled to run through November 20^th. From Baudette, follow Highway 11 West, go North on County Road 6 to Highway 172 and then continue north to Sportsman’s Lodge. You can also find this information at www.511mn.org.

Halloween Party is this Saturday!!
Saturday, Oct 25. Specials, Entertainment, Stay & Play Packages and $200 Cash for best costume!
Excellent fishing and lots of fun! Throw your costume in your tackle box and head to Sportsman’s Lodge.Book your trip today!

Fall into great rates this fall!
Sept 1 – Nov 30. Lodging as low as $40 per person per night and lodging/charter packages starting at $196 per person. Charter trips available until late October. Click here for details. *rates plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Winter is just around the corner have you made your reservations yet?
We have 7 new villas ready for you!
Log on or call today! www.sportsmanslodges.com 800-862-8602

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

October 21, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

October 16, 2014

The full force of fall…

Gold jigs tipped with frozen shiners are bringing in the limits of walleyes and saugers. Areas outside of Pine Island or Morris Point in the 15’-20’ depths are producing well for anglers. Most anywhere in the River has been productive as well. The 17’-18’ depths are giving anglers their best chances of limiting out. Pink or gold jigs tipped with a frozen shiner is the hot bait of the week. With the wind and the rain that we’ve had, it seemed to have slowed down the shiners just a bit. They are still there, just not as heavy as when the water is clearer. Light and variable winds in the forecast should help clear the water. But where there are shiners, the walleyes are sure to follow. The water temp is currently at 48.2 degrees. The temperatures forecasted for the week include highs in the mid 40’s to mid-50’s and lows down near freezing, with the winds averaging around 12mph.

Because we are still in the midst of repairing our docks from this summer’s high water, only some of the boat slips are rentable. They are on a reserved-basis only so please call the front desk at 1-800-862-8602 to find out if there is one available. However at this time, there is no electricity at the docks so please keep that in mind when wanting to reserve a slip.

A note to travelers…there will be a detour for Highway 172 beginning on October 20^th that will run through November 20^th. From Baudette, follow Highway 11 West, go North on County Road 6 to Highway 172 and then continue north to Sportsman’s Lodge. You can also find this information at www.511mn.org.

Fall into great rates this fall!
Sept 1 – Nov 30. Lodging as low as $40 per person per night and lodging/charter packages starting at $196 per person. Click here for details. *rates plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Winter is just around the corner have you made your reservations yet?
We have 7 new villas ready for you!
Log on or call today! www.sportsmanslodges.com 800-862-8602

Annual Halloween Party!
Saturday, Oct 25. Specials, Entertainment, Stay & Play Packages and $200 Cash for best costume!
Book now!

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

October 8, 2014 by Sportsman's Lodges

October 8, 2014

Such is the life…

…of a fisherman these days. Hot, cold, rain, snow, sun, wind…you name it, we’ve had it. But despite all of that, limits of walleyes have still been caught. Jigs tipped with frozen shiners are producing the best chances of garnering your limit of walleyes. Head over in front of Zippel Bay or around the Gap in around 18’-28’ feet and be ready to reel in those walleyes. Drifting with spinners near or around Garden Island in any direction in 15’-25’ depths have been producing limits of walleyes/saugers for anglers.

We had some snow and some slush this last week. The temperature looks for highs in the high 40’s to low 50’s with the lows close to freezing. There is also a chance of rain throughout the week. The water temperature is currently 50.1 degrees so it has dropped 10 degrees from last week’s report. That will surely set the stage for the annual emerald shiner run. Where shiners run, walleyes are sure to follow. Fall fishing is a great time!

The Lapham Hickey Steel Group enjoyed some fall fishing this past week.

Guided by Captain Mike.

Melanie
23.5 in. walleye

Kerry
27 in. walleye

Fall into great rates this fall!

Sept 1 – Nov 30. Lodging as low as $40 per person per night and lodging/charter packages starting at $196 per person. Click here for details. *rates plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Winter is just around the corner have you made your reservations yet?
We have 7 new villas ready for you!

Log on or call today! www.sportsmanslodges.com 800-862-8602

Annual Halloween Party!

Saturday, Oct 25. Specials, Entertainment, Stay & Play Packages and $200 Cash for best costume!
Book now!