Tag Archives: Minnesota Fishing Report

We Open for the Season Tomorrow!

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Ice Fishing at Sportsman’s Lodges Starts Tomorrow!

Fishing
Pre-season reports are great! Water is clear and the bite is active. We have had a hot bite between 8am-10am and late afternoon between 3pm-5pm in 21’-23’ of water. Pink Swedish pimples and 3/8 oz long shaft gold jigs tipped with a minnow have been working well. Nice 13”-18” walleyes have been found.

Ice Conditions & Trail Report
Currently we have 10”-15” inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish and 14-15 inches of snow. The snowmobile trail from the Northwest Angle/Young’s Bay has been marked. The ice road has been plowed just today but vehicles are not allowed out for another 4-5 days once we get a few more inches of ice. The snowmobile trail is also marked from Baudette to Oak Island. This trail will be dragged tomorrow and grooming will begin as soon as we get a few more inches of ice.

 

Fantastic Fishing

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The early season bite continues to be excellent! A very active walleye and sauger bite has been taking place the past few weeks. Some of the most successful anglers report, jigging using a vexilar tipped with a frozen shiner has worked best in 21’-25’ of water. Some of the most active times of day have been between 9am-11am and 3pm-4pm. Gold and pink chubby darters, macho minnows, buck shots, and round jigs have worked well. On the clear and sunny days, white has been a very popular tackle color. Vexilar/fish finder users always seem to have even better luck. If you do not have one of those devices, but would like to try one out, we do rent a few. Call to reserve yours 800-862-8602. Check out some of the latest photos here and on our Facebook page. Give us a call or click here to book your winter getaway! We ice fish until the end of March.

11-year-old Manford reels in a nice walleye

11-year-old Manford reels in a nice walleye

Chad Zeman 23.5 inch walleye caught on red hook at 2:30pm and released

Chad Zeman with 23.5 inch walleye caught on red hook
at 2:30pm and released

Chad Jansen from Zimmerman, MN with 27 inch walleye caught with a gold and orange buck shot in 25 feet of water; released

Chad Jansen from Zimmerman, MN with 27 inch walleye caught with a gold and orange buck shot in 25 feet of water; released

Nice One! 26 inch walleye Kackman Party; released

Nice One! 26 inch walleye Kackman Party; released

Recent Angler Comments:
“The Zeman party had a very successful two days of fishing on Monday 12/16 & Tuesday 12/17. I caught a 25″ walleye on Monday at 10:30 am using a glow hook. Tuesday at 2:30 pm I reeled in a 23.5″ walleye using a red hook. Both fish were a blast to land. This has been the best fishing our group has had in years.”

“140 fish, 3 guys, pink and gold….we need more minnows! Incredible fishing! Time of our life!”

Ice Conditions
Current ice conditions in the area we fish and travel is 12”-14”. About 12-14 inches of snow lies on the ice. 

Ice Road
According to Adrian’s, who maintains the ice road going out of Four Mile Bay near Wheeler’s Point, they currently they have 10-11 inches of ice on the Bay and 11 ½-14 on the lake. ATV’s and snowmobiles are only allowed out at this time. A few more inches of ice are needed until trucks will be allowed. The large amount of snow we received a few weeks ago all at once, has slowed the ice making process down a bit. Stay tuned!

Trail
The lake trail is marked from Four Mile Bay/Wheeler’s Point to Oak Island. Plan to pull a drag on the trail tomorrow and start grooming as soon as we get a few more inches of ice. Watch for the ice ridges like always, especially when the temperature fluctuates 15-20 degrees. The lake trail from Four Mile Bay/Wheeler’s Point to Warroad and Four Mile Bay/Wheeler’s Point to Baudette will be marked today. More and more land trails are now groomed. For more information on the trail conditions, click here.

75-100 Fish a Day!

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Fishing in Minnesota has started out with a bang this year! Lots of walleye action! Mix of 12”-28” has been coming through the holes. Jigging in 20’-24’ of water, gold and pink jigs tipped with a minnow and a handy vexilar/fish finder has brought anglers the best luck this week. Check out the pictures of some of the action below and on our Facebook page! We always love to see your photos, so be sure to tag us or send them via email.

Mercedez Stangland with 29 inch walleye caught on 12-8-2013

Mercedez Stangland with 29 inch walleye
caught on 12-8-2013

DeWolf Party 12-6-2013

DeWolf Party 12-6-2013

Dave Santelli with 23 inch walleye

Dave Santelli with 23 inch walleye

Richard Stangland and 23 inch walleye

Richard Stangland and 23 inch walleye

Ice Conditions
Current ice conditions in the area we fish and travel is 11”-13”. It has been very cold, but we would like to see it warm up a little bit during the day to make us some good quality ice.

weather_12-10_to_12-19-2013Ice Road
Adrian’s, who maintains the ice road out of Four Mile Bay reports 7 3/4 to 9 inches of ice on the bay and 10 to 12 1/2 inches on the lake. ATV’s and Snowmobiles only allowed for now. It looks like it will be another week or so for trucks.

Trail
We have a foot of snow on the trails right now. On the lake we do have some spots with bare  ice, so be on the watch for them.  The crew is planning to make their first check and stake the trail to Oak Island later this week. The Lake of the Woods Drifters reports the land trails are being checked and grooming will start very soon. Click here for more trail updates.

For reservations and more information contact us today at 800-862-8602 or click here to book online.

Ice Fishing Season Starts Friday!

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Minnesota Ice Fishing Season Starts Friday!


Updated 12/5/2013

It’s GO TIME!
The first day of our 2013-2014 Minnesota ice fishing season starts tomorrow! We have 11-12 inches of ice were we travel and fish from the south shore (Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location) at this time and making more as I type, the thermometer currently reads 5 below and the week ahead looks like we will get a lot of the same! Our Oak Island property reports 4-8 inches of ice. They plan to open up in 7-10 days or so.

Snow
We did get some snow yesterday, about 8-10 inches on the south shore and 5 inches up at Oak Island and the Northwest Angle. Will this affect the ice? In a sense yes, it will slow the building down a bit, but we do not anticipate it slowing it down very much. It sounds like we did not get nearly the snow as most of the state. We measured that we made an inch of ice within the past 36 hours. Most of the snow has been blowing around the past few days. There are areas with 3 foot drifts and areas with bare ice. Like always we have a few slush spots and areas of caution, but we do every year. That is normal. Rest assured we check ice at least a few times daily and safety is always our first priority. If you do plan to venture out on your own, we suggest making sure you know where you are going and staying on marked trails.

For reservations and more information call 800-862-8602 or log on to www.sportsmanslodges.com. We still have openings for this weekend.

Minnesota Ice Fishing
Minnesota Fishing

Ice Fishing in Minnesota

Forecast Looks Cold!
Highs in the twenties today and tomorrow we are going to start dipping below zero for the week ahead.  Perfect for ice making!  We are getting some snow now and it sounds like a possibility of another 3-5 inches tomorrow.

**Please keep in mind we only report in the areas we travel and fish. The entire lake does not freeze equally. If you venture out on your own, know where you are going and stay on the marked trail. Safety first!**

Ice Roads
The ice road near Wheeler’s Point/Four Mile Bay access has 8 inches of ice and is allowing ATV’s and snowmobiles at this time and through the weekend.

It’s Freezing Season!

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It’s Almost Time For Ice Fishing

Temperatures below zero and single digits the past few days. Great ice making weather!

We plan to venture out and do our first ice thickness check later this week. Stay tuned! The forecast looks cold.

Do you have your winter reservation in yet?
Give us a for call and ask about our NEW Villas at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location! Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location call 800-862-8602 Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge or Eagle Ridge location call 800-772-8411 or online

Lake of the Woods 11-24-13
View North from Morris Point
View of Four Mile Bay
View up River from Wheeler’s Point

Getting Ready for Ice Fishing

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Getting Ready for Ice Fishing

We are busy getting ready for the ice fishing season. It won’t be long!

Current Ice Conditions
We have had some cold days but also have battled some wind lately, so at this time only the shallow bays have a sheet of ice over them. The good news is the water is cold and the forecast keeps getting colder. The current forecast is calling for highs in the teens and twenties this week and lows in teens and single digits with less wind starting tomorrow. We just need 10 cold days with low winds for the first few and we can easily make 10-12 inches of ice. Stay tuned! We will continue to keep you updated. Do you have your reservation in? Book online or call 800-862-8602. Our season runs from early December through the end of March.

New Villas
Our new 3 new villas are nearly complete. They will be ready to rent in early December. You will enjoy these brand new comfortable accommodations. Full kitchens, log furnishings, flat screen TVs, 1-2 bedrooms per bathroom, most with gas fireplaces and awesome views. For more information, click here. These new units are filling up fast, make your reservation today.

Christmas Shopping Done Easy
Sportsman’s gift certificates are great for the outdoor person on your list. Sportsman’s gift certificates are always the right color, size and price. Certificates are available to use at any of the three locations and never expire.Order yours online today.

working_on_finishing_touches_in_villas

Working On Finishing Touches In Villas

Villas soon complete

Villas Soon Complete

New Villas

New Villas

Ice on Shallow Bays

Ice On Shallow Bays

Fish Houses Are Ready

Fish Houses Are Ready

Deep Rocks

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Some of the best walleye fishing has been found in deep rocky areas in 22’-25’ feet of water this week. Dead minnow on a 3/8 oz chartreuse and black jig has worked best. Little Oak Island and areas north around Skeet have been good.  The evening bite has been the best. Go charter fishing in Minnesota and catch yours!

Pike  & Musky
Pike and musky have been found in the deep weed beds especially in the late afternoon using a cowgirl.

Nice Walleyes! Guided by Captain Eric

Nice Walleyes! Guided by Captain Eric

Good Quality & Quantity! Does it Get Any Better?

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It has been a great week of fishing! Lots of nice size walleyes have been found. Many good eaters, 14”-18” and several 23”-27” along with some whoppers 28”+. Check out the pictures here and on our Facebook page!

The best bite has been found trolling with crank baits. Red and gold lures in deep 30’-34’ of water along the outside of Graceton Beach and Long Point have been good spots.  The guides have been hot on the walleye trail. Get in to catch your excitement before the snow flies! We have openings. www.sportsmanslodges.com

John Royer IA 60 inch sturgeon Captain Mike

John Royer IA 60 inch sturgeon Captain Mike

Labor Day Weekend Special
Bring the whole family. Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free! Labor Day weekend at Sportsman’s Lodge Baudette location. Reserve today 800-862-8602.

Fall into Walleyes!
Fall is just around the corner. Check out our fall packages.

Brittany 24.5 inch walleye with Captain Eric

Brittany 24.5 inch walleye with Captain Eric

Fishing has been excellent!

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I have received so many pictures this past week they are overflowing onto our Facebook page for you to view. Check them out and keep sending us your pictures! We truly enjoy seeing them and having you share your experience with us. Thanks to everyone who has shared theirs with us.

A mix of bait and trolling with crank baits have been producing great results.  Fish seem to be starting to change to early fall characteristics. It has been unseasonably cool the past few weeks with temperatures in the upper 60’s and lower 70’s during the day and cooling down to 50’s in the evening.  Trolling with crank baits in the mud 30’-32’ outside Zippel Bay area and drifting while bait fishing over shallow sand bottom in 5-10mph winds has produced good results.  Rock reef bait fishing has been tougher the past week. Lots of big walleyes have been found, especially 23”+.

Summer may be winding down, but the fishing continues!
Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River are legendary fisheries in the fall. Catch the walleye excitement right up to freeze up. (Usually early November) Enjoy great fall rates including lodging as low as $39 per person per night and lodging and Minnesota charter fishing packages through October starting at just $188 per person for 2 nights and 1 day. You won’t want to miss it! Click here for more information or here to reserve online. *Rates based on double occupancy plus tax.

Amy Kirkpatrick 28.5 inch walleye Captain Mike

Amy Kirkpatrick 28.5 inch walleye Captain Mike

Grant 32 inch Leiseth Group Captain Dave

Grant 32 inch Leiseth Group Captain Dave

It's a double! Paul Carlson Captain JP Nice!

It’s a double! Paul Carlson Captain JP Nice!

50% off Fall Camping if you book by August 15!
Book your 2 nights or better camping stay for available dates of Sept 2-Oct 16 or Oct 20-31 by Aug 15 and get 50% off our regular rate!  Enjoy dining, bar, weekend entertainment, gift shop, indoor pool, hot tub, game room and more. Dock slips, boat rental, guided fishing trips, conference center and more available too.

Oak Island Fishing Report 5-29-13

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Memorial weekend livings up the islands!

This was the first good weekend of fishing pressure in the islands and the results have been fantastic! A lot of nice walleyes are being caught in the 2-3 pound range and many that have been bigger. These fish have just spawned and are relating to shallow shoreline structure. Sandy bays have been key as the water will warm faster in the shallow sand covered bottom and all kinds of baitfish spring to life on the weed lines and back sand bays. Some fish are also using small gravel and rubble piles just off of shallow rock located not far from these sandy bays. Pulling spinners and drifting lindy rigs along shallow shorelines has been effective. Fish are scattered along the shore right now and are better found moving and covering water. 8’-14’ has been a good depth to search and don’t rule out using a jig and minnow and just drifting along shorelines slowly.