Tag Archives: minnesota fishing

NW Angle/Oak Island Lake of the Woods, MN Fishing, Trail & Ice Report 1-26-2017

by

Set the hook!
24-28 feet of water jigging with a gold jig, small silver spoon or buckshot tipped with a minnow has been successful this week.  Mostly walleyes, several saugers, few perch and northern pike have been caught.  Mix of dead sticking and jigging is the best approach. Vexilars really help the catch rate as some schools of fish are being found suspended 2-8 feet off bottom. Get into the action. We have fish house rentals available until late March. Give us a call 800-772-8411 or reserve online.

Caught 1-24-2017 by Eric Loverude 23 inch walleye. Eric was using a slender green glow red tiger gold spoon.

Caught 1-24-2017 by Eric Loverude 23 inch walleye. Eric was using a slender green glow red tiger gold spoon.

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 20 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. The lake got pretty sloppy last week after the 4-5 day stretch of warm temps but that has hardened up now and we did not lose any ice.  Forecast looks cool and we are back to ice making weather.

1-25

Trail Report
N
ice base of snow on the trails right now, groomers are out, come take a ride. The area lake and land trails are being groomed weekly. For more information on the NW Angle & Islands area click here. For the Baudette area click here

Ice Road
The ice road is open. Take the 9 mile drive out from Young’s Bay to the lodge. Signs are posted.

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

by

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!

Lake of the Woods Fishing Report 7-29-2016

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!

Smallmouth bass off the dock!

Beautiful Weather!

weather forecast Sportsmans Lodge RR  7-29-2016

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 [email protected]

Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge Fishing Report July 6, 2016

by

Hit or Miss
The fishing has been hit or miss this week. The best tip is if one method doesn’t work try another. We are also getting to the end of the fish fly hatch so that should help the bite as well. The best approach has been using 3/8 oz. gold jigs tipped with a minnow or gold and pink spinners and a few ounce sinker tipped with a night crawler or leech in 20’-30’ of water on the reefs. Anglers are also find a few pulling crankbaits in shallow bays as well. The current water temperature is 68 degrees.

Muskies & Northern Pike
The bite was a little slow last week with the cold snap but the weather the past week has warmed up nicely and the bite has started to pick up. Shallow weedy bays using small baits are working well. Guide tip is to slow down your retrieval. As we move into late July we expect the bite to really get good!

july62

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing/Ice & Snow Report

by
3/01/2016
Walleyes, Pike & Perch
Anglers are reeling in a mix of walleyes, northern pike and perch lately.  Varying depths between 22’-30’ along and on reefs have been best. Lots of fish are showing up on the electronics but anglers are finding them to be finicky.  Bright colored jigs and lures and jigs with some noise or flutter to them have worked the best tipped with a minnow or just a minnow head. Dead sticking one pole and jigging the other is the best approach. Anglers have been finding if they see a fish on the electronics, not touching the dead stick until the fish hits it is the most successful.  The sun is shining more and the season is getting ready to change, we expect the bite to get more aggressive as we move through the month.
 John Jones catching the big ones at Sportsman's Lodge with Guide Travis Campbell. Northern Pike
HUGE Sauger 18.75 inches caught by Mike V from Anchorage, Alaska on a pink crappie jig guided by Travis Campbell. Nice catch Mike!
John Jones catching the big ones at Sportsman’s Lodge with Guide Travis Campbell. Northern Pike
Wowser check out this monster pulled from the Rainy River by Dave Winters. 56 inch sturgeon, released.
Wowser! check out this monster pulled from the Rainy River by Dave Winters. 56 inch sturgeon, released.
Ice Conditions
We still are maintaining 15-22 inches of ice and plan to keep on fishing until late March at this point. Stay tuned for updates.
march_weather
Ice Road
The ice road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island is open and in good shape.Snow & Trail Report
The lake trails are in decent condition and groomed.  Take a ride to Oak Island this weekend for the Annual Northwest Angle Edge Rider’s Snowmobile Rally! Use caution at the pressure ridges when the temperature fluctuates.  Land trails are pretty beat up and could use more snow.

Lake of the Woods Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

by
2/24/2016
Chasing Walleyes
Plain hooks or gold and pink jigs tipped with a minnow have been the tackle and bait of choice this week. The walleyes have been finicky. Anglers are seeing lots of fish on the electronics but getting them to bite has been a little more a of challenge. Successful anglers have been changing up tackle, using something that has some flash or noise. Some anglers have been having more success with part of minnow vs a whole minnow and some are using two minnows. Dead sticking and jigging (4-6 inches off bottom) has worked 50/50. The best depths have been 23’-29’ in the main basin outside of Pine Island and a little deeper 28’-32” on the reefs. We have houses in a variety of areas and depths to chase down the walleyes the best we can. The days are getting longer, the sun is out more, we expect to see the bite only get better as we move into spring.
Ryan Corrick from Grand Rapids, MN
35 inch northern pike caught on a fat boy jig
Jodi Sugden from Hallock, MN
27 inch walleye released
Reeled in a sturgeon, released
Ice Conditions
We have 15”-25” of ice in the areas we fish and travel. We have had a few days above 30 degrees in the afternoon but no ice loss just a little sloppy. The forecast looks good for ice fishing to continue.
Ice Fishing available until March 31
Unlike many lakes in Minnesota, Lake of the Woods has an extended walleye season through April 14 and fish houses can be out until March 31. Click here to sign up to receive information about our late season hot deals!

Trails
The lake and land trails continue to be groomed and maintained. On the lake trails, use caution on the warm days when the temperature fluctuates rapidly, this can make the pressure ridges move. Lake of the Woods like most lakes always have pressure ridges, it is just a part of the ice season. When you come up on one, take your time and check for the best place to cross.

Ice Roads
We use a private groomed trail but most ice roads are allowing trucks out. Contact the resort maintaining the ice road for the latest condtions.

Spring sturgeon, pike and walleye soft water fishing is just around the corner!
The bite can be aggressive and the excitement top notch. Don’t miss one of the best times of the year to fish Lake of the Woods. The Rainy River east of Baudette will be the first to open up sometime early April. Stay tuned for updates on our fishing report page and Facebook page. Hook a great deal with lodging as low as $40 per person per night April 1-May 26 and up to 19% off charter and lodging packages May 14-May 26. Boat Rentals, 20’ Guided Outifitter Trips and Dock slips also available starting early April. Book your trip today!

Oak Island Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

by
2/24/2016

Spotty Fishing
Bring on the sunshine! The bit has been up and down. I think we need some more sunshine to get the fish HUNGRY! The fish are a little finicky right now. Anglers are reeling in a mix of walleyes, saugers and a few perch and northern pike. Electronics are key and tackle with some shimmer, flutter and nose to get the fish attention. The best depth has been 24’-30’ on the reefs.

Weather Forecast

Ice Conditions

Currently we have 15-22 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is good and open.

Trail Conditions
The lake and land trails continue to be groomed and maintained. Use caution on the warm days and when the temperature fluctuates rapidly, this can make the pressure ridges move. Lake of the Woods like most lakes always have pressure ridges, it is just a part of the ice season. When you come up on one, take your time and check for the best place to cross.

Time to make your summer reservations!
Before we know it we will be shining up the boats and basking in the sun. Sportsman’s is a great place to get away to in the spring, summer and fall too! Click here to learn more and book your trip.

Lake of the Woods Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

by

Catching Walleyes & Making Memories
Boy is it nice to see the sun out longer.  Days are getting longer and the fish are getting more active.  Mix of walleye and sauger has been reeled in this week. Check out some of the catches here and on our Facebook page.

Walleyes & Good Times
Mulherin Group
Thank you old man Joe for your excellent customer service!
Howard Group

 

What is working?
Small presentations, gold and pink are working well. Successful anglers have been using anything from a gold ¼ oz. jig to a Northland Tackle Macho Minnow, Buckshot Rattle Spoon and Forage Minnow tipped with a minnow.  The best depth has been in deep areas of Big Traverse 26’-35’.  Electronics help. Combination of jigging and dead sticking is a good approach to start your day out and see what works best for you.  For jigging set your rig 4-6 inches off bottom.  The weather forecast is calling for highs in the 20’s and 30’s this week and the possibility of snow showers over the weekend.

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 15-25 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.  Not all areas of the lake are the same.  Check with local resorts and bait shops for the latest conditions.
We travel a groomed private trail to our houses but here is the latest information from a couple of the local ice roads.
Adrian’s Road at Four Mile Bay 12 miles N of Baudette
Allowing ½ ton trucks with wheel houses up to 21’. ¾ ton trucks without wheel houses.
Morris Point Road at Morris Point 15 miles north of Baudette Allowing ½ ton trucks with up to 16’ wheeled houses. Up to 20’ houses may go out on skids.  ¾ ton trucks with portables only.

We received an inch of snow this week. We could use more but the lake trails are pretty good.  The lake trails from Sportsman’s Lodge to Warroad, Sportsman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island lodge at Oak Island and now the trail on the Rainy River from Sportsman’s Lodge to Baudette are being groomed regularly and in decent condition. Follow the black stakes.  Take caution at the pressure ridges as they will change when the weather warms up.  Trail maps are available at the lodge or at local businesses.  For the latest conditions for the land trails click here for the Baudette area or here for the NW Angle and Oak Island area.

Walleye season open until April 14 & Fish Houses until March 31
Here on Lake of the Woods we have an extended season. Walleye season is open until April 14 closing for a short while and re-opening May 14.  Fish houses can be out overnight until March 31.  Only 43 days left of the season! Lodging & Ice Fishing Packages starting at only $193* per person. (*plus tax and based on double occupancy)

Late Season Special
25% off ice fishing day houses March 20-31 Sportsman’s Rainy River location. Call 800-862-8602 or online here.

Oak Island Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

by

Jigs, Plain Hooks & Buckshots
¼ oz. jigs, plain hooks and Buckshot lures have been working the best tipped with a minnow. Walleyes are being found deep 24’-30’ around reefs.  Anglers are finding most walleyes in the 12”-17” size range with an occasional larger walleye.  A few pike, perch and tullibee are also nibbling.  Electronics are key.  The best approach is if something isn’t working, try something different. A different lure, a full minnow, a part of a minnow, more jigging, less jigging.  The guides suggest starting out your day with one pole jigging and one dead sticking and make adjustments as the day goes on.  Weather today is -8 below, supposed to warm up to 22 above. The rest of the week looks warmer with highs in the high 20’s and low 30’s and a chance of snow over the weekend.

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 14-18 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is plowed nice and wide and is in good shape! Come on out!

Trail Conditions
The lake trails from Sportsman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island lodge are marked with black stakes and are being groomed regularly. Trails are in decent condition. We received an inch and a half of snow this week. Forecast is saying we could get some more snow later this week. We could use some more snow but lake conditions are decent.  Use caution at the pressure ridges. They are all passable but do change when the weather changes.   Trail maps are available at the lodge or at local businesses. For the latest conditions on the land trails click here for the Baudette area or here for the NW Angle and Oak Island area.

Lake of the Wood South Shore Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

by
2/11/2016
Finding Some Nice Walleyes
Anglers have been finding some nice walleyes this week. Check out some of the pictures:
Nice Walleye!
29 inch walleye – Landmark Group
Caught in 5 lines before coming up but got it through the hole! What a beautiful walleye Sportsmans Sleepers
Here are some tips from some successful anglers this week.

  • Gold, pink and orange are the hot color jigs or lures tipped with a minnow. The more noise it makes the better! Northland Tackle’s buckshot rattle spoons and the rattling stop sign from Tom’s Tackle are good ones.
  • Electronics are key and pounding the bottom, let the fish know where to come for a meal.

The guides have houses spread out in many areas in 25’-33’ hot on the fish trail. Grab a good friend or your special someone and make a trip to visit soon! Only 50 days left of the season!

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 13-22 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel. We travel a private groomed trail. If you are looking to go out on your own, here are the latest conditions from a few of the local ice roads:

  • Adrian’s Road – Four Mile Bay, 12 miles north of Baudette 15-18 inches of ice, less in some areas off the road. Allowing ½ ton trucks pulling up to 21’ wheeled houses.
  • Morris Point Road – Morris Point, 15 miles north of Baudette Allowing ½ ton trucks with up to 16’ wheeled houses. Up to 20’ houses may go out on skids. ¾ ton trucks with portables only.
Trail Conditions
The lake trails from Sportsman’s Lodge to Warroad and Sportsman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island lodge at Oak island are being groomed and in decent condition. We could use some more snow but lake conditions are decent. The trail was recently marked right from the Sportsman’s Lodge. Follow the black stakes. Trail maps are available at the lodge or at local businesses. For the latest conditions for the land trails click here for the Baudette area orhere for the NW Angle and Oak Island area.

Lodging & Fishing packages start at only $193 per person for 2 nights lodging, 1 day ice fishing including the fish house, transportation to and from the house, use of jig sticks, jigs, bait and fish cleaning. Give us a call 800-862-8602 or contact us online here.