Tag Archives: minnesota vacation

Here Fishy Fishy…..

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Decent bite this week, morning and late afternoon bite continues to be the strongest. We are seeing mainly walleyes coming through the holes along with some sauger and the occasional perch and pike.  Jigging and dead sticking with gold and/or pink jigs, plain hook or macho minnow #29 has been working well in 20’-26’ of water.   Electronics help too! Rentals available, call to reserve ahead of time.

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 20-24 inches of ice in the areas we fish and travel.  If you venture out on your own, be sure to stay on marked trails and roads. The ice is rough this year! Lots of ice chunks sticking up.

Ice Road
The ice road from Young’s Bay to the resort is plowed and it good shape! Come on out!

Snowmobile Trail Conditions
The trails are marked and grooming is in full swing.  We received a few inches of snow last night. Windy day today but it sounds like it is going to start settling down later in the day.  The south shore has several spots of bare ice and anywhere from 0”-10” of snow on the ice, more snow in our area of the lake.  The lake froze pretty rough this year so we strongly encourage riders to stay on the trails, go slow and use caution. Lots of ice chunks sticking up off the trails. For more information about the trails click here or contact: Lake of the Woods Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders.

We ice fish until late March!
Make your reservations today 800-772-8411 www.oakislandlodge.com

Reeling in some nice fish

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Fishing has been a pretty good week. Some days are better than others of course but overall pretty good. We have noticed a larger percent of walleyes compared to saugers for this time of year in a mix of sizes.  Best depth hasn’t changed much lately, 16’-29’.  Hot tackle has been good old gold and pink jigs but also plain hook and a bobber as well as glow in the dark jigs, buckshots, rattling charmers, gem-n-eyes and forage minnows tipped with a chub minnow. Guide Tip: If you are not finding success, change it up! Change up your approach; try different tackle and electronics help. A mix of jigging and dead sticking is the best approach to start out a day.  Curious what dead sticking is? Click here to read more.

What a day for Christi, one of the Sportsman’s Staff! Caught this Sturgeon today! (1/10)  Fishing with my dad. We had our limit of walleye by 9:15am before hooking into this bad boy. 58 incher on a plain red hook with a fat head. All before coming to work today! Whoo Hoooo!!

Check out these pics!  We love to see your pictures! If you have pictures from a recent stay you would like to share with us, please send to [email protected] or text 218-395-0042.  You might be featured in our next report!

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 24-30 inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish and more in some areas where the ice built up during the freeze.  Our ice fishing trips all include transportation to and from the fish house; we do not maintain a plowed road.  If you venture out on your own, Adrian’s Resort and Morris Point Resort have public ice roads near us. Check with them for the latest conditions. Be sure to stay on marked roads and trails.  The lake froze pretty rough this year and the entire lake never freezes equally so as always use caution and check local conditions before going out.

Snowmobile Trail Conditions
The trails are marked and grooming is in full swing.  We received a few inches of snow last night. Windy day today but it sounds like it is going to start settling down later in the day.  The lake froze pretty rough this year so we strongly encourage riders to stay on the trails, go slow and use caution. Lots of ice chunks sticking up off the trails. For more information about the trails click here or contact: Lake of the Woods Drifters and the Northwest Angle Edge Riders.

Lodging & Ice Fishing Packages available through March!
The ice is shaping up great. Walleye season on Lake of the Woods is open through April 14.
We have winter weekends openings in February & March, midweeks open January – March. Two plus night packages starting at $215 per person. Come get your fish on! Book your trip today by calling 800-862-8602 or booking online here.  *plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Football, Beer & Fishing….what else is there?
Join us great fishing and the Big Game Feb 3-6! Reel in some fish, relax and join us for our big game party 14 TV’s,  ½ price apps, drink specials, free apps 5-6pm, giveaways and more!  Lodging and fishing packages available. Contact us today.

Lake of the Woods Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Oak Island Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

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2/11/2016

Here fishy, fishy….
Bite has been up and down this week. 24’-29 feet on the edge or reefs and on top of the sand has been the best. Mix of walleyes and saugers. Jigging a buckshots lure, macho minnows and anything that makes noise tipped with a minnow has worked the best. Vexilars help too! Dead stick with one rod and jig with another. Be sure that the rod you dead stick with you leave it alone and watch the bobber for the best success.
Nice pike! Del McHugh from Del’s Taxidermy & Archery from Huron, SD caught at Oak Island
Check out this nice walleye! 26.5 inch walleye released
Del McHugh from Dels Taxidermy & Archery from Huron, SD Sportsmans Oak Island Lodge
Del’s lucky tackle.
This slow spinning lure really worked well for Del!
Ice Conditions
Average depth is about 18 inches, although still finding a few spots of 13-14 inches.

Trail Conditions
The lake trails from Sportsman’s Lodge to Sportsman’s Oak Island lodge 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 on the land trails click here for the Baudette area or here for the NW Angle and Oak Island area.

Ice Road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island
The road is in good shape, nice and wide.

It is the sweetest week of them all!
Gift certificates available for that special sweetie or plan a trip for a getaway this winter or upcoming summer. Click here.

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

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Hugging close to bottom
Walleyes and saugers are holding tight to the bottom of the lake right now. For optimal results the guides suggest when dead sticking or bobber fishing, set you bait 4-6″ off the bottom of the lake. If you’re jigging, make sure you hit the bottom of the lake often. Afternoons have been best lately in depths between 22’-30’. We are seeing mostly saugers, some nice walleyes especially 22”+ and a few pike, tullibee, sturgeon and eelpout on occasion. The guides have been working hard to keep the houses moved to the best fishingareas possible. Gold, pink and glow jigs or lures have been the most popular tipped with a minnow. Be sure to continue to charge up your glow jigs often. The ride out to the houses right now is between 15-40 minutes.

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Joe Russell from Columbus OH
1st time fisherman reels in & releases a nice 25″ walleye while enjoying a stay in one of our sleeper houses.
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Getchell Group enjoyed a fun trip recently
Sportsman’s Sleepers

Fish Locators/Vexilars…gotta have one
We see it every day, these devices really increase the odds of a successful catch in the winter on Lake of the Woods, most days 2-1. If you don’t have one, no problem we have them to rent if you want to give one a try. Be sure to reserve ahead of time if you would like to rent one, they go fast.

Half way mark of the season is here.
Wow! Where does the time go? Only two months left of the season and we will be back in the boats. Don’t forget about our exceptional ice out walleye and sturgeon fishing we have in April. Lodging starting at only $40* per person! Walleye fishing is open on Lake of the Woods until April 14, reopening this year May 14. Sturgeon season is catch and release now through April 23. Keep one season April 24-May 7 and catch and release again May 8-15. Back to ice fishing, February and March bring more sunshine and that usually gets the fishactive. We are looking forward to the last 8 weeks of the season. Lake of the Woods ice shacks have to be off the ice March 31. Fish on!
*plus tax and based on double occupancy

Ice Conditions
Currently we have 11-19 inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish right now. We travel on a private road. If you are looking to go out on your own, here is the latest information for the public roads:

Adrian’s Road out of Four Mile Bay 12 miles north of Baudette off Hwy 172
1/2 ton trucks pulling up to 21 ft. wheel houses allowed out. 3/4 ton trucks can drive out not pulling wheel houses. The road still goes out about 6 1/2 miles past Pine Island, Our road is marked with orange plastic highway construction markers. There is 15 to 18 inches of ice in the lake around where our road goes. I have heard some reports of less ice in other areas and to the east and west of the road.
Road out of Morris Point 15 miles north of Baudette
Half ton pickups with 16 ft. or smaller wheeled houses are being allowed.

Trail Report
Lake Trails: Trails are marked to Oak Island from Pine Island and Pine Island to Warroad. Trails continue to be groomed or maintained as best as possible. The ice is not as thick as a normal year so the heavy grooming equipment cannot be used yet. We have received an inch of fresh snow this week, 6-8 inches more would be ideal for good riding. To get to Pine Island travel Adrian’s road from Four Mile Bay to Pine Island and follow the black stakes. For the latest on the land trails, click here for the Baudette area and here for the Northwest Angle and Oak Island area.

Join us for the BIG GAME!
12 NEW Big screen TV’s, Free appetizers 5pm-6pm, 99 cent Coors Light Taps and more!Sunday, Feb 7. Lodging and fishing packages available Feb 7-11.

Valentines Gift Cards available
don’t forget your sweetie, sweetheart month is coming up. Sportsman’s has lots to offer! Dinner Specials, Gift Cards, Fishing & Lodging Packages and more! Reserve your stay today for reservations 800-862-8602.

Oak Island Ice, Fishing & Trails Report

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Spotty fishing this week and changing weather.
Vexilars/Fish locators are really helping the fishing success. Jigging the bottom or as some say “pounding the bottom”, make sure the jig hits the bottom. Gold or pink jig tipped with a minnow has been working the best in 21’-28’ of water. Some anglers also having success dead sticking but finding the best luck is to leave it be don’t jig it once in a while. Weather has been warming up and a few snowflakes in the air. Temps are forecasted in the teens and twenties through Sunday.

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Travis Volz Sportsmans Oak Island Lodge 22 inch walleye released

 

Ice Conditions
We currently have 12-16 inches of ice in the areas we travel and fish.

Ice Road
The road from Young’s Bay to Oak Island is open and in good shape. Follow the signs out!

Trail Conditions
We just received an inch of fresh snow. Lake Trails: Trails are marked to Oak Island from Pine Island. Trails continue to be groomed or maintained as best as possible. The ice is not as thick as a normal year so the heavy grooming equipment cannot be used yet. To get to Pine Island travel Adrian’s road from Four Mile Bay to Pine Island and follow the black stakes. For the latest on the land trails, click here for the Northwest Angle and Oak Island area. Click here for the Baudette area.

Treat your sweetie this February, to a relaxing getaway to Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge or a gift certificate. Call for reservations 800-772-8411.