Weather is shaping up for the weekend!
The past week has been rainy and cool, but the holiday weekend forecast looks great! We expect the catching to pick up too!


The best fishing
Areas around Lighthouse Gap and outside of Pine Island in 17’-24’ has been the best spots to get into some good walleye fishing. The river has been hit or miss. Few feet shallower is best in the mornings and evenings.  Water temperature is currently hovering around 51-53 degrees. Hammered gold spinners with 1-2 oz. jigs and 3/8 oz. gold or bright orange jigs tipped with a minnow are working best.

Kenny Taulborg from Omaha, NE 55 inch sturgeon released Guided by Captain Dave	Brian Kieffer from Dover MN 27.5 inch walleye released Guided by Captain Dave
Birthday Girl Mary Koepke 29 inch walleye Guided by Captain JP	Mike from Brainerd 22 inch walleye released Guided by Captain Mike

Relax, take a guide
No boat to get ready, no bait, rods or gas to buy, or motor to maintain. Schedule a trip aboard one of our 27’ SportCraft or 18’20’ outfitter boats. We take care of all the details so you can sit back, relax and only worry about reeling in fish and taking in the view!  Now isn’t that what vacation is supposed to be all about?  Groups of 1-6 per boat welcome. Guide, bait, poles, tackle, fish cleaning all included starting at only $129 per day per person or include two nights lodging and a day of charter fishing starting at only $232* per person.  *plus tax and based on double occupancy

Lodging & Fishing Packages still available for Memorial Weekend
Click here to book now or call 800-862-8602

5/7/2015

Sturgeon & Pike are biting now! Walleye Opener is this Saturday!
The sturgeon bite has been good in the Rainy River. Areas right in front of the lodge, Wheeler’s Point, Four Mile Bay as well as up river by Baudette and Clementson have been hot. Anchor up in a deep trough of the river bed with a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook, 2-3 ounces of weight and a gob of night crawlers on the end. It might take a few minutes, it might take an hour but once one of these prehistoric monsters hit, be ready! They will take you for all your worth!  The past week we saw several in the 50”-60” range and under 40”. Keep one season (within size limits) runs through May 7. Make sure you pick up a sturgeon tag at any licensed agent before going out if you plan to keep one.  Catch and release season runs May 8-15.  The season closes a short time May 16-June 30 and then starts again July 1.  Sturgeon bite all year but spring in the river is definitely one of the best times to find them. Check out some of the recent catches!

Sturgeon caught this week!

Pike season is heating up. Weed beds in Zippel Bay, Four Mile Bay and most any creek flowing into the Rainy River you will find this feisty fish right now.  Throw a few casts with a flashy spoon to get their attention.

Who’s ready for walleye?

Now on to walleyes! The season begins Saturday, May 9!  We expect to see a very active bite. The walleyes are off their spawning beds and looking to eat.  Four Mile Bay, Light House Gap, Morris Point Gap and just outside of Pine Island will be hot spots. Drifting or casting whatever you like to do should work in 6’-12’ of water.  Gold or pink jigs or spinners tipped with a shiner or fathead minnow is all you need. Morning and evening try a slip bobber.  We have hardly any current in the river right now. Water temperature is around 55 degrees. Weather forecast looks nice!

No equipment & experience required
Book a charter. Equipped with an experienced guide, bait, tackle, poles, 27’ Sportcraft with onboard restroom and fish cleaning provided. Take the work and hassle out of fishing and just sit back, relax and reel in the walleyes. Charters hold up to 6 passengers plus the guide. Groups of 1-4 in size are welcome to join another group or purchase our private charter option. Lodging and charter fishing packages starting at only $201* per person. *plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Walleyes, Mom and Sportsman’s Champagne Brunch
Join us for Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch, Sunday May 10 9am-2pm. Several delicious selections from eggs benedict, to cheesy garlic walleye, waffles, mimosas, desserts and much more. Make your reservation today.

Sturgeon season is in full swing!
Some nice sturgeon continue to be found this week and how about this weather! Excellent days to be out on the water.  4/0 and 5/0 circle hooks, 1-3 ounce no roll sinker and night crawlers work best. Anchor up along the incline of a deep hole in the river bottom and get ready for the action. Areas in front of the lodge, Four Mile Bay, Wheeler’s Point and Clementson have all produced some nice sturgeon.  Keep one season, fish must be 45”-50” inclusive or over 75” last until May 7. Catch and release season runs May 8-15. Guided Trips available.

Brett Heinlein 65 inch sturgeon guided by JP What a catch!	Cindy Hunter 60 inch sturgeon guided by JP Nice catch Cindy!

Check out this forecast!

9^th Annual Sportsman’s Sturgeon Tournament is this weekend
The tournament is full but we do still have lodging available.  Get into the sturgeon action! Lodging starting at only $45 per person per night. *plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Pike Season
Pike season never closes on Lake of the Woods and we have a very large population of nice trophy pike right now. Some of the best luck has been found in Zippel Bay, Four Mile Bay and shallow creeks. Casting dare devils or any shiny spoon has been working well.

Walleye Opener is only a few weeks away
May 9 walleye season will be back open! Lodging and guided trips are filling up fast.

The ice continues to break up!
This week we expect to see lots of changes due to the warm weather. Check out the latest pictures.

Morris Point Gap 4-28-2015	Pine Island and Light House Gap 4-28-2015
View from Rocky Point looking East 4-28-2015

Sturgeon & Northern Pike are in the spotlight!
With walleye season closed until May 9, sturgeon and pike are taking center stage! The sturgeon bite this week has been consistent. Not as many monsters, but still good action. Lots of 25-40 inchers were caught and released. The best approach has been anchoring up in the Rainy River in deep holes or mid channel. Mornings favored the afternoons this weekend, but that can usually change with the day. Areas 3 miles west of Baudette, in front of the lodge and near Wheeler’s Point have all been good spots. A 2 oz. weight, 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook and gob of night crawlers bring them in. We still have openings this weekend! Book your stay 800-862-8602!

40 inch sturgeon caught by Devin Guided by Dave Winters	51 inch sturgeon Kyle Hanson
57 inch sturgeon Joshua LaFerriere & Harleigh Beth O’Dier Guided by Evan Smith	April 11 – Nice sturgeon caught by Harleigh Beth O’Dier  Guided by Evan Smith

The pike bite has been best in the winter road river area and any creeks along the river that are open. A decent bullhead bite has also been reported when targeting pike. Flashy spoons or dead ciscos floated with a bobber are great approaches. Some have been just using a jig and a minnow too.

Stats
Water temperature currently 51 degrees. Water is churned up from the wind but not too bad. Water level is lower than normal and run off is minimal if any.  Forecast this week is:

Ice Out
Slow but sure, we are making progress.

April 18, 2015	April 11, 2015

Guided Trips Available!
We have 18’-20’ boats available with a guide, poles, tackle and fish cleaning all provided. Take the work out of fishing and let one of our knowledgeable guides do the work so you can sit back, relax and reel in the fish! The boats hold up to 4 passengers plus the guide. $450 for the day.  Book your trip today.

Spring Lodging Special
$40 per person per night midweek, $45 weekends lodge rooms or cabins. $59 in our new villas. Based on double occupancy plus tax now through May 20.  Food and Drinks available too. Click here for our current hours and make your spring trip reservation today 800-862-8602.