Tag Archives: sturgeon fishing

Lake of the Woods & Rainy River Fishing Report April 20, 2016

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Lake of the Woods & Rainy River
Fishing Report April 20, 2016

It’s Sturgeon & Pike time!

The sturgeon and pike fishing has been great!
The water temperature has warmed up 6 degrees this week.  Current temperature is at 46 degrees today and the weather is holding steady. Anglers are finding lots of sturgeon and pike to bite this week. Lodging and guided trips are still available. Click here or give us a call 800-862-8602.

Sturgeon Bite
Lots of nice 30”-65” sturgeon have been found in Four Mile Bay, areas within of the river near the lodge, Clementson and Birchdale. Size 3/0 or 4/0 circle hooks and a 3 ounce no roll sinker tipped with a gob of crawlers and a frozen shiner has been working well.  To keep the worms from sliding off a good tip is to use piece of a plastic grub at the end.  Anchored at deep river holes or crevices with a little current are best.  Catch and release is open now through April 23 and May 8-15. You can keep on within 45”-50” or over 75” April 24-May 7. They are a blast to reel in!

Northern Pike bite is heating up!
Tributaries along the river and Clementson Rapids are stacked with pike right now.  Anchored and casting out a jig tipped with a shiner and bouncing off the bottom and rocky areas has been producing some huge pike.

Ryan 48 inch sturgeon, released. Way to go Ryan!

Ryan 48 inch sturgeon, released. Way to go Ryan!

 

Mike reeled and released a 52 inch sturgeon! Nice one!

Mike reeled and released a 52 inch sturgeon! Nice one!

 

Now thats a whopper! 63 inch sturgeon caught and released by Michael Daly

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Forecast for the Week

Forecast 4-20-2016

Walleye Opener is May 14

Up to 20% off summer lodging and charter fishing packages May 13-May 26 and lodging packages starting at only $40 per person per night now through May 26.  It’s fishing time!

Check out the fishing action on our Dock Cam!

Photo Contest!
Submit your summer photo from a trip to Sportsman’s, tell your friends to vote and you could win a free night lodging at Sportsman’s Lodge! Click here.

CATCH THE ACTION AT THE SPORTSMAN’S LODGE RAINY RIVER LOCATION THIS SPRING!

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CATCH THE ACTION AT THE
SPORTSMAN’S LODGE
RAINY RIVER LOCATION THIS SPRING!

Spring Fishing Fever 2016

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The extended walleye season we enjoy on the Canadian border allows for a phenomenon not available for much of the state. The warming weather and increased currents at the beginning of April work to open the Rainy River just as the walleyes are beginning their spring run. The action is fast, and the fish are huge, pulled up one after another. Most fishermen prefer jigging with minnows this time of year. Walleye season closes from mid-April to mid-May, giving anglers an opportunity to try their luck with Minnesota’s largest fish – the mysteriously prehistoric lake sturgeon and the frisky fighting northern pike. Lake of the Woods is proud to be one of the top ten lakes in Minnesota offering the best catch opportunity for you to catch a trophy sized sturgeon or pike in the whole state.

Spring Lodging Rates available March 14 – May 26

  • Lodging as low as $40 per person per night
  • $40 midweek/$45 weekends cabin or lodge room based on dbl occ.
  • Enjoy our new villas $59

For our spring rates and packages Click here.

Wheeler’s Point Landing is Open!

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Wheeler’s Point landing is open!
Birchdale, Frontier, Vidas and Timbermill Park as well. Our lodging is full for 4/10 & 4/11 but we have openings the rest of the month.

  Sportsman's Lodge's photo.

Lots of fishing opportunities available!
Walleye season is open until April 14, re-opening May 9.  Sturgeon catch and release season is open now through April 23. Keep one within size limits April 24-May 7 and catch and release again May 8-15 before the season closes for a short time May 16-June 30. Northern Pike season will be heating up very soon. Spring is a great time to catch some of these monsters and did you know Lake of the Woods is one of the top 5 best places in the state to catch a trophy pike! Northern pike season is open year round.

Spring Lodging Special
Lodging as low as $40 per person per night! (plus tax based on double occupancy) Now through May 20. Guided trips and boat docking available too. Book your trip today! 800-862-8602 or online by clicking here.

 

Walleye & Sturgeon bite are picking up! 4-6-2015

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The walleye bite is picking up and the ice is on the way out! Walleye season is open until April 14 and re-opens May 9 here on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. Good reports coming in from the weekend of many slot fish being caught with keepers mixed in. This weekend, 1/4 ounce jigs tipped with frozen shiners or rainbows produced well. Bryan “Beef” Sathre and Evan Smith two of our guides here ventured Saturday and found some nice eyes in the 22″-25″ class. The ice is out up to Wheeler’s Point and a channel is open in Four Mile Bay. The Wheeler’s Point public access just a mile away from us at this point only has 6 feet of shore ice in front and will be gone soon. Timbermill Park in Baudette, Vidas Landing, Frontier and Birchdale landings all east of Baudette are open as well.
Evan Smith spring walleye released Wheelers Point 4-4-2015

 Bryan Beef Sathre nice walleye releasedSturgeon are being caught by both those targeting them and the accidental one caught while walleye fishing. The best approach for sturgeon is sturgeon rigs, 18″ heavy leader material paired with a 5/0 circle hook. Teamed up with a 4 oz no roll sinker, a nightcrawler and a frozen shiner and you are in business. Find a deep hole in the river and anchor up. Sturgeon catch and release is open until April 23, keep one season is open April 23-May 7 within size limits, we go back to catch and release May 8-15 and the season closes for a short time May 16-June 30.

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More bays will be opening up this week. We expect the spring northern pike bite to be strong! Time to get the boat out, lots of soft water fishing opportunities have begun!

Spring Lodging Specials Lodging starting at only $40 per person per night plus tax based on double occupancy April 1-May 20! Guided Outfitter trips and boat slips are available too. Weekends are filling up, get your reservations in now 800-862-8602 or click here.

Summer is just around the corner Excellent fishing, lodging, camping, indoor pool, entertainment, new villas, and outdoor activities. Just a few things Sportsman’s offers for your next summer vacation. Click here and make plans today.

7th Annual Sportsman’s Lodge Sturgeon Tournament Day 2 Results 2013

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5/4/2013
Day 2 Winners of the 7th Annual Sportsman’s Lodge Sturgeon Tournament are:
#1$ 1900 Cash – Hunter Deziel from Grand Forks, ND with a 58 1/2 inch length and 24 inch girth

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#2 $820 Cash – Tommy Riggs from Shevlin, MN with a 56 1/2 inch length and 21 3/4 inch girth

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#3 Custom Rod – Nick Simonson from Marshall, MN 56 inch length and 21 1/2 inch girth

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Thanks to all of the particpants! We look forward to seeing you again next year! May 2 & 3, 2014

7th Annual Sportsman’s Sturgeon Tournament Day 1 Results

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5/3/2013
7th Annual Sportsman’s Sturgeon Tournament Day 1 Results

It was a cool, 45 degree clear and sunny day for day one of the 7th Annual Sportsman’s Lodge Tournament.  It is a full tournament, 50 boats and over 100 people participating. The tournament is a two day catch and release tournament. The three longest sturgeon of each day receive prices. First two receive cash and the third a custom built rod.  Despite the cool spring, the Rainy River in front of Sportsman’s Lodge where the tournament is held has plenty of open water. Live Entertainment, food and drinks will close out the day. Day 2 starts at 8:30 am and finishes at 3pm. 6pm is the prime rib dinner banquet where the prizes will be given. Fireline Live Band will then take the stage one more time Saturday night to close out the 7th Annual Sturgeon Tournament.
The sturgeon season is open through May 7 and May 8-15 is catch and release season before closing for about a 6 week period of time. Lots of nice sturgeon have been caught this spring and their is still plenty of time to get in on the action. Give us a call to make a quick trip and reel in one of these monsters! 800-862-8602
Official Day 1 Results Sportsman’s 7th Annual Sturgeon Tournament Prizes awarded to the 3 longest fish of each day.
Thanks to all participants we look forward to another exciting day tomorrow!
#1 $1900 Cash – Jim Benson 61 inch length, 23 inch girth approx 53 lbs

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#2 $820 Cash – Mark Capouch 60 1/4 inch length, 24 1/2 inch girth approx 56 lbs

 

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#3 Custom Made Rod – Mark Capouch 56 inch length, 21 inch girth approx 41 lbs

 

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Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report 5-1-2013

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5/1/2013

It’s PRIME TIME STURGEON TIME!
The sturgeon fishing has been incredible! Several nice sturgeon were boated the past few days especially monster size 50 inch plus! What a blast!  Sturgeon “keep one” season lasts until May 7. You can keep one within 45”-50” inclusive or over 75”. Licenses and sturgeon tags are available at the lodge. May 8-15 get in on one more week of catch and release before the season closes May 16.

Anchoring and working deep holes of the river bottom has worked best.  The best tackle to use is a 5/0 or 6/0 octopus or circle hook, a couple of ounces of weight and 2-4 crawlers.

Our 7th Annual Sturgeon tournament is this weekend!
The tournament is always a good time! Over $4500 in cash and prizes to be given away! Come on out and watch the boats from our docks, hear good fish stories and listen to the live entertainment. At this time, this year’s tournament is full but we are taking names for a waiting list in the event we receive last minute cancellations and we are now taking reservations for next year’s tournament, May 2 & 3 2014.

Don’t just take it from me, read what other recent guests are saying….
65 31.5 girth 115 lbs!! Great cabins great food and great people!!! You rock!!! Especially Jennifer !!! Thank you!!!!
65″ 31.5 girth 115 lbs!!  Great cabins great food and great people!!!  You rock!!!  Especially Jennifer!!! Thank you!!!! We will be back for sure, best fishing weekend of all time!
Don Gregerson

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We had the best success employing a run and gun approach giving each spot a ½ hour before moving. The heads of deep holes seemed to be holding the most fish but keep eyes on the electronics as fish are easily spotted. Our rigs consisted of large Water Gremlin Dipsey Swivel sinkers with 12” leaders tied to 5/0 circle hooks. 4- 6 night crawlers sprayed with Berkley Gulp Minnow spray was our bait of choice. Freshen scent often. When fish hit simply point the rod at them, lift tip, and reel in. Please handle these prehistoric giants with care!
Water Gremlin Pro Staffer Garett Svir

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Thanks for your support of Wounded Warrior Guide Service! Our stay was great! You guys are AWESOME! Here is Brandon and Darius with one of the fish from our two day trip! These guys had a great time!
Jake Flaa

Bill & Jyothi

As usual, we had a great stay at Sportman’s plus few nice fish! Can anyone think of a lake that gives you a better chance to catch an so many different kinds of trophies?
Bill & Jyothi

Steven Wintemute
Had a great time fishing at Sportsmans Lodge sturgeon fishing at its finest! Great food, great accommodations, great people and of course GREAT fishing
Steven Wintemute
Hooked Magazine

Limits & Seasons
Sturgeon “keep one” season is open through May 7 within size limits of 45”-50” or over 75”. One sturgeon per angler per year.  May 8-15 is catch and release season. May 16-June 30 is closed. July 1-Sept 30 is keep one sturgeon.
Pike season never closes. You can keep 3 only 1 over 40”.  All pike between 30”-40” must be released.
Walleye season opens May 11. Limit of walleye is 4. Walleye/Sauger limit is 6, no more than 4 can be walleye. Only 1 walleye over 28” and all walleye between 19.5”-28” must be released.

Catch the spring action! Lodging as low as $39 midweek and $43 weekend per person plus tax. We have it all! Docking, Restaurant, Bar, Entertainment, Indoor Pool, Guided Trips and more!

Pike
The pike bite is heating up. Anglers have been finding some nice ones in Four Mile Bay the past few days.

Let us Guide you to the action!
Guided sturgeon and pike trips are now available. Walleye trips available starting May 11.  Let our professional guides guide you to the action. No equipment or experience required. Click here for more information.