Tag Archives: Walleye Fishing

Oak Island Ice Conditions & Fishing Report

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December 19, 2014

We are open for the season!  Fishing has been good. Gold jigs tipped with a minnow in 18′-26′ of water. Nice 14″-18″ walleyes have been found the past few days. Give us a call to book your winter trip! 800-862-8602

Ice Road is open!
The ice road from Young’s Bay to OakIsland is plowed and open. Call for directions before you come as it has not been marked yet. 14-15 inches of ice is reported.

Snowmobile Trails
Lake Trails – All lake trails are staked except Driftwood Point to Warroad. Grooming is dependent upon snow.

Make your dinner reservations now for New Years!
Dinner Specials, Party Favors, Champagne Toast and a whole lot of fun!

We will be closed both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Did you know?

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Walleye Facts

Walleye is the largest member of the perch family and has been known to reach 25 pounds.  North of the border, the walleye is more commonly known as pickerel. Its name comes from the fact that the fish’s eyes point outward, as if looking at the walls.  They also have huge marble-like eyes, which feature a layer of reflective pigment, which means that the walleye can see quite well in dim light.  The most common prey is the yellow perch which lacks this ability to see well in low light.  This trait alone has made the walleye a successful predator.

Walleye are among the most popular of all game fish. Each year, Minnesota anglers keep roughly 3.5 million walleyes totaling 4 million pounds.

The walleye is the state fish of Minnesota and South Dakota and the official fish of Saskatchewan. More walleye is eaten in Minnesota than in any other state of the United States. Locally, Baudette is known as the “Walleye Capital” of the World”. You can see the 40 foot statue of Willie Walleye at the corner of Highway 11 and International Drive in Baudette. Make sure to bring your camera! www.sportsmanslodges.com

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

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November 5, 2014

River fishing has not disappointed the anglers this week.  It seems as if anywhere from the International Bridge to the Gap has produced limits of walleyes and saugers. Depths from 18’-20’ have been producing the most using green, orange or gold jigs tipped with a frozen shiner. Fishing up north has been producing too.  Areas by Garden Island in 20’-25’ depths have given anglers their limits as well.  Weather-wise, it looks as if we are coming into a cool down.  Highs will be in the high-20’s to low-30’s and lows will be dipping down into the mid-teens.  The water temperature is currently at 41.9 degrees.

Chuck and Heather Fowler 30.5 in, 26 in and 21 in walleye Guided by Captain Mike

nov1 nov2 nov3
nov4  nov5
Craig Murphy 30.75 inch walleye
Guided by Captain Dave		   Ice forming on smaller bays of water.

Thank You

Another great season is in the books!  To all of you who visited this past summer, thank you. If we missed you this season, we sure hope to see you soon.  The bar, dining room, many lodge rooms and pool are currently closed.  Fall projects are in full swing as we get ready for our winter season.  Cabins and villas are available to rent through November.  The reservation desk is open year round. Make your winter reservations now online or by calling 800-862-8602!  We have the first week in December in our sights to start our winter season mother nature willing! Stay tuned!

Winter is just around the corner! Have you made your reservations yet?
www.sportsmanslodges.com

Contest! Free Trip Giveaway!
Click here to enter for you chance to win!

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

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September 4, 2014

Around the lake we go…

Get your boat, get your gear and get your buddies and get going north.  Limits of walleyes are being caught in and around GardenIsland.  We’ve been finding that the muddy areas in 30’-35’ water have been producing with our controlled depth fishing using a variety of Shad Raps and Wally Divers.  Hammered gold spinners tipped with a leech or a crawler have also been effective in 15’-20’ water in among the rocks and the shallow corners of reefs.

The Herdering Family
Grandma Kathy, Grandpa Joe, Grandson Ryan
August 2014, Guided by Captain Bob
 

The weather forecast for the week includes partly sunny to partly cloudy skies, highs in the high-60’s to low to mid 70’s with a chance of rain and some wind throughout the week.

The water has been receding in front of the lodge to where we are able to load and unload guests from the charter boats without having to use the centralized docking system.  But as always, things can change so if the weather changes, we will too.  Boat slips, however, are still unavailable at this time.  Please give the front desk a call at 1-800-862-8602 if you have any questions.

Fall into a sweet deal!

Lodging rates as low as $40 per person per night!

Click here for details and book your fall getaway today! The fall bite is heating up!

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

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August 27, 2014

True North, Grid North or Magnetic North?

Set your GPS to the north around Garden Island and you will find walleyes being caught.  Controlled depth fishing has been producing in 30’-35’ water in the muddy areas.  Also effective is in 15’-20’ water in among the rocks and the shallow corners of reefs.  Hammered gold spinners, Shad Raps, Little Joes and Wally Divers are getting the job done.

Jig fishing is producing the walleye bite as well.  Reports have been that the early morning or the late afternoon bite outside the Gap to around 30’ water is when and where those walleyes are biting.

Rocky
25 in walleye pulling spinners
Captain Mike		 Keplin Crew
August 2014
Captain Dan		 Axel Berny, San Francisco, CA
28.5 inch walleye released
Captain Dave

The weather forecast for the week includes partly sunny to partly cloudy skies, highs in the high-60’s to low 70’s with just a slight chance of rain throughout the week.

The water has been receding in front of the lodge to where we are able to load and unload guests from the launch boats without having to use the centralized docking system.  But as always, things can change so if the weather changes, we will too.  Boat slips, however, are still unavailable at this time.  Please give the front desk a call at 1-800-862-8602 if you have any questions.

Labor Day Special!

Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free in lodge rooms or cabins at Sportsman’s LodgeRainyRiver location!

Book your stay today.

Fall Rates start Sept 1!

Reel in the walleyes and stay for rates as low as $40 per person per night!

Oak Island Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

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August 27, 2014

What kind of fish can we find this week?

Choosy walleye is what we’ve been finding.  Slow and steady seems to be winning out when fishing for walleye. Hammered gold jigs with minnows or crawler harnesses with leeches in 25’-30’ water around GardenIsland or Little Oak seem to be producing the bite. Either anchoring or drifting have been producing results too.  The muskie bite is still somewhat finicky but doing better in the late evenings around the shore lines or in the weed beds especially when the moon is bright.  Smaller lures with a slower presentation seem to be having the best luck but if you like a faster option, the cowgirls seem to be the lure of choice.  There’s also been reports of the start of some crappie action and also the northerns and perch have been around as well.

The weather looks to be about the same as the south end with partly sunny to partly cloudy skies, highs in the high-60’s to low 70’s with just a slight chance of rain throughout the week.

Fall rates start Sept 15!
Rates as low as $58 per person per night!

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

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August 13, 2014

Off the hook…

This week of controlled depth fishing, anglers have found most of their walleyes in the trophy and slot walleyes. So pump up your arms, and get ready for the fight!  Head up by Garden Island, get into 30’-32’ depth and get those Wally Divers, Shad Raps and Clown Lures moving and the walleye will keep coming.  Bait fishing is still doing well too.  Head up by Little Oak to the 19’-24’ range to find the walleye.  Hammered gold spinners tipped with leeches or crawlers are still the lure of choice.  The weather looks like a mixed bag coming up this next week with days of partly to mostly sunny skies, some rain and some wind, with temps in the mid-70’s.

Mel Heinen, Rogers MN
28 inches.  Released.
Guided by Captain Dave

The water is going down but because it is still higher than normal we continue to use our centralized loading/unloading system for our charter boats.  Some of our boat slips are available for use at this time.  Call our front desk at 1-800-862-8602 to find out what’s available as they are on a reserved-basis only.  However, because of the fluctuating water, electricity is not available at this time.

August Specials at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River Location!

Friday, Aug 22 & Saturday, Aug 23 – $79 lodge rooms  for up to 2 adults and 2 kids plus tax.

Labor Day Week Special Aug 26 – Sept. 1. Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free in lodge rooms or cabins!

Book your trip today! 800-862-8602 or online here. 

80’s Party!
Saturday, Sept 30!
Contests! Prizes! Specials! Entertainment! Lots of fun!

Oak Island Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

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August 13, 2014

The Tale of Two Sides…

Just like the South End, there have been big walleye and slot walleye being found in Minnesota waters.  The keepers have been hiding and are harder to lure up for the bite.  Little Oak, Garden Island and Four Blocks have seem to be producing the most walleye so head towards the depths of 19’-24’ and be patient!!
Tim Siercks
August 4th – 39 inch
August 5th – 35 inch
Guided by Captain Eric “Snag”

The muskie bite has certainly picked up in the Canadian watersover the last week.  Weed beds and around the shorelines have been producing the best results.  Make sure you are in shallow water of 10’ or below; bucktails have been the lure of choice for this week.  The walleye bite is still holding steady as well.  The algae bloom is in full stride so be prepared to navigate through the green water.  The weather looks similar to the South end with some chance of rain, temps in the mid-70’s and partly to mostly sunny skies.

The water has gone down about 3 inches but it still continues to be high.  The boat launch at Young’s Bay is open. Boat docking is available at the lodge and we continue to make changes to keep the service available and safe.

Fall into great fall rates!

Fall is a incredible time for excellent walleye, sauger, muskie, pike, crappie and bass fishing at Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge.

Click here.

Oak Island Lake of the Woods Fishing Report

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Nice, fat fish is what has been the find over the past week.  Make your way along the banks or in among the shorelines up by Little Oak or on either side of Falcon Island and you will be busy reeling them in.  There was also reports of a good Canadian Muskie opener too with fish between 46” and 49” being caught and released.

High Water
The boat launch at Young’s Bay is open. The water is high at the lodge but boat docking is available and we continue to make changes to keep the service available and safe.

Relax in the islands!
Walleyes, Muskies, Pike and Bass a plenty. Incredible scenery, starry nights and relaxation.

www.oakislandlodge.com

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

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Awesome.  Excellent.  Fabulous.  The first three words spoken when asked how the fishing has been this week.  Not too shabby considering the water levels continue to go up and down.  The bite has been good just outside of Pine Island or up north by Garden Island.  Set your line with a hammered gold spinner tipped with either minnows or leeches in 10’to 14’ of water, find some sand and you will be on the fish.  Closer to the Angle, it seems as if the shallow rocks have been holding some walleye as well.

Dennis Anderson
29.5 inch walleye released
Guided by Captain Mike		 Bernie Jilek Hudson
28 inch walleye released
Guided by Capt. Dave

High Water
The water levels continue to go up and down again this week.  Our centralized loading/unloading dock system is working well so that guests can safely get in/out of our boats to enjoy their fishing adventures.  Some of our dock slips are available as well; they are on a reserved-basis only and can be reserved by calling the lodge at 800-862-8602.  You can view the water levels as well by viewing our dock cam.

Fishing, Fireworks & Family Fun!
July 3,4 & 5. Stay at Sportsman’s and enjoy excellent fishing, lodging, food and entertainment. Stop in Baudette for more activities!

Bring along your Tarzan and Jane costumes for our Wild Weekend Party July 5. 

Don’t let summer pass you by! Give us a call to book your summer vacation.
www.sportsmanslodges.com