Tag Archives: Walleye Fishing

Oak Island Fishing Report

by

Crisp air & a little walleye chop
Aaaaahh; fall is one of my favorite times of year in the islands. We are enjoying beautiful scenery, crisp air and great walleye, crappie and muskie fishing right now.  A perfect fall day with a little walleye chop and a little sun on my back to keep me warm is heaven to me.  This week fishing we have seen some real nice 15”-24” walleyes caught. Soldier’s Point, Massacre Island and Deep Water Bay have all been good in 17’-23’ of water jigging a gold, bright orange or pink jig tipped with a minnow. Water temperature is 55 degrees.

Muskies
Trolling using spinner jerk baits around points and areas with current have been working best.
Anglers are reporting lots of active muskies.

Crappies
Areas with structure are the key. Jigging using pink, gold and orange colors tipped with a minnow works best. This week has been a little slower but we expect the bite to turn back on within a few days. October is usually one of the best times of year in our area to reel them in.

Summer season is coming to an end.
Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge will be open until Oct 18 and then re-opening mid-December for the ice fishing season. Reservation desk is open anytime.  Sportsman’s Lodge will have lodging available through freeze up. Guided fishing and the restaurant and bar will be open through late October and then open back up again the first week of December.

Do you have your winter reservations in yet?
Winter is just around the corner and now is the best time to get the dates you want for the winter season.  Give us a call Sportsman’s Lodge 800-862-8602 or Sportsman’s Oak Island & Eagle Ridge 800-772-8411 or click here to book online now. Lodging & full service ice fishing packages starting at only $193* per person! *plus tax and based on double occupancy. Ice Fishing begins in less than 60 days! For all of our winter packages and rates click here.

Weekly South Shore Fishing Report

by

Weather is starting to cool down & walleyes moving into the river
Weather has started to cool this week. The forecast is high’s in the 60’s and lows in the 30’s and 40’s compared to the 70’s and 50’s we had last week.  Water temperature is currently at a warm 65 degrees for this time of year but we should start to see that dip quickly in the next week.
Anglers have been finding some real nice quality size walleyes between 15”-25” using gold and orange jigs or spinners tipped with a shiner minnow. Knight island has been a good area between 25’-31’ as well as just outside Pine Island, Graceton Beach and Zippel Bay in 20’-25’.

Shiners are running the river
Shiners are running the river and more and more walleyes are moving in daily.  A good morning and evening bite has been found using the same technique and bait as on the lake in 16’-18’ of water.  Areas around Wheeler’s Point, Wabanica Church and the Baudette Airport have produced some decent walleyes.

What a Birthday! Dan treated his girlfriend Stephine to her first experience on Lake of the Woods for her birthday. What a trip!

We caught lots of 15 – 19 inch walleye and Sauger with Captain Troy who really went above and beyond and worked his butt off to make it a memorable birthday for her!!! Thanks again to the Sportsman staff you guys always go above and beyond see you in January.
-Dan Loos

Book your Winter Reservation now!
For the best dates and accommodations, book your winter trip now! 800-862-8602 or online here

Oak Island Fishing Report

by

Fall Fishing
Walleyes are biting this week in 15’-26’ of water using jigs tipped with a minnow around points and areas with a current.  Little Oak island, Soldier’s Point, Massacre Island and Deep Water Bay have all produced some nice walleyes. Water temperature is currently 60 degrees.

Muskies & Northern Pike
September and October are some great months for active muskie and pike fishing on Lake of the Woods. Trolling using spinner jerk baits around points and areas with current have been working best.

Crappies are biting
The cooler the water gets the better the bite gets! Areas with structure are the key. Jigging using pink, gold and orange colors tipped with a minnow works best. Areas around Falcon Island have been great.

Winter is just around the corner time to get your reservations in!
It won’t be long and the bombardiers will be running the ice, the fish houses will be placed and we will be reeling in walleyes through the ice. Now is the best time to get your reservations in for the best options of dates and accommodations. Reserve online here or give us a call. Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River 800-862-8602, Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge & Sportsman’s Eagle Ridge 800-772-8411 and Sportsman’s Sleeper House Divison 218-634-1589.

Weekly South Shore Fishing Report

by

9/23/2015

Leaves are falling but it feels like August
Warm September so far. Water temperature is usually dipping into the 40’s by now but today we are sitting at 65. Weather is beautiful to be out in a boat and the fishing has been pretty great to so we are not complaining.  The forecast is cooling a little bit in the week ahead but not too much.  You can expect to find some nice walleyes in the same spots as the last few weeks. Bait fishing around garden and knight islands in 26’-32’ feet of water using hammered gold or pink spinners tipped with a crawler or a minnow. Some walleyes are starting to show up in Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River as well. Several nice walleyes between 15”-25” have been caught this week.

weather22

Catch a deal with our great fall rates!
Lodging starting as low as $40* per person per night and lodging/charter fishing packages starting at only $193* per person. We have 18-20’ guided trips and rental boat available too!  *plus tax and based on double occupancy. Get your reservation in now for fantastic fall fishing and relaxing. The pool and hot tub are open and we have new larger TV’s in the bar to watch the big game too!

Annual Halloween Party is Saturday, Oct 24
Throw your costume in your tackle box and join us for our annual Halloween party. Always have a fun time! Drink specials, entertainment, good music, $200 for best costume and lots of fun! Lodging only $45-$59* per person per night! *plus tax and based on double occupancy.

Win 3 nights lodging!
Enter now for your chance to win a 3 night lodging stay at Sportsman’s Lodge. Value $414!
Contest ends Sept 30, 2015. Click here now.

Weekly Oak Island Fishing Report

by

9/23/2015

Walleyes
Areas around Little Oak Island and Deepwater Bay have been good this week. Water temperature dropped a little bit but still a warm 61-63 degrees.  Red, orange and gold jigs tipped with a minnow or worm is working well. Best depth has been 28’-32’ and 22’-24’ on the reefs, points and in gaps.

Bigger Crappies
Crappie fishing has been decent. Larger crappies are being found this week. Areas around structure in 27’-32’ has been good using 1/4 to 3/8 oz. jigs tipped with a minnow.

Muskie Mania
Trolling and casting using shiny crankbaits baits are luring these aggressive fish in. Before leaving a bay try casting shallow and deep waters, you just never know where they may be lurking.

We are deep into fall but ice fishing will soon be here! Only 74 days away!
Get your reservation in now for the best lodging options.

Weekly South Shore Fishing Report

by

Will this be the last week we see the 70’s?
It is looking like we are going to get another beautiful week of weather.  Water temperature is down a few more degrees since last week but still a pretty warm 65 degrees.

weather17

Walleyes are biting on the reefs near Garden Island and Knight Island lately. 22’-25’ and 28’-32’ of water have been the sweet spots.  A mix of bait fishing with bright orange or gold jigs or spinners tipped with a minnow has been working fair.  Trolling with red/white or red/silver shad raps has been working the best.  Anglers are seeing several  12”-14” fish to throw back, a decent amount of 15“-18” for a fish fry and 4-5 slot fish (19.5”-28”) in a day per boat to throw back as well. It is nice to see so many in the younger class and slot limit walleyes for great future fishing.

Fall Specials now through Nov 30
Lodging as low as $40* per person per night. Great deals on lodging and guided fishing packages too!  Click here to learn more. *plus tax and based on double occupancy

Getting some nice sturgeon
A size 5/0 hook, gob of worms anchored in a deep hole around current is a great place to hook a sturgeon.  Spring and fall are great times of the year to catch them.  Now through Sept 30, you can keep 1 within size limits.  Fish must be 45″-50″ inclusive or over 75″. Immediately upon reducing a fish to possession, you must validate and attach your sturgeon tag. Harvested sturgeon must be registered within 48 hours. Oct 1-April 23 is catch and release only.

rainy
ATV Run this weekend
The Roseau/Lake of the Woods ATV Club is putting on their annual fun run this weekend just south of Roosevelt. This event is always a fun time. Ride the trails, play games and win some great prizes.  So load up the ATV’s, book your lodging at Sportsman’s, reel in some walleyes one day and ride the trails on Saturday.  Click here to learn more.

Weekly Oak Island Fishing Report

by

Early Fall Walleyes
The bite has been more aggressive this week than last. Water temperature is hovering around 66-67.  The water is still pretty green colored but it is starting to clear up.  Gold jigs tipped with a minnow or worm is still doing best, spinners ok. Best depth has been 28’-32’ and 22’-24’ on the reefs, points and in gaps.

oak

Crappie Bite
Guides have been finding some real nice crappies lately around structure in 28’-32’.  Not too many real huge ones, mainly nice average size. The best approach has been 1/4 to 3/8 oz. jigs tipped with a minnow.  They expect the bite to only get better and better as the fall carries on.

The latest on Musky action
Anglers are reporting lots of action. Casting crankbaits just minutes from our front door around shallow points is working well. Trolling has been producing some good results too.

Fall Specials now available!
Lodging as low as $59 per person. *plus tax and based on double occupancy
Click here for more information about this rate and all of our fall packages.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

by

Jig, Set, Reel!!!!!!!
Great bite this week!  Nice 16”-25” walleyes have been caught. Drifting with gold or pink spinners or jigs tipped with crawlers or trolling with shad raps either way have produced some good looking walleyes.  Outside of Zippel Bay and Light House Gap in 26’-32’ has been best for drifting and 28’-32’ around Garden Island for trolling.

Labor Day Weekend Openings
We still have some openings for lodging, guided fishing and dock slips for Labor Day Weekend! Give us a call 800-862-8602 or click here to book online.

Great fall rates start Sept 7!
Fall into lodging as low as $40 per person per night and great deals on lodging and charter fishing packages. Sept 7-Nov 30.  Click here to learn more.

Oak Island Fishing Report

by

Labor Day Weekend Fishing Report
Reefs, points and gaps with current is where the walleyes are biting. The best reef fishing has been in 28’-30’ of water, points in 26’-30’ and gaps in 20’-30’.   Jigging with a minnow has been the technique of bringing in the most walleyes. Fall into some great fall rates Sept 15-Oct 15. Fall is a great time for incredible fishing and beautiful fall scenery.

Muskie & Pike Bite
Fall is an excellent time to fish for muskie and pike. Lake of the Woods is home to some monster muskie and pike that will get your adrenaline pumping!  Right now the water is still pretty green from the algae bloom.  The best bite is around shallow points using jerk and top water baits. In a few weeks the water is going to clear up and we will want to start looking deeper.

Crappie Bite
The bite is picking up! 24-28’ of water around structure jigging with a jig and a minnow has been working best. It should just keep getting better and better as the water starts to cool.

Sit back, relax and take a guide
For the most enjoyable relaxing experiences, we suggest taking a guide even for just a day.  With nearly one million acres of area to explore, Lake of the Woods can be overwhelming to many.  We also believe it is a much nicer experience to really enjoy vacation and leave the hassles to us so your biggest decision for the day is what you want for supper.

Make plans for a fall trip!
Great reduced fall rates run Sept 15-Oct 15 at Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and Sept 7-Nov 30 at Sportsman’s Lodge Rainy River location.

Lake of the Woods South Shore Fishing Report

by

Reeling in the walleyes
Sunshine is in the forecast!  The wind and rain has been pushing through this week, but the rest of the week looks beautiful! The forecast is calling for highs in the 70’s and 80’s and lots of sunshine. It should be a nice week to get out fishing.

Latest Bite
The best bite has been found drifting using spinners or jigs tipped with a minnow in 24’-28’ of water outside Long Point and Zippel Bay.  Anglers have also been finding a nice bite further north around Garden and Knight Island in 28’-32’ of water trolling with shad raps.  Gold and pink have been hot spinner and jig colors.  Red, white and gold have been hot for the shad raps.

phenow

Fall Specials start Sept 7!
Fall is just around the corner and that means aggressive fall walleye action and great rates! Lodging as low as $40 per person per night and Lodging and Charter Fishing Packages starting at $201 per person. (per person plus tax and based on double occupancy)   Prefer to rent a boat, dock your own or go out on  18-20’ boat? We have that too! Click here to learn more or give us a call 800-862-8602.