Oak Island Fishing Report
Your REAL Northwoods fishing and snowmobiling destination!
Watch for updated reports and new pictures coming in each week. If you have a picture - be sure to email it to us and we'll get it posted!
A legislative change effective Aug. 1, 2007 extended the expiration date of 2007 fishing licenses for resident and nonresident anglers through April 30, 2008, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Any stamps or tags to harvest particular species also are valid through April 30, 2008.
WE WILL BE FISHING ON OAK ISLAND UNTIL MARCH 23 AND UNTIL MARCH 31 IN BAUDETTE.
February 20, 2008
Oak Island fishermen are still reporting good results and more jumbo perch showing up. Fishermen are leaving the Island with smiles on their faces and limits in their possession. The snowmobile trails have an excellent base with the new snowfall and are groomed twice weekly to keep up with the traffic. A group from Falcon Lake, Winnepeg and Kenora visited last week on their 12th Annual trip across the entire Lake. They reported excellent trail conditions and a good time had by all.
February 6, 2008
Oak Island fishermen continue to have good results, going home with limits and a few to eat during their stay. The bite is light in that area also, but more walleye are caught with a few sauger and more perch. Here again the rattle jig or some kind of lure to bring them in – then lots of patience to make sure you hook 'em and bring them in!
The snowmobilers are anxiously awaiting some warmer temps, the sub zeros should be waning soon as February creeps upon us! The trails are in excellent condition!
The snow continues to fall although sparingly, and the groomer runs the route around the Lake including Wheeler's Point, Warroad, Stony Point, Oak Island, Garden Island and the trail back to Wheeler's Point. The entire route is approximately 120 miles and encircles all of Big Traverse Bay. The DNR just approved a 65 mile an hour speed limit on the Lake Trails and they are fast!
January 30, 2008
The Oak Island area continues to produce limits of walleye and sauger with a few more perch sneaking in for some action. There has been a good morning bit with a lull around nap time and then another good surge later in the afternoon. Houses remain at depths of about 26 feet and there seems to be no slow down in the action, although the bite is very light as the fish become a little sluggish with the severely cold temps.
Trails and ice conditions continue to improve and more snowmobile traffic is showing up as the weather warms. Snow is predicted for the next 5-7 days so February is shaping up to be a great month for both fishing and snowmobiling!
January 23, 2008
The Oak Island crew continues to have good fishing also. Lots of catch and release fish are being reported by guests, some 22,23, &24 inchers. Lots of good eaters are being kept, with a nice mix of walleye, sauger and a few perch. The cold temps have slowed the action somewhat and the bite is light – you just need to play with them for a few minutes to get them to bite – is the consensus. Water depths hover around 24 feet with 18 – 20 inches of ice average.
The snowmobile trails across the Lake from both Warroad and Baudette are now both groomed, so hop on your sled and go for an adventure tour of the Lake! Watch for details about our Snowmobile Rally on March 14 &15!
January 16, 2008
Oak Island has been hot this week with lots of walleyes, sauger and a few perch coming in. Guests have been extremely happy with the catches. The Wagner Party of Bemidji, Mn reported the catch and release of a 25", 26.5" and a 28" walleye all in one day. The depths remain at 22-26 feet and the best colors are gold, gold and white and the rattle jigs. Stories about the big ones that come up to the top of the hole and spit out the hook are coming in also – so Walter is still at large!
The lake trails have a good base and are being groomed regularly now. We continue to get spurts of 1-2 inches of snow every few days which is building to a great February! Big Traverse Trail is a great link to the Islands, Northwest Angle and some of the best snowmobiling and scenery anywhere! The Lake trails are fun and fast, once you've tried them you'll make plans to come back!
January 2, 2008
We are just beginning a New Year on Lake of the Woods and the great tradition continues with consistently good reports of fishing success.
Sportsman's Oak Island reports good fishing and guests going home with limits in their coolers and smiles on their faces! The best luck has been in 22-26 feet of water with pink jigs and minnows. The bite starts out slow in the morning and the excitement heats up throughout the day. The size of the walleyes are nice, but the bite is very light and attention needs to be paid to your lines in order to catch them. One house reported catching over 50 fish over the course of a day, so action is no problem. Ice conditions continue to improve with the colder weather, stay on marked trails to avoid problems.
The snow conditions are also excellent and we have lots of snowmobile enthusiasts stopping in and enjoying the trails. Trails in the area are partially groomed with a good base of about 10-12 inches and more snow predicted. The Lake trail has also been staked and groomed so travel to Oak Island is no problem. There have also been guests coming down from the Kenora and Sioux Narrows area as well.
December 26, 2007
Happy Holidays! The fishermen have been busy with family and friends so the fish are hanging out there just waiting for them to come back. The locals that took some time to go out and give it a try over the last few days have found the action to be fast and furious, with limits of nice walleyes being pulled in.
The ice thickness on the Lake is an average is about 15 inches The Oak Island area is seeing some good action in 22-26 feet of water on reef structure. Limits of walleye and some perch are being taken each day.
The staked trail across the Lake is in good condition and will be groomed in the next few days to keep the base in good shape.
Winter season is really starting to hum on Lake of the Woods, don't miss out on the action whether it is fishing, snowmobiling or other winter activities!
For reservations or up to date info call ChiChi at 800-772-8411 or email- oakislandlodge@wiktel.com
