Canadian Reports/Discussion
Sunset Lodge Weekly Fishing Report, NW Angle of LOW
2.27.17 Sunset Lodge Fishing Report
Hello from the NW Angle!
Ice conditions are still favorable with 20-24 inches of solid ice in non-current areas. Snow cover is minimal on snowmobile trails but are still being groomed and in good condition.
On the Minnesota side, we are seeing walleyes being caught on shallower rock points between 20-24 feet as well as deeper mud between 28-30 feet. A good number of saugers and perch are also being produced. Black and gold have been performing very well using a variety of baits.
Canada is still producing but the crappie bite has been hot and cold within the last week. Walleyes are are most active on rock humps with successful colors being, blue and white, pink and gold.
Until next week!
Sunset Lodge Ice Team
2.20.17 Sunset Lodge Fishing Report
Hello from the NW Angle!
We still have lots of ice up here, however the snow pack is diminishing rapidly, especially with the warm temps and rain in the forecast.
On the Minnesota side, fishing away from structure seems to be most productive with target depth being from 22-30 feet. Gold continues to be the hot color. The amount of perch we are seeing in our buckets continues to increase.
Fishermen on the Canadian side are still reaching their crappie limit with ease, fishing holes between 29 and 35 ft. A variety of baits are producing including, wax worms, mustache baits and dead minnows.
Until next week,
Sunset Lodge Ice Team
2.13.17 Sunset Lodge Fishing Report
http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports
2.13.17 Sunset Lodge Fishing Report
Hello from the NW Angle!
On the Minnesota side, fishing has really picked up this week! The ice is thick and temps are nice, making for a much more pleasurable hard-water experience. Less turbidity has really allowed for more natural colors to work. Using the dead stick is still producing the most fish with depths under a foot off of the bottom. Lots fish in the slot, as well as, multiple over 28!
On the Canadian side, walleyes are being caught in transition zones, with gold and pink and whites being the hot colors. The crappie bite is at 30ft plus in the mud with Tungstens topped with plastic. Jigging spoons with a minnow head are also producing fish.
Until next week,
Sunset Lodge Ice Team
2.6.17 Sunset Lodge Fishing Report
Hello from the NW Angle!
On the Minnesota side, pinks have been producing but it seems as if gold is the hot color of the week for jigging lures and baits. Target depths for walleye have been between 22 and 28 feet. The old school dead stick with a red hook, split shot and a bobber with a full minnow head has been most effective against the lethargic walleye this time of year.
In Canada, target depths are between 25 and 33 feet for the crappie bite, most effective lures being small lip-less crank baits as well as small rippin' raps.
Weather conditions have stayed relatively stable with a few fronts and about an inch of snow.
Be aware: Frozen ruts are still problematic off of groomed trails. Use caution on sleds and ATVs.
Until next week,
Sunset Lodge Ice Team
1.30.17 Sunset Lodge Fishing Report
The weather is finally cooperating and it feels like January! Last week's sloppy conditions have frozen over and all trails have been groomed.
Fishing on the Minnesota side has slowed in the morning but a mid-day to afternoon bite is still strong anywhere between 17 and 28ft. Fishing the dead stick has been most productive with many limits produced and a fair amount of slot fish being released.
Canada is still pumping out the crappies, the magic number seems to be right around 30 ft., Deep water Bay has seen a lot of action for both the walleye and crappie bite.
Have a great week!
Sunset Lodge Ice Team
1.23.17 Sunset Lodge Fishing Report
View this week’s pictures here:
http://www.sunsetlodgeresort.com/fishing-reports
Another week has come and gone up here at the Angle. The weather sure changed for us up here. The week started with below zero temps and we ended the week in the 30's with some rain mixed in. It still didn't affect the fishing, as houses produced their limits of fish once again including a 31", 11 pound walleye!
On the Minnesota side, we still have our houses scattered all around in 22-28 feet of water. Gold, pink and green were the best, tipped with a minnow or minnow head. We have had perch and saugers mixed in with all the walleyes, too!
On the Canadian side, the crappie and walleye bite has been very good! Crappies have been in 28-33 feet of water. Only fish to your limit and then switch to another species’ for the rest of the day. Walleyes have been great in 22-29 feet, using the same colors as the Minnesota side, tipped with a minnow or minnow head.
This is Forrest Huset with another fishing report.
We hope to see you all at Sunset Lodge this winter!
1.16.17
Hello once again from the Northwest Angle!
We're back with another fishing report this week. It was another cold week out on the ice with temperatures below zero for most of the week. We should be out of the cold stretch for a while now and the weather for the next couple weeks is looking really good!
On the Minnesota side, we have our houses on Rabbit Ears, Four Blocks and Little Oak. All have been producing fish. Out at Little Oak, we are fishing in 24-28 feet of water off of structure and out in the mud. At Four Blocks, we are fishing in 22-27 feet of water and have found some very nice slot fish coming up the holes. At Rabbit Ears, we are still in 21-26 and it is still producing buckets of fish consistently. Best colors have been pink and gold tipped with a minnow.
On the Canadian side, the crappie and walleye bite has been very good. Limits of nice crappies have been coming back every day with some being in that 15-16" range. We are fishing in 27-33 feet for those, with small tungsten jigs tipped with a minnow or plastic. Walleyes have been very consistent in 25-30 feet of water on the Canadian side, also. Same jig colors as the US side, gold and pink tipped with a minnow.
Until next week everyone, stay warm and tight lines!
Forrest Huset
Hello everyone! We are back with another fishing report for this week. We've had quite the week of weather here dealing with almost a foot of snow and some very cold temperatures.
On the Minnesota side, we are still fishing in 19-27 feet of water. Our houses start at Miller Point and run down to Four Block and Little Oak now, too. Jigging a spoon or anything tipped with a minnow head has still been the best. Deadsticking has worked better than jigging for some groups. Some saugers, perch and tulibees are being caught throughout the day, giving groups some bonus fish on top of the walleyes! Best colors have been gold/red, pink and chartreuse.
On the Canadian side, we are still fishing walleyes a little bit deeper in 22-29 feet of water and guys are getting their limits. Crappies have been coming in almost every night and some have been pushing that 16" mark. Best colors being gold and pink.
Until next week, stay warm everyone!
Forrest Huset
Sunset Lodge
Hello all from the Northwest Angle!
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year! We are fishing in full force up here now and it has been a good first week! We are filling limits of walleyes with some saugers mixed in. Slot fish have not been shy either, and we have had multiple 20-25" fish being caught every day.
On the Minnesota side, we are fishing in 19-25 feet and the best has been anything tipped with a minnow head being jigged most of the time. Of course, you still want to be using that dead stick, as that has produced fish also. Best colors have been gold, pink and chartreuse.
On the Canadian side, we have been fishing walleyes a little bit deeper in 22-28 feet of water and it has been a good bite, too. A few groups even got into some slab crappies in that 28+ feet of water. Best colors being gold and pink.
Hope everyone has a great week and we hope to see you up here at Sunset Lodge this winter!
Forrest Huset
Sunset Lodge
Hello folks, hope all is well! Here in the Angle, the weather has been typical of October, with cool temps, rainy days and wind, to occasional bluebird days with sunshine. The open water season is winding down, as colder temps and first ice is right around the corner. Fishing pressure in the area has been light, and the water temps are between 46 and 48 degrees.
On the U.S. side of the lake, the North and West side of Oak Island has been producing the best action. Jigging with minnows in depths ranging from 14 to 28 feet have been dynamite! The gap between Oak and Flag Islands and the Soldiers Point area has had consistent action over the last week. Anglers have been able to catch good numbers of walleyes and saugers in these areas, finding plenty of fish for the livewell and quite a few slot fish.
In Ontario, the fishing has been absolutely lights out! (Which means great!) The fish are feeding heavily this time of year and putting a limit of quality eyes' in the box has been a daily of occurrence. Good numbers of trophy caliber fish have also been reported with quite a few fish in the 25" to 30" range being caught and released! Top areas this last week have been Bishop Bay, Lily Island, West Falcon Island and Big Narrows. Depths of 21 to 28 feet with a jig and minnow combo have been best. The crappie bite has been hot as of late as well, several boats have reported catching good numbers of slabs and some real dandies at that! Deep points of 30 feet or more, or near trees and flooded timber are top spots for giant crappies. Musky anglers are having the best luck trolling large minnow baits in depths of 14 to 20 feet near rocks with deep water nearby. Jakes, Grandmas, and Depth Raiders are top choices for these large predators.
The waterfowl action has been red hot! As the temps cool, more and more birds are showing up in the area and hunters are taking full advantage. A mixed bag of Bluebills, Buffleheads, Goldeneyes, Canvasbacks and Redheads have been giving hunters plenty of wing shooting opportunities. Set up decoys off of points with the wind at your back and watch those birds set right in for fantastic shooting! This is a great time of year to get in some awesome fishing and hunting action! It only gets better as it gets colder. Ducks by the thousands fly right past our front door and the fish are hungry as ever!
Our last guests of the season departed this morning. We are closed until the end of December while we wait for the ice road to open!
We hope you join us at Sunset Lodge for your next fishing, hunting or ice fishing adventure!
Cale Albers
Hello everyone! Hope you all are well! Checking back in with you from Sunset Lodge on beautiful Oak Island, Lake of the Woods.
Here in the Angle, fall is in full swing as the temps are falling, frost has begun to greet us in the mornings and flights of ducks by the hundreds start to head South for the winter. The fishing and hunting action in the area is at its prime! As water temps cool, the bite gets hotter and hotter! The same goes for local waterfowl action.
In Minnesota waters, the walleyes and saugers have been on fire in the waters around Oak Island! Sturgeon Channel, East to Soldiers Point has been producing lots of quality fish for the live-well, as well as a few slot fish that make for great pictures! Some jumbo perch have also been showing up here as well. Look for depths of 18 to 30 feet, jigging has been the preferred method among anglers here this week. Gold, pink and green tipped with minnows have been lights out combos. Other notable areas are the gap between Oak and Flag Islands, the South side of Oak and Hay Islands have all been giving up good numbers of fish.
In Ontario, crappie action has been picking up this week as anglers have been bringing in quite a few nice slabs! Look for deep points off Islands 30 feet or more and places where sunken trees and timber are present. Use electronics to locate schools of fish, then use a jig and minnow or plastic combo to put slabs in the boat. Walleyes have been putting on the feed bags this week! The West side of Falcon Island has been our best producer this week as several boats reported good numbers of fish and some real quality fish at that! Depths of 15 to 25 feet have been best again with a jig and minnow combo being the best producer. Other top areas this week have been the Johnston Passage/Lily Island area, Big Narrows, Tug Channel and Deepwater Bay. Muskie anglers have been trolling large crankbaits with some success this past week. Several boats have reported hooking and landing multiple fish! Jakes, Depthraiders and Grandmas are top choices for these toothy giants!
Don't forget folks, the waterfowl action in the Northwest Angle is top notch! In fact, hunters have been having success in the area the last few days and putting together a mixed bag of Buffleheads, Bluebills, Goldeneyes, Canvasbacks and a few Mallards and Wigeon as well. As the temps cool even more, ducks by the thousands will begin their annual migration South with their chosen path running right out our front door! It's not too late to get in on some fantastic Fall fishing and waterfowling!
Until next week folks, take care! And make sure join us for your next outdoor adventure! We would love to be your hosts!
Cale Albers
Hello again folks! Checking back in with you from Sunset Lodge on beautiful Oak Island, Lake of the Woods. Hope you all had a great week!
Here in the Northwest Angle, the seasons are changing rapidly as the temps keep on dropping and the leaves keep on falling. The weather has been up and down the last week with days of sunshine and cool comfortable temps to days of wind, rain and downright cold temps. Despite the colder weather, the fishing has been heating up for sure!
On the Ontario side, the water temps are at around 50 to 52 degrees, anglers are finding walleyes in depths of 12 to 18 feet on reefs and points and depths of 20 to 35 foot holes in current areas. Most anglers are using a jig and minnow combo or pulling lindy rigs with a minnow in these locations. Top areas this week have been the West side of Falcon Island, East towards Firebag Island and McPherson Island and Bishop Bay areas have all been producing limits of quality fish. Jumbo perch have been caught in some of these areas where deeper water is present and they have been some real hogs for sure! A nice bonus fish for the fish fry! The crappie bite has been heating up as the water temps cool down some more. Anglers are finding slabs off of deep points in 30 feet and near sunken trees as well. We've had some real nice crappies coming into camp the last few days!
In U.S. waters, windy conditions have made it tough to fish certain areas of the lake, especially the South side of Oak Island. But despite that, boats have been doing well in the channel on the North side of Oak, from Cyclone Island all the way to Soldiers Point. Trolling and downrigging with crankbaits, as well as a jig and minnow combo has worked the best. Target water in the 15 to 25 foot range.
There's only a few weeks left in the open water season here in the Angle folks and the fishing can be the best of the entire year right now. Fall is also a time to get in on some hot waterfowl hunting action that is yet to come, the Northwest Angle is well known for its spectacular duck hunting! Especially divers such as bluebills, ringnecks, buffleheads, canvasbacks, and redheads. Small game opportunities are also present and you can find ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, snowshoe hares and cottontail rabbits on many of the Islands as well as the mainland. The Northwest Angle is home to thousands of acres of state forest land that is open to public hunting and has miles of trails that can be traveled in pursuit of your target quarry. Will your next getaway be a combination fishing/ hunting excursion? A regular cast and blast as some would call it! Whatever your dream outdoor vacation consists of, chances are you can find it here in the Angle.
We would love to be your hosts for your next outdoor vacation! The Northwest Angle is a true sportsman's paradise and there's no other place like it on earth!
Until next week folks, take care and we hope to see you soon here at Sunset Lodge!
Cale Albers
Hello folks! Checking in with you from Sunset Lodge here on beautiful Oak Island at the Northwest Angle, Lake of the Woods. Hope you've all had a fantastic week!
Here in the Angle, the seasons are changing quickly as late summer has melted into fall. Dropping temps and falling leaves littering the forest floor is a sure reminder that autumn is in full swing. Fishing this time of season can be some of the best and easiest of the entire year as fish begin to feed heavily in preparation for the cold of winter.
In Minnesota waters, the water temp is 57 degrees. Anglers have been putting good numbers of walleyes and saugers in the boat from the waters around Oak Island. Oak Point, Soldiers Point and Rabbit Ears have all been producing fish as well as the gap between Oak and Flag Island. Target depths range from 15 to 25 feet, depending on conditions. Tactics being used have been pulling crankbaits, Lindy Rigs and spinners tipped with minnows to cover water and locate active schools of fish. Once fish are found, vertical jigging with a leadhead tipped with a minnow has been red hot! Use the lightest jig you can while still keeping contact with the bottom for best results.
In Ontario waters, crappie action has been hit and miss. Look for deep points off of islands and sunken and flooded timber to find slabs this time of year. Use electronics to find schools of fish and vertical jig with a minnow or plastic to put fish in the box. We've had a few boats having luck finding schools of crappies and catching some real dandies! Some have even topped 16"! Now that's a slab crappie! If it's walleyes your after, look for areas of current and deeper holes. Depths of 18 to 30 feet have been most productive. Jigs tipped with minnows is the go to method during the fall season. Top areas this week have been Skeet Island, the west side of Falcon Island, McPherson Island and Firebag Island. Muskie reports have been limited, but the few that are fishing them are trolling large minnow baits such as Shallow Raiders, Depth Raiders, Jakes, Grandmas and Believers. Deep water areas near rock reefs have been the best. Fish that have been caught and landed have been some real monsters!
With Fall half way over and winter on the horizon, now is the time to head North to the Angle. Here you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the wild, whether it's the drumming of a grouse, the whistling wings of passing ducks or the sound of your reels drag singing from the pull of a trophy fish! The area is a true sportsman's paradise! We would love to be your hosts for your next outdoor adventure!
Until next week folks, from all of us at Sunset Lodge, take care!
Cale Albers
Hello everyone! Checking back in with you from Sunset Lodge on beautiful Oak Island here in the Northwest Angle on world famous Lake of the Woods. Hope you all had a fantastic week!
Here in the Angle, Autumn is in full swing, as the temps are dropping, leaves are changing into their bright fall colors and the local wildlife is preparing for winter. The weather the last week has been a mix of clouds and sun, rain and high winds along with falling temperatures. Fall fishing can be some of the best and easiest of the season, as the fish start to put on the feed bags in the big push towards winter freeze up.
On the American side of the lake, the water temp is between 60 and 62 degrees and falling as the air temps continue to drop. Anglers have been catching a mix of walleyes and saugers in the waters between Oak and Flag Island. Drifting bottom bouncers with minnows and spinners in depths of 18 to 30 feet has been effective as well as jigging with a minnow and trolling crankbaits. Hot colors are gold, pink and orange. Also, look to the deeper holes and mud areas here on the Minnesota side.
In Ontario waters, fishing has really been heating up despite the falling temps for a variety of species! Walleyes and saugers have been red hot as they begin to stack up in the deep holes and current areas as they prey on baitfish and bulk up for winter. Check the areas of Outer Bay, Bishop Bay, Johnston Passage and Tranquil Channel. Use electronics to locate schools of fish and work a jig and minnow combo to put fish in the boat. Use bottom bouncers with spinners and minnows to cover water and locate scattered fish. Crappie action has been picking up as of late as the water temps continue to dip, look for sharp drop offs into deep water of 30 feet or more and areas of trees and flooded timber. Work a jig with a minnow or plastic to put these jumbo slabs in the box. We've had several fish coming in topping 15 inches! Fall is also a time when the muskie action can be top notch! Most muskie anglers have switched from casting baits to trolling large minnow baits such as Jakes, Grandmas and Believers to locate these active predators. This time of year, these giants are at their largest as they are feeding heavily on suckers and tulibees. Fall is definitely the best time to land a true giant!
With September coming to a close and October on the horizon, time is running out on the open water season. But there's still time to make one last dash to the Angle for some world class fishing and hunting! This last weekend, the Minnesota Waterfowl season kicked off and there have been plenty of ducks around to put a smile on any wingshooters face! Maybe a weekend cast and blast would be a nice way to cap off the fall? We would love to be your hosts for that next outdoor excursion on your calendar.
Until next week folks, take care!
Cale Albers
Hello folks! Hope you all had a fantastic week! Checking back in with you from Sunset Lodge on beautiful Oak Island in the Northwest Angle on world famous Lake of the Woods.
Fall is definitely here as we have felt the temps slowly falling, the leaves starting to show their vibrant colors and the local waterfowl beginning their annual migration to warmer climates. Here in the Angle, several hunting seasons have started over the last few weeks: Canada goose, black bear and more recently small game and archery deer just over the weekend. And starting next weekend, our Minnesota waterfowl season kicks off! Along with all of that excitement, the fishing has been red hot and getting hotter despite the falling temps!
Here stateside, the water temps are between 61 and 63 degrees, anglers are finding walleyes and saugers in depths of 10 to 14 feet and 18 to 25 feet. Most boats are using a jig and minnow combination or pulling crankbaits in the areas south and west of Oak Island, near Four Blocks and the east bar of Little Oak. Hot colors are gold, orange, and chartreuse.
In Ontario waters, anglers are putting together limits of quality fish for the frying pan and catching several trophy caliber fish as well! Boats this week have been fishing the humps near Skeet Island, Outer Bay, Tranquil Channel and east to McPherson Island. Most have been using a jig and minnow combo working points and reefs in 15 to 25 feet of water. Quite a few jumbo perch have been showing up in these areas along with the walleyes as well! The crappie bite has been up and down the last week, but we expect it to heat up as the temps continue to fall. Look for deep water areas off of points or flooded timber areas. Jig and minnows or plastics can all produce crappies this time of year. And for all you Muskie faithful, these giant predators are becoming more active as the temps start falling and they strap on the feed bags before the winter months. Cast stickbaits, minnow baits and bucktails over rock reefs and points to hook into one of these monsters! Trolling large crankbaits and minnow baits is also starting to become productive as well.
Time is running out on the open water season folks, now is the time to join us for some fantastic fall fishing, hunting and relaxing! Maybe a combination fishing/duck hunting adventure is in your future? We would love to be your hosts for your next outdoor excursion! Have a great week folks and be sure to visit us soon at Sunset Lodge!
Until next week, take care!
Cale Albers
