lake of the woods Lotw Crappie Fishing

[Skhots]

Planning a trip for a few of us up to LOTW and looking to get into some crappies.  

I've read that you need to be on the ontario side to really find the crappies but I'm wondering if its even possible to find them on the MN side?

We're open to getting a guide for the Ontario or MN side so does anyone have good, firsthand recommendations on a guide up there? If so, costs? We're thinking of just 2 guys going up there, leaving the women in the ice house.   

 

[Rick]

Get a hold of Roger at Flag Island Resort. or...

Check this out at Muskie Bay Resort.. The Crappies and Jumbo perch are awesome in Whitefish Bay on LOTW.

[huntercj]

I would get a hold of roger. Most of the crappie fishing takes place on the Ontario side. I haven't made it out crappie fishing this year planning on real soon . Here an are a few pics of crappies caught right in front of my cabin in  april  last ice trip of the year.

[curt quesnell]

The big Crappie bit is on the Canadian side. Really no good place on the American side. All of the resorts on Oak or Flag will take you there.  Resorts on the East side out of Morson will do that too plus they offer Lake Trout too. Tolens Lodge is a great adventure in the wild

[Skhots]

Sounds like Roger will get a call soon. Thanks guys. Is it a long trip to get up to the spots on the canadian side, from oak or flag island that is? 

Edited January 14, 2016 by Skhots

[Skhots]

it doesnt look like flag island provides on ice guide service, just ice house rental at 125 per person per day on the CA side.  I'm expecting having to run and gun for crappies. 

[curt quesnell]

We fished out of Flag last season, guided for Crappies on the Canadian side.  I know there are new owner but Roger is there and that is what he does.  Call the Resort...they guide

 

[Rick]

Pretty sure, new owner Roger guides. You can also try Jean Paul at http://lakeofthewoodsoutdoorsman.com Not sure if he does the ice fishing gig out of Oak Island or not. Also Sunset Lodge is pretty good.

[Rodric Christensen]

Sunset Lodge on Oak Island offers run and gun crappie trips into Canada also. My girlfriend and I drove our sleds across from the Wheelers Point area last week and had a great time staying and fishing there. We just fished on the MN side, but I visited with Dan Schmidt who is managing the fishing operation there now, and I know they offer that option.

Edited January 14, 2016 by Rodric Christensen

[Walleyehooker]

How was the snowmobile trail from Wheelers to Oak?

[Rodric Christensen]

We went across on 1/4 and came back 1/6 so it has been a few days, but it was all staked and in great shape at that time. Probably one of the smoother rides we've had across there.

The river still had some open water so we accessed on Adrians road and the staked snowmobile trail started just on the other side of Pine. We paid Adrians $10/day to leave our rig parked in their field across from the access.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 14, 2016 by Rodric Christensen

[Skhots]

sounds promising. Will certainly check out my options. 

[Walleyehooker]

On ‎1‎/‎14‎/‎2016 at 10:16 AM, Rodric Christensen said:

On ‎1‎/‎14‎/‎2016 at 10:16 AM, Rodric Christensen said:

We went across on 1/4 and came back 1/6 so it has been a few days, but it was all staked and in great shape at that time. Probably one of the smoother rides we've had across there.

The river still had some open water so we accessed on Adrians road and the staked snowmobile trail started just on the other side of Pine. We paid Adrians $10/day to leave our rig parked in their field across from the access.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went across on 1/4 and came back 1/6 so it has been a few days, but it was all staked and in great shape at that time. Probably one of the smoother rides we've had across there.

The river still had some open water so we accessed on Adrians road and the staked snowmobile trail started just on the other side of Pine. We paid Adrians $10/day to leave our rig parked in their field across from the access.

 

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When we take sleds out to Sportsmans Oak Island we park across the street from Sportsmans in the open lot where their steel shed/pole building is. Sportsmans owns Sportsmans Oak Island lodge so we always parked there for free.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Skhots]

Looking at the low drifters maps, surprised there isn't a straight shot trail from long point up to the NW angle. I typically stay with friends in warroad so is it better to go from Springsteel and up or? I'm looking for a shorter snowmobile ride versus the shorter car drive. Not including border crossing through the nw angle. 

[Walleyehooker]

Never have seen a groomed trail from long point to Oak Island. So its about a 40+ mile run from the west or the south. We have always rode machines up but this year I plan to drive in. Its still quite a drive to drive up but it is a lot easier on the gear.

[Ballyhoo]

It is the same distance from Wheeler's PT to Oak Island as it is from Springsteel to Oak Island, within a mile difference.  There has never been a trail from Long PT, just the bigger population areas.

[Rodric Christensen]

Walleyehooker ---- Yes, we have stayed at the Sportsman Oak Island location and parked at their Rainy River location several times over the years and that is a great way to go as well. We went spur of the moment and they happened to be full, so it was nice to have some other options. We were very happy with Sunset and the parking at Adrians went smooth. The public access allows overnight parking too, but it looked full at the time we happened to want to park and unload, so I was more than happy to pay Adrians the $10/day.

[Skhots]

Booked our trip with Dan at Sunset Lodge for next weekend. We are excited. 

[huntercj]

Good luck fishing. We  Finally got  out crappie fishing over the weekend and the crappies are biting. Talked to some other guys and they had there limit of crappies in one hour on Saturday. Walleye fishing has also been very good on the Canadian side of low.

[Rick]

Nice report and nice fish!!

[Skhots]

Nice haul indeed. The Excitement is building...

[Weathertite]

I will be checking with Roger tomorrow , I gotta get me some of them Crappies. Thanks for all the info Guys.

Mike

[nwangle]

Flag does have fish houses in Ontario.  They use Ray King who is a Canadian citizen. That way the can have permanent houses in Canada.

Roger will also do the run and gun for you.

The only other resort that offers guided run and gun is Sunset.  Sportsmans on Oak is just getting into it as well.

I fished for crappies on Saturday and two of us caught 47 in less than 6 hours!

 

 

[huntercj]

Crappies are still biting on the way back from lake trout fishing stopped and tried a new crappie spot and picked up a few crappies and a couple of walleyes.