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 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