JULY 5th

Hey Sportsfans,

250 years of Independence was well spent this weekend at Ballard’s!

Note to self: Pack any time of bug spray, the flies are bad and there has been a bug hatch.

Our seasonal campers across the street brought all the fun with their decked-out golf carts, while staff and even some of our returning guests joined in by sporting patriotic tutus. There was plenty of laughter, great memories, and all-around good times here at Ballard’s Resort.

As for the fishing, the walleyes seem to be playing hard to get. They’ve been a little tougher to track down lately, keeping our guides on their toes as they search for the next active school.

Most of our guides have transitioned away from jigging and are primarily pulling spinners. Every now and then, though, a jig still produces a few nice eaters. If you’re fishing the mud, we’ve been finding success in about 34 feet of water while pulling spinners.

We’ve been marking plenty of fish, but getting them to commit has been the real challenge. Staying on the move and chasing the active fish has been the key to putting together a productive day on the water.

We’re looking forward to seeing what this next week brings. As always, our guides are working hard to stay on the fish and make every trip a memorable one. We can’t wait to see you on the water!

Set the Hook!

JUNE 22

Hey Sportsfans,

This past week was a bit of a messy one. The wind seemed to be coming from every direction, and the rain wasn’t far behind, making for some pretty dramatic scenery out on the boat.

Note to self: order more Dramamine.

One of the ongoing debates around camp has been who managed to catch their limit the earliest each day. It’s always fun hearing the stories and friendly competition.

If we haven’t mentioned it already, we’re finally bringing back the classic shore lunch on Garden Island. It’s a favorite tradition and something many of our guests always look forward to.

The fishing report remains solid. Little Traverse has been producing well if you’re working the 27-foot range. If you’re fishing Big Traverse, move out to about 33 feet.

Our guides have been mixing it up lately. Some are finding success with spinners, while others are sticking with jigs. We’re slowly starting to transition from the spring bite into more consistent summer patterns.

Good luck out there, and we’ll see you on the water!

JUNE 7

Hey Sportsfans,

“We’ve been in the jigging program,” reports Captain Travis.

Fishing has been productive throughout the week, with several prime spots producing good results:

  • About 5 miles out in 30 feet
  • The north side of the Bridges in approximately 24 feet
  • The southeast side of Garden in around 23 feet

When fishing near the rubble and rocky bottom areas, anchor up in 24–28 feet. If you’re targeting the sand ledges, set up in 14–18 feet and work drifting jigs.

The weather has been excellent this week. Even on the cooler days, conditions have been comfortable and enjoyable on the water.

We’re also happy to announce that the pool is officially open for the season! The pool is private and available exclusively to our guests and the Ballard’s family, making it a quieter and more relaxing place to unwind after a day of fishing.

Set the Hook!

JUNE 1

Hey Sportsfans, 

Summer has finally arrived!

It feels like the Florida climate decided to make its way north, and we aren’t complaining. After a harsh winter and a cold spring, it sure feels good to see the sun shining.

Fishing has been pretty good lately. Some anglers are finding success by staying on productive spots all day, while others are covering water and catching fish in a variety of locations.

There’s no doubt about it—Lake of the Woods is the place to be right now.

The mornings can still be a bit chilly, especially with a one-hour ride across the lake, but the afternoons have been beautiful.

Fish are beginning to move out from their spawning areas and are transitioning to deeper water as they wait for the bugs to hatch. The most productive depths have been 20–28 feet of water. We haven’t seen large numbers of fish move out to the deep mud basins just yet.

A jig and minnow combination continues to be the top producer, but anglers are also catching fish on leeches and crawlers.

Set the Hook!