Category: Catch of the Week

Sportsfans…  Here’s the latest and greatest from Ballard’s Resort on Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods.

First and foremost, the ice fishing season is winding up in the very near future.  Our plan as of today (Tuesday March 08) is to fish through Monday of next week.  All current reservations, those of you planning to fish with us, is for “it’s a go”.

We plan to continue fishing west / Pine and east / Morris as we complete the winter season.  After Monday March 15th we will be pulling our fish houses from the lake and moving on toward spring.

Again, those with reservations within those dates…  Plan to be here…  Set your sights on catching some fish!

This past week was a real roller-coaster.  Example:  Friday night I talked to a couple guys that blanked for the day in their house.  Literally they caught zero!  And then turn the page to Saturday…  Same two guys I talked with again that night…  Boom!  They got their limit of (8) walleye / sauger each.  So go figure…

It’s really been an unpredictable bite.  Some really slow…  And then others so so…  Kinda of a luck of the draw type of thing.

What lies ahead?  River fishing?  Early ice out?

There are so many variables the come into play in a season like this.  Is it going to stay warm…  Is the river going to open soon…  Will the lake be open before the season closes on April 15…  These are all valid questions.  Mother Nature holds the answer.

What we can predict / tell you right now?  There will be plenty of options to fish the river / lake before the season does in fact close on April 15.  This can come in the form of river fishing (by boat), lake fishing (by ATV’s and portables), and then possibly some more lake fishing (by boat).  Lots of options!

After Monday March 14…  Our lodge and cabins and bar will remain open for the balance of the regular fishing season.  Off-season cabin rates will go into effect: $45.00 per night, per person, tax included.

The bar will be open from 4p to close daily.  The restaurant will be open from 4p to close (Thursday’s thru Sunday’s).

So if it’s fishing portables on the lake…  Or maybe even some early ice out river fishing…  Right now, give us a call!

Be sure to check area conditions before you trek north.  Especially concerning the lake as ice conditions change from day to day.

River fishing?  Sounds like it may be open to Birchdale soon?  Again, check with the local resorts or bait shops for updates.

It’s been a fun winter!  Look forward to seeing everyone this weekend!

Set the Hook.

March 2, 2016

Hey sportfans…  Just a couple quick updates for you winter enthusiasts!

First of all, YES, we are still ice fishing.  The cold snap that blistered us this week is still hanging on.  Along with the snow and ice conditions.

More ice fishing ahead…

Based on what we’re seeing in the forecast it appears favorable for us as we move further into the month of March.

Always tough to predict…  But south shore ice fishing should continue at least through these next two weekends for sure, and possibly a third after that.

It’s all mother nature!

If you want to get yourself up to LOW for one final go on the ice…  NOW IS THE TIME!

Our houses are back down on the south shore.  We’re fishing the west end of Pine / east side of Morris.  A short ride out in the Bombardiers.

Fishing wise still lots up UPs and DOWNs.  Saugers dominate the catch.  Most are getting a few for supper and a few to take home.

Really, it’s been more of what we’ve seen across the board throughout our travels on the ice these past 3-4 weeks.

March has it’s up side.  Traditionally better fishing.  Always fun.

More News…  A unique opportunity…

Please forward to anyone you know that might be interested.  Thanks!

We are currently accepting applications for internship or post graduate employment, as the next FISHING GUIDE to join the Ballard’s Team on Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods!  Currently, with one open spot on our roster, you can potentially secure a position with the best of the best in the walleye fishing industry!

Ballard’s Resort is a family owned operation dating back to 1961.  With a fleet of (13) charter boats we run more than (1500) trips per season.  Open water guide dates run from mid-May to late-October.

This is a seasonal position.  Or as we refer to it: DREAM JOB!  There is also the potential to turn this into a full-time year-round profession, as we also provide guided ice fishing services in the winters.  If you or someone you know is interested, please contact us immediately for an application and more info.

Call #218-634-1849, and ask about the FISHING GUIDE position.  Or, email us at info@ballardsresort.com

Set the hook!

Nick and Jessie Anthony, & Gary Moeller

www.BallardsResort.com                   Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods

2/22/16

Round and round we go…  We’re we stop nobody knows…

Hello ice fishing enthusiasts!  And welcome to the weekly cold-blast here on Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods.  Good times!

It’s snowing…  It’s snowing…  It’s cold outside and it’s snowing…

That’s pretty much the theme today, and by the looks of it, more of the same coming in the next fifteen days give or take.  Yes!  More ice fishing ahead!

What’s the latest and greatest here at Ballard’s?  We’re still pullin’ teeth.  Meaning?  Tough bite and we’re going to wear the skids out on those shacks if we keep bumping and moving at the latest fast pace.

I listened in on the guide chatter this morning at coffee, and heard much discussion about “move-move-move”!

Our guides are working every square inch of the flats (south, west, and Nwest of the “nine”).  So that puts us about 8-9 miles offshore.  Saugerville with the occasional walleye.

Boom!  We did have a couple 27’s and a 28 last Friday / Saturday.  Trophy walleyes!  Nice hustle!  Also saw a monster pike come off the west end of Pine.  Yes…  We have a couple pods of huts close to the south shore.  So maybe things will start to kick in?

Surprises…  Not a whole bunch of change in what we’ve been seeing throughout the entire month of FEB.  Overall, a slow bite across the board for most anglers.

The good news is we’re having fun!  Our guides continue to work their butts off in an effort to find more fish!  And most of the folks here are catching enough saugers to have a decent fish fry in the evenings…  So we got that going for us…

What else?  Did you get the mailing on our “MARCH SPECIAL“??

We have the right conditions to go well into next month.  Hoping for a spike in the bite…  Something similar to what we had on the south shore in January.  Crazier things have happened…

Let’s go!  Set the hook!

5/13/15

Hey Sportsfans!  Ready…Set…GO…The green flag dropped and the opener has come and gone.  What a FUN weekend!!  Things were in full gear on Friday night with enthusiastic fishermen ready to test the waters. Good times had by all…man it’s good to be back!

A full fleet of guide boats set sail Saturday morning and scattered about the river and the main lake.  The best bet was in about 22 feet along Pine Island from the Lighthouse Gap to the Morris Point Gap…anchor up and JIG JIG JIG!  With plenty of slot fish and trophy walleyes, it was tough to find some good eaters…but hey, I guess that’s an ok problem to have sometimes!

3/8 oz. jigs have been the weight of choice of the guides…you could go lighter as the current isn’t real strong.  We’ve had a cold, rainy stretch here since the opener but temps are looking up for the latter part of this week.  The water temperature is sitting around 47 degrees.

With warmer air and a bit of sunshine in the forecast, we’re anticipating another great weekend! If you don’t have plans…get up here and…

SET THE HOOK!!