Rainy River in Spring

[Bwana]

I'm planning on making a trek to the Rainy River by Th Lake of The Woods over Easter Vacation. Have any of you folks been up there for the walleye run? What works? How's the pressure? Gear recommendations? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

[The Eye Doctor]

The secret to the rainy is to just go. There will be a lot of boats. There will be a lot of headaches, but their are a ton of walleys. Realize that you will not be bringing home a bunch to eat, do to the new limits, but your chances of catching a 8 pound plus fish are excellent. I would suggest doing what most everyone else does. Vertical jig with minnows. Subtle twists in this presentation usually account for big fish days. I will give you a hint, think Northland whistler jigs, and think buckshot jigs, and think orange. These jigs have produced huge days on the river when few other fisherman could catch fish. Also, I would suggest getting on your computer and linking up with a resort in Baudette of International Falls, so you can keep an idea of ice conditions. Good luck, and if you go, I will see you on the river, I will be the guy who is slamming em'

[RAKO-AL]

>I'm planning on making a trek
>to the Rainy River by
>Th Lake of The Woods
>over Easter Vacation. Have
>any of you folks been
>up there for the walleye
>run? What works?
>How's the pressure? Gear
>recommendations? Any info would
>be appreciated. Thanks

[RAKO-AL]

Sorry about the previous message....
I have a cabin up by the Rainy river and I go up there in the spring and the fall for the Walleye "frenzie". You better call and make reservations at a resort. Royal Dutchman Resort is on the river, Cleminson Resort, Lucky Baits Country Bunk Inns and Baudette Motel. If you have any other questions I am here to help you.

[Matt McKain]

Isn't Easter late this year? The Rainy closes April 15 until the second Sat. in May

[KnottyBuoy]

Really late........like the 23rd of April...

[Brian/MN]

Spring on the Rainy River is totally a timing thing. If you get there right after the river opens up, but before the runoff hits, the fishing is incredible. Miss it by one or two days, and it's miserable. Last year was my first time up. We went up on March 25th and had 3 awesome days of fishing. The river was low and clear, the walleyes were stacked like cordwood in every outside bend of the river, and we caught more fish over six pounds than I'd ever seen in my life. Right after that, one of the guys I was with turned around and went right back up and his second trip was a disaster. The river was like chocolate milk and fishing was next to impossible.

Another thing to keep in mind - when the fishing is at it's best, there is usually shore ice. We dumped my ProV off the trailer with the back end hanging three feet over the water's surface. That night it took 5 guys to get it back on the trailer. A guy with a brand new Champion and a bunk trailer ended driving his boat up on the ice and laying it over on it's side for the night. Best advice is to bring a simple, light boat that you're not too concerned about.

A basic 16 footer with floorboards, 3 swivel seats, a 25 hp motor, a basic depth finder like a vexilar and a good transom mount electric would be about the best boat to have up there when there's shore ice. That way you and your buddies can drag it up onto the ice and winch it onto the trailer.

[Mark Krenik]

I'm 27 been fishing the Rainy in the Spring for 10 Years. Check the reports get to the Rainy when the water temp is in the 38 degree range. 10 years of 2 trips a year has taught me this... The rest does not matter. A friend of mine said it best to a first timer that just arrived after we caught almost 175 fish in one day over 100 were over 20" on a counter. "any place any color when there're running" 38 degrees they start running hard....

[walleye magnet]

what ever you do stopp and check out the wigwam good music and lots of fun .

[BAM BAM]

>what ever you do stopp and
>check out the wigwam good
>music and lots of fun
>.WALLEYE MAGNET YOU MUST BE FROM THE WIGWAM RES. IM ONE OF THE GUYS THAT SHOWS UP AT THE RESORT RIGHT AS THE ICE ON THE RIVER IS GOING OUT. IF YOU GET THIS MES. PRETTY QUICK I NEED TO KNOW HOW THE RIVER ICE IS DOING.

[The Great Guide]

Good post. I doubt if there will be much runoff this year because there is no snowpack. So unless we get a lot of precipitation in the next two week the river could stay good for most of the season.

[Artie]

>Spring on the Rainy River is
>totally a timing thing.
>If you get there right
>after the river opens up,
>but before the runoff hits,
>the fishing is incredible.
>Miss it by one or
>two days, and it's miserable.
> Last year was my
>first time up. We
>went up on March 25th
>and had 3 awesome days
>of fishing. The river
>was low and clear, the
>walleyes were stacked like cordwood
>in every outside bend of
>the river, and we caught
>more fish over six pounds
>than I'd ever seen in
>my life. Right after
>that, one of the guys
>I was with turned around
>and went right back up
>and his second trip was
>a disaster. The river
>was like chocolate milk and
>fishing was next to impossible.
>
"Been there done that" last year we planned a big trip and ended up 1 day late of 100+ fish days. A long story short- WE CAUGHT NOTHING! Good Luck!