Rainy Lake

[Bigeye]

Starting to plan our summer trip to the Rainy lake area. We went to Namakan and Kab the last couple of years and the fishin' wasn't so great, so this year we are thinking of going to Rainy Lake. I was wondering if there are any islands that people can camp on like on the other two lakes? If there are some, about how many, and does a person have to worry about not getting one?
Thanks,
Bigeye

[Greg P.]

Bigeye,
There are many island and mainland campsites scattered throughout Rainy Lake. The park service has a map which shows where they are and what amenities they come with (dock, bear lockers, tent pads, etc.) I have stayed at several of them, and they are nice, clean, and usually in a protected area. They are all free.

The campsites are on a first-come-first-served basis, you cannot reserve one. In my experience, I have always been able to find one, even on busy weekends. Make sure you plan adequate time for finding one, some may be filled, and some are hard to locate. And most of all, BE CAREFUL when searching bays and islands, Rainy Lake is very rocky. There are many large boulders in most bays, the water is clear enough to spot them, if you are going slow. Twice I have beached on a boulder, both times going very slow and trying to reverse thrust. No damage, but scary in the middle of a large, uninhabited lake. Aluminum hulls do have a time and place.

Great choice to try Rainy. Personally, it’s my favorite place to fish, beautiful scenery, big walleyes, northerns, smallmouth, crappie, oh yeah!! Rainy can be challenging at times, at other times, you can’t keep the 3-5 lb walleyes off the hook.

I prefer the eastern basin, it’s less crowded, and I enjoy visiting the Kettle Falls Hotel. Marilyn and Rick are great hosts. Your best is to put in at the Ash River Visitor Center, motor 14 miles to Kettle Falls, pay $10 and portage into Rainy. There are many campsites in that area, and you have gas, oil, bait, and a dry roof if you need it. I like to camp a few days, then check into the motel for a day or so.

One thing I highly recommend for your first time motoring (like through the channel to/from Kettle Falls), is to follow in the wake of someone who knows where they are going. It will help keep your blood pressure down, and save time.

If you would like more information send me an e-mail.

Hope this helps,
Greg P.

[FJH1]

I've never been to Rainy Lake but after your post I may have to give it a try - great post!

Best Regards,

FJH

[Greg P.]

I will be heading up there May 26th - 30th. I would be happy to show you around. Walleye fishing that time of the year is great.

Greg P.

[Bigeye]

Thanks for the info Greg, We'll be going sometime in late june early July ( gotta pick some blueberries too, ya know.)
Jeff

[Xplorer]

Greg P.
I will be up on Namakan from 5-25 to 5-29. I have camped there 6-7 times but never did the portage to Rainy. Am planning on trying it once or twice this year tho. I usually camp around McManus island and have been to kettle falls hotel several times for lunch, great food/service! Any other suggestions/words of widsom for that end of Rainy? I have never been down on the east end at all. I have the nav chart for the east end and always take it very easy. I expect to be fishing shallow reefs/island areas. Any info is much appreciated. If you see a green Explorer/30 honda with a springer spaniel on the bow and a blonde lady hauling in fish (the wife always outfishes me on these family camping trips!) stop by and say Hi. I probably won't be going any further west than the blueberry island area. Good luck and ask the weatherman to give us a better weekend than opener. I froze on the St Louis river Sat and Sunday. Xplorer

[Greg P.]

At that time of the year (end of May) I have done well fishing several locations. One spot is the reef that about 500 yard out (north) from Logging Road campsite, I think this is buoy 19. This spot is about 1 mile into Rainy from the river channel that leads to Kettle Falls. We fished the south side of the reef in 20-40 feet of water. Caught many nice walleyes, most of them 18-25” - in the slot limit.

Another spot to try is Boob’s Island, also known as Eagle Island. This spot is about 3 miles west from the channel. We fished all sides of this island. This is a good spot if you like to fish the big lake, and stay somewhat protected. One side of the island is always protected. You may catch more fish on the windy side, but at times I like to get out of the waves and still catch fish. There is a nice shelf on the south east side of the island that averages 20-40ft, this is a great spot to sit for a while.

If you have some travel time, try Windmill Rock, I think it’s buoy 27. This is about 6 miles west from the channel, about a half mile from shore, about 3 miles east of Blueberry island. The shoreline straight south of the island is also good, there is a bay with two prominent points, either point can be good. If the wind is heavy from the south and west, this is a good out of the wind/waves spot.

Blueberry Island can be good also. I have not had great luck there, but I hear about it all the time.

In all these spots, I was able to find schools of baitfish and walleyes on the graph. I typically use a jig and minnow or leech, or a slip bobber with a plain colored hook with a leech or minnow with a crappie nibbler.

The river channel leading in/out of Kettle falls offers plenty of spots, and I have caught fish at several areas. I like the first couple of bends near the opening to the lake. There is a nice sandy weedbed on the left(southwest) side in the little bay just before the open lake, fish 4-6 feet with a leech. Another thing to try is casting large lures into the backwash from the dam, big northerns are always present. These are good spot to stay out of the wind and still catch fish.

There are too many spots to list, but these are the ones I have tried with success during that time of the year. The open water spots were hitting because the walleyes had moved out onto the reefs. If they are still in shallow, you may have to try some other tactics.

There are several campsites on the east side of the lake. Get the park map and check them out.

Hope this helps, and I’ll see you guys there. I should be enjoying a cold beverage at Kettle Falls on Friday, May 26th at around 10:30 am.

[Xplorer]

Greg,
Thanks for the great info, I'm already thinking about the shore-lunch! I have fished the canadian side mainly (Swell and Redgut Bays)in July and had great luck, but am really looking forward to trying the east end. Will checkout the campsites and look at camping there later in the summer as I have two more long camping weekends planned for July and August. See you out there, Xplorer