Rainy Lake August

[Pete Sorensen]

Going to Rainy Lake week of August 12th. Never been there any info would be appreciated. We will be staying on Houseboat and taking our own boats.
Are there more detailed maps available (depth contour, etc.) other than the IMS CD? Again I would appreciate any help and may your days be filled with good fishing and no wind.

[Greg P.]

Houseboating? That's a lot of fun. I have done it several times.

Walleyes can be deep on Rainy during August. I have found them at 30-50 feet. Find and fish some of the mid lake reefs. Use your graph to locate them, and drop a jig down, or a slip bobeber with a leech or minnow. I have also caught some nice fish in the channel leading into Kettle Falls. Be careful when motoring in the channel.

I often fish several spots in the Brule Narrows. That can be nice to fish if it is windy. I like the entrace to the narrows area if you are approaching from the west.

I have also caught a lot of saugers in the deep water outside of any bay that has a sandy/gravel shore. You should be able to catch northerns in any shallow, weedy bay.

I have found in August the walleyes can be impossible to catch one day, and jumping in the boat the next, at the same spot. Weather fronts have a large impact on them.

Another approach is to troll outside the shorelines with your favorite crank baits in the evening. Even though your depth below the boat may be anywhere from 10-100 feet, stay about 20-100 yards from shore. The walleyes will be chasing the schools of baitfish that suspend out from shore. Although I have never tried this, a local gave me this tip and I can't wait to try it. He claimed that is how to get the Rainy monster walleyes in late summer.

Hope this helps.
Greg P.

[Pete Sorensen]

To Greg P,
Thanks for the info. If you ever come to Nebraska fishing let me know..

[Xplorer]

Pete,
Although not a rainy veteran, I have fished it about a half dozen times the past two years. I found the best lake maps were the actual navigational charts for the lake. Depending on what part of the lake you plan to fish you may need only 1, but more likely 2-3. I got mine from Outdoorsmans Headquarters in International Falls, their # is 218-283-9337. Two maps will go from the Falls east to about saginaw bay. If I recall, the maps were about $10 each, a whole lot cheaper than a new lower unit. Lots of rocks/reefs that can come up out of nowhere very quickly. I would ditto Greg's info, fish will be fairly deep. I usually go up in mid-July and fish 20-30'. We usually do better in the areas (reefs/islands) that the wind has been blowing into for the last few days. Give the trolling thing a try, I have heard the same thing from a friend who used to guide on the lake. I will be camping on Namakan Lake, which flows into Rainy, from 8-10 to 8-13. Planning on portaging over to fish Rainy at least once, more if the bites hot. Will probably stay at the far east end, Kettle Falls to blueberry island. I'll be in a green lund explorer/30 honda, with a springer and a cute blonde (family trip). Stop by and say hi if your down that far. Enjoy yourselves, it should be a great trip! Xplorer