Rainy River

[northerneyes]

Looking to fish the rainy river during the early season for the first time. From the research i've done it seems it gets pretty packed. Any tips/advice for getting away from the crowds? Good boat landings to leave from? I see the season actually opened march 1st, anybody have any reports yet? THanks in advance.

[ccook]

northerneyes,
I've fished the rainy for years now, really no way to avoid the crowds at the landings. The river opens from east to west. some years it opens faster than others and there are numerous landings open which helps traffic. Some years there are a couple open but only one that the bigger boats can launch from do to shoreline ice. what I would say is be prepared by the time you get to the landing. Have your gear and fishing equipment ready to go and plan on being out all day. The fishing is awsome as long as the water stays clean so you'll be in for a treat. Best of luck.

cdemeyes (corey)

[polrbear]

I've been a Rainy regular long before it was cool, back in the mid to late 80's when you would see half a dozen boats all day. Your best bet is to keep it simple. Have a SMALL boat you can easily take on/off a trailer with a couple guys and push up and down a bank and even over 20 or more yards of shore ice. That way you can sometimes avoid the huge lines that will no doubt be at Birchdale or Frontier. There are other ways into the river. Use 1/4 oz jigs if you can get away with it, and if the small rivers break and make the water like chocolate milk..........go home.

[User Name]

The last two posts were right on. This will be my 31st year on the river and the crowds get worse every year. Best advice is the small boat route over the shore ice. If you got a big boat, get up early(4am) and get to the ramp and you still will have a wait. Just be ready to load/unload when your time comes. There will be rigs at every open ramp. Some guys even sleep/camp at the landings. Todays(3-17-09) sat. image shows open water around Manitou Rapids. Should be busy in a week or so if weather stays warm.

[Lippid99]

For a good source of information of the river condition go to www.clementsonresort.com, they post daily once the fishing starts picking up. They will tell you where the ice is and what landings are open. Put new line on because 25+ inch walleyes and 50+ sturgeon are waiting for you!!!!

[owens212004]

Heard a report from the Rainy, It's getting DIRTY

[hnd]

spend the 100 bucks on a lakemaster LOTW /Rainy chip. it has 1' contours of the entire river....stay out of the community holes and find your own holes down river of the community ones....