Rainy Lake - Red Gut Bay

[Gorkbird]

Does anyone know where I can find a good map of Red Gut Bay on Rainy Lake? I have looked around and I can't find anything that is dedicated to this part of the lake. The few Rainy maps I have found don't show much detail for Red Gut. Any help on where to look is greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone was fishing up there this weekend I would love to hear how the fishing was.

[Mike M]

www.fishinghotspots.com. A brand new map of Rainy, including detail of Redgut Bay. Good luck on the water.

[The Great Guide]

The best map for Rainy are the NAV charts. There is a gas/bait store in International Falls that sells them. It is the first station on the right just as you get into I-FAlls. There is a resturant and motel right next to it. I think it's a Mobil station. Anyway it's the first one. Stop there and they have a selection of maps for the entire Rainy. The cost about $20, but have every detail and hazard of the lake. When are you going? Let me know and I will reveal some Great Guide hot spots.

[Gorkbird]

Thanks for the info. I went ahead and ordered the Fishin Hot Spots map, but you can never have enough maps. I will be up there in two weeks. Any thoughts on where and what to fish are most welcome and appreciated.

[REW]

Although you have ordered the hot spots map, I would still get the map mentioned by the great guide. Because of the hazards involved with the navigation on this lake, the map mentioned above might save your lower unit. Although the hot spots map is ok, it doesn't have the accuracy and some of the detail as the other map.

Take care

REW

[The Great Guide]

Great Guide Hot Spots for Red Gut.

1. Proters Inlet - The narrows at the entry. You will see a restricted area fish sign. Fish the narrows and the two bays on the southwest side. That would be on your left as you approach the narrows. Run some crank baits around the bays. Nice fish can be had on the cranks. I also pull spinners and minnows or crawlers with good success. Also, don't overlook the point off of the first bay. There is a nice reef just off the tip that holds fish. Bonus- The narrows can hold some super-sized crappies. If they are headed into Porters, this can be some big time fun. Use 1/8 jigs suspended 3 to 4 feet off the bottom and drift.

2. Peary Straights - Good place to jig. Also, follow the straights into the bays.

3. Red Pine Narrows

4. Gull Island

5. Crooked Straights - Once again there is a sign for restricted fishing. Work the shoreline on the right as you approach the sign. The W's will either be here or not. So don't spend too much time.

6. Spawn Inlet.

These spots will get you all over Red Gut. Look for the other boats and mark the locations. Then go back and fish some of those spots.

Where are you staying? If you are in Bear Pass. Then you have easy access to Swell and Seine Bays which have some great spots.

In two weeks, you should be arriving just about the beginning of Smallmouth prime time. Don't overlook the smallmouth they are fun. Rainy Walleyes are used to deep water so don't be afraid to fish depths of 30 to 35 feet. In my experience, this is the error most fisherman make when fishing Rainy. So start shallow and move deep if you have to.

TGG

PS. REW is right.

[Mickey]

I will be at Coppen's Resort, mid July,what would be the best map for navigation/hazard warnings & of course fishing "hot spots".I'm taking 2 kids with so I could use the advice of someone who has been there to avoid unproductive water, and to save my motor!! THANKS FOR THE HELP!!! Mickey

[Gorkbird]

Thanks for the information. I am planning on getting the NAV map as well. I will be fishing walleye, but will probably spend some time looking for smallmouth as well. I'll let you know how it goes.

GB