Rainy River report

Sorry no pics, just a measurement. There is lots of fish in this system over 30 inches, biggest has been 34inches last year....the 36er was 8 years ago.....did anyone hear about the 7ft. Sturgeon caught last fall?

And, Carl who wrote me the email....can u call me tonite if you see this, if not call tomorrow @2pm.
807-482-9966, I have a few maps of the Rainy River and I know for a fact you cannot buy these anywhere, they were made special for the "Emo Walleye Classic" walleye tournament.

Just got back in from a few hours of fishing down at Long Sault Rapids right across from Franz Jevni Park, caught a 14lber......was a blast, my biggest fish of the year so far. He hit a white/red salt tube with a green chartreuse jig. We used minnows and caught a few small ones for the table...plastics are the way to go for the big ones or cranks.
The river was drastically going down but it seems to have slowed down now, you can see it on the website for the international bridge here http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mn/nwis/uv...cd=00065,00060

[hnd]

harvey, what would a guy have to do to get a peak at those river maps?

I actually went and seen the woman who takes care of the tournament to see how many maps she had left, she gave me the last one. The map doesn't show water depths, it really shows the route a person should take on this river...very valuable information, especially when the water is low. The guy that was suppose to be here this morning from Iowa, is not here.

[gowrlop]

Harvey
I just got from a week long trip to the Rainy and lake of the Woods. The lake was good on the days we could get out there. I fished Frans Jevni in the driving rain for a couple days. We caught many nice fish but no 14 pounder, great fish. 28 incher was the biggest from that spot for me. I also caught a very fat 29 incher just down stream from the Frontier ramp earlier in teh week. The low flow and lack of shinners in the river really slowed the bite. It looks like the current is rising the the water temps are dropping, wish i was on my way up today.
When you fish the Franz Jenvi do you fish the Canadian side or the American? I like the Canadian side better if there are no other boats there. Thanks for your updates.

The fishing has slowed yes in Long Sault and Manitou Rapids but not in between, they are on the flats. I been drifting 7ft of water and catching them left and right, I also been trolling jigs/salted tubes....this has been working awesome.
I fish the Canadian side of Long Sault mostly but will venture over to the American side if there isn't to many boats there.
Yesterday the big gurls were out to play again, it's always after a front goes by.....they big ones start hitting and you can't buy one for the frying pan.

[ManitouBass]

Anyone planning on doing some hard water this season near Manitou? If so and you want some company, let me know. I'm always game to fish this area, the fishing is unreal.

Can't wait to get home and get out with you again Harv, go find those cowbeenas, lol

[ManitouBass]

A quick update...

We did asweome this fall, caught numerous 10lbers, and tons of eater. Used a few different approaches, anchoring, drifting etc, and all techniques worked. We caught fish on various baits, but simple jig/minnow combos worked the best.

Last day on the water was early november.

I went out on the ice two weeks ago, only about 4inches at that time. I'm told it's now about 6-8 inches, but because of the heavy current, the ice thickness varies. Be careful!

Although I haven't been out just yet, a few locals have said the bite is on in manitou

[ManitouBass]

There is at least 10 inches of ice now on the heavier current areas near manitou. All good to go.

I'll be out this weekend, so i'll give a good report.

One of my buddies has been out a few times and caught some nice eyes in the 23-27" range, as well as some 17" eaters

How is the snow depth up there compared to last couple years? I'm a little nervous based off how much snow we have here in western Mn. I'm wondering if the river will turn muddy this year and loose a spring of fishing. We've been pretty lucky for a few years now. Last year was the best year of fishing on big fish in the 11 yrs we have been fishing the annual spring run. We have high hopes again for this year!