Walleye and Sturgeon Fishing This Spring

[MWard4400]

There again if you are the first person in that spot you are welcome to fish in any manor you wish, it is first come first serve.

If there are other boats in an area that are drifting, don't be the one that throws an anchor out, you will be looked at poorly.

[TMF89]

Alright so that brings me back to my question of where exactly to drift? Pretty much down the center channel or what?

[ANYFISH2]

Seriously, Drift on the MN side of the river (if you don't have all the required Ontario stuff) from the center to the shore. Really, the walleye will be anywhere on any given day within the river.

I usually start the hunt at the head of deep holes, inside and ouside edges of points. I have however had some of my best fishing on flat 8-9 ft runs between deep holes.

If you are still wondering when you get up there, fish by the floatilla's that are already started, that will give you a starting point. If the bite is on you shouldn't have a problem catching them. I hope this helps!

[TMF89]

Sounds good. Sorry guys, I've just never actually fished a main river for eyes before, most of my river experience has been on the Mississippi, where the main river is really deep and most fishing is done in side channels and stuff like that. So the depth of river won't ever be very deep? Upper-teens/lower 20s? Around Birchdale/Vadnis and the areas fished for early walleyes?

[ANYFISH2]

Most of the river is between 10-20ft deep. There is some water deeper and a few streches that are shallow(between Birchdale and frontier). And of course this varies with water level, this year there may be a few areas that are potential hazzards if water levels remain very low. If you can get a LM chip it will give you all you need to know as far as depths.

Good luck to you this spring, sounds like your first time, if you hit it right your in for a treat, also my be suprised to fish walleye in groups like spring crappie fishing! At times it feels like you could jump boat to boat to get to shore and never get wet!

[Icedemon2012]

TMF89 that sturgeon was 61 inches. Just like what MAXPOWER117 said, TMF89 you are overthinking. This is my plan for the Rainy, I show up at the landing in the morning with my trolling batteries fully charged, launch the boat, park the truck, decide if I want to go up or down river, turn on the GPS, and game on. You have to keep it simple, because someone or some crowd will be in your spot you want.

[Trout26]

I have never been up to rainy river before and me and a buddy are coming up april 20-22. I see the border is in the middle of the river do you guys buy a canadian fishing license too or is the river big enough where you have plenty of room on our side of the river? Is that going to be a good time to go up there and catch a sturgeon or two? And with the weather being this warm already whats the chance of the lake being opened up? Thanks for the advice.

[brakedancer]

lots of room on the U.S. side but make sure you stay on our side otherwise it can be very very costly..

[maxpower117]

Illegal to fish sturgeon in Ontario no matter who you are.

[Trout26]

Man if that isnt the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Thanks for letting me know. I will be making sure I stay on the south side for sure.