The million dollar question

[Guest]

I have heard when the fish are going, it is best to be able to drop everything and get up there on short notice. I unfortunatly do not have that option. I am wanting to take a Thursday and Friday off and basically need to plan for vacation days now. I know no one can predict for sure, but with many rainy river vets looking at this forum and my situation, what weekend should I go. (Easter weekend is out, wife would kill me) I was up for the first time last year the end of march and did not do very well. Hoping for some opinion, thanks,

[Zippy]

April 5th and 6th. Hopefully Goldilocks conditions for you. Not too early, not too late, just right.

[JacobG]

Rocky, for the past 5 years or so we have dropped everything and went. We fish sturgeon but doesnt matter, drop everything and go, as far as work goes, you are sick, bad like! stubbed toe, bruised splean, something contagious! As far as the family goes, they will understand, earier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Just watch the post and the dock cams, you actually can have about a weeks notice at times. But the fact is, its best to drop everything and go. Ive been there when all you here is, "shouldve been here two days ago, or even yesterday was good" ugh! that kills me! If the forks blow out, its all over for several days or a week or more. I wouldnt plan a set date, but rather leave yourself a two week window. BTW i always plan on the last week of march first of april but every year is different.

Also just read that there is open water to mile marker 179 so prolly be fishing birchdale within the next 7-10 days if the weather holds true

[harvey lee]

Last year, we did very well the 1st weekend of April, thats typically the weekend we go. Made reservations for April 11th through the 14th this year as we want to get into a few more sturgeon also.

[Guest]

Harvey, if u don't mind me asking, what landing did you go out of last year

[harvey lee]

Frontier, Birchdale and Vidas. Used them all, one each day.

[JacobG]

Last year was a little different tho, last year we were fishing four mile bay and lake of the woods on March 15th! the lake was open for quite a ways by this date. There was a full week of 50+ degree weather last year with several consecutive days in the 70s. Hard to compare last year to any year I have ever been up there. But I would agree with Harvey, the first week of april is a safe bet, but I still think we will be fishing by mid march in frontier or clementson, but who knows. Just have to keep watching the reports.

[harvey lee]

Yes, it's a hard guess to make this time of year but I would agree the 1st part of April should be safe.

I have seen on the gap where I went up sturgeon fishing on the 18th of April and it was still frozen in front of Schuester's resort but opened up the next day.

One never knows.

[maxpower117]

I'm gonna guess that Birchdale is launching big boats no earlier than April 7th.

I'm comparing this to '07 and '08 with similar weather. Both of those years the ice didn't clear from Vidas and only launched over ice at Frontier.

[maxpower117]

Quote:

Also just read that there is open water to mile marker 179 so prolly be fishing birchdale within the next 7-10 days if the weather holds true

I hope you're joking. I believe there is alot of open water, but the forecast shows that we will still be making ice, not losing it.

[JacobG]

birchdale has a lot of moving water just up river from the landing. Ok so the weather didnt hold true and set us back for a few days, but It wont be long at all the fast moving water in the birchdale area eats up ice very fast. small boats access from from here around the 15th every year, so Im still gonna guess, and im only guessing maxpower that it will still be open by or around the 15th.

[Fish Head]

I might just drive up there now and wait at the landing until it opens.

[CANOPY SAM]

Me too.

[wetaline1]

I hope you're joking. I believe there is alot of open water, but the forecast shows that we will still be making ice, not losing it.

I walked out my front door this afternoon and drops of water were falling off the roof of my house! It was the craziest thing; the temp was only 27 degrees!

It's crazy how fast it opens up, gettin anxious!

[maxpower117]

I walked out my front door this afternoon and drops of water were falling off the roof of my house! It was the craziest thing; the temp was only 27 degrees!

It's crazy how fast it opens up, gettin anxious!

When the sun it out its gonna melt some snow, especially on a dark roof.

I still say no large boats in a Birchdale before 4/7

[TruthWalleyes]

I'll be there 4/12.

[firefish_12]

Does anyone have a link to the river access going east to west???

[IASteve]

Is this what you're looking for?

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/baudette/rainy_river_2012_final.pdf

Scroll down to page 2

[Fish Head]

I still say no large boats in a Birchdale before 4/7

I hope you're wrong. I can't wait that long. The itch is getting bad, I need to go fishing.

[PropsterII]

I've heard the same thing, that by the time you hear they are going good, by the time you get up there it's probably on the way down or over. What is the trigger that shuts things down? Is it when the Big Fork and Little Fork rivers start dumping their high runoff in and the Rainy turns muddy? If that is a big part of it, does it seem likely that may be delayed a bit this year? And does fishing then become difficult or do the fish actually leave the river? We can only go April 12-14 - if guys find decent fishing the first few days of April can it last for 10-12 days or traditionally it just doesn't? Appreciate any advice you all might have.

[walleye977]

The answer to your questions: Walleyes will not spawn this year, heard there taking a year off from the rainy and heading into canada waters to spawn.. I'd just stay home not really worth the gas money.

[ANYFISH2]

I've heard the same thing, that by the time you hear they are going good, by the time you get up there it's probably on the way down or over. What is the trigger that shuts things down? Is it when the Big Fork and Little Fork rivers start dumping their high runoff in and the Rainy turns muddy? If that is a big part of it, does it seem likely that may be delayed a bit this year? And does fishing then become difficult or do the fish actually leave the river? We can only go April 12-14 - if guys find decent fishing the first few days of April can it last for 10-12 days or traditionally it just doesn't? Appreciate any advice you all might have.

What shuts the river down?- My opinion would be 1) The forks busting loose. 2). heavy spring rain. 3.) large increase of flow from International falls Dam.

All three of those can and will MUDDY up the river. When it gets to be chocolate milk the bite is TOUGH to say the least.

In my opinion,in a "normal" year, once theopen water reaches frontier the river has 7-10 days left until one of the variables muddy the river. Now some years it a day some years it dosen't muddy at all. Cross your fingers and have fun when you go.

[PropsterII]

Anyfish2, I appreciate your reply, that's exactly the type of general info I was hoping for. It gives me an idea what's going on and the timing of it all. I didn't think my questions were all that unreasonable, but I understand not everyone is capable of a reasoned response.

[Guest]

Starting to think I may have to go the second weekend of April instead of the firs weekend with the cold weather that is still forecasted for next week. Any opinions?

[jason1lane]

Huh the weather i looked at is perdicting 40s. till friday

[anchor man]

Here's what I show for the week..I like it

Mon

Mar 25

33°

8°

34°

13°

38°

15°

42°

18°

42°

21°

42°

25°

39°

26°

42°

32°

[JacobG]

With Most days nice and sunny as well! If the sun is shining it goes fast. I have a feeling the next week will make a ton of progress. wouldn't be surprised if Birchdale, Franz javne and Frontier all open within days of each other. Lets hope so. On days off til the 7th so Im looking good for getting up there!

[iceman16]

im hoping that high sun and warm weather eats that ice fast. im off starting fridat for two weeks and need some river therapy!!!!

iceman

[maxpower117]

I'm gonna guess that Birchdale is launching big boats no earlier than April 7th.

I'm comparing this to '07 and '08 with similar weather. Both of those years the ice didn't clear from Vidas and only launched over ice at Frontier.

I'm gonna say I am only off by a couple days.