where to stay.

[NKLCOLT1911]

i am heading up to the rainy for the spring sturgeon run and am wondering where to stay, i have a few ideas from friends but was wondering whats out there and some positive or negitive feedback thanks.

[fishuhalik]

I've always stayed at the Dutchman. Stayed at Wigwam once & it was fine. All those resorts are good, just make sure you reserve a slip so you don't have to launch every morning

[NKLCOLT1911]

cool thanks.

[NKLCOLT1911]

im surprised with a 198 views i didnt even get the classic"have you tried using the search bar" response that is so common on here

[BartmanMN]

Baudette Motel is where I usually stay. Depends how far East you would like to fish every day. The Royal dutchman is further east and will save you on Daily gas expense if you are fishing down that way everyday.

[maxpower117]

You can camp at Franz Jevne and Nelson park. That's what I'd do if fishing near Brichdale.

If you're by Wheeler's Point, I prefer River Bend Resort. But everyone has an opinion about where to stay in that area.

[NAMASafetyDirector]

I would reccomend Bayview resort. Boat launch right there and nice clean quiet and affordable accomodations right on the river.

[NKLCOLT1911]

You can camp at Franz Jevne and Nelson park. That's what I'd do if fishing near Brichdale.

If you're by Wheeler's Point, I prefer River Bend Resort. But everyone has an opinion about where to stay in that area.

the time of year ill be up there camping isint really an option, after a possible long wet cold day on the water the last thing i want to do is sleep in a cold tent, i will check all these other places out thanks.

[NKLCOLT1911]

also the closer to the lake the better

[DTro]

Not a whole lot separating the resorts along the river.  Most are what you would find at an older fishing resort region where fishing is the main draw.  As far as I know you won’t find 5 star accommodations in the area.  But you WILL find friendly people and good service.   I’ve stayed at Wigwam and Schusters (new name now I think).   I had good experiences at both places and would stay at either again.    One thing to consider if you are heading up Sturgeon fishing (during walleye closed season) is that its entirely possible you might not be able to even get on the lake and will be forced to launch quite a ways upstream to fish.   Honestly you can’t go wrong with whatever place you choose.    There is a reason you won’t find much difference in pricing from place to place.  They are all very comparable.   One thing I liked about Sportsmans in being able to watch people fish while I ate breakfast. 

[NKLCOLT1911]

Not a whole lot separating the resorts along the river.  Most are what you would find at an older fishing resort region where fishing is the main draw.  As far as I know you won’t find 5 star accommodations in the area.  But you WILL find friendly people and good service.   I’ve stayed at Wigwam and Schusters (new name now I think).   I had good experiences at both places and would stay at either again.    One thing to consider if you are heading up Sturgeon fishing (during walleye closed season) is that its entirely possible you might not be able to even get on the lake and will be forced to launch quite a ways upstream to fish.   Honestly you can’t go wrong with whatever place you choose.    There is a reason you won’t find much difference in pricing from place to place.  They are all very comparable.   One thing I liked about Sportsmans in being able to watch people fish while I ate breakfast. 

why would i not be able to get on the lake.

[DTro]

I guess you need to do some more research grasshopper.

[TruthWalleyes]

2013 was a very late thaw and people were ice fishing while we were fighting the icebergs on the rainy river. That's DTRO's comment about not being able to fish the lake.

People do camp at franz jevne and other landings like birchdale when it's freezing out...They've got ballz, but there are tents every year.

The later into april you go the more likely the lake is open. SHoot, 2012 was a very early thaw and my trip was scheduled too late.

With any luck, i might have a lodge open up there by 2015's season. We'll see.

Many people trailer their boats to get to the bite that time of the year. Great time of the year. I hope i'm up there to enjoy it next spring.

[TruthWalleyes]

I guess you need to do some more research grasshopper.

Should i bring my extension?

[NKLCOLT1911]

I guess you need to do some more research grasshopper.

thats what im trying to do

[DTro]

Best bite is almost always just as the ice has gone off, but can be tricky to time because that also means spring thaws that could have the river fast and dirty. Nearly impossible to plan that 6 months in advance. I think we've been up there now 2 or 3 times and the lake was completely locked up which meant driving about 20 miles round trip each day to the nearest open launch.

So many weather related factors in the spring that we just finally conceded to have an open schedule from now on and hit the road when the conditions are perfect.

This year we canceled our original weekend and moved it out a week and instead of a frozen lake and freezing temps, we were rewarded with warm temps, calm winds and more big fish than i could have imagined.

[NKLCOLT1911]

not sure how my work would feel about a short notice vacation, how was the boat traffic on the weekends up there.

[TruthWalleyes]

not sure how my work would feel about a short notice vacation, how was the boat traffic on the weekends up there.

LOL. Like nothing you have ever seen!

Landings can be backed up to 1.5 miles at times.

It gets busy and then dies after walleye closes.

[NKLCOLT1911]

LOL. Like nothing you have ever seen!

Landings can be backed up to 1.5 miles at times.

It gets busy and then dies after walleye closes.

i havent been up there in many years but the last time i was there you could fish all weekend and see about 20 boats, this was before the craze, when does walleye season close up there, i thought it was april 15 but could be wrong

[WalleyeVision]

There are a lot of resorts along the Rainy River. The best choice depends on whether you are looking for a bigger full service resort or a quiet smaller resort and where you want to be on the river.

I live up on Lake of the Woods and work directly with most of the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods resorts. The sturgeon are really biting based on feedback from the resorts this weekend.

I know the resorts pretty well, so if you want to private message me I can help match you up with what you're specifically looking for as well.