Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Rainy Open?


Recommended Posts

I am planning to come up to the River March 22nd. It should be open by then right?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 60
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Sandee

    26

  • gofishingtom

    8

  • Fallsguy

    3

  • Beckman

    2

I am planning on the same weekend. As long as the county clears the ramp and the weather warms a bit we may be OK. Maybe Pelland will be an alternative.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pelland would be fine then I caught plenty there a few years ago. If anyone konws if the Pelland ramp is open that'd be fine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Will check and see what we can find out. Planning a trip middle of next week to see the river.

I have heard the fishing is fairly good at the Pelland area, it could be an alternative.

International Falls Chamber of Commerce should have information on the condition of the Pelland and Falls ramps. 800-325-5766

------------------
www.clementsonresort.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey fallsguy,rud and sandie. Last Oct, 3rd weekend, My bud emil and I hammerd wallys with a foam walker, made by the same guy, bruce mosher, who makes the ice buster buster bobber. Its a bottom bouncing rig made of the same foam with a inter changable weight to fit current needs, the foam never tips over so your rig is always in the fish zone even if you put rod down when nature calls. If the fork rivers go out and you cant keep a jig on the bottom, Id suggest this rig. When Emil and myself were up there, the jig bite was slow, and we out fished our jig method 3-1 with the walker. Ill be up there March 30th out of frontier, with a cache of these little babbies. You should be able to research this at www.icebusterbobber.com Check it out. Good luck this spring. hootie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just checked the Baudette weather... 44 degrees! Hopefully this will keep up for a week and we can have some serious meltage going on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

coming up 21st to fish river hopefully.Looks like the weather has turned a bit heard it was 43 degrees up there on tuesday and looking like 30's rest of week we have our fingers crossed that landing will be open on the 21st. everybody pray for nice weather to continue so river can open back up!!!!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sandee,
Tell me the ice is still covering the Big Fork right out to the mouth, then meeting open water on the Rainy. You have the power to make me lose sleep for the next several nights.
I called the phone number you gave me in the falls, but they never got back to me. I guess I'll try em' again soon.
Drive safe - thanks for the info...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would think that the Fork rivers opening up really won't be as much of a factor this year as they were last. There is very little snowpack up there so it won't be a flooded Big Fork flowing into the Rainy mucking things up like it did so bad last year. Maybe Sandee could offer some more insight into what affects river clarity.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hopefully the Big and Little Forks won't open until the 15th of April! We are going to check the river today since we did have wonderfully warm melting weather yesterday. And that was with no sunshine! More melting again today after an early dusting of snow this morning.

We need a slow melt, not too fast to keep the "feeder" rivers and the Rainy River Basin from getting too fast of a run off. This is what will deteriorate the clarity of the river, excess water into the Rainy and stronger currents.

As far as the last snow fall - we did not have much on the ground so this last 6 to 7" should not be too much of a factor. Actually, it is rain that causes more problems with run-off.

Stay tuned . . .

------------------
www.clementsonresort.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Open meaning at first with shore-ice pushing boats over the shore ice. As soon as you have people going in over shore-ice this helps break it up and then the county will clean the ramps even sooner, so that you can launch with trailers.

We are "hopeful" for the weekend of the 22nd now after looking at the river today. There are lots of big open holes from Franz Jevnue up river to past Indus. Being a "second" opening, it can open faster than the original.

We are posting here information that will be helpful to those trying to plan a trip.

I would suggest planning a later date if you want to trailer your boat into the river. Say the weekend of the 29th or there after.

Weather factors into this - 20's to 40's during the day and double digit overnight temps will melt the ice. Single digit overnight temps will slow the overnight melt. You want a slow melt, to prevent excess run off.

We are re-checking the river Friday the 15th to see how fast/slow the river is opening.

Hope this helps. smile.gif

------------------
www.clementsonresort.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I see some references to birchdale being 'open' by the 23rd. Is this possible, I thought they were ice fishing at birchdale last week.?.? When you guys talk of open, are you still looking at pushing boats off ice or driving them in? This beautiful March weather is making havoc out of trying to plan a trip with guys from 3 states.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

River had not opened much since we checked on Wednesday. The open areas are bigger with a few more to count. Looking at anywhere from 7 to 10 days to open at Birchdale??

Pelland access update: Mother nature is the one responsible for the ramp. Will be talking with the county to see if they plan on any maintenance at that ramp.

We have anglers planning to go over shore ice at Franz Jevnue tomorrow. We will let you know.

------------------
www.clementsonresort.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am having to come on the 22nd and I need to have some fishing prospects in order for people to come with me. Wether its in Pelland or Birchdale doesn't matter to me. Even if we have to ice fish. I just need to know if it'll be possible to fish next weekend (22-24), and how. If there is a way to rent a boat somewhere next week and get in in the water somehow that would be ideal. If Pelland is open and I have to bring my own boat and the weather is cooperative I'd do that too. Any help would be appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Falls guy.
If you can't get on the river there's always big LOW. The gap can be really good this time of year for walleyes, and you can keep more than two walleyes.
Sandee, whats the water level like this spring? Is there much of a snowpack to melt up on Rainy Lake that will cause the river to come up?
I'm not really concerned about getting a boat in at the Big Fork River landing. I like to stand on the ice of the big fork and fish the open water on the Rainy. Can usually count on a couple nice Pike there. Is the Big Fork low this year like previous years? If it is, the ice usually just lays on the bottom, and I think it takes a little longer to go out then. Is there much snow in Pine Island Nat'l? I think that plays a big role in how the spring rivers look as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Level at the Manitou has increased 1 1/2' since last Sunday. Although looking at the last picture we took of Franz Jevnue, you can see shelf-ice on the Canadian shore, showing the lower level. There is 12" -15" of snow on the south side of the basin. Our area has 4" to 8" of snow. With the forecast it doesn't appear to be a fast melt, which should keep the level somewhat consistant.

It appears the Big Fork is on the "low" side of the 'mean' for water flow.

Fallsguy: Canopy Sam is correct about fishing the gap if open water is not an option, and yes they do have a "generous limit" of 14 (6-walleye), unlike the river at this time of year.

I have been told that the Pelland ramp opens by the hand of "mother nature" and not the county. Although, when the river opens at Birchdale, Frontier and Vidas, the county will be cleaning ramp ice off.

smile.gif It's melting nice today with a temperature of 38 degrees as I post.

------------------
www.clementsonresort.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

FRANZ JEVNUE looking for info if they will clear this ramp off to get boats in by thurs of next week? will this ramp be first cleared if weather cooperates and river opens more inthe next two or 3 days. need help or is ramp one of the ramps they will not clear and only let mother nature clear or will they break up shore ice if they can???

Link to comment
Share on other sites

FRANZ JEVNUE landing need help will this landing be the first to be cleared if weather cooperates the next few days we have plans on coming up on next thurs need to know if i need to change plans would rather fish this coming thurs due to easter weekend next week but if boats cant get into river at this landing because they wont clear it need to cancel plans. would rather fish in boat than on ice. is this a ramp that they will clear first or wont they clear this ramp and let it clear off naturally?????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

FRANZ JEVNUE landing need help will this landing be the first to be cleared if weather cooperates the next few days we have plans on coming up on next thurs need to know if i need to change plans would rather fish this coming thurs due to easter weekend next week but if boats cant get into river at this landing because they wont clear it need to cancel plans. would rather fish in boat than on ice. is this a ramp that they will clear first or wont they clear this ramp and let it clear off naturally?????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

need to know if weather cooperates will they clear off FRANZ JEVNUE ramp off we are planning on coming up next friday but if ramp wont be open we need to make other plans is this one of the ramps that they will clear off or will they only let mother nature clear it off????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OOPS!!!! computer was acting up didnt think my messages were posting sorry about all the repeat post!!!!!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can't say forsure if the landing has changed or not but it was a canoe access or carry-in a couple years ago. No boat trailers! In fact it had quite a steep bank maybe 25-40 yards from truck to water. 3 years ago we rode our boat like a sled to get into open water. I was planning for thurs also but I think were going to push back a week. have found fishing really doesn't heat up till the water does. I have never really pounded the fish untill dday before to 3 days after frontier opens up. Hope this helps. Again Franze Jevne could have been redesigned and I didn't know it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've never seen them clean the ramp at Franz Jevnue once the river opens there. Usually it is not long before it is opened at Birchdale and that is the first ramp that will be cleaned off by the county.

Franz Jevnue is used by the "early" anglers, sometimes with good results. Yesterday there was a good current, although the flow has dropped since yesterday. Marked fish, but no fish caught. They fished about 2 hours in the afternoon.

We will be checking the river tomorrow.

------------------
www.clementsonresort.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've heard that the Pelland ramp is accessable, but icy, via Intl Falls Chamber.
Anyone out there using it?
Any idea if there are any fish up that high?
Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sandee & Others,

Thanks for all the info & updates. Two of us are coming up this Thursday night through Sunday. Yes, we are beginning to worry about the fishing. We have always fished out of Birchdale - do not need ramp with our little 14" john boat. I like to fish both sides from Birchdale and west 2 miles. What are the chances of this working within 4 days??

I don't really know what the next options on the river are. Is it 2) Franz Jevnue and 3) Pelland ??? How is the fishing at these different from Birchdale?? Really not interested in ice fishing right now.

Thanks much - I really want this to be a successful trip!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With this weather it does not look promising for Birchdale this weekend. Although reports from Rainy Lake Fishing on this forum says you can launch in International Falls or go over shore ice at Pelland. Sounds like he did OK fishing there. Yes it is open shore to shore from the falls. Go for Pelland!! close to the Little Fork area too then.

You could put over shore ice at Franz Jevne although it is not a very large area to fish.

It is currently snowing here frown.gif which does not help and the forecast is cold until Friday.

These are your options for this weekend for any open water fishing.

------------------
www.clementsonresort.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

BDR-

I have found similar success at the Rainy. The best fishing can be about 3 days after Birchdale is open until there is a melting event that muddies the river or the fork rivers break free. Those first few days can be incredible. I am aiming for the weekend of the 29th. Does anybody have any guesses to when Birchdale will open? I've heard it is going to be warm/average starting Sunday (23d) through next week. If the river doesn't open until the 27th or 28th, would it be better to come the following week?

Good Luck to all! Remember to post all of your results/techniques after your spring trips!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My guess....April 4 for trailer boats at Birchdale. Hopefully sooner, but I doubt it. This guess is probably wishful thinking.

Fisky

Link to comment
Share on other sites

thanks SANDEE for all the info. hope the river gets open to clemeson by next thurs. we changed are plans from this week to next and probably cant change again. hope the warm up happens sooner and landing will be open for trailers to launch. keeping fingers crossed!!!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.