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Rainy River Sturgeon?


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Hi all,

Just wondering where a 1st timer can go to look for sturgeon. I am not at all familiar with the area. Is there an access in Intl. Falls? Can I just launch from there and look for a hole or structure and start fishing? I have never been to rainy or fished for sturgeon so any and all help would be appreciated!

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Rodbuilder
We were just at the Rainy on the 6th, 7th, and 8th out of Pelland, only 10 miles from I-Falls. If you go down river to the west from the ramp about 2-3 miles you will find a bend in the river with a few houses on the Canadian side and a sign that has an 8 on it. There is a 25 foot hole where we did catch and saw many sturgeon caught. The ones fishing for the sturgeon were using heavy weights with worms and a fish scent spray. The walleye fishing was excellent west of number 8 past the green houses.
I hope this helps you find some sturgeon.
Brad

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Brad,

Thanks for the info! That helps a ton since I am completely blind in regards to "the river". Do you think they will still be in that area in June? Thats when we are hoping to get up there. Once again, thanks!

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rodbuilder, just a heads up, sturgeon season closes april 30 and doesn't open again until july 1.

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Hey Brad K-

how far past the 8 sign were ya for those waleye? how deep? what were ya usin?- any info for me would be great.. I am commin up this weekend, and want to know if the pelland area is still producing.

Thanks a lot for all the info everyone!

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MATT C.
WE WERE ABOUT ONE MILE PAST THE 8 SIGN. THERE IS A LOG OUT OF THE WATER ON THE US SIDE OF THE RIVER, THERE ARE HOUSES ON THE CANADIAN SIDE OF THE RIVER AND FOUR GREEN HOUSES ALSO. WE WOULD DRIFT FROM THE LOG PAST THE HOUSES TO THE END OF THE GREEN HOUSES TO SOME ROCKS STICKING OUT OF THE WATER. WE WERE WORKING THE 7 TO 13 FEET OF WATER ON THE US SIDE. WE FOUND THE BIGGER THE BETTER PRESENTATION WORKED WELL. 1/2 TO 3/4 OZ WHISTLER JIGS WITH A 3-4 INCH TWISTER TAIL. ORANGE AND CHARTRUSE WORKED THE BEST, WITH THE BIGGEST MINNOW. WHAT WE ALSO NOTICED WAS WHEN THE SUN CAME OUT ON SUNDAY, THE WATER WARMED UP TWO DEGREES FROM 35.5 TO 37.5 AND THERE SEEMED TO BE MORE FISH JUST THUMPING THE BAIT. THE BIGGEST WE CAUGHT WAS A 22 IN. WITH ALOT OF 18-19 INCHERS. HOPE THIS HELPS. WISH WE WERE COMING UP THIS WEEKEND.
BRAD K

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MATT C,
I WAS WONDERING HOW THE FISHING WAS AT PELLAND? ALSO IF YOU FOUND THE AREAS I MENTIONED. WHAT A WONDERFUL FISHERY WE HAVE IN THE RAINY RIVER. THANKS ALSO TO SANDEE AND RICK FOR ALL THEY DO.
BRAD K

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Hey Brad K-

we didnt even make it to pelland- we launched out of frontier on fri and sat and caught over 200 walleye each day!!! Sun we launched out of clementson and caught 38 walleye from 6:30 to 11:00. The best walleye fishin I have had in a long time!!Lots of bigger fish on sat and sun.. a couple sturgen also, biggest was 43 inches. THE RAINY RIVER IS AWESOME!!! THANKS EVERBODY FOR A GREAT SEASON!

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What would be the best set-up for sturgeon, like hooks, weight, bait, etc. Has anyone ever used those cricle hooks? What kind and size of hook is the best? What size weight? How long of a leader? Would an oily fish such as a cisco work better for bait than nightcrawlers because the smaller fish would leave it alone? I am probably coming up this weekend and next and could use any info. that would help me catch the big un'. Thanks for any help.
Ryan

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