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Muddy Water

Jeremy Donabauer

By Jeremy Donabauer
in Crane-Kabetogama-Namakan-Rainy-Rainy River Fishing Reports

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Jeremy Donabauer Enthusiast

Jeremy Donabauer

Posted
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I have heard reports that the water is really starting to cloud up. Friends that are there right now are even getting worried. Does anyone else know anything?

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Cityot Newbie

Cityot

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Same story here... I just talked to a friend of mine on the river now also, he said it was much dirtier today than it was yesterday. I'm thinking about delaying our plans for this weekend...

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lakowoods Collaborator

lakowoods

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Well we got warm weather and still lots of snow in some areas to melt, forecast calling for nice weather. Yes the water did dirty up some and will continue for a bit yet. it will simmer down if we get no precip. just got to work harder thats all.

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lakowoods Collaborator

lakowoods

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Some freinds of mine justtopped in and said water is 3 ft u can still see your jig. the bite was really good 30 fish biggest 26" and a few big stugeons. so come on up.

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Sandee Proficient

Sandee

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We just got back from fishing, clarity is a good foot which is normal for the Rainy River. It did NOT muddy up, nor is there debris. The only thing is lots of big ice chunks. Current is stronger, bring bigger jigs!!

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Clementson Resort
Fishing on the Rainy River
in Lake of the Woods Area

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Jeremy Donabauer Enthusiast

Jeremy Donabauer

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Well this is good news to hear. Although the guys I talked to are still saying they think the river is on the downturn and is getting worse. I think they were also fishing closer to Birchdale so maybe it's a gradual thing. They also reported that Tuesday was better than Wednesday, it seems that was a trend on here and Sandee's page. I still have to keep my optimism.

Maybe my buddies are pulling my leg because they want to keep me away from the "pork chops".

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Royal Dutchman Proficient

Royal Dutchman

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Dunns,
Our guys all struggled on Tues. (me too) but did very well today (Wed.). Saw pix of a 30" as well as several upper 20's tonight. Lots of mid 20's and keeping their 2 between 18 & 19. The ones that fished both days would not go back to clearer water!
Looks like we are getting a bit more color and you may have to add a plastic to your presentation, slow down, etc.....
"The good ones adapt".

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Jeremy Donabauer Enthusiast

Jeremy Donabauer

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What do you mean by going back to clearer water? If the clarity is there I am not at all worried, I will catch fish.

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cas Apprentice

cas

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so, clear water and you can guarantee some big fish uh-dunns. well i guess i'll have to wait and see.
-Togo crappie slayer-

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lakowoods Collaborator

lakowoods

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Some locals were in and said they did real well on a short spinner rigs with 3/4oz. weight and white or bright spiner rigs, trolling real slow upstream. come on up and enjoy our weather and great fishing.

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Sandee Proficient

Sandee

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Apparently there is some murky water at Birchdale and near Frontier. mad.gif It is working it's way down river, as it is still clear water in our area. Optomistically I would like to think it wouldn't be as murky the further away from Birchdale it gets. No debris on your line. Fishing is tough at Birchdale and Frontier. Current is strong, fast drifting.

Will update as information comes in.

------------------

Clementson Resort
Fishing on the Rainy River
in Lake of the Woods Area

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Fish Tales Enthusiast

Fish Tales

Posted
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Sandee everyone's worst nightmare with the muddy water. From past experience you said water will clear after time. My group is suppose to head up to river tomorrow. Do you think river will clear by weekend of the 9th maybe we should wait? Any info greatly appreciated.

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Sandee Proficient

Sandee

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I have heard of worse conditions when the river goes bad. I am calling it murky instead of muddy since there is no debris/logs coming with the murky water. Anglers are saying how bad it got here in out area today, although I am in the process of posting pictures of 2 decent fish from today.

I talked to Marilyn at the Dutchman, her and Doug drifted past our area down to the curve by their place and she boated a nice 26 1/2 incher, so ....

The fish are in the river, you need to make your presentation brighter or louder. I suggested to some anglers to try whistlers or rattle bait on your jig or a glow stick that you attach to your jig.

The levels are receding at the LF and BF so this river will clear. When? you ask? Hopefully just a few days.

In the meantime, we told anglers to go downriver to get the clearer water. It is open past the airport, so there is 10 miles of open river past Clementson.

Anglers said they are marking a lot of fish too!

Hope this helps you make the decision! grin.gif

------------------

Clementson Resort
Fishing on the Rainy River
in Lake of the Woods Area

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Muskynut Apprentice

Muskynut

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Just got back from six straight days on the rainy (March 26-31). We started out fishing quite a bit just below birchdale ramp. Did pretty well there with several 60+ fish days and lots of fish 24-28". Then came the cold temps, clear skies,wind, and high pressure and a tough bite. I always seem to do better on overcast/rainy type days, so monday was about the end of it. Anyway, river progressively got faster and murkier. We felt that if we free floated down the river, we were just going too fast. Had better luck slip drifting the river, or pulling up very slowly. But, pulling up river, we began to collect more and more debris. Last day only caught about 10 fish, albeit nice ones, down between clementson (vidas) access and the church. They wanted it slow and right in their face. I often like to throw out into the river and let the current present my bait. By the end, it was pretty much a vertical presentation only that would catch fish. Hate to burst anyone's bubble. I plan to go up at least one more time, but will wait for the river to settle down. But, if you can go, by all means go. Catching a few is better than working! I've got a score to settle with a sturgeon. Fought one for 2 hours 15 minutes on 10/4 fireline and a fireball jig. Had it up to the boat many times and even got some video footage. My friends and I estimated her at around 6 feet long, and possibly upwards of 100 pounds according to some charts that Sandee showed me at Clementson Resort. Too bad, when we tried to get the front end in the net and bear hug the other end, it began to do the "crocodile roll" and pulled free of the jig. Sandee, any chance you could send me copies of those charts? Thanks, and enjoyed staying there as always.

Tim (Muskynut)

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Fish Tales Enthusiast

Fish Tales

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Sandee I appreciate all your hard work and advice now we have to make up our minds.

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beretta Rising Star

beretta

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Any idea how the water will be late next week (thurs.-sat.)? Thanks

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Sandee Proficient

Sandee

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When the river gets real muddy with alot of debris (where it's impossible to have your jig down without getting covered with debris) it takes about a week. The river is more "murky" than the total muddy effect, so I am hoping a few days. confused.gif

------------------

Clementson Resort
Fishing on the Rainy River
in Lake of the Woods Area

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beretta Rising Star

beretta

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Great! Sounds like the trip might be ok after all....i was a little worried there. I have never fished the rainy before and thought that murky water might cause some problems. thanks for all you do Sandee. Theres a lot of people who would be lost without you....i know i would.

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