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.

The Original Sturgeon Excursion - April 19, 2008


Recommended Posts

I have not picked crawlers yet but I always have picked 40-60 dozen by the 15th of April. Water in the cracks in the street in front of my house so, the frost is starting to come out. A week to 10 days and a little rain and I will be picking.

The ice will be out and we will be fishing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 210
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • DTro

    28

  • harvey lee

    23

  • crazyice

    19

  • Tyler Holm

    15

Alot. For example, Tyler and I are bringing up the crawlers for our boat (3 maybe 4 peeps) and one other boat (for sure 4 peeps) and we are bringing 2 flats. Each flat is 400-500 crawlers if I remember right. But now we ar also fishing from early thursday till mid day on sunday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The last two years I have had three total in the boat and we have had very good fishing. I took approx 25 dozen crawlers and had enough.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used up a 1/2 a flat last year from Vados for 3 people and had to pick up another 4 dozen for the last day. A flat is probably too many for 3 but you will have enough. So pretty much on the same lines as Harvey said.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think 1 Flat of Crawlers for 2-3 fisherman in one boat for 3 full days fishing will cover you. You want crawlers! I usually put 2 full crawlers on a hook each time I cast out. Once half of it is pecked away by suckers, sheepies, sturgies, and other rough fish (ahem... walleyes) its time to rebait.

The bait shops up at Wheelers and in Baudette might be more in "tune" with the flight of sturgeon fisherman up north. It used to be hard to find worms up there, not sure if that is the same story or not so its good to bring plenty with.

Good Luck guys!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've getting pretty psyched up. I hope more guys bring video cameras. You really don't have an excuse not to, you won't find a better battle and better conditions for getting it on tape. You know you'll get a few fish at least.

It's going to be myself, my buddy Lip Em, and another buddy, one of Iowa's finest, a fisheries technician from Iowa DNR. I haven't broken it to him that you have to catch and release all your fish. You know Iowa guys, always trying to keep everything grin.gif

I've got the weekend set aside, the room booked, and the flat of crawlers reserved. I just have to make sure the boat is operational beforehand and the gear is in order, then we can gas up, food up, and go. Should be a great time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone else staying at Riverbend? I'll there from the 19th through the 25th or 26th. Staying in "Nappers" trailer with a bunch of other Iron Rangers along with a stray 612er that we picked up last year. Feel free to stop for a "pop" or two. Looking to beat my personal best of 65x32.

See ya on the water!

Jeff

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The water is nearly open at Frontier. Another 13ish river miles and it will hit Clementson. Oh boy!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've never fished for sturgeon and I'm getting pretty psyched reading these posts. Tom, we still a go???

Link to comment
Share on other sites

AS long as I'm breathing, we are still going. No way that I miss this trip. Only thing left to do is pick up some crawlers as soon as we have a heavy rain. Sure hope it rains.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 Originally Posted By: Tyler Holm
The water is nearly open at Frontier. Another 13ish river miles and it will hit Clementson. Oh boy!

It appears that we will at least have the same situation as last year.....or maybe better.

Good news!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Supposed to rain pretty good here tomorrow. I'll be out in the evening checking out the backyard!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

River ice-out is making great progress with this balmy weather, the bay should be wide open for the Sturgeon Incursion this year. A buddy of mine was on the Rainy near Frontier on Thursday and they pulled over 30 Sturgeonfish with jig/minnow and 3 of them went 60+ inches!

fiskyknut

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Question for you guys. If i'm just going to cpr, do I still need a sturgeon tag?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 Originally Posted By: fishuhalik
Question for you guys. If i'm just going to cpr, do I still need a sturgeon tag?

No

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can't wait!! I am sooo excited, I know I will crush my PB of 41.5" and the pics I have seen of the fish up there show that they are so girthy. I have only went after them on the Croix. So this will defenately be a blast I am sure. I just hope that the weather cooperates.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 Originally Posted By: crazyice
I am sooo excited, I know I will crush my PB of 41.5" and the pics I have seen of the fish up there show that they are so girthy.

I hope you do! But its still fishing, and the sturgeon can be very, very temperamental up there at times. There is no such thing as a "sure bet". I know a few experienced sturgeon anglers have been shut down because of the weather, the wind, or whatever causes a tough bite with these critters.

Good Luck everyone, wish I was going to be up there with you guys!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If I was in Vegas, and there was a line for Crazy to crush his PB, I'd hit the bet button and keep hitting it till the machine ran out of paper. grin.gif

Because of the girth, of course a 45 would be crushing it ;\)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 Originally Posted By: dtro
If I was in Vegas, and there was a line for Crazy to crush his PB, I'd hit the bet button and keep hitting it till the machine ran out of paper. grin.gif

Well... duh! Just saying though... when confidence is too high, thats when she'll bite you in the butt. grin.gif

I know a sure bet the other morning that was looking sorta sketchy for a bit too. ;\)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Allright! Looks like I'll be there!!! Well, I won't be able to make it on the 19th, but I'll hopefully be making it up on the 21st. So, I've read through all the posts here and on the Rainy River forum about everything I'm gonna need, but I still have a couple of questions.

First off, how many of you guys will still be there on Monday? It looks like we'll be driving up eeeearly Monday morning, hopefully getting up early monday afternoon or late morning, fishing all afternoon, then all day tuesday and leaving tuesday night. Since neither I nor my buddy have NO idea where to start, I'd love to be able to tag along with someone.

Second, are any of you gonna be able to post a daily report? I'm probably heading up regardless, but it would be nice if someone was gonna do some posting if the bite is really off. Then I could just save the gas money and go the next week.

Third, we have a couple of different boats we could take. One is a 2007 Warrior 18' bass boat w/ a 200 opti, fully decked out. The other is an older 15' glass deck boat. Is the rainy a typical river, full of logs and floating debris? Would the new warrior be ok out there? Also, how much distance will we be traveling by boat, assuming the entire river's open? The main delema is gas money, the warrior is a WHOLE lot heavier to tow, but alot more comfortable to fish outta.

Fourth, is there quite a bit of current? Just wondering what size of anchor I should bring. Also, what kinda depths are they usually at?

Sorry, lots of questions, but I hate to spend all the money and time off work to go up there unprepared! I've literally dreamed of catching these giants since I was 10, and this is the first chance I've had. Thanks a ton for all your replies!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As with any other fishing, the bite can change daily, so I wouldn't depend on our reports. If we have a bad weekend, that doesn't mean Monday won't be good.

If it was me, I'd take whatever boat is comfy to sit in all day long. Don't worry about the ride, you can basically put in anywhere on the river and catch fish within sight of the launch.

Can't comment on the up to date current of the river, but the last two years, the current wasn't much at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bring the Warrior. grin.gif

The Rainy is wide and deep for the most part. There are a few shallow areas along with the other river hazards to watch for so just keep your eyes open. You'll probably be fishing 20-30' of water. Bring all the anchor you have. Keeping your boat still is key for bite detection. The wind can be more of a factor than the current.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as I know almost everybody is leaving on Sunday and I know I won't have a report till Monday afternoon or Tuesday. Bring the boat you can anchor the best. If it were up to me, I'd bring the warrior and like hanson said "all the anchor you have". 100' rope in the nose and a 50'er in the rear is how I do it. Then sinch them tight so your boat sway is nill. In a typical day, I'd guess we travel 5 miles tops in the boat. 10 would be a record, so your really not motoring much.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, thanks for all the suggestions guys! Looking forward to it, I'm not gonna be able to sleep for the next two weeks

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.