Rainy River Back up Plan

[redhooks]

I'm a little worried about the river opening myself. If it's not open bring your ice gear anyway. I've never done the gap on ice but am sure fish will be biting somewhere fairly close on LOW and fishing can be good on the ice on river as well...also Red lake isn't to far away either so there are a few options.<BR>redhooks

[Hammer-Smites]

Is the ice generally out on the river and/or part of the lake during this time of year?<BR>I'm planning on coming up ice fishing that weekend (27th-29th)and would like to be able to drive out with my truck. Thinking of driving out on Adrian's road. Too risky?...bring an ATV?

[Scoot]

Your concerns are pretty realistic at this point. I have the same ones too. I was up this past weekend and spoke with several locals- most of which have lived there for 30 or 40 (or more) years. There is extreme skepticism as to whether the river will open or not. Three major factors coming together will hurt- very low current in the river, lots of ice to get rid of (mid-30's plus inches), and very little snow to provide run-off. Couple that with cold temps and we may have ice on the river for longer than usual. <BR>As far as driving on the lake with a pick-up-I'd suggest calling Ms. Cleo! There's no way to predict this one (actually, same with the river, but it doesn't look good). I drove on the lake last year over the first week of April with no problems. We'll all just have to impatiently wait and see.<BR>Scoot

[toddb]

I think you better start planning an ice fishing trip. It is supposed to be cold for the next 10 days or so and I personally don't see the ice going out anywhere near the end of March unless something really extreme happens with the weather. Not a big loss though because the ice fishing on LOTW can be hot, and the crappies on Red should be really cranked up by then. Don't limit your areas on LOTW to the Gap, other areas can be really awesome that time of year.<P>later,<BR>toddb

[Guest]

I plan on taking my dad and brother-in-law fishing on the rainy this spring ( March 27-29). I'm starting to sweat it a little with the cold temps. We are staying at Clementson resort and we don't want to cancel. Is fishing the Gap on ice a good back up plan? I've never fished the gap before - any suggestions? Thanks, JC

[Jiggin Machine]

We will probably go to LOW twice the last three weeks of the season. Having been on the river many times in the Spring we still opt for ice fishing. So to answer your question yes ice fishing is good that time of year. It is nice catching the fish in the river but you have to deal with many other fishermen and 35 degrees is much nicer standing on the ice than sitting in a boat. That is my two cents worth. Normally fishermen will be walking out on the ice or using 4-wheelers/snowmobiles. The ice is pretty thick this year so they may still be driving trucks out at the end of the month.

[Guest]

I would have to say that it is looking very doubtful that there will be boat fishing on the river in march at least near Baudette. Another week of this below zero weather won't help. We have very little snow for run off, and last fall was dry, so the ground will soak up most of the snow that is out there.

[Hammer-Smites]

So I should bring an ATV up for the weekend of March 28th?<BR>I have never been up there that late in the year. Can you typically get out around the Pine Island area on ATV or truck or is there usually heaves and melting away from shore going on? <BR>Anybody have some other suggestions about places to hit in and around the area during that time of year?