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2020 Rainy Lake Fishing Reports & Conditions


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Looking for any size. We caught lots over 17" and lots under. Thats usually how it goes. But this year for some reason we have alot easier time catching keepers than in past years where everything was always on the larger side.

We had 7 fish in the livewell really quick and just threw everything else back until we decided to leave.

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  • 2 months later...

Hi F.M.ers,

I wanted to get out on Rainy's ice 1st, but with our mild weather, I figured Rainy needs to wait for a little more ice...so I ventured down to Red lake., the bite was not fast, however the walleyes were very nice, we didn't have a fish under 14". They have a no walleye slot between 20-26. We fished 7'f.o.w...1/8oz glow white northland jigs worked the best. And when they hit... they smack it...pretty normal in shallow water. Today its raining and its Dec. 3rd...thats crazy...glad I didn't winterize my boat yet...I may be able to still go fishing ranier. We all know that we are going to get ice & our winters are long here, what the heck, enjoy the pleasant weather while its here.

Sincerely,

Fishmeister

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  • 3 weeks later...

Wondering if anyone has an update on the North Arm ice conditions. I am guessing by the lack of posts to this site that everyone is out catching a lot of fish!

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas! See you up there soon!

Jeff

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Good evening jstire,

There is between 5-6" of ice going from 5 mile dock to northwest bay.

Have a merry Christmas all!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hello to all from us here at Rainy Lake One Stop!

Fishing seems to be picking up these last few days with fish coming from all parts of the lake from 25-35 fow. Voyageurs is still limited to only snowmobile traffic as you go east but ice is close to a foot and should'nt be long before they plow a road to Cranberry. Also snowmobile trails have been staked out to Ash River, Kabetogema and Kettle, not sure if the Chain of Lakes Trail is open just yet, we need this snow they're talking about.

Ice in Sand Bay is solid and wheeled houses and big trucks are traveling out there now with ice over a foot. Some big fish coming from that area as well. Better get to Rainy Lake today people the fishing is only going to get better and the scenery is a must see.

Swing into Rainy Lake One Stop for your gas, propane, minnows, tackle and all your snacks and drinks! We have great deals on our fish houses and other accessories so stop in on your way to the lake! As always, good luck fishing!

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  • 3 weeks later...

I was out on the park road today and they have it plowed near the end of Dryweed. Great Road! I seldom get a chance to ice fish, but I manage to get out on Rainy occasionally in the summer. In the summer there's usually boats fishing Erickson's, Green, Steamboat, and the reefs east of Steamboat. Whenever I venture out in the winter there's very few (if any) fishermen at these spots. Why is that? Is it simply that there's so much structure and very difficult to find the walleyes? Any insight?

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Hi Luke,

Rainy becomes a tougher bite in the winter. I suppose there are many different reasons why this happens. Here is some ideas that may be some of the reasons.

I saw temps one day last summer that was 80 degrees., now it drops 40 & more degrees. The fish still feed but less often. In the fall they eat like like pigs to put on fat reserves as nature tells them winter is coming, so we need to fatten up so we can make it thru the winter.

I would say as far as Ericksons, Stubbs, Green...etc., You still can catch fish on those reefs, as I have fished them. However I think You will catch more fish in the deeper areas around the reefs, I do know they relate to mud flats., and they are going to go where there are bait fish. Seems like when we have consistant summer weather, the magic depth is 22 ft. In the winter, I have caught walleyes in 55 feet of water. If you want to fish the tops of the reefs in the winter, I would try fishing them the 1st couple hours of daylight and the last 2 hours before dark../.using glow jigs. If you hit it right, you can still catch limits of walleyes, and mixing in a few slot fish.

Sure enjoy watching You & Derek coach the I. Falls B.B. team , you guys do a great job. Rumors are going around that you guys may not coach that much longer, that would be a shame. You 2 have the abilites to build a Chisholm type program...stick with it, you guys make a great team, played together, best friends, the players & community respect you guys! If You & Derek want to go fishing next summer, I would be honored to bring you out!!!

Sincerely,

Fishmeister

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Fishmeister,

Thanks for the insight. I would like to start fishing Rainy more in the winter (as it is a great fishery) and take fewer trips to Lake of the Woods. I enjoy reading the reports on this site-lots of good information. We will definitely take you up on your offer to go fishing next Summer!

Thanks!

Luke

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  • 3 months later...

I'm headed up June 7- June 14 to the little canoe river and wondering whats the water temp? Also with late ice out I heard its about 3 weeks behind " normal", but that was a couple weeks ago, is it catching up to be a normal year? This will be my 7th year on rainy and I try to hit the smallmouth on the nest the first week of June and out of 7 years I have missed it every year, we have caught a few on the beds 4 years but I seem to be a little early or late every year. I much rather hit it early than late, but on rainy all year is amazing!

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My buddies and I have been coming up to Rainy for almost ten years straight now and know the water well and have seen about everything. I also know that once you think you know everything, you miss something important. We were originally scheduled to come up June 1-7 but had to move it back to the 8-14 due to a scheduling conflict. We were scared at first then thrilled due to the later ice out than recent years. We mostly cast for smallies but like the pike and walleye also. The forecast for the week we will be there is showing the warmest temps yet with high 70s and low 80s. From everything I have read so far it seems as though the fishing has been spotty to decent. Nothing good or great. I guess I am just looking for some expert opinions on if we will be hitting it just right (pure guess I know) and where the pike, walleye, and smallies will be at? Will the smallies be pre spawn, spawning, or post spawn? I also read the lake is up quite a bit. How many inches up from normal is it and where will it probably be at in a little over a week? Thanks in advance for any and all input.

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Bonesteel,

Looks like we will be in camp with you again this year if you're staying with Ed and Kelly. Bringing a group of 12 newbies from the bass club and hoping Rainy shows them why we keep coming back.

Anybody have any water temp reports for Redgut/Seine or Swell Bays?

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Weather looks like it has been real bad so maybe no one has been able to go out.

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In the last seven years this forum has added to the excitement of my trip in early june.

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I did see a report that stated during May 26th that they couldnt keep the walleye off the lines and smallmouth were ready to have a good bite. Also stated there was alot of current where the walleye were stacked. Any more info on the lake levels and temps and where the fish are holding?

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Main Redgut 56 F

Best walleye bite in 69 F Bays

Big fat bronze carp are mixed in with the 18' walleyes.

Observed three people who appeared to be casting for carp. They caught zero in 2 hours

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Bonesteel,

I got out at noon today on the North Arm. The back end of Hopkins bay had chilled from the North wind that blew the last couple days. Air temp was in the mid 30's this morning. Caught around 30 smallmouth, mostly smaller males. Water temp was 51 when I started. They were in 8 FOW. Most of the fish were concentrated on points. Only caught one walleye in 24 FOW but was the right size for dinner. The lake is still slowly rising. The main lake was 58 when I came in.

Good luck to your group. There are plenty of "Smalljaws" waiting for you.

Regards,

Wayne

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Hard to predict if you'll time it right - I was on Redgut Memorial weekend and we did OK but the fish were finicky. Most active on the lunar schedule, we did best at 10-12 FOW on north, rocky shorelines in a southeast wind. Had plenty of fish in the boat.

As for the lake level, on our way out the owner talked a bit with Galen from Spawn Inlet Lodge and he said all the Boise dam gates were open in the Falls but there was still about 25% more water coming into the lake than leaving. After hearing that, not sure my dock is set high enough...

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I hear that! I have been checking in everyday and its dead. In the last seven years this forum has added to the excitement of my trip in early june. I hope the forum hasn't died off.
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Rainy Board,

Just got back from another great week fishing the North Arm of Rainy for Smallies!! Brought along a co-worker who had never really caught alot of fish let alone # of smallies.

Overall fishing was great with >300 smallmouth landed in 6 days. My dad targeted Walleyes and ended up catching decent #'s and a 27" & 28" eye.

Fished crankbaits and jerkbaits concentrating on shorelines structure.

Water temps ranged from 48F to mid 50's when I left.

I also was able to fish a day with Capt. John and while our tactics are vastly different we both managed to catch numbers of bass.

Ebbs

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Camped Anderson bay from 6/5-6/9.

Fished from American channel to blueberry island.

Water temps main lake were 49-53, bays were 51-60.

Lots of slot eyes (17-26") we're taken in 5-15 fow in warmer areas with current. The key seemed to be color.

Pike were in last year's weeds chasing perch, but seemed to bite anything that moved.

Smallies were found scattered. Surface in 50' splashing and chasing bugs, during I'm pairs on gravel points in 5', and suspended near bottom in 25'.

Mayflies were definitely starting, but fishing was unaffected.

Tics were no worse than any other year.

No flies yet!

Overall one of the best trips I've ever had. - 26" eye, 38" pike, 19" smallie, 3 cases of beer and great weather. Can't wait to go back!

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We just returned from another great trip to Rainy Lake!! Most of our time was spent on the north arm where water temps were mainly in the mid 60's. A front had gone through right before our arrival with the winds switching to the northwest for a few days really slowing things down.

We did not locate any spawning smallies but managed to nail some nice females one evening while they were feeding during a mayfly hatch.

Pike fishing was slow with a few flurries of action when the wind picked up. We found them exclusively in new vegetation growth.

Walleyes were plentiful with many in the slot but we did manage to get a few for dinner every day.

I sure wish I had more time to spend on this beautiful lake. Someday...

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  • 4 weeks later...

Really knocking around the Walleyes right now guys. Another beautiful limit of fish for customers and 23 fish over 20 inches on our trip today.

Fishing 12-18 feet of water. Gold jigs with minnows.

Getting away from a prolonged Mayfly Hatch.

Tight lines Team!!full-46117-34983-36518_10201606541944553

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Looking goog!

We'll be seeing you in the morning.

Hope we have as much success as you had yesterday!

Chet

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Really knocking around the Walleyes right now guys. Another beautiful limit of fish for customers and 23 fish over 20 inches on our trip today.

Fishing 12-18 feet of water. Gold jigs with minnows.

Getting away from a prolonged Mayfly Hatch.

Tight lines Team!!full-46117-34983-36518_10201606541944553

full-46117-34984-1069244_102016013866156

full-46117-34985-1005312_102016065429045

full-46117-34986-001(560x800).jpg

full-46117-34987-012(800x711).jpg

full-46117-34988-971534_1020160322814171

Nice! The fish are alright too grin

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We caught 30 something walleyes (missed a lot too) only 6 small enough to keep. Just me and my kid. Couldn't hardly catch anything on a crawler. Leeches for the win. Didn't fish any mainlake reefs. Fished only part of the day. Swam and tried to stay cool durning early afternoon.

yeah yeah, the kid caught all the big ones, so what

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  • The title was changed to September Walleye Fishing - Rainy Lake, MN

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