2020 Rainy Lake Fishing Reports & Conditions

[fishmeister_86]

Hi F.Mers.,

Last week has been much slower, I like to paint a great picture all the time, but with our temp dipping to -46 below & all the snow we have has made fishing a little tougher. Even Lake-o-Woods is spotty, I have been there 3 times & done ok, but I have saw both lakes alot better. However with that being said, the fish still have to feed, its just being there at the right time. The park would like to plow a road but won't do it without the necessary ice. I know they were checking ice a couple days ago and they got 2 snowmachines stuck...big time in the slush...I hate slush!!! I will keep posting, fishing will improve...until then we have Fish on sale at Hardee's on Fridays...but 1 get one free!!! It isn't walleye but a good sandwich. LOL !!!

Sincerely,

Fishmeister

[harvey lee]

If your looking for some great late ice season pike fishing, I would give Woody a call at Woody's resort out of Rainer, MN on Rainy Lake.

Woody invited me up last winter for some late ice pike and what a trip it was. We used tip ups and I did jig some. In 2 days, I probably caught 25-30 pike with the largest going right under 20#'s.

Woody has very affordable housing and the late ice pike is awesome fishing and Woody would be more than happy to send you to some great spots. I believe Woody knows this lake as well as anyone can. He been on the lake all of his life guiding.

Thanks for the great pike fishing Woody and I will see you on Memorial weekend if I do not get up for the late ice pike.

Here is Woody's website and check out the pike in his photo page.

I have a dumb smile in this one as Woody was laughing at me.

Here is a nice pike Woody put me on last Memorial weekend. This lake has some very nice pike.

Another nice pike by Craig-Grizzly Adam's a FM member that was also up at Woody's with me.

Enough for the photo's as you get the message, Rainy Lake has some awesome pike fishing for some real trophy's.

[bassbuster1]

Best icefishing of the year in my opinion.The great thing about that time of year is you can fish big pikes with tipups and jigs in the morn,bring your boat and fish the river in the afternoon.

BB1

[Lipriper84]

Dose anyone know if you can use dead smelt on the Canadian side?

[CaptJohnWI]

it is illegal to bring frozen smelt into Canada. You can use ciscos which are for sale up there.

[jrrkstore]

How about the packaged smelt you can find in the grocery store? You know, head cut off, gutted and bought in Canada.

[fishmeister_86]

Hi Jr,

Nope, I know it would be a no go. I don't think you can bring ciscos & herring as they are band right now. This has just went into effect in the last couple months. I know that a local game warden let a bait shop know he could not even have them in the store. Some of my info is from things I have just heard in the last couple weeks, I do not know all the info, but before you attempt to bring any bait in Canada, I would talk to both our DNR & the MNR (Ontario) because somethings recently changed.

Sincerely,

Fishmeister

[Majestic]

You can't even use the store bought smelt in Minnesota anymore, there's all kinds of new rules about it all. I'd highly doubt you could bring them into Canada.

[jrrkstore]

I just checked the MN DNR site and it looks like you can use smelt that has been preserved by someone with a DNR permit for smelt preservation. Sounds expensive, and we'll be on the Canadian side anyway. I think we'll try cut suckers.

[FISHINGURU]

Yep, and they need to be dated and signed because they have to be preserved for something like 2 weeks before they can sell them. On top of it all preserved smelt suck, nothin like the smelt you could buy at stores in the package.

[bassbuster1]

The crappies are starting to bite, we pick up 10 nice ones today.We found the fish suspended at 20 feet in 32 fow.We also picked up some tullibee's for the smoker.

We hit some slush on the way back my buddy got stuck twice,we were standing in water up to our knees trying to get the sled out .It took us an hour and a half.

BB1

[Chad Peterson]

Nice going on the crappies. Looks like a tasty meal.

Sniffer

[Lipriper84]

Nice going. was that MN side or Canadian side?

[bassbuster1]

Canadian side, just across the border.We went from Bomans landing by sled.

BB1

[Lipriper84]

Nice, those things are Sleds. Did you measure the biggest one?

[bassbuster1]

The crappies were a little slower today,we got 7 ,plus 3 tulibee's and this nice pike.

The fish were there, we just couldnt get them to go.We drilled a lot of holes ,tried differant presentations,the fish would come up and look but just were not very active.The ice conditions were good.

BB1

[tearin' lips]

Nice fish Kelly.

[FBMH]

Awesome pies and great pics! Thanks for sharing!!

[bassbuster1]

we got more for the smoker today,the crappie fishing was slow.

BB1

[Lipriper84]

We found some Crappies finally on this years trip. Pretty slow action but awsome fish.

[bassbuster1]

Nice fish,I feel they are just on the verge of a nice bite.

BB1

[Lipriper84]

I wish I lived up closer to Rainy. Its usually just a once a year fishing trip. We caught a 40" northern on a tip up also, my buddy has the pictures on his camera.

[fishinfey8]

Nice slabs guys. I love seeing pictures of the crappies that rainy produces. One day I will have some time and the resources to chase them. Until then I will drool on!

[bassbuster1]

We were out again today,fishing wasnt to bad here's larry with his bunch.

BB1

[RapidsRat]

Prime time on Rainey is here! I so look forward to the reports on this forum so I can plan my adventures on rainey.

Please Woody, Fishmiester tells us whats going on up in heaven.

[matt_shermoen]

I agree prime time is here. There is no better time to ice fish Rainy Lake.

We had a couple fishing yesterday and they filled up and through a few larger ones back.

Fishing will only get better each day from here on. Don't miss out.

It is hard to say how long our late ice will stay. There is good ice but the landings will take a beating with all the run off. Out again Thursday and Friday. i will give a report each evening.

[MARKM]

Can't wait to hear your reports. Planning to come up in 2 weeks and hope there is still enough ice for wheelers or sleds. If not, we will get the boats out and head for the river. How much ice is there this year with all of the snow and slush you had?

[fishmeister_86]

Hi Markm,

I drilled a hole yesterday where it was about 6" from needing an extension.

Sincerely,

Fishmeister

[MARKM]

Thanks for the info Fishmeister. That sounds like enough to last for a few more weeks.

[fishmeister_86]

Hi,

Rainy River ice is gone from the dam to 11 miles from Birchdale.

Sincerely,

Fishmeister