2019 Rainy River Melt

[eyeguy 54]

sweet!!

 

[side_laker]

Has anyone taken a look at the forks.  Wondering how close they are to opening up 

[BIGFISH.JZ]

I believe the Big fork has burst. Just as I was leaving, as always! Unfortunately 2 friends wimped out so I turned around. Gonna probably still do 1 day trip tomorrow.

Edited April 7, 2019 by BIGFISH.JZ

[schucanoe]

Usually there are a number of questions as to the status of flows on the Big and Little Fork Rivers this time of year.  This link provides a current update of stream gauges up and down the Big and Little Fork.  As you can see now with the warmer temps and some rain the upper stream flows have gone up but the lower gauges closer to the rainy are still lower from what they were about a week ago.  Hopefully this is the last push of water and flows will level off again soon and not affect the clarity much on the Rainy.  Does anyone know if the Forks are ice free yet as you go over the bridges on Hwy. 11?  Thanks and  good luck on the River! 

 

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/river_levels/index.html

 

Click State Water Trails Interactive Map

Click on River Gauges show

Click the Blue icon for Map Layers to make legend disappear

Can then zoom in on the Big and Little Fork gauging buttons and choose more detail to see graphs

[ANYFISH2]

43 minutes ago, BIGFISH.JZ said:

I believe the Big fork has burst. Just as I was leaving, as always! Unfortunately 2 friends wimped out so I turned around. Gonna probably still do 1 day trip tomorrow.

Where did you hear this?

From those I spoke to that came from that way this morning, they were still tight to shore near the mouths.

 

I know Rainy Lake guide service has been posting videos of the falls in Big fork, causing some to think the big fork is out.  Rushing water there is nothing new in the spring.

 

That said, it could happen at any time I am sure.  The rain this morning doesnt help either.

 

Good luck BIGFISH.

[SPUD BAR]

Just as long as the Little Fork holds off for another week. 

[BIGFISH.JZ]

Might be the vid you are referring to, my GF saw on fakebook. So hopefully it is still clean water!

[Rocky]

Here are some pics of the forks i took on my way home today. Pics taken about noon.

[schucanoe]

Looks like flows are rapidly rising up and down the Fork's according to the stream gauge information. Imagine it should be affecting the clarity some on the Rainy.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

I drove up to Northome today and along Hwy 1, the Big Fork was rippin and the Little Fork was just busting up this afternoon on my way back.

[BIGFISH.JZ]

The current, the iceburgs, the suspended debris and of course the west winds all increased as the day progressed.... But I did see some mild current and clearish water for the first hour. Saw low numbers of anglers and low numbers of fish caught. Action was slow, boated 5 species including handful of smaller sturgeon up to 50". No complaints though! Not great but enough action to stay awake

[ANYFISH2]

debis doesnt sound good.

How bad did the clarity get?

[BIGFISH.JZ]

I'd say that the clarity was about a foot maybe less when we left. Didn't really pay much attention. Tired and cold by that point. 

[Luzaich]

4 hours ago, BIGFISH.JZ said:

I'd say that the clarity was about a foot maybe less when we left. Didn't really pay much attention. Tired and cold by that point. 

Anything biting out there? Bite shut down for us yesterday morning.. water temp dropped and water got dirty.. hoping the forks will settle down a bit and they’ll be biting again by tomorrow!

[BIGFISH.JZ]

It was one of the slower days I have seen up there. We were targeting sturgeon but tried for eyes for a few minutes here and there. Normally I get a number of eyes on sturgeon rigs, had plenty of minnows disappear off the crawler cocktail but only got 1 on bottom and 1 on jig and a bigger one on a crank. Sturgeon were seen surfacing and on sonar but bites were scarce and fish were small. We got a few smallish ones and a 50". We fished between town and the lake. At one point I saw 32.6° which I could hardly believe.

 

The Forking Forks always fork up my first trip every forking time!!!! 

[Wally Lindner]

Saturday was great.

Sunday slower.

Monday terrible.

11# 11oz and a 10# 5oz big.

Too much grass, leaves, dirt and sticks in the river for our style of fishing so  this morning we.packed up and headed home.

8 over 26 and all but one on cranks. The Rainy Rocks!

 

[@kkellywalleyes]

Just saw the little fork blow.  @kkellywalleyes on twitter for video and picture.  Was coming back from birchdale just got off river.  Was chunky on right side and solid ice on left.  Turned around at pelland gas station and watched it push into the river

Edited April 10, 2019 by @kkellywalleyes
More details

[@kkellywalleyes]

Check out Kevin Kelly (@KKellyWalleyes): https://twitter.com/KKellyWalleyes?s=09

 

[Luzaich]

[ANYFISH2]

Unfortunately, true to form.  About 10 days after Frontier opened up the Little Fork busts.

 

Good fishing can still be had from Pelland to the International dam though.

 

 

[IceHawk]

Definitely fish the Pelland area if ventureing up the next few days or fish above the forks. Fished the river many years and have learned once she gets dirty pretty much a lost cause unless you find better clarity. Yes you will get some say go for it and you will get a few but not what your going there for thays for sure. Low numbers and debri come hand in hand.  A few  trips have been cancelled last minute because of dirty conditions been there done that. . Lessons learned over the years go to Pelland or stay home. Timeing is everything for spring fishing on the rainy river. 

[LucasLongCaster]

Fished Tuesday evening before the little fork dumped its load. Did ok for the little time we fished. Largest was 26.And a 59 inch sturgeon. Fished Wednesday and caught a few but was dirtying up quick. Largest was 27. Thursday to Saturday where we were fishing was absolutely trashed with debris. I had never experienced the forks break while I was up here fishing and it was horrible Conditions and even worse fishing. But it was a learning lesson as is every year with the good ol Rainy river.

[side_laker]

Heading up to the river in the morning trying to decide if I should fish up the river or out if wheelers. 

[walros]

Heading up to Wheelers Thursday for sturgeon.

[side_laker]

Anyone know if any landings have the dock in yet or when the docks will be put in.