Rainy River Melt 2020 - Open Predictions & Updates

[Rick]

Rainy River Fishing Reports - Click here

I predict Rainy River open water fishing by March 18th this year.

 

Lets get a little contest going here. What's your prediction?

 

And, how's the Rainy River looking?

Please join in.

[city slicker]

March 26th, birchdale will be plowed open and big boats will be gettin wet!city

[IceHawk]

March 23 big boats  but they will be pushing smaller boats over the ice earlier then that is my guess. 

[Uncle Rico]

I'll be an optimist and say big boats on March 15 at Birchdale.  Everything I've read says the ice should be pretty thin this year, so hopefully it goes fast.

Edited February 13, 2020 by Uncle Rico
saw Rick already had 3/18.

[Luzaich]

Seems there was a lot of open water on the river just a couple weeks ago... hoping for a fast melt this year I’ll guess big boats at birchdale march 17th... but I only say that because that’s when I start my 9 days off!!

[Luzaich]

Forecast for mid February is already better than we saw all season last year

[rschmidty]

I was just thinking about this the last couple of days. Can't wait for our 4/15 trip. I've been tracking ice out in Baudette since we've been going up. Here are the past 9 years. 

 

 

My guess is it will be closer to that 3/24 date for ice out in Baudette which would put ice out at Birchdale maybe a week sooner.

[Rick]

11 hours ago, rschmidty said:

I was just thinking about this the last couple of days. Can't wait for our 4/15 trip. I've been tracking ice out in Baudette since we've been going up. Here are the past 9 years. 

 

 

My guess is it will be closer to that 3/24 date for ice out in Baudette which would put ice out at Birchdale maybe a week sooner.

 

So my guess is good?

[rschmidty]

I would say yes.

[Uncle Rico]

Does anyone have any info on where the open water on the river is currently at?  Some modest progress should have started to happen over the last few days?

Edited February 25, 2020 by Uncle Rico
jj

[IASteve]

On 2/25/2020 at 1:12 PM, Uncle Rico said:

Does anyone have any info on where the open water on the river is currently at?  Some modest progress should have started to happen over the last few days?

Just saw a video on Facebook of open water flowing pretty good at Pelland Junction Landing.

[Luzaich]

[rschmidty]

From satellite imagery, it looks like there is open water extending almost to the Big Fork. Should start to open quick with the weather this weekend.

[ANYFISH2]

I am going to predict Birchdale is open to small boats March 19th.  Earlier if we continue to trend well above average temps.

It's will be nice to be back.

[IASteve]

On 2/29/2020 at 12:07 PM, rschmidty said:

From satellite imagery, it looks like there is open water extending almost to the Big Fork. Should start to open quick with the weather this weekend.

rschmidty could you explain to me what map and settings you use to see that kind of imagery? I assume it's the NOAA but when I pull that up I can't see a clear zoomed in image. TIA.

[Luzaich]

Word is she is open all the way to Loman already 

[BDR]

Bet some are sliding in at birchdale in 7-10 days. Haven't done Rainy for few years. I did for about 20 straight. Is catch and release only new this year? Think I may have to do it again this year. 

[rschmidty]

http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=t1&product=false_color&date=2020_03_01_061&overlay_sector=false&overlay_state=true&overlay_coastline=true&sector=USA3&resolution=250m

 

Above is the link I use. The settings is use is False Color, remove state borders and set to 250m zoom. The open water in this setting shows as a darker color so you can definitely see where this open water and even where the ice almost gone or is partially gone in the the middle of the channel as the return isn't quite as strong as it is just to the east by Pelland.

 

Based on yesterday's image, it looks like it is open to Loman like Luzaich mentioned.

[IASteve]

3 hours ago, BDR said:

Bet some are sliding in at birchdale in 7-10 days. Haven't done Rainy for few years. I did for about 20 straight. Is catch and release only new this year? Think I may have to do it again this year. 

Last year was the first time for C&R.

[IASteve]

1 hour ago, rschmidty said:

http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=t1&product=false_color&date=2020_03_01_061&overlay_sector=false&overlay_state=true&overlay_coastline=true&sector=USA3&resolution=250m

 

Above is the link I use. The settings is use is False Color, remove state borders and set to 250m zoom. The open water in this setting shows as a darker color so you can definitely see where this open water and even where the ice almost gone or is partially gone in the the middle of the channel as the return isn't quite as strong as it is just to the east by Pelland.

 

Based on yesterday's image, it looks like it is open to Loman like Luzaich mentioned.

Great! Thanks for sharing that info it's much appreciated.

[IASteve]

Saw this on Facebook today. (Not my picture) It was labeled as out in front of Franz Javne. Looks like it to me. 

[ANYFISH2]

Wow, definitely looks like Franz Jevne.

[IASteve]

8 hours ago, ANYFISH2 said:

Wow, definitely looks like Franz Jevne.

Had someone that knows more about the area say that there's always a little open water just above the rapids here but said it was wider than normal for this time of year. 

[ANYFISH2]

The Canadian side always opens up earlier and the US side holds ice longer, that is true. 

However, this is an indication that the river ice is much thinner than normal. Or possibly the current is much stronger than normal?

In my experience that particular spot usually doesn't open a day after Loman (20+miles east) togets open water.  

This weekend could really open a large portion of river up!!

[rschmidty]

Open water has caught up to and connected with the open water at Manitou Rapids. Not much longer now.

[IceHawk]

Getting pumped  cant wait 

[IASteve]

From Rainy River Resort on Facebook: 
"River Report Update:
For all you River fishermen, looks like it may be at least till the first week of April before river is open. Depending on weather conditions. 
I’falls to Indus River is open. 
Big Fork/ Little Fork still froze"

Edited March 15, 2020 by IASteve

[Luzaich]

Sounds like they may leave all landings closed for corona 

[Rick]

2 minutes ago, Luzaich said:

Sounds like they may leave all landings closed for corona 

It certainly does.

[Bigfatbert]

3 minutes ago, Rick said:

It certainly does.

 

3 minutes ago, Rick said:

It certainly does.

smart move ! Sure hope they do !