Fish the big pond?

[Smeds]

Coming up to Clementson 04/04 - 04/11, and hopefully will be able to put a 18' Warrior in somewhere. In planning my options, was wondering if the resorts will still have their angling houses out on LOW, and will they still be running their bombardiers? Thanks for the input, and pray for 45 degrees and sun!

[Sandee]

Ice house have to be off LOW March 31st - after that it will be portables only. I doubt resort owners would be running the bomardiers. You would be responsible for your own transportation to and from your fishing area.

You might want to post LOW questions on Lake of the Woods forum, don't know if they read Rainy River forum or not.

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www.clementsonresort.com

[Smeds]

Thanks Sandee. I did also post on LOW forum, just thought I'd cover my bases. What launch will I be hoping to use next week? Last year staying wih you, we used the Vidas launch, it's the only one I'm familiar with. Does Birchdale or Frontier take a large boat? I won't be able to launch mine over shore-ice, that's for sure.

[Sandee]

This year at least Birchdale I am hoping! Frontier is 8 miles down river and it usually doesn't take long for it to open after Birchdale does. Depending on the level of the river, Frontier can be the worse of the 2 ramps.

See you a week from tomorrow!

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www.clementsonresort.com

[Zaraspooks]

Smeds -

Obviously you are not checking the fishing report on the Clementson Resort website. Sandee posts updates daily and Birchdale doesn't look good (still driving out vehicles). And with Frontier and Vidas further down river, those aren't looking good either. Only time and temperature will tell. Unless there's a big change, it doesn't appear big boats are an option for that weekend. I also have a big boat and am scheduled to fish the river from 4/4 - 4/8. Not very optimistic at this point.

[Guest]

Zaraspook-
I can almost guarantee you that the river will be out at Birchdale by 4/4. As close as the open water is upstream and with the warm weather forecasted, it can lose 12" of ice in a day. There may be some shore ice, but hopefully some of the people that abuse their equipment will start backing in and break up the ice around the ramp. As soon as that happens, the County will clean the ramp. I'm heading up on the 5th and I'm planning on dumping in a 17' boat, even if I have to be one of those idiots that breaks the shore ice up at the ramp with my trailer! I missed out last year because I got there the day the fork rivers let loose and ended up going to Red Lake (salvaged the trip). I'm prepared to chainsaw my way through the ice to get to the river if I have to!LOL! Let's all keep our fingers crossed, but I think things are looking pretty good.

[Smeds]

Thanks for the input guys. Of course I check Sandee's fishing reports ... they are the best around! I just couldn't remember which of the launches can handle a larger boat. I too am optimistic about next week. Forecast looks good, and as you said, (as well as Sandee said), guys can be ice-fishing the river one day, and there's open water the next. Good fishing to us all (and look out Upper Red - regardless of ice on River, we will yank some Crappie lips if nothing else.)

[Sandee]

5 miles from Birchdale - opened at least 2 miles yesterday. 2 miles tomorrow, 2 miles Friday and 2 miles Saturday?? Hey that's 6 miles! Not shore to shore but open good. Pics posted on the website.

Looking at maybe Saturday - Sunday for Birchdale? Over shore-ice of course, but then like said in the previous post - people going over shore ice break it up when launching. Usually 2-3 days and big boats can be launched, weather factored in!! Ice jams??
But dont quote me! LOL

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www.clementsonresort.com