parts of the river

[Guest]

My buds and I have been coming up to the rainy for about 4 years now and always have a great time and catch real quality walleyes. Thanks inpart to Sandee and crew who always seem to unselfishly give up there time to give reports and info. Every year we say we are going to explore some different spots in the river but always seem to hang around Birchdale. For the most part we just look for drops in the bottom and corners in the river and always do well, but I have heard about the "sand dunes" and the "church". I honestly don`t have a clue where the church even is?? And don`t know why it is supposed to be such a good spot. I can understand why the "sand dunes" are good but agian don`t have a clue where they are either. Can some one steer me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Fishcrazy28

[Guest]

There are two "Church" spots. The first one and most noteable is the one almost at the mouth of the Rainy near Lake of the Woods. The Fall is a good time to fish it, but most springtime fishing is not available because it is usually still iced in. It sits at the opening to a little bay and creek. Structure is the reason the fish are there, drops from 2 to 20 feet in a very short width. The second "Church" spot is a church on the Canadian side of the River about half way between the Birchdale Ramp and the Vidas Ramp. Just shy of half way I guess... I haven't figured out if it is just because of the Walleye run or there is actually some structure that makes it a good spot. I think there are much better spots in the spring than both those spots, but each of us has their own top 10. I don't know why I get so worked up about the ice going out, if I look back it is almost always the last week in March and the first week in April that is widely fishable.... The exception was 2000. Good Luck to all and be safe, it can be dangerous if people don't pay attention and slow down while moving from spot to spot.

[Sandee]

The "church" you hear about is between Vidas and Frontier. Use the Frontier ramp if the ice isn't out from Vidas. The area has a feeder creek on the Canadian side which is one of the reasons for good fishing. This is a "hot" spot for many anglers.

There are alot of good spots to fish, my saying is "fish tomorrow where you didn't catch fish today" meaning the good spots are always different from am to pm even!

Some have their favorite area, the one they know like the back of their hand. Dont' even bother turning on the depth finder even!!

As long as you are flexible in your technique, presentation and area of fishing, you'll find fish.

But, would someone please do a SUN dance for me??

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Clementson Resort
Fishing on the Rainy River
in Lake of the Woods Area

[BDR]

My first 5-6 years going there we didn't even have a depth finder! We just drift and when we hit some fish, mental mark the shoeline and try to repeat.

Every year I am searching for "those two tall Pines" from last year

I wouldn't worry about finding the spots you hear about just find your own. They change so fast and so does the river itself.

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If I only had more time!

Brian Rogers

[Guest]

Ya BDR your right about the river changing year to year....I guess I just got the fever.
Every year before our trip I start to get all technical and think to dang much. I don`t even know why either we always catch quality fish. Anyway, Thanks for the info you guys and I hope to see you all on the river.

Thanks,

Fishcrazy28

[northern_exportee]

I am apalled by all this info i get in 5 minutes of reading on here. i spent the Better part and i mean time wise and experiences ON County rd 89N and the only "spot" i have is when i would sneak off and go sit along the clay bank when i was younger now keep in mind im only 19 and lived on the same road(different houses) for a total of 8 years of my life now living in ohio and definately not a rural part regret not fishing more often and dearly miss "home" so u guys enjoy fishing and hopefully ill make that 18.5 hr drive this summer