Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

Research has shown that Atikoken is very low on Leeches. Does anyone know a Fort Francis bait shop I should contact regarding reserving / buying 2 Lbs. of leeches?

Thanks, CLoma

Link to comment
Share on other sites

don't know the name of the store but i know leeches go for big money up there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try Witherspoon's One Stop, they should be able to help you out. Google the name and you should find the telephone number...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If your heading to Atikoken, Witherspoons is out of the way.

Rainy lake sports is the one in town as you hit the river and head to the causway bridge. Great bear is about 10 miles from town as you go east. Good luck!

Great Bear, The

Highway 11 East (between Fort Frances & Hwy 502)

Phone: (807) 274-2221

[email protected]

Open Daily - 6:00 am - 10:00 pm

Gasoline . Diesel Fuel & Bulk Oils . Propane

Convenience Store . Wild Rice . Malkins Jam

Bait . Tackle . Maps . Licenses

Souvenirs . Gift Shop . Cuban Cigars . Fireworks . Native Art

Rainy Lake Sports & Tackle

Highway 11 East

715 Colonization Road East

Phone: (807) 274-6429

[email protected]

Summer Hours

Open Daily 6:00 am - 10:00 pm

Friday 6:00 am - 12:00 am

Winter Hours

Open Daily 7:00 am - 10:00 pm

Gas . Oil . Propane

Convenience Store . Wild Rice . Souvenirs . Cuban Cigars

Live Bait . Maps . Licenses . Tackle . Firearms . Ammunition

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are going to Atikoken go to Rainy Lake Baits on Hwy 11. They are located on the east side of town just after you go through town and make the right onto Hwy 11. They are directly adjacent to Raniy Lake. Leeches were selling for about $25 CA per pound in early July.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've talked to several resort owners in Canada, and they're not impressed by the size or hardiness of the Canadian leech. Also, the going price is reportedly $45 wholesale, $60 retail, so bring the deed for your home so you can mortgage it for the two pounds. For that price I'd recommend Gulp Crawlers or leeches, Power Bait leeches, or Slimers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank You! I have 2# sleeches reserved ( if they come in ) at Rainy Lake Sport..... Report forthcoming. ooo.gif

Think Crawlers are going to be available?

Any one have bait tricks for catching minnows in seins? Is this legal in the park, eh??

Plastics, here I come.

See youz fellers' in a week. Hope the Superior get together goes real well.

Later, -CLoma

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Loma I think you can bring crawlers as long as they are in paper bedding unless something changes recently.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Crawlers are alright in bedding, not dirt. And I believe that a nonresident is not allowed to trap bait in Ontario, but you can check the Ontario regs online for sure.

Good Luck!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You are correct. A non resident is not allowed to trap bait in canada using a sein. I believe a non resident can use a trap but may only cath several doz. Not sure about in the park though. Plus, who want to lug a minnow trap around in a canoe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I take a small folding minnow trap along on Canoe trips. Set it out over night and all the bait a guy needs. Minnows, crawfish and even some leeches at times. Some of the best BWCA $ I ever spent. It weighs less than a pound and folds up the size of a frisby.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.