rainy lake Rainy Lake Fishing Reports by Capt John

[cheets]

John

Can you give me your thoughts regarding tying a jig to a superline(power pro or the like)? Even in stained water a 3' mono or flourocarbon leader seems to lead to more bites? Also whats the name of the split tail plastic I all ways see in your posts?

thanks

Cheets

[CaptJohnWis]

I use mostly Lunker City Fin-S-Fish, Lindy Shadlins and Lindy Munchie Worms.

Almost quit too soon today but fish finally turned on.

Tried to take some videos by myself today.

Halfbassed videos (#2 takes forever to load large format) still learning:

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

[ozzie]

love the pics...good fishin!!

[CaptJohnWis]

Bite tough today. Only 15 fish by 3:00 and then some guys moved in on top of me! I only saw one other boat all day and these guys have to come within 50 feet of me. arrrgh.

More half-bassed videos from today:

Walleye 1

[CaptJohnWis]

Got on the bass right off the bat this morning. Never caught a toothy critter all day. Surprising since I fished many of the same spots I have been hitting the past month.

To view the big bass of the day click the link to half-bassed video below:

[AnglerJake]

What kind of line are you using?

[CaptJohnWis]

I normally use 4 lb or 8 lb gold Stren (or the Cabelas cheaper equivalant). Change it a lot. Too windy to fish today.

[CaptJohnWis]

Had a little trouble at the landing. Probably won't be able to use Bowmans again this year. Fish biting when you could find them.

More half-bassed videos:

[clKiekhafer]

Capt John,

I enjoy your videos and commentaries, please keep them coming!

Chet

[waterspaniel]

John: Is Bowman's landing next to the water plant? What procedures/restrictions do you need to follow to launch in mn and fish in canada?

[CaptJohnWis]

No, Bowmans is further down the road to the east. It is well marked on the highway. Past Rainy Lake One Stop about a mile. I am not sure if that ramp by water plant is still available - there has been lots of construction in that area so might not be open to public anymore. Ranier has a ramp near Woody's. It freezes over late since there is current nearby.

You need Ontario fishing license and RABC (remote Area Border Crossing) permit. The RABC allows you to cross into Canada without going through Customs everytime. Numerous posts on this forum about entry into Canada - check out old posts. You can buy RABC on-line (takes a long time) or buy them at Canadian Customs just across the bridge in Fort Francis. You need to meet their requirements for entry. You also need a Passport. With the RABC you can fish on either side of the river as well.

I have been checked once on the North Arm by Candian Customs. If you crossed from Minnesota by boat you better have that permit!

[CaptJohnWis]

Leaving for Texas so no new reports until ice out in spring.

[fishmeister_86]

Hi Waterspaniel,

The landing is called the Pat Roche Landing & yes it is still open to launch at, actually it is much improved as the park headquarters is now located there. The park widened the access & reconstructed the ramp. Parking is about the same as it was.

Sincerely,

Fishmeister

[Berng]

Dave or Wes,

Do you have a recent report of how the river is producing? I am headed to Pelland Landing on Sunday and want to know what I'm in for.

Thanks for any input you may have.

Berng

[fishmeister_86]

Hi Berng,

We have been in the deer hunting mode, even thou my shack is a mile from the river, we haven't been down there for a couple weeks, however I think they are still catching fish as I still see boats heading down there.

Sincerely,

Fishmeister

[CaptJohnWis]

in Texas !! Went crappie fishing today and got this one on first cast.

But I would still rather be fishing Rainy. Two more months.

[fishhound]

Nice fish John

Dont' know much about gulf fishing. What is that thing? Put up a good fight?

[CaptJohnWis]

You mean tht ain't a crappie! These southern boys are taking advantage of this here carpetbagger.

[Mooseart]

Not even the salt water carp are safe!

[fishmeister_86]

Hey Moosefart,

Your always great humor!!! Going fishing with one of your close by neighbors for 4 days this weekend- Barney- should be a great time.

Sincerely,

Fishmeister

[live4chrome]

nice blackie

[okfisherman]

glad to see you catching in the gulf too, john. No hillbilly handfishin for that thing. John I'm getting a free channel this month on the satellite, WFN, been watching a canada fishing show where they are catching some massive Sturgeon, and was wondering if Rainy has any of these prehistoric looking things? Never seen or heard of anyone at camp ontario catching one.

[fishmeister_86]

Hi OK,

Rainy River is loaded with them, and yes they are in Rainy Lake also. Don't see or here of them much, but I have heard and saw videos of folks catching them, biggest I have heard of in the lake is 72" a meer 6 feet! There are alot of them that sit below the dam at kettle falls & ranier bridge, since they are bottom feeders, these are ideal areas for them to feed.

Sincerely,

Fishmeister

[okfisherman]

well it looked like a fun fight on the tube, anything 6 feet long would have to be a rush. are they edible? what kind of bait do they prefer? Probably would never see one on the north arm, still waiting for one of my sooner buddies to get an eel pout. I showed my church fisher friends a few pics of some of those huge crappies you guys are getting and they couldnt believe it.

[Cheers]

Lake sturgeon are on the endangered species list in Ontario . It is illegal to fish for them .

[fishmeister_86]

Hey Cheers,

I forgot about that, on the Canadian side if you get caught with a sturgeon...you will be sent to the gallos & hung by your - - - - - until death do they part. Its been quite a few years now since they put major restrictions on sturgeon in Canadian waters.

Sincerely,

Fishmeister

[Cheers]

Well 2 years anyway

[okfisherman]

Looks to me like whatever they eat would be endangered

[CaptJohnWis]

There was a video on this blog a long time ago of some guys fighting a big sturgeon on Rainy Lake. They were walleye fishing with light tackle so had it on a long time.

Once I saw a lot of sturgeon on the lake. They were surfacing like they often do on the river. It was summer in front of the railroad bridge Canadian side. There was a ton of current that day which no doubt drew them to that area. So there are probably more in the lake than you would suspect.

[CaptJohnWis]

... the gamest fish that swims.

Finally back on my favorite lake. Was killing me sitting in Texas with open water on Rainy Lake. But them bronze bombers were waiting on me. Got 48 beauties in about seven hours today. Biggest:

19-1/2" x 2

19" x 4

All on soft plastics. Water about 40 everywhere in North Arm.

April Bass video