Everyone has had those days where everything seems to work and everywhere seems to have fish. Well, Rainy has had one of those bites occurring in the last few days. Water temps are just about 70 degrees and the walleyes are aggressively feeding on the reefs and points. The only complaint that I have heard in the last two days, is that most of these fish on the reefs are 19-24 inches. A jig tipped with a shiner is working well, as is lindy rigs tipped with a leech. Focus on the Lost Bay area and locations further east for the best fishing. It seems that 22-36 feet of water is best with the shallow areas producing more in lower light conditions. Fishermen are still finding a few crappies mixed in with the walleyes in Black Bay, these fish are being targeted with spinner rigs tipped with a minnow. Big pike can be found on the reefs with the walleyes, trolling Taildancers or Super Shad Raps is catching these hogs. Bass are in a feeding frenzy right now and can be caught off points and deeper rocks using plastics.
On the Canadian side walleyes are being targeted on reefs and also on points. A jig and a minnow or a lindy rig with a ½ a crawler has been the best lures, with Gulp Alive leeches a close second. Areas of Redgut, Swell, Seine, Cormorant and Northwest Bays seem to be more productive water. Crappies are starting to show up over deeper water and are hungry. Fish Slurpies or 2” Gulp Minnow Grubs for best results. Musky and Monster Pike have yet to turn on, but anglers are seeing more follows so they should turn on soon. Bass are active in the North Arm and are being caught on both plastics and hardbaits.
On the Rainy River high water and fast current are still keeping the walleyes in areas with slack current. Trolling Raps has been more effective to both catch fish and cover water. Smallies and big northern can be found in the same area as the walleyes using tubes, jerk baits, and bucktails.
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Rainy Lake...BIG FISH/Small Crowds!
Bill Landmark
www.rainylakeonestop.com
(218) 286-5700
