Walleye anglers in Minnesota are fishing the open water on Rainy River. The walleye season remains open on our border waters until April 14. The Northern pike, crappie and smallmouth bass seasons are open continuous. Today, March 27, the ramps at International Falls are being cleared. The Pat Roche Access is adjacent to the Voyageurs National Park Headquarters and provides access above the dam and below the Ranier Rapids. This is a lake like pool with excellent fishing potential. The Ron Hall access is below the dam just off Shorewood Drive in the west end of International Falls. Fish the swifter waters below the dam and downstream to the golf course. This part of the river is not subject to the debris and clouding downstream when the Little Fork and Big Fork Rivers let out. You could learn more about Rainy River fishing and many more outdoor topics at the International Falls Outdoor Expo scheduled for April 7 & 8 at the Evangelical Covenant Church. The expo always draws a crowd for their workshops, competitions and speakers. John Godwin, known for his role in the A & E TV series “Duck Dynasty” will be the key speaker. You can get more specific information under the Events tab on this website. Another popular outdoor event will be the annual Trails End Chapter MDHA Dinner. Minnesota Deer Hunters Association provides funds for all sorts of local projects and you can learn more about those under the events tab as well. MDHA is one of many organizations that advocate for the best habitat management practices. Minnesota has abundant habitat and wildlife amid woodlands that are also managed to produce raw material for the forest products industry. Now is the time to get our and hike some forest trails, migrating birds of all types are returning and runoff from the snow melt will thunder through the area rapids and waterfalls. You might hear ruffed grouse drumming in their spring mating ritual. Or observe woodcock perform their aerial display called peenting, which includes a nasal “peent” call they make on the ground. Anglers are waiting for ice-up to hit the hard water fishing. The Whitetail Deer Firearms Season is winding down. So far, registrations are behind last year, and that is not a surprise given the harsh winter that prompted a bucks-only season for Minnesota. However, there are reports of success and the closing weekend weather promisers to be pretty fair.
We have had some serious freezing weather and there are hopes Rainy Lake will support anglers within a couple weeks. An early start coupled with the extended walleye season on Rainy Lake and Rainy River makes for the longest ice fishing season in the state. For the most up-to-date information you can call the International Falls, Ranier and Rainy Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1 800 325 5766 Anglers are fishing on Rainy River for the annual spring bonus. Here’s the proof, four trailer rigs parked at Nelson Park near Birchdale, a popular access site that is now open. The border water walleye season remains open until April 14, smallmouth bass, northern pike and crappie are open continuously and there’s the option to catch and release a sturgeon in the River. There will be a short tag season for sturgeon in late April and early May.
The walleye fishing is usually very good, some tips include getting below turbulance, like below the dam at International Falls, near the confluence of the Little Fork river at Pelland Junction, near the confluence of the Big Fork east of Loman or below Manitou Rapids near Indus. Another tip is to keep your bait just off the bottom using a fairly heavy sinker on a slide. We could easily mail you the annual Department of Natural Resources flyer on river fishing regulations and access locations. Just contact us through the email ([email protected]) or call at 1 800 325 5766. If you request information through the system on this website be sure to check the box for special spring walleye season under “interests”. Our brochure request page is located here. Other signs of spring will soon be showing, wildlife watchers will want to take notice of returning migratory birds. Some will be passing through and some will begin the mating and nesting routine. Our forests will turn green and runoff from the snow melt will soon be thundering through our rapids and waterfalls. Hiking trails and bike paths will be opening as will ATV trails. Again, if you’d like information we’d be happy to help. Use the contact information provided above. Before you know it, summer will arrive. Have you made your plans for a summer getaway? Now is the time to get that done. |
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