AAA Current Report 07/12/17 Rainy River Sturgeon Tag Season Opens

Current Report July 12, 2017

Weather has kept anglers close to the boat launches, but that’s been okay, they are finding walleye in Black Bay in the area of Skunk Island and Gold Portage with crappie around the various cribs in the bay. Those areas are fairly close to the big boat ramp at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Walleye are also being pulled from Cranberry and Lost Bay. Try leeches or crawlers on a light jig or trolled with a spinner for the walleye. Crappie are more likely to respond to smaller minnows on a jig. Anglers are expecting the walleye to transition to the deeper waters of the submerged reefs soon.

There have been some good reports of sturgeon from Rainy River now that the tag season is open. You can keep one of these monster fish per year with a tag and it must be between 45 and 50 inches or larger than 75 inches as a trophy. The common sturgeon method is a well weighted line with a large circle hook baited with several worms or minnows. Sturgeon tend to scout the bottom of the riverbed in 12 to 15 feet of water.   
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.