Walleye fishing has been pretty darn good on Rainy Lake with the best bite early in the day. Around Birch Point, they are jigging with minnows in 25 to 30 feet of water and pulling in walleye, crappie and perch. Around American narrows and the Dryweed island area try going a bit shallower but continue to jig with a minnow. Northern Pike can be caught around Cranberry Bay and Rainy lake City using a large minnow in 10 to 12 feet of water.
There’s been enough snow to groom snowmobile trails and there’s some fresh snow in the current forecast. Lake surfaces have improved and the overland trails in our area are all in good shape. The Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzaerd Run is the main event for Icebox Days in International Falls. The 35th annual 5k and 10k races will be held Saturday, January 17 and there will be other fun events like Frozen Turkey Bowling or Smoosh Racing (4 people strapped to 2 x 4 runners). The temperature will be around 25 F which is perfect weather for the outdoor fun.
More interested in fishing? Walleye and perch continue to hit on jigs and shiner minnows in Sand Bay. The fishing has been best in the afternoon and in 25 feet of water. Around Rainy Lake City you can catch walleye in 20 to 25 feet of water and you will find some sizeable northern pike in around 10 feet of water. Further east, walleye and crappie are biting in the Cranberry Bay area. Snowmobile, Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe trails are all open and groomers are working on achieving excellent conditions. If you’d like to give the trails a try but have no gear you should know the National Park Servioce makes skis and snowshoes available at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center on Black Bay. The center is open 10am to 4:30pm Wednesday through Sunday. Ice Anglers continue to do well in Sand Bay jigging with a minnow early in the day. Walleye are hitting from 20 to 30 feet of water and crappie a bit shallower. The ice road has opened from Black Bay heading east and that provides a lot of new area for anglers with portable gear. There are usually walleye in the areas along the north and east side of Dryweed Island. People looking for big pike continue to hammer the Rainy Lake City area at the north end of Black Bay.
Snowmobile conditions are improving with the recent snows, the trails are open and the most up-to-date reports are found at the International Voyageurs Snowmobile Club site, www.ridetheborder.com Cross country ski and snowshoe trails are also open and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center at Voyageurs National Park has skis and snowshoes available. They are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00am to 4:30pm |
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