Rainy Lake walleye are being caught on the reefs and along the rocky shorelines. Just about any live bait has been working, worms, leeches and minnows. Smallmouth bass are being caught along the same rocky shorelines as the walleye, but in shallower water where there are more weeds. Anglers are anticipating a fall flurry of crappie fishing, which has not started yet.
Fall colors are showing and will peak soon. Along with the fall colors comes ruffed grouse season, and grouse hunters are flushing some birds but complain there’s still a lot of cover. Expect to see more leaves down every day as winter approaches. Drumming counts were up in the spring, so everyone is expecting to see a pretty fair population of grouse through the season It’s been windy, but those getting out on the lake report walleye are hitting on minnows surprisingly close to the windswept shorelines of islands from Sand Bay to Brule Narrows. East of Brule Narrows, they are finding walleye on the submerged reefs in 20 to 30 feet of water. Smallmouth bass are also lurking along the island shorelines, but are more likely in areas with some weed cover. Crappie have been hitting in Black Bay, and for the most part, within a quarter miles of the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
Fall colors should start their big show very soon, some aspen are turning yellow, and there’s the occasional splash of red maple leaves, but for the most part, the forest is still green in Northern Minnesota. Ruffed grouse and bear hunters have been out and find there’s a lot of brush and cover in the forest yet, but there are bear and grouse being taken. The DNR estimate on bear harvest for our area is down a bit from last year, while the spring grouse drumming count was up indicating hunters should see more birds this season. 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 The weather is cooling and the fish have become more aggressive. Walleye anglers are having success in 25 to 30 feet of water on the submerged structure and along the windswept shorelines. Jigging with a minnow, leech or worm in the calmer weather, and trolling a spinner rig and minnow in the rougher waters. Smallmouth bass have been hitting from the shorelines from roughly Dove Bay to Cranberry Bay. Black Bay and Cranberry Bay are the hot spots for northern pike.
Rainy River has been seeing more action for walleye anglers lately using emerald shiner minnows in 15-20 feet of water. The stretch from the dam at International Falls Downstream to about Browns Corner has been best near International Falls. Downstream, the best areas are between the Little Fork and Big Fork Rivers. 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 |
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