Good Fishing, Even Better Blueberries

The Rainy Lake Guide Association tells us the fishing is pretty good, and the hikers tell us the blueberries are ripe and plentiful. Here's the report we got from the guide association this week.

Walleye: Walleye have made their predicted summer movement to main lake reefs and break lines. People have been most successful using jigs and minnows or lindy-rigs and leaches. Walleyes can change depths daily so don’t be afraid to spend a little extra time searching with your electronics to pinpoint the best locations.

Crappie: Crappies have moved out to deeper structures in the 15 o 30 foot range. Using your electronics to find them is important. Jigs and minnows or slip bobbers have been the best tools.

Smallmouth Bass: Bass have been caught with a variety of techniques. Top water, spinner baits, twitch baits and plastics are all catching fish depending on the situation and weather patterns. Rocky shorelines, points and weed/rock combinations have been holding fish.

Northern Pike: Small pike often appear to be everywhere; rocks, weeds, and deeper structure. Large pike have been caught trolling large deep diving crank baits, typically near or at the same depths as the walleyes are being caught. Both break-lines and reef structures have been effective. Deeper weed lines casting spinner baits, larger jerk baits, twitch baits, and spoons have also proved successful.

As for the blueberries, they can be found on islands throughout Rainy Lake and it is legal to gather some for your own consumption in the National Park. Outside the Park, roam the forestry roads of Koochiching County and check rock outcroppings. A bonus will be spotting wild raspberries, which are also ripe and plentiful.

This post was brought to you by Rainy Lake Guide Association.