You still have time to reel in some walleyes before the season closes for 30 days.  The Rainy River and Lake of the Woods offers a unique season running through April 14.  What happens after walleye closes?  Monster sturgeon and aggressive northern pike cranks up!  Sturgeon catch and release is now through April 23. You can keep one within 45”-50” or over 75” April 24-May 7.  Many people catch and release but they are a very good smoked fish too.  May 8-15 is catch and release again. Northern Pike season never closes. We have guides and boats available and ready to give you a fun fishing experience.  Give us a call 800-862-8602 or click here to book online.

Walleye Bite
This week has been a cool one but the bite is picking up.  Water clarity is decent.  Anglers are catching some 14”-21” and a few 25”-32”.  Pitching long shank jigs tipped with a rainbow in varying depths has been working, the fish are scattered. Let the current do the work.  Half ounce or less gold or pink jigs in the bays and three quarter or one ounce in the river.  Four Mile Bay, outside Lighthouse Gap, areas in the Rainy River including Wabanica Bay and around the Baudette airport have been decent spots. Water temperature is currently 35 degrees.   Guided trips, lodging and dock slips available.

Thanks Guide Bryan Beef Sathre on the tip where to go Saturday evening. Finally got a few keepers in the livewell and this 29 inch fatty! Caught by Jake Neu

Thanks Guide Bryan Beef Sathre on the tip where to go Saturday evening. Finally got a few keepers in the livewell and this 29 inch fatty! Caught by Jake Neu

Oelrich Party guided by JP Tessier. Caught on a jig and a minnow

Oelrich Party guided by JP Tessier. Caught on a jig and a minnow

 

 

 

Sturgeon are active
Anglers are finding lots of sturgeon lately.  Sizes between 25-70 inches in length are common.  These prehistoric bottom feeders swim the bottom of the river and are usually found in deep holes and areas where there is current.   The best approach is to anchor and use a 2-4 ounce no roll weight, 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook tipped with a gob of night crawlers and even a minnow or two.

57 inch lake sturgeon caught by Guide, Mike Marquardt

57 inch lake sturgeon caught by Guide, Mike Marquardt

69 incher!!!!! What a catch Melissa Schibonski Denning!!

69 incher!!!!! What a catch Melissa Schibonski Denning!!

Spring Pike Bite is soon here
Did you know Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River is one of the top 5 lakes in Minnesota to catch a trophy pike?  The nearly one million acres of border waters offers an enormous habitat for these fish.   The bite will really start to pick up in the next few weeks when the weed growth starts. Casting shiny and glittery dare devils and rapalas catch the eye of these aggressive fish in the bays of the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods.

Tips for Lifting Big Fish
When lifting a big fish, try and grab the sturgeon by the tail and support the fish under its mid-section. Holding a large fish vertically can actually tear its internal organs and gill plates, eventually leading to mortality.

$40 Lodging & Guided Trips Available
Lodging starting at only $40* per person per night now through May 26.  Guided trips available aboard an 18’-20’ boat, bait, use of poles and fish cleaning provided $450 for a full day trip for up to 4 people. Charter trips available starting May 14. Up to 20% off lodging and charter fishing packages May 14-26.*plus tax and based on double occupancy. Book your trip online now or by calling 800-862-8602.

Open Water
The Rainy River is open from Birchdale to Lake of the Woods. All boat ramps are open.  Lake of the Woods is open a few hundred yards outside of Pine Island.