Rainy Lake
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Rainy Lake Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Rainy Lake. Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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Smallmouth BassTechniqueShallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6')SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureLedgesOne of the funnest times of the year to fish, is fishing for Smallmouth Bass on Rainy Lake in the spring. Just find a rocky shoreline that shallow water extends out on a shallow flat mixed with rocks, gravel, and sand. Cast the DT-4 onto the shoreline as close as you can to shore, and just start working the shoreline. Very your retrieve speed and direction as you reel your bait in. I like using the DT-4's because they are very durable, cast like a rocket, they float, and they have very sharp hooks. Make sure you check your line often as the first 5'-10' get very nicked up easily doing this kind of fishing.
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueLipless CrankbaitsSeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureRip RapLook for shorelines with a gradual break with a mix of large, small rocks, and sand. Put your trolling motor down and start working the shoreline. Late May through Mid June is best each year is different. The Smallys will be laying in the rocks and on there beds on the shoreline. Vary your retrieve speed and side to side. I like mono for the stretch when the fish hits so they don’t pull out of the hooks, check the last few feet of your line often for nicks. Watch for large rocks, they like to hide in and around them! Have Fun and Good Luck!
Species
WalleyeTechniqueVertical Jigging Deep (20'+)SeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureLedgesEarly Spring Walleyes can be tough some times, if it is a cold late spring use your electronics and look deep. Start at the firs break and work your way into deeper water out to 30 to 35 feet to locate your fish. Use the lightest jig you can get away with tip it with a minnow and work it slowly. Tie a short piece of mono to your braid about 5' long and check the last few feet of line often for nicks in your line. Good Luck!
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureLedgesJune is a great time to cast Chatter Baits on the shorelines and shallow points. Look for shallow rocky shorelines and put your trolling motor down and start casting. Very your speed and direction. I like to tie about 5’ or XT to the fireline as a little shock absorber, check your knots and the last few feet of line often for knicks. Good luck!🎣
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueNed RigsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureRock Pile
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueHard Topwater (Popping)SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureReeds
The fish were spawning up shallow in the reeds. You couldnt see the beds so casting a popper around spawning areas was the ticket.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueHard JerkbaitsSeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureRock Pile
Many of the fish were on points and rocks around spawning areas. Throwing a jerk-bait trying to around these areas trying in imitate ciscos seemed to work the best!
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueHard Topwater (Walking)SeasonSummerStructureRip RapFish were chasing small schools of minnows in shallow cuts and backs of bays. Flatter/ shallow bays with mixture of grass, sand, and rock were best. Mornings and evenings were best for topwater afternoons jerkbaits worked best for me. Cadence for topwater was key to getting bites. Most fish ate on pause so twitching in small bursts then pausing triggered bites. All visible smallmouth beds were vacant and fish were guarding fry and chasing bait. There were lots of pike and walleye were in the mix.
