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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Species
WalleyeTechniqueMedium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12')SeasonFallStructurePointsFall on Rainy Lake is some of the best fishing of the year. Look for wind blown points, shorelines, and shallow humps. If you have side imaging you can see the fish, they will look like grains of rice on the screen. Cast the points, shorelines and shallow humps, very your retrieve. Look for areas will more of a sharp break, the bait fish will hold on that break as the wind pushes then to shore and the fish have a better ambush area. I like to use the XT mono it has more abrasion resistance, check your line often for nicks in the line and knot. Good Luck!
Species
Smallmouth BassTechniqueVertical Jigging Deep (20'+)SeasonFallStructureHumpsFall is some of the best time of the year for Smallmouth Bass ON Rainy Lake. Use your electronics to locate mid lake humps, look for ones with bigger the boulders the better. Vertical Jig the Rippin Raps over the top of the hump. I like to use fireline and tie it directly to the mono but you can use a small barrel swivel to connect them, or use only mono. Check the last couple feet of your line often for nicks and abrasions . Good Luck!
SpeciesSmallmouth 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!
SpeciesWalleyeTechniqueVertical 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!🎣
Species
CrappieTechniqueVertical Jigging Deep (20'+)SeasonFallStructureLaydownsFall is one of the best times for Crappie, use your electronics to locate a 30’ deep soft bottom basin. Drop to the bottom, bang thr Jigging Rap a few times on the bottom to attract attention and reel up just above the fish and start working you jigging rap slowly. Watch how they react to your bait, you should be able to watch on your normal 2D sonar or down imaging. You may want to tip the treble hook with a minnow head. If they don’t hit right away try playing keep away by raising your bait and trying to make them follow you. I like to use fireline with a short piece of mono with a swivel or tie the mono directly to the braid. Good Luck!
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueNed RigsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureRock Pile
