RAINY LAKE 7/17

[Realtree]

RAINY LAKE - Rainy Lake Tourism, www.rainylake.org (1-800-FALLS-MN)
 
Rainy Lake walleye are being caught in 30 to 40 feet of water around numerous reefs and humps. The strategy is to troll with crank-baits or leeches on a spinner rig when there's little wind, and jigging with leeches or crawlers when the wind picks up. Jigging seems to work best in 25 to 30 feet of water. The best times to fish are early and late in the day, avoid the midday sun. Some of the spots mentioned include the reefs near the mouths of Cranberry and Lost Bays and Community Reef in Sand Bay. Crappies are biting in Black Bay and smallmouth bass are starting to feed aggressively. Rainy river walleye and smallmouth are also biting, try any of the swifter waters and channels for walleye and work the weedy edges for bass. Sturgeon fishing is also open on the river with some good size fish being caught using large sucker minnows in 15 feet of water. Try areas near the Long Sault rapids at Birchdale. The North American Sturgeon fishing championship takes place in Birchdale Saturday, August 18th. 

Check up on the restrictions and give sturgeon fishing a try, these huge fish make great pictures.  Take a hike to spot some wildlife and your bonus could be a handful of fresh berries. There's quite a variety ripening on a daily basis, plus many wildflowers are blooming adding color and variety. There are trails for all types of recreation, from hiking trails in the Voyageurs National Park to suggested mountain bike routes on forestry roads and more.