Early Rainy River Ice Out Provides Fishing Opportunities
When ice out is recorded in Baudette, MN, it is when the main Rainy River channel opens up near the International Bridge. Records have been kept since 1934. This year the river opened up March 16th in Baudette. This is a tie for the third earliest since records on ice out have been kept. (Rainy River opening dates courtesy of the Northern Light Region).
This early ice out was a welcomed sight for anglers chomping at the bit to get their boats out into the open water. Initial reports were excellent for walleyes. After some time, the river started to get muddied up and slowed the hot bite down. Walleyes are still being plucked from the murky waters, but not at the rate as when the water was cleaner.
The sturgeon do not have a hard time feeding in dirty water. Most sturgeon anglers reporting success. The go to set up is a 3-5 ounce no roll sinker with an 18″ 60 lb leader material teamed up with a 5/0 circle hook. Anglers load the hook with crawlers, frozen shiners or some of both.
Local bait shops and resorts have the necessary bait and tackle used to fish the river this time of the year. Much of the sturgeon tackle, like the sturgeon rig referenced, is made by the local company Tom’s Tackle.
There is also an opportunity to leave your boat at home and hook up with one of our local guides. Call your favorite resort for details.
Spring fishing is a great opportunity to wet a line well before the MN Fishing Opener on May 14th. The Lake of the Woods are is fortunate to have the walleye season opened through April 14th, pike open all year and the ability to catch sturgeon most of the year, either during the catch and release season or the “keep season”.
Regardless of what species you are interested, know that the opportunity for a fish of a lifetime exists in these waters. Good luck fishing!
