Beginner on Rainy Lake

I am heading up to Rainy Lake over the labor day weekend and staying at the Island View Lodge near Black Bay. This is my first time on Rainy and I am seeking advice or any tips on where to go and what to use in an early September trip. At this point in the year, can pike and smallmouth be caught in the shallows or am I still wanting to fish the reefs? At what depth or where can I find a good Crappie bite on the lake this time of year.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

Black Bay is your friend………just go slow until you know where the rocks are. Hit the islands for some Smallmouth.

If you have a “chip” and a adequate boat a trip to the east end reefs pass the Brule Narrows is fun.

A hot sunny day requires a “scenery” stop at Sha Sha also.

I have fished Rainy for the past 2 year in early October, a chip for your locator will be your best friend!

I had never fished a lake this size until my first trip there and it was an eye opener for sure. If the wind kicks up, take it slow and easy.

I haven’t fished Black Bay at all but I have fished the Brule and the reefs to the east (along with the Kempton Channel) we target walleyes so I am no help on northern or smallies though

If you have a chip trolling the American Narrows for Pike is worth the effort also.

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll make sure to post how I do after the Labor Day weekend.

At that time you are a little early to catch Crapie in thr Rat Root river at the back of Black Bay. You should be able to find them around the cribs just outside the opening of Black Bay, they are marked on some of the maps. Tip: cribs are easier to find useing down imaging if your fish finder has that. Walleyes should still be on the reefs. For some reason this year there seems to be more northern on the tops of the reefs.
I will be up there a week starting Aughust 16th and will post a report when back to Wisconsin.

Very helpful Wayne, appreciate the comments.