Wife has been doing some reading and is convinced we need to go in July, not sure either way but we’re all set for the April outing and I was looking for appox numbers of fish caught and number of people from last year.
Not much luck doing a search, but does anybody have a estimate??
She also says crawers aren’t the best bait????????
I haven’t a clue, so that’s why I’m asking the experts..:)
tia
Al
Where are you going on this outing?
Allen
Every year I have been up we have caught fish.
There have been years when we boated 26 sturgeon in a morning. That has not been the norm for the other years though.
I would say that if you are fishing a spot without a fish for an half hour, move to another location. There are times when one only has to cast to a different spot in the same anchored location as they will follow a certain path.
Typically I would say about 3-4 an hour is a pretty good bite. As far as the plus 50″ fish, who knows when they hit. We usualy have all 3 people in my boat pop a 50″ fish for each trip except for last spring.
In regards to bait, the first years I went up we used 100% crawlers and the last few we have used both minnows and crawlers.
I do believe we may catch on average some bigger sized fish with the minnows and crawler combo on the hook.
Both baits will work. Typicall for 3 in my boat, I always have a flat of crawlers for 4 days and typically we go through all of them if we are fishing souly with crawlers.
I cannot help wiith the numbers but there are typically no shortage of fisherman but there is plenty of room for aLL.
I hope that helps a bit.
Tom, do you think the addition of minnows helps keep the suckers at bay? There are times when the suckers can get really annoying (and I usually enjoy catching suckers).
Thanks, Farmboy it’s the spring IDO trip up to Rainy.
Tom I realize it’s gonna vary on fish count, but I should be able to tell her we’ll catch fish…I hope..:)
She just emailed me and said she was reading about the NW territories and not Rainy…might make a difference..:)
Al
Ralph, it sure seems that the minnow only do keep the suckers at bay. I do still get some on the minnow-crawler combo but it is not as bad as the crawlers by themselves.
At least that has been my expiernece in the past 7 years.
Heck, I do not mind the suckers as they do help me out with a good cut bait supply come catfish time.
Yes, you should be able to catch fish.
If you have any type questions in regards to rigging for the sturg, please feel free to ask and I am sure there are plenty of members and staff here who are more than willing to help you out.
Many will also help out with what type structur to target and you will see where everyone fishes when you are out fishing.
Do not be afraid to fish the Rainy as one can get some great action in the river and some very nice fish.
I think last year with the warmer weather we missed the majority of the run. Granted, we still caught fish, but not as many as we had in the past. I would think July would put you into fishing the lake instead of the river, but that is just a guess.
Also remember when you see many online reports of sturgeon, 95% of the world does not have the equipment or experience to measure/weigh large fish. You will always see the “phantom 70″ fish that looks to be about 50”, but people just cannot handle these fish with standard equipment. Just another thing to keep in mind when reading some reports.
With baits you will find as many questions as answers. I can’t say that there is a better bait than crawlers IMHO. Last year I ordered a bunch of west coast white sturgeon baits. Horrible stinky stuff, squid, smelt, injections, etc. It worked, not great, not bad. Minnows will work, as will cut bait. My boat has always tried different baits hoping to pick up on the “pattern”. Never did find one, just found that sturgeon eat about anything.
I know some guys like minnows because it eliminates any worm mess from bedding, gut, etc and they are also easy to get at the last minute. Stopping sucker bites sounds like the best reason for using them IMHO.
I will second the opinion of moving every hour or so if you are not picking up fish. Even a move of a few yards has made the differene to us. Most of the fish we have caught has been within one 200 yard stretch of river. Ryan may know the one I’m talking about 
If memory serves me, there has been at least 3 fish caught there over 65″. I can’t seem to remember how to get there 
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Ralph, it sure seems that the minnow only do keep the suckers at bay. I do still get some on the minnow-crawler combo but it is not as bad as the crawlers by themselves.
At least that has been my experience in the past 7 years.
Heck, I do not mind the suckers as they do help me out with a good cut bait supply come catfish time.
Yes, you should be able to catch fish.
If you have any type questions in regards to rigging for the sturg, please feel free to ask and I am sure there are plenty of members and staff here who are more than willing to help you out.
Many will also help out with what type structur to target and you will see where everyone fishes when you are out fishing.
Do not be afraid to fish the Rainy as one can get some great action in the river and some very nice fish.
Explanation of how rigged, also what kind and size of minnow and type of hook and size would be appreciated.
tia
Al
I’d recommend against a July trip. Sure there are river fish to be caught, but maybe not the best time to be up there. If I remember right, there is a member here who catches them throughout the year. Your best times to be up there are April/May and Sept/Oct. I did a fall trip last year for the first time and we did really well.
I’m a minnow guy too. I’ve had good luck with 4 or 5 fatheads. But both work well.
All I know is 4/14 can’t get here soon enough!
Lots of errors in reporting.
This one was reported as 35″.
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Most of the fish we have caught has been within one 200 yard stretch of river. Ryan may know the one I’m talking about
Brent…it’s by the church
You guys can’t fool me. It’s by the 
silo.
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Lots of errors in reporting.
This one was reported as 35″.
Not even Bob Bowman could make a 35″ fish look that big 
Alright, back to Al’s questions…
I use 3/0 or 4/0 circle hooks Al. I started with 2/0 but became concerned as these fish keep getting bigger and I didn’t want to take the chance of a bent hook.
Circles look like they were made for sturgeon, because of the shape of their mouth and it being on it’s underside. I know there will be people that disagree, but I clip the barb off of my circles to make unhooking a breeze. I ‘spose there is more of a chance of a lost fish if the line isn’t kept tight or the fish goes airborne.
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Lots of errors in reporting.
This one was reported as 35″.
Your right, but that was a girth 
I do know when I say Joes fish a few years ago, I did say “ohh good God”, so it must be in front of a church
As for hooks, I don’t like circles just because it is so fun to set the hook. I run between a 2/0 and a 4/0 gamagato hook. A 1-2′ leader and whatever weight you need to hold it. I like to run 2oz, but I think one year we could not hold all the time with 6 oz.
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Alright, back to Al’s questions…
I use 3/0 or 4/0 circle hooks Al. I started with 2/0 but became concerned as these fish keep getting bigger and I didn’t want to take the chance of a bent hook.
Circles look like they were made for sturgeon, because of the shape of their mouth and it being on it’s underside. I know there will be people that disagree, but I clip the barb off of my circles to make unhooking a breeze. I ‘spose there is more of a chance of a lost fish if the line isn’t kept tight or the fish goes airborne.
I think I’m set then for hooks, if I remember right you suggested them last year and I went out and bought a bunch.
Bending the barbs down seems like a good idea also, works on my musky lures.
I’m interested in how you get 2-3 nightcrawlers and a fathead on one of these hooks though, hook the minnow though the front maybe and just hooks the crawlers every 1″ or so??
Thanks all.
Al
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Lots of errors in reporting.
This one was reported as 35″.
Your right, but that was a girth
I do know when I say Joes fish a few years ago, I did say “ohh good God”, so it must be in front of a church
As for hooks, I don’t like circles just because it is so fun to set the hook. I run between a 2/0 and a 4/0 gamagato hook. A 1-2′ leader and whatever weight you need to hold it. I like to run 2oz, but I think one year we could not hold all the time with 6 oz.
Dang that is a fish.
So Al you are going to be up for the IDO sturgeon Excursion?
We where up in late September one year and seen guys catching sturgeon on the river. Guess its supposed to get even better in Oct.
Its getting closer. Hoping we get our 1st trip in by mid April this year.
Two worms and a minnow in between…one worm and two minnows…three worms…three minnows…
Once you get there, try them all and use what works best for you. As far as how to stick a fathead, hook them through the head or the side, crush some, use just the head…use just the guts.
Now that told you a lot huh?
Personally speaking, I’ve had better luck with crawlers in th spring and cut bait in the fall. Your results may vary.
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Two worms and a minnow in between…one worm and two minnows…three worms…three minnows…
Once you get there, try them all and use what works best for you. As far as how to stick a fathead, hooke them through the head or the side, crush some, use just the head…use just the guts.
Now that told you a lot huh?
Personally speaking, I’ve had better luck with crawlers in th spring and cut bait in the fall. Your results many vary.
Sounds like your saying finesse isn’t a word we’d use here? 
I figure when we anchor next to your boat, you’ll show us all the fine points..
Mike, yes we missed it last year, but got vacation time and such set up for the April IDO outing.
Be a first for us.
Al
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Sounds like your saying finesse isn’t a word we’d use here?
There are some that would disagree, but I’ve found sturgeon not to be afraid of hooks, lines or sinkers.
It drives some people nuts when I leave an inch or so of the 80 pound test line flapping in the wind at the hook. To each there own. 
I totally agree Brian, the sturg simply want food.
I started out using circle hooks and then switched to 3/0-4/0 hooks. Seems to work for me.
With all the talk of high water, I got to wondering if the anchor I have will hold up at Rainy?
I’m currently using a split ring mechanical unit that came from Cabela’s, it’s got fairly wide blades on it and the ends are more flat/blunt than like their water spike anchor.
Added to that I have about 7′ of chain and lots of anchor rope.
What are you guys using???
tia
Al
What have you for a boat?
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What have you for a boat?
Sorry, that would probably help…:)
2007 185 alumacraft Tourney Sport
Al
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Lots of errors in reporting.
This one was reported as 35″.
Not even Bob Bowman could make a 35″ fish look that big
Ouch 
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Two worms and a minnow in between…one worm and two minnows…three worms…three minnows…
AKA “The St, Croix Samich!”
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With all the talk of high water, I got to wondering if the anchor I have will hold up at Rainy?
I’m currently using a split ring mechanical unit that came from Cabela’s, it’s got fairly wide blades on it and the ends are more flat/blunt than like their water spike anchor.
Added to that I have about 7′ of chain and lots of anchor rope.What are you guys using???
tiaAl
Not familiar with that anchor Allen. A big water spike is what I use. 100′ of rope with another 50 kept in the storage compartment. Some times you need that extra rope to get the anchor set but that doesnt mean you need to leave that much out. Once the anchor is set you can then shorten up how much rope you have out.
Did have issues getting my anchor to hold at the gap a few years back. Very few other places have I ever had a problem. Most of those places involved hard bottom and strong currents. A difficult place for a lot of anchors.
For sturgeon, I prefer to anchor the front and the back of the boat. When you are trying to feel a light bite from a sturgeon, any boat swing will hurt.
I have a large spike, and 25 lb river anchor (dig in style), and a large “west coast” anchor that I have only seen one of in my life. I bring them all.
Bringing more than one anchor up to the rainy is not a bad idea.
Not familiar with that anchor Allen. A big water spike is what I use. 100′ of rope with another 50 kept in the storage compartment. Some times you need that extra rope to get the anchor set but that doesnt mean you need to leave that much out. Once the anchor is set you can then shorten up how much rope you have out.
Did have issues getting my anchor to hold at the gap a few years back. Very few other places have I ever had a problem. Most of those places involved hard bottom and strong currents. A difficult place for a lot of anchors.
Looks like it’s got two blades that swing back and forth and the more you pull on them the deeper they go, something like this…
http://www.wholesalemarine.com/p/G-P-669-11-B/PVC+Coated+Slip+Ring+Fluke+Style+Anchor+11lb.html
Hope the link works.
Farmboy, BK suggested I bring a extra one for the back, I’m thinking something like a 15# mushroom should work ??
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