Talked my wife into heading to Rainy Lake for our summer vacation next year. Never been there before. Hoping to get out for a multi-species week long trip. Would like to bring my own boat. What are a guys/gals options that are close to good fishing grounds? Looking to make plans early as vacation picks for the wife need to be in soon. Any times to stay away from?
Hi Nic,
There are some nice options for lodging here on Rainy Lake close to great fishing. Some of the Land based resorts you might want to check out would be Thunderbird lodge as well as Sha Sha resort. I also might recommend you take a peek at houseboat options through Rainy Lake Houseboats. We were fortunate enough to board these floating condos once this summer and then again this fall, and they were absolutely awesome. They allow for an angler to tie up close to the best fishing any season!! As for timeframes that is truly up to you. Fishing is awesome on Rainy during all seasons, but different times will demand different presentations… .
We focus energies on Trophy pike before the Minnesota opener since Rainy Lake pike are open continuous up til about the 3rd week in May. We also target trophy walleyes during this period. As the end of May approaches we’ll be locating giant spawning slabs, and following big schools of walleyes as they begin migrating out of spawning grounds. June is a transitional month that has a nice bite shallow and deep, and also has sumo Smallies guarding beds, and offers awesome top water action!! July/August has many walleyes moving along with baitfish to deeper haunts, and can provide ridiculous action for 20 inch plus fish.
This should get you started Nic!! If I can be of further assistance give me a holler!! 
We always go around the last week in July. We go with 12 guys 6 boats, most of us fish for eyes only but a few go after bass and northerns in the evening and they seem to do well.We have been staying at Island View Lodge for about 7 years now. Its a nice resort,they have decent cabins and a full resturant/bar on site with gas and bait, plenty of dock space for boats. they have a ramp as well. Hope this helps,if you have any other questions send me a PM.
I have been using Island View Lodge for the past 8 years and cannot complain about their service at all. We always go up there with ten guys and have a blast. They have some decent cabins and the staff and owners have always been very helpful if we needed anything.
T-bird, Sha-Sha, and Island view are all in close proximity of each other. All in tight to GOOD FISHING!!
My wife checked out the resorts and was digging the Sha Sha place. As far as I am concerned a cot and a toilet is all I need, her expectations are slightly different. 
Sounds like a good place to test out my HB’s capability to read lakemaster chips. Now I just have to get through the winter… 
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