Rainy river in the spring

I remember going to Rainy river in the spring and the mile long line at Birchdale and the hundreds and hundreds of guys up there that time of year. I got tired of the headache of trying to find a spot to camp and the long lines. I been going up to rainy for the past 18 years or so two to three times in the fall and it seems like the crowds are not as big as they used to be. I was trying to decide if I should head to Milwaukee in the spring for salmon or head up to Rainy. I would like to camp at Birchdale or don’t even mind getting a motel but if its like it used to be years ago forget it, just curious if theres some die hards that go up there in the spring that could let me know how bad the crowds are.
THanks

It all depends on the weather and the bite as to how busy it is each year. The last couple of years have been good with an early and gradual melt. The years when Birchdale is packed is when we have a late thaw and it is the only ramp open on the river. Wish I could give you more information, but every year it is a “play it by ear” situation for most of out group. Good luck!

Milwaukee is certainly no secret anymore either…

Aw crap- who let the cat out of the bag this time????

Just avoid the weekend if you can and the # of people will be significantly less. And as in most cases, less pressure = better fising. We typically do a Thursday-Friday and it hasn’t been that bad the last few years.