Looking to plan a trip up to Birchdale area in the near future with 2 buddies. I’m wondering where people stay in and around birchdale? Launch? How far by boat to good fishing? Any help or tips from what you guys have learned over the years would be great. Have only fished LOW in winter so this rainy river thing will be new to all 3 of us.
Well first of all I would get a Rainy River/ LOTW chip for my gps, just to be on the safe side.
Baudette is where most people stay in terms of hotel’s and that is about 30 or so miles from Birchdale, or you can go to Ifalls which is about 35 miles to birchdale, or if you really into camping you could camp right at the Birchdale landing.
Fishing areas around birchdale seem to be abundant, lots of good areas within 3 miles or so of the landing down stream, then you have a stretch of shallow water for a little while as you head down stream. Going up stream from Birchdale you run into the Manitou Rapids, where you would have to run thru a set of rapids, this year is low water and I wouldn’t suggest that unless you have a rental boat.. 
My personal opinion here but your best fishing on the Rainy River is around the Frontier access, lots of great walleye fishing nearby within 3 miles both downstream and upstream. Also very good sturgeon fishing as well.
Its a river system and the fishing conditions can and often do change on a daily basis, so what works one day may not the next, but surrounding yourself near fishy areas will increase your odds, that is why I like the Frontier area personally.
The mother load of walleyes have yet to run up river this year, so from now until close of the season should be very good fishing.
Do you plan on fishing the just the MN side, if so watch that imaginary line down the middle of the river as it will be an expensive fine if caught fishing in Canada with out the proper license or Remote Border Pass. Most of all have fun, bring the camera. 
Baudette motel is were we normally stay rooms are cheap like 60-65 a night americinn is alittle nicer and has free breakfast but the rooms are more $$. both only a couple minutes apart.
Any tips on launching a boat at those landings by myself? Going to have the boys with this weekend and neither is old enough to drive the boat or the truck. Well if it wasnt a crowded launch or parking lot I would let them but might not be the best to let my 14 year old son learn how to park a truck and trailer in this situation. Guess Im wondering if the shore is decent to park the boat on while I go park the truck?
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Any tips on launching a boat at those landings by myself? Going to have the boys with this weekend and neither is old enough to drive the boat or the truck. Well if it wasnt a crowded launch or parking lot I would let them but might not be the best to let my 14 year old son learn how to park a truck and trailer in this situation. Guess Im wondering if the shore is decent to park the boat on while I go park the truck?
Low water this year and a lot of people fishing the lake and using other access, should give you plenty of time at Birchdale, Frontier, or Vidas access. Parking your boat on shore is also not a problem.
Thank you so much, Calvin. I am coming up on Monday and being a first timer, had thought that Birchdale & downstream might be a good place to start learning. I don’t have a unit with a river chip, but if I take it easy, I should be OK. I fish Pool 4 reglularly, so I am familiar with river fishing and the presentations. My box is full of good plastics from Dean Marshall’s recomendations, so hopefully I’ll be good to go. Good to hear that I won’t be too late next week. 
Well there is a good bite going just down from birchdale on american side right now. We are having fun now, pitching jigs and plastic. Mainly pulse-Rs. Its good fishing just not stupid good!
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