Wondering if anyone has any pointers for fishing in Mid-September for walleye… I’ve been up twice this summer but this is my first year going up to Rainy. Wondering what I can expect in September in terms of type of structure/depth to fish. Also, is there any hope of catching Northern with any size in bays yet or is it way too early for that?
Thanks!
Contact Chris G. for a report-Its also wise to have a lakemaster chip-good Luck!
Mid-September can be very good for big Walleyes and Pike. The lake fishes entirely different East to West and North to South, so it is very difficult to generalize an entire 227,000 acres of water. What tends to happen towards the Mid to late September timeframe is the cisco population starts to migrate into a bit shallower water awaiting a fall spawn. When this happens many of Rainy Lake’s big Walleyes follow the movement. Shiners also begin to run. Big fish follow main forage movements. Thus IMHO the reason anglers start seeing greater numbers of elite caliber fish. As for Pike they can be had on main lake points and deeper cabbage beds. Mid-September can actually be a bit of a transitional time for some Walleyes as we tend to start getting our first few COLD fronts. 
I LOVE September and October on Rainy Lake!!
Thanks for the info Chris. We only get a couple days up there for my brother and my dad so I’m hoping we can catch a few good sized ones for them.
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Thanks for the info Chris. We only get a couple days up there for my brother and my dad so I’m hoping we can catch a few good sized ones for them.
Glad I could help. Have a great trip. Anglers do NOT want to miss September and October up here.
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Glad I could help. Have a great trip. Anglers do NOT want to miss September and October up here.
We will definitely be up 
. Oh, and I will be bringing some ” Red Roosters” Just picked up a few when I was at Evert’s this weekend.
My 1st September trip to Rainy in 4 wks…can’t wait. Even though I was just there a month ago…counting the days until I make the haul from Illinois.
Chris…I hope you’ve got the NRX ready for me(to fish with, not purchase 
)
Justin
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Glad I could help. Have a great trip. Anglers do NOT want to miss September and October up here.
We will definitely be up
NOPE….There will be a ban on the “Red Roosters” Hanson. 
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My 1st September trip to Rainy in 4 wks…can’t wait. Even though I was just there a month ago…counting the days until I make the haul from Illinois.
Chris…I hope you’ve got the NRX ready for me(to fish with, not purchase
Justin
Fill one more cavity and own it. 
Do you need some dental work Chris ??
. All of that fishing line that you’ve been biting off with your teeth must be doing some damage.
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Do you need some dental work Chris ??
LOL!! I actually STOPPED doing that. Old habit, but everytime I did it this year I thought of you telling me NOT to do it!!
wondering how the weather will be like mid-september on rainy? this is the third year up there, first year was mid july, then mid-august, now mid-sept.just wondering if i should bring my bibs and boots. We are camping and hoping to catch some big ol fat wallies 
22 days and counting! can’t wait!!!
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wondering how the weather will be like mid-september on rainy? this is the third year up there, first year was mid july, then mid-august, now mid-sept.just wondering if i should bring my bibs and boots. We are camping and hoping to catch some big ol fat wallies
Bring your Sno-Suit, Storm-Suit, Shorts and sunscreen. Then you might have the right gear!! LOL!! Truly mid-September is unpredictable. 80 one day and 40 and sleet the next. Fish are transitional and knowing the migration is critical to success. I love September for multiple reasons, but I also feel the fish are much less broadspread than July or August. Those big fish will follow shiner runs and hold tight to the cisco population that starts to think about the fall spawn.
Fall is changing leaves, Waterfowl buzzing the boat, wide open spaces and Fat Walleyes in borderland. Don’t want to miss it!!
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mid-September is unpredictable. 80 one day and 40 and sleet the next.
Day one of the IDO RLHB trip last Sept. (3rd week in Sept) Nice hail/sleet storm passing through. The rest of the trip was pretty darn nice out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evXfLXWEPWk&feature=g-upl
Just booked a trip with RLHB. Will be back on the lake the 3rd week of Sept again. Honeymoon trip on the “Honeymooner Houseboat” Can’t wait!
-J.
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….wide open spaces and Fat Walleyes in borderland. Don’t want to miss it!!
No doubt!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psk97VW_T6w
-J.
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Day one of the IDO RLHB trip last Sept. (3rd week in Sept) Nice hail/sleet storm passing through. The rest of the trip was pretty darn nice out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evXfLXWEPWk&feature=g-upl
Just booked a trip with RLHB. Will be back on the lake the 3rd week of Sept again. Honeymoon trip on the “Honeymooner Houseboat” Can’t wait!
-J.
Jon, you’re my hero on this for two reasons. We were camping up on the north arm at the same time. Only difference was that miserable day was day four for us. We had never heard of a rain warning before that trip. You guys were pretty motivated to be out in that stuff.
The other is the reference to a honeymoon. Just got engaged the other week and she keeps asking about what to do for a honeymoon. Every time I answer, let’s go to Ontario! She just rolls her eyes at me. Now I’m going to let her know there’s precedent 
This year we didn’t feel like freezing as much so we’re doing the second week. Be up there in 7 days, not that I’m counting.
Wife and I did the houseboat honeymoon trip for the first 5 or 6 years we were married. Been a long time since the last trip. This year will be number 25. Man, time flies! Congrats on your engagement.
….and yes, she was Ok to let me hang with the boys on year 24. She is a great gal!
-J.
So can you elaborate on the shiner run to this southerner? I’m not sure I understand where the shiners are coming from and where they are going… General info about this would be helpful to me as I examine my maps and identify a few spots to try.
Looks like there is a bit of cool weather on the horizon for Int’l Falls. I wonder if it’s enough to trigger a fall bite, or just enough to trigger a frustrating transition period. Can’t wait until next week!! 
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So can you elaborate on the shiner run to this southerner? I’m not sure I understand where the shiners are coming from and where they are going… General info about this would be helpful to me as I examine my maps and identify a few spots to try.
Shiners tend to run up small inlets/creeks during the fall. Bigger Walleyes of course like to follow the Gravy train. Timing of course is critical for this bite.
Ah, that makes sense. Thanks again for the info Chris.
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