Hey Rainy Fisherman!!!
I know this has been on a few threads, but just want to remind everyone once again to make sure you drain all water from your boat at the landings. Yesterday I went to a mandatory meeting for captains with permits to guide in VNP, and that was once again brought up. The Park Service and local C.O. “L.S.” were very informative and helpful. Another thing to consider is if your fishing with minnows, and you want to keep them after fishing. You will need to bring a seperate container of distilled water and transfer your minnows at the landing. My guess would be this will make most buy what they need, and no extras. They are taking a pro-active approach at trying to halt the spread of invasive species. Kudos for that!!!
Other topics of discussion was building out further stations for shore lunches, day usage, and campsites. It was brought up in the meeting about coming up with a container guides could carry along with them to bring back there fish frying oil instead of dumping it in the woods. My assumption would be that if this is adopted it may be a requirement for private campers as well. At this time though it is just in the discussion stage.
Hooking mortality was also a brief point of emphasis. It was found that up to 17% of walleyes caught and released from depths of 50 f.o.w did not survive. Here on Rainy there are times in which walleyes are on a decent bite in deeper water. Few anglers target fish in depths 50 feet plus, but I’ll be the first to admit I have. It was very interesting, and I will likely change patterns at a certain time of year. It was suggested that we might be “Encouraged” to find feeding fish at a lesser depth. Makes Sense…..
Lastly I’d like to put my 2 cents forth in self-policing out there this year also. The Park Service, Rangers, and C.O’s can/will only come in contact with a small percentage of users. It is up to us as individual anglers/campers to go the extra mile and leave the park and the rest of Rainy Lake “Better than you found it” If that means picking up someone elses garbage so be it!! There are far too many careless people, and there are FEW places with the pristine waters, and undeveloped shorelines teaming with gamefish as the Mighty Rainy!!! Lets Keep it that way.
Rainy is a world Class fishery, and unmatched in wilderness experiences. I have watched much traffic over the past few years gravitate from Canada to Ifalls, and I expect this to only increase! AHHH the secret is finally out!!! Rainy Lake!
Good Fishing!