I’ve fielded a handfull of phone calls over the past couple weeks in regards to fisherman groups looking to plan their respective fishing trips to coordinate with fish movements… Well that of course is a bit complicated as “Ma Natue” plays by her own rules. Water temps can vary year to year by 1-3 weeks. Since fish activities mainly revolve around water temperatures that induce spawning movements there is definately some play in this Trip Planning outline!! With that being said here is the information that I have passed along to these customers, and may be helpfull to you in planning your summer fishing trip here to the infamous Rainy Lake. April or Pre-Opener timeframe can and will produce some of the Largest Pike of the year. Many groups will target giant northern pike moving into shallow water to spawn either through late ice via Flags in which I ofen refer to as (Flags and Footballs) as many of my groups will combine football teams of guys bring the grill, eat brats, throw the football, and chase flags!! Great time to be on late ice, and get some bruiser pike. Otherwise of course as our Early Season Pike shoot James and I did illustrates dropping the boat into the first open water chasing the giant freaks of Nature is a great great trip!!! Then I move to the annual Rainy Lake Fishing Opener!! The simple excitement around the opener is good enough for me. This is the shotgun start of the open water season for Walleyes!! I openly have stated on many occassions if the Minnesota State Record for Walleye is broken in the foreseable future I believe it will be on a fishery such as Rainy Lake around the fishing Opener. It will take a late Spawn such as last year that has a select few big old walleyes still holding eggs. Trust me 35-36 inch walleye will carry some hefty weight in eggs that will likely be needed to top a state record!! As we progress in to May a lot of Males will hang around spawning grounds. Big pike will be taken for many nice digitals. Anglers will begin to follow crappies as they move in to spawn. First part of June marks “Bass on Beds” Crappies often around Spawning grounds, and Walleyes and pike relating to similiar structures. Female walleyes will be going on the chew. As June flies fish enjoy the warmer water and put on the feed bags. Deep water fish will start relating to traditonal summer haunts and shallow water fish just become even more active. I’m a firm believe there is a shallow water bite and deep water bite during the majority of the summer into the fall. Then JULY AND AUGUST!! Ohhhhhhh… July and August!! Trust me there are no DOG DAYS up here during those months. Fish have arrived to their respective destinations. Numbers of big fish are present. Big numbers of Big fish with eaters are often times the order of the day. Lastly as we progress into fall as many of you know it is my personal favorite time to fish pig walleyes. If you want a chance to put your first 30 on the board I’d come September-October. Kids head back to school and many family vacations have sadly come to an end. Many groups of guys and gals come up for some of the PIG CHASING!! Oh… Most falls will also have you slapping big slabs along with the monster pike, walleye and smallies. I have a few groups that choose to fish with us for a few days and then chase our feathered friends in their personal annual “Wings and Walleye” trips!! Trust me I look forward to it as much as anyone!! Is there anything better!! Last year during the fall run we landed 3 walleyes over 30 inches and 4 walleyes over 29 inches!! Many Many between 24-28!! Want a new PB??? You’ve just heard it here!! Look no further!!
Trust me this is a general outline, and there are many other factors or events to consider. Regardless of the fishing Rainy Lake will be come close and dear to your heart as it is For the Queen and I. Being amongst 220,000 acres of water, 2500 islands, and wonderful outdoors people is a passion that never gets old. Take Rainy Lake out of your “Bucket List”. Do It Up!! The Daze Team want to woop it up with ya!! High fives and pics are free of charge, and the Rainy Experience is Truly “PRICELESS”. 
Anyone with other specific questions in regards to their personal trip can feel free to PM me also. If I’m not able to help you out on your trip I will lead you in to someone who can!! 
Have been fortunate enough to be invited on a trip to Rainy every summer for the past 2-3 years. Like I said before, my favorite trip of the year. It is the one trip I cold go on, not catch a fish and still have a good time!! Those pics you posted are making me ready for open water and August weather. Always enjoy reading your posts/reports!! 
BOY DO I LIKE THAT!! Tough for many groups to decide what to target. I guess a person could have bigger troubles!! 
What a lake!!