Rainy Lake vs. LOW

I am planning a fishing trip to northern Minnesota for the middle of Sept. I am looking at going to either LOW or Rainy Lake. Anyone have any opinions regarding the pros and cons of either lake? I have not been to either lake.

Both lakes are excellent walleye fisheries, the best. Rainy is probably a more multi species lake unless you fish the north/northwest part of lotw. The same goes for the scenery, the south side of lotw is pretty much canadian shield. Not really scenic, but the canadian side and N.W. angle are very scenic. Rainy is in voyageurs national park and is a real jewel as far as scenery goes. As for other things to do, there is a casino in warroad if you gamble but some nice restaurants/bars on rainy.One big consideration is that rainy can be fished even in moderate wind with all the islands, lotw is pretty open. Both are excellent choices!!!!! good luck, have fun, be safe!!!

plingle-
Are you planning on staying on the us or canadian side? I would reccomand Rainy Lake. September can be a windy month in this area and rainy has way more area to tuck out of the wind. What are you planning to fish for? September is a great month for walleye smallmouth bass and crappie on Rainy Lake. I have been guiding on Rainy for the last 11 years and have live here my whole live and September one of the best times to be here.

September was real good up here on LOTW this year. Trophy walleye, pike and perch. Running lead core over mud flats. Like others have said though, it can get choppy at times.

Thanks for the info. Planning on staying on the us side – don’t want to deal with passports. Eyes, smallies and crappies – just what we are looking for.

Rainy. Stay at the Thunderbird.

Hi Plingle,

Both LOTW and Rainy can be absolutely lights out in September. September/October are without a doubt my favorite big fish months for Walleye/Pike and Crappies. Smallies also really get crazy on deeper reefs with the dropping lake temps. I often like to run combo trips in which we fish walleyes for part of the day, and chase slabs for part of the day.

We will be holding our In Depth Outdoors/Rainy Lake Houseboat excursion in the Middle of September, and although last year we had a “HEATSTROKE” we absolutely punsished the 20-25 inch walleyes. Shortly afterwards the water finally had the normal fall cool down and the big fish were in a frenzy.

Let me know If I can help answer any other questions.

After reading and drooling over all the Rainydaze posts over the past year, about the only case I would try to make for LOW would be if you wanted to chase muskies. LOW would be a top choice for skis.

LOL!! The Canadian side of Rainy Lake has some BIG muskies like LOTW. Regardless both fisheries are simply world class. I say bring your shotgun next fall. Have a wings and walleyes weekend in “Manland”. I know you’d be happy wherever you wet your line. If your like me you are simply looking forward to dipping that boat back in the cool spring waters!! Heck for that matter I wouldn’t rule out the Rainy River either. Gets a lot of press in the spring, but many forget about it come fall.

If I were planning a trip to either of these two lakes on the US side, I would go with Rainy Hands Down. As Matt Shermoen mentioned if it gets a little rough, rainy has lots of islands and bays to tuck into vs. US Low being primarily wide open – especially if you are looking at staying in the baudette/warroad area.
Go with rainy you will enjoy it.