Dustin,
We are almost always up on the East end of Rainy that last week of July/First week of August each year. The last few we have been camping at the Blueberry island site. Can’t help much with houseboat sites since we tent camp, but I can certainly help out with fish info.
Unfortunately this year we will be on the East end July 4-10th at the Kempton Entrance site (will be camping on Kab July 27-31st, since my in-laws are staying at a resort that same week on Ash River).
Most of your walleye fishing will be on the offshore humps, or along rocky island shorelines. Typical depths are 25-35′ in August. We mostly lindy rig a leech/half crawler using a 3/4 oz sinker, or pull spinners on 3 oz bouncers. I use both a crawler and leeches on the spinners.
Your biggest pike are going to be hanging around those humps, eating eye’s.
Trolling large cranks around the humps can work.
But due to the stained water, and the deeper water depths, eye fishing can be really good even mid-day on Rainy in August.
If you’ve never been to Kettle Falls, consider a taking a half day and fishing your way down and back, and check out the hotel and the “Tiltin Hilton” bar there. The run up the river to Kettle Falls is a little tricky (its all bouyed, but can be confusing in a couple spots). There are plenty of spots to fish there and back. Reefs, humps and islands.
When you get closer, post again and I can shoot you some specific spots. And as BW said, for sure hit Billy up for some intel before you head out. The guy has forgotten more about Rainy than most will even know.
