Rainy Lake, North Arm Late May Pike

Hi, I have been fishing the North Arm of Rainy Lake every Memorial Weekend and staying at Cascade Camps (end of the North Arm) We have established a good list of nice spring pike spots (some walleye), but I am looking to further expand my bucket list. I would be happy to share my spring big pike locations with anyone in exchange for anything you have for big pike and walleyes. I found a few muddy bays up there that are produce hot spring pike and big ones. It is sure fun with rapalas! I can exchange e mails or whatever to convey the information. Think Spring!

Pig

Hey Pig, typically I’m staying a bit south of where you are by a couple miles. We don’t get all the way up to Cascade but guess we overlap a bit for fishing locations. Haven’t been up for Memorial day in about 10 years but mid-late June is a common trip. Mid-late September is our main go of it on the north arm.

When you say every year, how long are you talking? The reason I ask is that my buddy and I have seen a real shift in the past five years. One is that we’re catching a lot more walleyes than we did in the years prior. The other is some pike spots we have aren’t producing anymore. Spots that were quality for many years in a row.

If we can find running water in the early season that’s been gold for walleyes and some big ones. Not rocket science for a tip. Other walleye spots may be year dependent and I’ll typically post a report when I get back.

Sorry, I’m not much help. With a lack of confidence for pike the past couple of years I don’t want to put some wild goose chase on the internet.

Hey guys, My group has been going up to Cascades with Jo and Bob for the last 11 years. We go 3rd week in July and focus on smallies. I agree with the last post in that we have seen some amazing changes over that 11 years. Regarding pike we use to be able to troll and catch 10/hr all from the same class 34″. We did that for 3 summers and then they were gone. Then we were able to catch lots of big walleyes 26-29″ we did that for 2 years. During this time we were always able to do well on smallies. The last few years the bass #’s have been replaced by walleyes. Did not go last year due to the high water. We have never really been able to get on to the pike so would love any suggestions on how to do that would be greatly appreciated. Nothing like sleeping on the porch of the Northern and listening to the falls or watching the sunrise over the falls as you sit on the end of dock.

Best week of the year!!

@Jeffa – You’re spot on about the changes. My fishing partner has 30+ up there for experience and I hit 10 last year. Used to be we couldn’t hardly find walleyes. Those that we did find were large and no eaters.

Here’s a story that’s happened a couple times in recent years. Comes about 1pm and we don’t have a pike for shore lunch despite targeting them. Hey should we go over to xyz shoreline and get a walleye? 40 minutes later we have a couple eaters for a tasty lunch. Who would have ever thought it would be easier for 2 pike guys to get walleye for lunch?

We don’t specifically target the bass. You’re impressions were backed up by couple locals we hung out with for part of an afternoon. “Yes, there’s still bass but not like it used to be when they were chasing the smelt. That and the walleye are back in numbers”.

It’s definitely been interesting. I like getting more walleye but wonder about the days of getting 20+ pike in a day over 32″. One trip we averaged 7-8lbs per fish and had good numbers too.

@pigashalaka

Drop me a pm when we get closer to spring and we’ll trade some notes. I don’t have any real “spots” for walleye but have seen a pattern or two that is repeatable. Should be true each year before the transition to summer areas.

We could be hitting the same spots on the west end of Alexendria. Typically not so much for walleye in Little Canoe but that could be due to time of year since we’re a couple weeks behind you. Sears is one spot that we don’t spend a bunch of time. Made the run down to Big Canoe and picked up a few pigs.

Last year with the really high water there was a ton of current in many places that normally don’t have it. That was the key to big fish. If this year is more normal for precip then I would guess some of the older patterns are back in play.