I recently got invited on a trip to the Rainy for the same weekends you stated. I’ve never been up there and after reading your post I’m guessing I’m going to be underpowered as far as a rod. I do have a 10 ft. surf rod spooled with 50# line.But it doesn’t get much use. I thought I was going for Walleyes and Now I find out about 50#+ Sturgeon. What I’m saying is Help! I need to find out what to expect. Any advice on a trip to the Rainy would be greatly apprieciated. Rat13

Mavzer is on the right track. If you have the time. Catch you’re own bait. Just find a small creek, A pool on that small creek and you’re in business. You would be suprised how many creeks have good populations of bait fish. All you need is a split shot, the smallest hook you can find and a piece of worm. A good spot to start is where culverts come out from under roads. Any road, any creek, Though you might get a few strange looks from passers by etc..

I haven’t fished the dam much this week. Absolutely too crowded on weekends, unless you’re willing to walk or stay late. The west side is tough to fish, lot’s of current and lots of rock. It can be done when the water is lower but who knows when that will be. The east side is inconsistant lately because they keep changing the gates on the dam. The best way too get there from ST. Paul is to follow 35e to hwy 10. Stay on 10 towards anoka/610. Exit on Foley blvd.and take a right at the light. Go to either Coon Rapids blvd. or East River Road. Go right (North). Then left on Egret. If you want to take a drive follow east river road south of Foley blvd. There are some gaps in the housing along the river but you have use trial and error because I know how to get there,but not the name of the roads specifically.

Sorry carp chaser I don’t ever use worms at the dam, I’m just not a convert to buglers and bullheads. Gotta have big shiners or suckers for my favorite pursuit.

Been getting a few 28″. I figure thats around 7-8lbs. There’s a canoe launch at the Cross lake dam that I see people use but as far as the float I don’t know if there’s rapids or what. I’ve been using waders as well. Kind of tough in the high water though. As far as bait, I start with smelt, then go to live suckers, then cut them up.