My son, a guide and I fished the Canadian side of Rainy on 6/24 and 6/2. First day was a bit windy so we added walleyes to our focus. Did well on smallies in the AM and walleyes in the afternoon.

Tuesday the lake was glass and with the late spring, the smallies were on the beds and tight to shore. Three of us boated over 60 with many over 17″. Everything was working – top water, jigs, tubes and flukes all performed well, though the fluke seemed have an edge and would also get the stray walleye. The great fishing, breath-taking scenery and fantastic fishing made it one of the best days I’ve every had.

Some boats were trying the mid-lake reefs. I doubt they were having much success. The late spring has pushed the fish patterns back 2 to 3 weeks. We were catching walleyes in 6 to 7 feet where there was current.

Rainy with it’s location, size and accessibility discourages some people; however, those that fish it enjoy one of the best fisheries in Minnesota/Ontario.

Wouldn’t surprise me that Chad is swamped. I’m here in northern MN and the fishing has been the best in many years. I was up on the Gunflint (MN) trail last Sunday and heard a report that the smallmouth bass fishing is incredible right now.

My neighbor was up on Lac Suel two weeks ago and he said it was unbelievable. Other websites are reporting fishing in NW Ontario has been very good. I think the late spring has turned the fish on and they are making up for lost time.