Whatever happened to the “Dog Daze” of August. Back in the day anglers were convinced the highly sought after walleye would somehow slip into some heat induced coma during this “Umbrella Drinks” timeframe of a Minnesota summer. Fisherman heading to Rainy Lake have now come to expect superior fishing for elite fish nearly as hot as the weather. Our upcoming forecast looks simply awesome with temperature readings maxing out with highs only in the low 70’s and dropping into the low 50’s at night. With risk of sounding like a broken record; The summer beatdown continues with nearly equal amounts of beautiful eater sized fish (14-16 3/4 inches) and big slots averaging 21-24 inches! Trips have averaged 20 walleyes exceeding the 20 inch mark with a box of eater fish commonplace. Color has seemingly played a larger role as of late with the purple and white being our go to H20 Precision jig!!
Playing the wind has been very critical to our success. Many anglers have come to respect the vastness of Rainy Lake. It’s a lake that is simply loaded with structure that frankly all looks good. Truth of the matter is most of that “Good Looking Structure” holds walleyes at some point in the season. As anglers looking to target the biggest and baddest on a consistent basis you simply must be able to define the most productive pieces of structure that will hold the most ciscoes in close proximity. Remember the Walleyes on Rainy Lake are predominately in a resting period when you locate them on structure. The feeding frenzy will typically take place mid-summer out in the open basin. When we structure fish it is crucial that anglers understand that we are fishing fish that are in much more of a nuetral mood. This is why often times plastic bites can be dynamite up shallow when some fish are on the prowl, but very difficult on deeper mid-lake structure. The fish up shallow are feeding while the fish on deeper structure lack the desire to chase bait while they are in a resting mode. Still large pods of walleyes can be had on structure here in August. Anglers looking for the biggest concentrations of walleyes will want to understand where the ciscoes are in the basin. Both directional winds and current play a role in the location of the bait fish on Rainy Lake.
Our current surface temperature readings have been around 75 degrees. We continue to notice some mayfly husks floating around the lake. These smaller hatches rarely hinder an anglers action on his trip. I’ve fielded a few emails this past week with anglers struggling. Although I firmly believe there is nearly always a good bite taking place it is easy to undertand based on the massive size of this fishery how it can fish complex at times for those visiting for a few days. The process of eliminating water can be a daunting task. Remember to concentrate on patterns. If your chosen “Pattern” isn’t working than you need to work a different one rather than working the same pattern in another location. This is a common mistake fsherman will make and often leaves them very frustrated at the end of the day. For example if mid-lake Mud/Rock breakline is not producing hit breakline that leads to some cabbage beds. If straight breaklines aren’t producing try hit shallow mud flats. If mid-lake rock piles won’t kick out good fish start fishing vast gravel bars…….
Here is what we’ve focused our efforts on over the last week. Rock reefs with massive boulders have seemingly had the bigger fish. Those heavily bouldered reefs versus gentle sloping flat rock has definately had the larger concentrations of fish. Now understanding areas that have some flow on the days with little to no wind has been critical in the mid-day timeframe. When the wind blows frankly having the big WX2100 from Skeeter may very well be the best advantage on the lake. Our big glass Deep Hull on our Skeeeter “Wave Smasher” always keeps our team in the game. In fact we are hoping for the bigger winds that will drive 80-90% of anglers off the lake. We’ll see you on the water team!! Remember we’ve still got some openings for the September In Depth Outdoors Houseboat excursion!! You DO NOT want to miss this trip! Sign up as a single fisherman or bring your own group for your houseboat!! Seminars, Shorelunches, Smart Talk and BIG Fish of Fall!!
Chris, You’ve got me pumped up for the September trip!
Nice fish buddy! keep it up!
Nice fish buddy! keep it up!
Your going to love that September Houseboat cruise into Voyageurs National park Wade!! I know it may seem crazy, but the great fishing is nearly a sideline for me on that trip. Just being around a great group of guys surrounded by rocks and pine trees with our first glimpse of fall is truly amazing!!
Hey Chris, great post as always. Just wondering if the cisco is main forage for walleye on rainy or is that just one of the main things they eat? thanks for any help. Justin
The Ciscoe is the primary bait fish targeted by walleyes. Stil it is not the only meal on the lake by any means. Perch, Lake Shiners, few smelt, pin minnows, and small eel pout can all make up the diet of a big walleye as far as minnows go.
thanks for the info, also thanks for the tip on the line that you use that i asked you about on a differant post. not much of a “braid” guy but i will try it with the floro leader. just have to find a good knot to tie the two togather. Oh also, do you always tie your jigs, cranks, or do you use a clasp? thanks again for the tips and advice, your always veary helpfull. Jusitin
No problem Justin. Glad I can help. You will quickly become a fan of pitching jigs with any sort of depth or current using braid. I simply use a 8lb flouro leader with my braid. I assure you by simply tying 2 fishing knots together rarely will you break off on a fish. When it does break it most always will break at the knot, but that is most always on snags. Your only other option would be to use a tapered tippet like fly fisherman use. This my friend would be an expensive alternative though. I don’t ever utilize a clasp when tying jigs. Less hardware the better in my book in a finesse presentation. On the contrary while using cranks or stickbaits I would never run them without a small clasp. This clasp not only allows the angler quick and efficient switch outs, but greatly enhances the action of the crank of your choice. Try it both ways, or better yet let your buddies tie direct and you use a small clasp. Your pals will become your personl “Net Man” while you do book signings back at camp!!.
Another awesome read Mr. daze
You betchya. To have that in your backyard, simply awesome!
Joel
I will admit it never gets old gentleman!!
Way to stay on them Chris!
You ever do any open water trolling out there in the basin with crankbaits? 
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Thanks Brad
The Open Basin trolling pattern you’ve mastered on Mille Lacs is certainly something that has intrigued me for many years. Recently James and I took a crack at some of these free roaming fish that are far removed from any sort of structure. I will admit this walk on the darkside was out of my comfort zone as a structure fisherman. Still both James and Grant (Fellow Ice Staffer) were far more versed than I when it came to both long lining and lead core trolling with the inclusion of boards. Although we did boat some quality fish what we found was the ciscoe holding depths were deeper than we felt comfortable attempting to run plugs on the US portions of Rainy lake we fished. We also felt that in order to drive our presentation into these depths it wasn’t something we felt would be responsible whether ultimately successful or not. On the couple days we combed the deep basin most ciscoe pods with “Big Hooks” were holding 45-60 feet down over 60-100 feet of water. It is my belief most of these fish are slot fish that would be very vulnerable, and likely perish from being pulled out of that deep water. It was too irresonsible for any of us to attempt to pattern.
Still this is just one portion of the massive Rainy lake. Other reaches of this magnificent fishery fish much differently, and IMHO is something that at times will very likey turn big fish. What most of the US side of Rainy lake lacks are the endless spans of 40 foot mud flats or gravel shoals similiar to what you experience on the “Big Pond”. Not to say there aren’t any, but an anglers timing of the ciscoe migration bringing them up in the water column will likely prove critical to the overall success of open basin trolling.
Just not fair !!!
I know in 7 more years I will do the exodus from 3m after 26 years and I plan on moving north…
That puts me at 57yo… Chris…that keeps you as a youngster…
I’m plannin… I’m plannin….
Great Report Chris !!! with ant luck at all I may get to see you this winter… but for sure… Spring 2012 RLHB
We’d love to have you pal!!! A permanent “Vacation” to Rainy Lake would seemingly be a great retirement goal for many fisherman. Looking at my life at a glance; My best decision was having my daughter Lindsey. My greatest sales pitch was when I asked my wife Cheryl to marry a fishing guide. Still one of the best moves I’ve ever made was trading the “hustle and bustle” of todays world for a rod and reel, stinky bibs and the pursuit of a childhood dream. Making a life on the water where the big fish roam free. Where as a man you seem to have a personal relationship with the wonders of “Mother Nature”. A land where endless Pine studded forests are home to big bucks never seen by man. Lastly in the tourism industry a popular destination that when tourists pull the plug on the season leaves local good ole boys hucking bait all by our lonesome. For those like me originating from the southern reaches of Minnesota with stunted fish and manmade lakes I often dreamed of the granite carved waters of Northern Minnesota. I happen to believe there is room for another fisherman!!
That is poetry !!!