Rainy Lake, Minnesota fishing report 9-19-11

Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, Grandpa and Grandma………. let us officially welcome in the highly touted fall fishing in “Borderland”!! After a simply brilliant summer chasing Walleyes, Smallmouth,Pike and Crappies here on Rainy lake it is hard for some to imagine fishing might get better before ice up. To clarify “Better” seldom will your overall numbers of fish increase from our awesome July and August fishing, but I assure you the chance of tangling with the “Beast” has been greatly enhanced with the Cool Northern flow of air. If your a guy or gal looking to topple your old “PB” lace them up and point your truck NORTH. I’ve always said when many guys opt to trade in their “Magic wands” of the water for the “Smoke Poles” of the woods it is “GAME” ON for the elite fish of Rainy lake. The Moose are rutting, birch leaves are turning and Bucks are getting angry!! Pack your Bibs and bring the warm sweatshirts, and don’t be too proud to pack the Snosuit. Fall fishing can find you soaking baits on the most beautiful sunny days, or it can live up to the billing of a fishing trip to “Manland”. The best days I can remember over the years found our crew wearing gloves, and hats along with our Snosuits while in transport to our fishing locations. LETS ROLL!!

Our guide service has clearly focused attention on both Crappie and Walleye patterns during the fall period for several years. We find both of these species deep and shallow allowing us to retreat from the main basin water should “Mother Nature” have a grumpy day. Anglers who seek a Walleye/Crappie combination trip should definately consider this time of year for their Rainy Lake adventure. Walleyes tend to show up with incredible length and girth while the infamous size structure of our Crappies never siezes to amaze clients or myself. Whichever species lights your fall fire you’ll surely enjoy your trip to this amazing 227,000 acres of paradise.

We like to focus our presentations to a simple Jig and Minnow. BfishN tackle’s H20 Precision jig has produced more fish for our guide service over the years than most can possibly imagine. For Crappies we lace up either a Flu-Flu or 1/8 oz Jig with a minnow. Find a pod of crappies and work it slow. Remember most Crappies prefer to hit a bait on the drop or “Bite up”. When a fish takes your bait up you’ll find slack in your line instead of a bend in your rod. If you looking for the bend all day you’ll likley be busy with the net for your buddy instead of fighting your own fish. For Walleyes we attempt to locate the bigger fish that will often be relating to the structure slightly seperated from the other fish. We’ll lace up a 3/16 oz. jig and long cast or vertical jig these pigs!! We have at times found large schools of Crappies in deep rock piles and on the flip side located large walleyes in a mere 2-6 f.o.w.! Both of these fish are clearly looking to feed before our Ice up.

I believe there are 3 periods that find elite caliber fish most vulnerable here on Rainy lake. Fall, Early Winter and Spring have fish locating in areas that allow anglers the greatest chance at a true “TANK” each time they hit the water. It is truly hard to place a finger on my personal favorite, but I assure you I don’t like to miss a single day in any of these time periods. My Personal “PB” walleye is a 32.5 inch 13lb walleye caught and released 3-4 years ago on the last day of September. My personal Best Crappie was a 16.5 inch 2lb 9oz. Crappie caught ice fishing in March. I always hope a customer will break one of those records on our next trip!! Beyond the great fishing here in the fall cycle keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. 2 years in a row I’ve caught a peek of a moose swimming for shore here in September!! VERY VERY COOL!! Fall is upon us Team!! Let’s get after the big girls!!