Rainy Lake fishing report 5-02-10

As the borderland has experienced a record early ice out in many area lakes, anglers are finding fish once again are using the 220,000 acre waterpark here on Rainy Lake in different ways with variable water conditions. An early warm up of shallow bays coupled with lower water levels have found the spawning class of fish to stage, and spawn in many different areas. It remains to be seen how successful the Spawn of 2010 will be. Many of my traditional early season "Jackpots" have been nearly void of good fish, and this sentiment has been echoed by many of my personal guide/friends. Mother Natures hurling of Curve balls has forced fishing guides to earn their paychecks thus far by doing some homework to ensure their customers are on top of the biggest and baddest. I’ve often wondered what actually spurs on the spawning cycle. Traditional thoughts would have many anglers soley watching back bay temperatures, but I believe this might be slightly shortsighted. Year in and Year out I’ve come to believe more that the relationship between changing water temperatures in the main body of our lake has a larger impact when the fish will move to spawn. Afterall do you suppose the spawning fish leave the main lake to simply dip a fin in the bays to check for optimum water temps to drop eggs?? I doubt it. Of course with far more shallow water in the back bottom mud bays we’re experiencing a much more volatile water temperature fluctuation than normal. Early in the year this has meant very warm water, but with a slight cold snap or rain it can also drop 5-10 degrees in a day or 2. If I know one thing it is that consistent water temps and weather conditions make for hungry fish.

After Chasing the Prehistoric Sturgeon on the Rainy River we’ve focused energies on Rainy Lake Pike. Our numbers have been off the charts, but only recently have we seen the quality we’ve been in search of. This has involved some head scratching and map study. Location…Location…LOCATION!! I’m sure some might be eager to feed a line of top secret presentions that has the biggest and baddest posing for pics, but in all honesty when the big fish are pinpointed early in the seasn there are several presentions that will effectively turn these fish. Recently we’ve worked size 13 floating rapalas in a a snap and pause retrieve. I must warn you that it seems everytime we get on top of monster pike there also is a number of big walleyes and Smallies equally hungry for our hucked out swimming treats!! Get out of here Bass!! We’ll look you up in a few weeks!! Quick photos and releases of these fish involved in the spawn if accidentally caught while fishing Giant Gators of course is required.

As we are only targeting monster Pike open continously on Rainy Lake the Walleyes seemingly have recovered from the spawn as they are showing up with vengeance in many locations. Immediate release of course is required should they decide to play ball out of season. As I predicted earlier in the month I believe that opening day anglers will find not only aggressive fish, but on average many larger females that will grace their Beckman nets come that "Sacred Saturday". Keep in mind many of the bigger female walleyes will locate themselves around the nearest most ample baitfish supplies following the spawn traditionally. Sometimes we’re all a bit guilty for overthinking the process when fish are predominately programmed to spawn and eat. Focus on these areas will put fish in the boat. I’ve never bought into the concept that Females completely vacate spawning grounds especially on larger fisheries that has bog stained cool water like Rainy Lake. Anglers will be able to target the biggest and baddest Rainy Lake walleyes with a variety of presentations come opening day, but must remember with our lower water shallow water presentations might have them pulling more walleyes than weeds.

Mother nature has provided a nice rain over the past couple days, and forecaster predict another week of off and on rain showers which will help bring Rainy Lake into prime levels for a Smackdown early season fishery. Few fishing opportunities compare to the early season action of Rainy lake. Natural elimination of large spans of water is a natural advantage anglers need to take advantage of. The ability for many anglers to tow up even smaller boats while being protected by over 2500 islands while "Pig Pulling" is something many fisherman know is a real advantage. This time of year it is really hard to predict at times what might be ripping drag, but the chances of another Rainy Lake trophy caliber fish is very good!! Hope to see you on the water team!! We’ll be the boat with the net out!! The fishing queen is lacing up her fishing rod as I’ve got the day off……..I THOUGHT!! LOL!! Fish BEWARE THE QUEEN REQUESTS YOUR ATTENTION TODAY!!