Rainy lake, Minnesota fishing report 5-12-10

With only a handfull of links to pull of the paper fishing chain prior to the infamous MINNESOTA FISHING OPENER the area is really starting to buzz!! The record setting early ice out has made my seemingly made my fondness of the subtle “Walleye Tap” nearly unbearable in recent days. Thank goodness the eager Jacks(Pike) and “DONK” slabs have been willing to come out and play. As Lake Kabetogama is playing host to the Political/Press fishing opener I suspect Rainy Lake might fly under the radar while quietly netting………..Awesome fish. I’d like to extend our best wishes to all the folks down on Kab, and sincerely hope all involved have a great weekend!!

Much has been made about the early ice out as well as the initial warm up of this big shield of water. The Walleyes and Pike have completed their spring spawning cycles, and now on the prowl for tastey swimming treats. As of late we’ve experienced the statewide cool down, and looks as though we’ll be lucky enough to get a gradual surface temp increase heading into Saturdays opener. Anglers who are up here for the first time this weekend will notice a lower lake level due to lack of snow melt-off and little spring rain. Expect to see water about 24-28 inches below normal levels (If there is such as thing!!). I’m not sure if I’ll buy into the philosophy that this makes tremendous fishing or not, but Rainy Lakes population of quality fish is simply in tremendous shape. Fish will very likey locate themselves a slightly different haunts this summer due to the variables mentioned above. Regardless the fish eat, and our job as anglers is to feed the hungry!! Anglers can expect to find a robust class of walleyes over 20 inches this year along with some monster pike. There are select lakes that can advertise true trophy potential for Walleye everytime your in the boat like Rainy Lake. The Crappie population continues to be extremely healthy, and we’re seeing good numbers of fishin the 12-14 inch class with the occassional fish pushing 15+ inches!! After discussions with our large lake specialist it looks like the Rainy Lake Crappies have a number of year classes growing nicely!! The Smallmouth fishing is simply a forearm straining, and fisherman will RARELY run across a Rainy Lake “Brownfish” that isn’t the shape of a small football.

A variety of fishing techniques will deem themselves worthy of rod locker storage on Fishing Opener weekend for anglers. If I were rigging rods just now for Saturday I’d lace up my favorite jigging stick with a H20 Precision jig in 1/8 to 3/16 oz. Get a couple bagfulls of Paddletails, Ringworms, and Beg CJS to get those Moxies on the market quickly!! LOL!! I’d also rig up a slib bobber rig with a 1/8 oz. Precision jig. Tie your precision jig on a mono lead under a small swivel. Be sure your mono lead is lighter than your line above the swivel. Thus if snagged up your not losing the the works. Also you can utilize a small egg sinker to properly weight your float for a nearly nuetral bouyancy that is flat out KILLER in nuetral bites. Lastly I’d tie up my luckiest Jerkbait color combos based on forage fish present on your body of water. Personally I like Black/Gold, and perch early in the year. Often times Utilizing a stickbait will help uncover the hiding spots for Walleyes while a light jig and minnow or slip bobber rig can act as your “CLOSER”!! DO NOT overlook our recent dips in water temps. The fish MAY be want a slower presentation this weekend, and don’t let myself or anyone else determine the mood of the fish your fishing. The fish will tell ya!! Often times they tell you by not saying ANYTHING AT ALL!! LOL!

As we all shine the boat for the last time, and go over our checklists. As we lace up the last rod, and point the truck to your fishing destination saturday morning, I’d like to give a 2 thumbs up to all that dip the boat in the water this weekend. Bring the kids too!! Here’s to hoping we never lose the childhood passion that makes us lose endless hours of sleep like restless children before Christmas morning. Regardless of whether “Mo Nature” is happy or slips on her grumpy face lets get on the water, and enjoy some good ole Minnesota fishing!! Feel free to post a opening day pic whether it be your buddy looped up in the motor……AGAIN!!, or you holding a trophy fish!! Can you feel it guys/gals!! Opening day is heavy in the air!! Get some!! We’ll see you on the water………We’ll be the boys in the Skeeter…….WITH THE NET OUT!!