Rainy Lake Walleye Slot Size
Rainy Lake has one of the best managed walleye populations in Minnesota. Since the implementation of a slot limit several years ago, Rainy Lake has seen a dramatic rise in its walleye population. Today those lucky enough to fish Rainy Lake experience fantastic walleye action. Rainy is located in Cass County, Minnesota. This lake is 129 acres in size. It is approximately 29 feet deep at its deepest point. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Walleye, Yellow Bullhead, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed.
There is a special regulation for Walleye on Rainy Lake as well: An 18 to 26 inch protected slot, with one fish allowed over 26 inches, and a four-fish bag limit. It’s early afternoon before we return, after releasing half a dozen walleye over the 18.1 to 23.6 inch slot size and keeping a few fish to eat. Scratching the surface of this immense system has been an ‘eye-opener and I wonder how many more walleye spots await discovery.
FISHING RAINY LAKE GENERALLY
Rainy Lake has developed a reputation as one of the premier fishing lakes in the upper Midwest. Walleye, sauger, smallmouth bass, northern pike, musky and crappie are all present in large numbers. With hundreds of islands, bays, and reefs, Rainy Lake boasts some of the best fishing anywhere. It’s hard to beat a Rainy Lake fishing experience. To check out current fishing conditions, CLICK HERE.
We are located one mile from the Canadian Border. Please ask us about guided fishing trips on Rainy Lake in Canadian Waters.
Rainy Lake Walleye Fishing
Rainy Lake has one of the best managed walleye populations in Minnesota. Since the implementation of a slot limit several years ago, Rainy Lake has seen a dramatic rise in its walleye population. Today those lucky enough to fish Rainy Lake experience fantastic walleye action. It is not uncommon for our guests to catch several fish in the 20-inch range every time they hit the water. Our guests also catch large numbers of good “eating size” fish. For current slot limit and other fishing regulations, CLICK HERE.
Rainy Lake Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Arguably the best fighting fish in North America, the smallmouth bass is truly a world- class sport fish. For our guests who choose to fish for Rainy Lake bronze-backs, they will experience some of the finest smallmouth fishing anywhere in the upper Midwest. Rainy Lake’s abundant reefs, islands and spawning grounds help produce large numbers of smallmouth bass.
Rainy Lake Crappie Fishing
It’s hard to beat a Rainy Lake spring-time crappie bite. Slab crappies are plentiful in Rainy Lake and can be caught within minutes of Island View Lodge! Rainy Lake crappies are big, aggressive and fun to catch — especially if fished with ultra-lite tackle. If you are interested in experiencing some of Minnesota’s best crappie action, plan a spring get-a-way to Island View Lodge.
Rainy Lake Northern Pike Fishing
Northern pike fishing is definitely one of Rainy Lake’s best kept secrets. Because of the walleye’s popularity, northern pike are often times overlooked by Rainy Lake anglers. Rainy Lake pike can be caught almost anywhere; with many of our guests catching large pike while fishing walleyes on reefs or smallmouth along a rocky stretch of shoreline. For those who dream of catching pike in the 30-40 degree category, Rainy Lake is the place to be!
Rainy Lake Walleye Slot Sizes
Guided Rainy Lake Fishing Trips
Experience Rainy Lake fishing at its best! We can arrange for a professional fishing guide to take you out for some fast fishing action. Our guides have decades of experience and can put you on any species of fish you desire. Our guests are also treated to a delicious shore lunch prepared by their guide. Please contact us for reservation and rate information.
By Jerry Carlson
Our annual trips to Island View Lodge on Rainy Lake started about ten years. Our group of anglers was tired of the border hassles we encountered when traveling into Canada, yet we were still hopeful of finding a Canadian type of fishing adventure. After one trip to Rainy Lake, I haven’t crossed the border since.
Over the years of fishing on Rainy, our party has chosen to book our stay during mid-July. We have found that at this time of the year, many of the walleyes have migrated out into the main lake and are visiting the deep water humps and reefs in search of food.
This deep pattern changes somewhat from year to year depending on where the baitfish are staging. Some summers, the majority of our fishing is done in water that is 23 to 28 feet while other years the majority of fish are all over 30 feet deep.
It is important to note that not every reef and piece of deep structure is going to hold fish. Locating an area we wish to concentrate on may take an hour or more of looking. We motor from reef to reef and then zigzag back and forth over the top of the reef while watching our electronics for fish.
When we do find a concentration of fish, it is important to work them as quickly and efficiently as possible as they have a tendency to move onto the reefs, feed and then retreat to the open water. I nearly always punch in a waypoint to save the spot and will frequently throw a marker buoy if the fish are in a very tight area. The visual marker is extremely important at times.
Rainy Lake Walleye Slot Size Chart
When it comes to targeting these deep fish, we have several methods that we have found to be useful. One of our favorite systems is the standard live bait rig tipped with leeches, crawlers or minnows.
To increase our productivity, we have found that six foot six-pound-test fluorocarbon leaders and small #6 hooks will increase our bites. Long slender sinkers are more snagless than standard sinkers
Rainy Lake Walleye Slot Size
Minnows always seem to catch fish as that is the prey the walleyes are seeking. However, there are times when either crawlers or leeches will out-produce minnows so we always have all three in the boat and experiment to see which is working the best on that particular day.
Jigs are always an option on Rainy, especially when the fish are schooled tightly on a reef. A vertical presentation keeps us out of the rocks.
Another favorite presentation makes use of heavier rods with bottom bouncers and spinners. We always use 14 to 20 pound braid on our bait caster reels. Braided super lines are tough and very sensitive. For the spinner options, we will use both crawler harnesses and slow death rigs with slow death being our favorite of the two.
The reefs in Rainy Lake are very snaggy. It is critical to not drag any type of presentation across the bottom. Always touch bottom and lift your weight or jig up so you are riding above the rocks.
Rainy Lake is an exceptional walleye fishery with options for targeting walleyes during all seasons. Although I have fished Rainy at other times of the year, I definitely prefer the mid-lake reef bite that occurs in July.