The walleye season wrapped up on April 14th. Prior to the close of the season many trophies were landed on the Rainy River. All in all a very good spring walleye season – regardless of its short time – was reported by all. Walleye will open back up on May 13th, 2023.
By now it shouldn’t be surprising to anyone that the Rainy River is fully open. She has pushed her way through Fourmile Bay and has reached the Lighthouse Gap where the Rainy River enters Lake of the Woods.
Little Fork and Big Fork River, both tributaries to the Rainy, broke loose this past week sending ice and some debris into her flowage. Luckily, sturgeon aren’t affected by dirty water and will still be active and feed during periods of dirty water conditions.
Many big sturgeon were caught this week. Using a glob of crawlers or crawlers with frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, an 18-inch leader material of 60lb test, 3/0 – 5/0 circle hook and a 3-4 ounce no roll sinker. Most sturgeon anglers are targeting holes throughout the river where sturgeon are awaiting their next meal.
The sturgeon harvest season runs from April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – Sept. 30. Harvest tags are $5 and allows you to take one sturgeon per year 45” to 50” or over 75”. If you do decide to tag a dinosaur – you have to register it within 48 hours.
The catch and release season for sturgeon runs May 8th – May 15th and Oct. 1 – April 23rd.
River Bend Resort
Baudette, MN
www.riverbendresort.com