The lake sturgeon season on minnesotas rainy river is open until may 15 and the fishing is phenomenal. May 08, 2012 fishing lake sturgeon well, that hookset didnt go anywhere, my brother said as i got about onethird into my sweeping movement against the creature that tapped on the end of my line near the bottom of the rainy river in northern minnesota. The rainy river provides anglers a improved chance at catching those trophy fish because they congregate to spawn. Heres petersons take on how to make the most of your time on the rainy river. Sturgeon numbers increasing in rainy river region quetico. Already, it had been a good night for morgan gallus and her companions who were sturgeon fishing on the rainy river near baudette, minn. Sturgeon tag season reopens july 1 and its looking plentiful for everyone. Sturgeon season on rainy river minnesota vacations. International falls is made famous by the unforgettable beauty and big catch that comes from rainy lake, but you might be missing out on more fishing opportunities in the fall and spring on rainy river. Rainy river sturgeon indepth outdoors tv, season 5. In fact next time im going to see if i can catch one right off the dock. Everything is happening earlier this spring than during most springs, including walleye fishing on the rainy river, on the minnesotaontario border.
For information on the states response, visit the department of health website. Lake sturgeon lake sturgeon cannot be harvested from oct. Northern pike fishing is open continuously on lake of the woods, so anglers still have the opportunity to fish for big pike in the spring while they wait for the walleye season to reopen on saturday, may 11. Lake sturgeon seasons compiled canada border waters, minnesota waters that border canada. Because the extended season occurs so early in the calendar year, fishing is subject to the whims of nature and its. Deep pools of 20 to 40 feet of water are optimum locations to fish from a boat or even from shore. Lake sturgeon received much of the spotlight throughout much of this past spring fishing season. Not many anglers get the opportunity to fish for sturgeon. This trip will be for a full day on saturday and a half day on sunday of sturgeon fishing on the rainy river near international falls mn. They had caught a 50inch and a 51inch sturgeon and two.
Closing rainy river boat ramps was the right decision. Oct 05, 2017 lake of the woods is known for their worldclass walleye fishery. Mar 20, 2012 limits reported as warm water opens river early. The spring walleye season on the rainy river closes at midnight on april 14, which only leaves one more week for bemidji anglers to make the trip north to fish the river. The ultimate guide to sturgeon fishing nicole stone outdoors. Minnesota fishing license information sportsmans lodge. This is the catchandrelease season and the sturgeon bite is always strong as spring rolls in. Mn state record sturgeon caught and released on the rainy river. The dates include oct 1, 2015 april 23, 2016, may 8may 15, and oct. Guide to wisconsin hook and line fishing regulations 20202021.
Decided to target sturgeon and went on the main lake by pine island gap and got one 51 incher. The winter creel survey is conducted by a creel survey clerk travelling on the lake by truck or snowmobile. Busy boat ramps are par for the course during the spring season on the rainy river, as was evidenced in april 2018 at the vidas access near clementson, minn. Some of the best sturgeon fishing all spring long is within a coupleminute boat ride either direction of border view lodge. The catch and keep season for sturgeon on the rainy river opens april 24 and lasts until may 7. Sturgeon bring big spring fishing possibilities northland outdoors. Here are a few of the common fish caught on the rainy river. Sturgeon are found in lakes and rivers such as the rainy, st. Sturgeon season on rainy river minnesota vacations family.
Sturgeon the harvest season runs from april 24th may 7th and july 1 sept. Minnesota fishing regulations minnesota dnr mn dnr. Stay tuned for part 2 the night bite, where a special guest joins the northwoods crew for a night on the. Management plan for lake sturgeon in black lake 2016. The spring walleye season closes sunday, april 14, and the. Stay tuned for part 2 the night bite, where a special. When all was said and done, anderson knew hed been in a scrap. Might want to keep tabs on this one leading up to the event and if you have questions i think jeanpaul is your go to guy since his office looks out over 4 mile bay. Due to the border waters rainy river borders canada and united states, there is a special regulation that allows some fishing seasons to be. With all the accesses to rainy river open, more and more anglers are getting out on the open water. Ironically, although he was fishing in a catchandrelease tournament, anderson couldnt have kept his trophy. Sep 01, 2016 a complete list of inland waters with a hook and line sturgeon season can be found in the 2016 2017 fishing regulations. Lake sturgeon fishing began in earnest this week on the minnesota side of the rainy river, and those seeking the states largest fish are bobbing above more huge sturgeon than anytime since the. Croix river saturday, 5 inches longer than the current state catchandrelease record set last year.
Rainy river offers a worldclass lake sturgeon fishery, for example, and many anglers go there to target smallmouth bass and northern pike. With all the activity on the river, one would think its the walleye opener, not deer season. Gopher had 3 walleye and one nice 35 to 40 in sturgeon up there while i got skunked. An estimated 50inch lake sturgeon from 2016, with dnr volunteer kayla. Lake sturgeon fishing has some dates you need to be aware of. Sturgeon fishing on the rainy river posts facebook. It provides incredible fishing opportunities for multiple species, including lake sturgeon. Wisconsins hook and line sturgeon season highlights sound. Early spring rainy river fishing is here and it is considered some of the best fishing in the midwest.
Jul 22, 2016 rainy river sturgeon indepth outdoors tv, season 5 episode 7. The season is closed from may 16 to june 30, during the fishs spawning season. Sportsmans lodges minnesota fishing reportsportsmans. The warming weather and increased currents at the beginning of april work to open the rainy river just as the walleyes are beginning their spring run. In recent years, sturgeon fishing has started to gain popularity. We typically find ourselves going in the 2nd3rd week. There can be a ton of boats up there, so expect to get a little crowded at times, depending. While walleye fishing remains open until april 14 on our border waters, most folks have been fishing for sturgeon. The catch and keep season for sturgeon on the rainy river opens wednesday, april 24, and lasts until tuesday, may 7. Northwoods angling heads north to the rainy river in search of some huge lake sturgeon. Rainy river sturgeon harvest season opens july 1 outdoornews. The 85mile stretch of the rainy river from international falls, mn, to lake of. Grants dad, jim went to international falls today and checked the river at pelland landing and where the open water was. The dates include oct 1, 2015april 23, 2016, may 8may 15, and oct.
Sturgeon fishing regulations on the minnesota side of lake of the woods and the rainy river allow anglers to keep one lake sturgeon between 45 and 50 inches or one more than 75 inches, per calendar year. Happy angler relates sturgeon fishing success on the rainy. Rainy river sturgeon report 49 410 fishing reports. The extended walleye season we enjoy on lake of the woods allows for a phenomenon not available for much of the state. Matt guides fishing yearround in the bemidji area, bear hunts in the fall, and for 12 years now, guides walleye and sturgeon fishing during this special season on the rainy river. You could cut the river in half if you dont have a gps unit but just know that the boundary isnt exactly in the middle in certain stretches of the river. Any time in april is usually solid, depending on the weather. Typically, to catch a fish over 100 pounds, one would have to fish the ocean. Minnesota boundary waters where the open season is from may 1 to the following.
Apr 04, 2016 sturgeon bring big spring fishing possibilities heather brosdahl of max, minn. Minnesota border waters section of the fishing regulation booklet for more details about lake sturgeon fishing regulations. Catch and release season will be back october 1, 2019 to april 23, 2020. Border waters, general regulations, inland waters, lake superior, other species, sturgeon fishing. Bernie barringers guide for finding and catching rainy river sturgeondinosaurs on the minnesotaontario border. Fish information, regulations, and water levels minnesota dnr. Lake sturgeon provide a weighty bonus to walleyes and saugers for anglers in fall on the rainy river and lake of the woods in northern. Happy angler relates sturgeon fishing success on the rainy river.
All in a days work on the rainy river bemidji pioneer. Best fishing by season in minnesota spring fishing in minnesota the extended walleye season we enjoy on the canadian border allows for a phenomenon not available for much of the state. Sturgeon bring big spring fishing possibilities northland. The harvest tags are not required for catch and release. A harvest season followed april 24may 7 anglers are allowed to harvest one sturgeon of 45 to 50 inches or over 75 inches per calendar year, followed by another catchandrelease season may 815 before sturgeon fishing closed entirely from may 16june 30. The walleye bite is picking up and the ice is on the way out. Jan 16, 2015 sturgeon fishing regulations on the minnesota side of lake of the woods and the rainy river allow anglers to keep one lake sturgeon between 45 and 50 inches or one more than 75 inches, per calendar year. The sturgeon fishing is also world class and it gets a lot of attention here too. The catch and release season runs may 8th may 15th and oct. Sturgeon fishing is starting to pick up for the season as well, with almost all of the river being icefree. What many dont know is about the amazing sturgeon fishing that is available. Walleye season is open until april 14 and reopens may 9 here on lake of the woods and the rainy river. Croix river with his father, brian, and two friends john kimble and darren troseth.
Fishing reports from the rainy river, lake of the woods and north central. Apr 06, 2017 mn state record sturgeon caught and released on the rainy river. Join the fight with james holst on the rainy river against some true giants. Prehistoric monsters of the rainy river midwest outdoors. In addition to a fishing license for nonexempt anglers, those who intend to harvest a sturgeon must purchase a sturgeon harvest tag before bringing in a fish. For the 2017 season it began april 24th and ran through may 7th. For more information on minnesota fishing seasons and regulations, visit. The best time of year to target sturgeon is immediately following ice out up until the end of april. Sturgeon fishing on rainy river minnesota vacations. Early spring rainy river fishing is here and it is considered some of the. Sturgeon fishing on the rainy riverlake of the woods. There are two sturgeon seasons on lake of the woods and the rainy river, a catch and release season and a harvest season in which you can keep one fish per calendar year.
Sturgeon fishing is off limits on the canadian side of the river. Rainy river sturgeon indepth outdoors tv, season 5 episode 7. Even if lake sturgeon in minnesota gain protected status under the. Croix may be biggestever minnesota fish darren troseth pulled a 78inch sturgeon out of the ice on the st. Minnesota fishing licenses are available to purchase online here or by calling 1888mnlicen 6654236 limits. Terry and i hunted the mornings and fished the afternoons. The allure of catching a fish that currently can reach up to 120 pounds from the rainy river is attractive to midwesterners.
Silver lamprey in the rainy river, lake of the woods, and the red river. Monster sturgeon fishing on the rainy river minnesota babe winkelmans good fishing duration. Anglers need noting more than a glob of nightcrawler, a good river weight style and tackle thats heavy enough to reel in a prehistoric monster that might exceed 100 pounds. Sturgeon bring big spring fishing possibilities heather brosdahl of max, minn. See more of sturgeon fishing on the rainy river on facebook. Sturgeon fishing on the rainy riverlake of the woods video. Dnr confirms new state record sturgeon caught on rainy river. Catch and keep sturgeon season opens july 1 on lake of the. For details on adjustments to dnr services, visit this webpage. Ryan thomas shinabargar was among the many rainy river anglers to catch a big sturgeon this season while fishing for walleyes. With their sheer size, reaching in excess of 100 lbs and with how plentiful they are, odds for success while sturgeon fishing on the rainy river are quite high. Also, make sure you stay on the minnesota side of the river.
It connects rainy lake to lake of the woods two of the biggest lakes in the region. The canadian side is off limits for fishing and could lead to trouble if you are caught in canada. Major tributaries of black lake include the upper black and rainy rivers, as well. Spring sturgeon fishing on the beautiful rainy river with band of brothers outdoors and our volunteers. Waters section in the 2019 minnesota fishing regulations pp. It is illegal to fish for sturgeon outside of sturgeon season. April 24 may 7 1 per calendar year, fish must be 4550 inclusive, or over 75 may 8 15 catchandrelease only. There are two open season dates to keep sturgeon on the rainy river. Sturgeon on the rainy river are often caught by walleye anglers.
The seasons and limits for sturgeon are as follows. The harvest season runs from april 24th may 7th and july 1 sept. The walleye fishing season is longer from mid may to mid april 2. Apr 25, 2016 northwoods angling heads north to the rainy river in search of some huge lake sturgeon. Rainy river shares the border with canada, which creates a unique sturgeon catch and release fishing season from april 24 through may 7. If you arent already familiar, rainy river is international border water between minnesota and ontario. Walleyes travel up river to spawn along with northern pike, and sturgeon become more active as well. Sturgeon fishing heating up on the rainy river northland.
Sportsmans lodge rainy river spring rates april 1, 2020 may 20, 2020. Anchor boat up stream of a deeper hole and pitch sturgeon rig into the hole. Anglers intending to fish ontario waters of the rainy river should refer to the ontario fishing regulations synopsis for details. In addition to joels killer report wigwam resort is posting updated reports on the conditions and fishing info in the lotw rainy river forum. Catching a 100lb lake sturgeon on the rainy river fishing prehistoric fish duration. Walleye season on the rainy river and other minnesotaontario. Mishler and benjamin are among the team of dnr conservation officers who work spring walleye and sturgeon fishing on the rainy river. Sturgeon fishing is catchandrelease from midjune to midapril and muskellunge fishing opens in early. I fish saltwater where you expect to catch giant fish, but sturgeon are the largest. Make sure to pay attention to where the border is on your gps it will usually show up as a thin red line near the center of the river channel. Rainy river fishing reports april 2017 archives jeff sundin. In addition, once you are hooked up, the fight can be literally exhausting. You can go earlier, but youll have to contend with the walleye guys on the other hand, the walleye fishing can be fantastic as well.
When the opportunity presented itself to my wife and i, along with my colleague brandon butler to fish the rainy river near baudette, mn, we jumped on the chance. Over 200 sturgeons were caught over the two day, 50 boat tournament including an unofficial state record sturgeon. Lake sturgeon are also a popular fish for the rainy river. Recently, creel surveys were conducted during thewinter of 2015 16, 2016 17, 2017 18 and 2018 19, and the summer of 2016, 2018 and 2019. Fish up to and above 30 inches are caught every single year on the rainy river. With the early openwater rainy river walleye and sturgeon season in the very near future, area officials geared up with a preseason meeting last week. Apr 25, 2017 sturgeon relate to the deepest holes in the river. Daily and possession limits are the same unless otherwise noted. Sturgeon spice up fall fishery at lake of the woods.
The sturgeon bag limit on the rainy river is one per year between 45 and 50 inches in length or over 75 inches. That depth will vary from 1530 depending which section of water youre on. Full throttle guiding catch yourself a big one this year. April 24 may 7 1 per calendar year, fish must be 4550 inclusive, or over 75.