Rainy River Walleye Report

[manitoubass2]

Well, I woke up early this morning to get geared up for some shore walleye fishing. Loaded up the gear and boy was she cold out! But after 3 days of solid rain, the -6 temp wasn't gonna stop me! lol.

Water levels had rose about 2ft in the past few days, and the rain had muddied the water to almost zero visibility. Water temps also dropped due to the rising water, 36 degrees cold.

I went to one spot that holds alot of small males, but also produces big females if your patient. I tinkered with a few plastic/jig combos before I found one I felt confident in. Pink 3/8oz jig with a chart/white 3" Berkley Gulp minnow.

I focused mainly on a mud to rock transition, that goes from about 12 FOW to 22FOW. Right where the drop is, there is an eddie just off the main current. I figured the walleye would be bunched up there where they could ambush the shners being filtered through the current. Turns out I was right today! Lots of small walleye, it wasn't fast, but constant... I figured it would be slow because of how cold it was.

I fished about 6 hours, landed about 20 small walleye around 16-18", all fish were released.

Right at the end of the day, the sun finally started peaking out and heating me up. A bigger female hit my jig on a slow retrieve in 12 FOW. And she had alot of energy! I let her fight a few minutes and landed her. A quick measure and a pic, and she swam away strong! Real nice looking 26"er too, I wish I woulda got a better pic. This was a fat fish too, although the pic doesn't really show that. Oh well, the really big walleye should be here soon!

All in all, it was a fun day. I never seen any other species today, which was kinda shocking.

The plan now is to head back to the same spot this evening, and hopefully run into some more active walleye...

 

[Porter86]

Thanks for the report!! That is a nice looking walleye!! Wish you the best of luck tonight on your outting!!

 

[manitoubass2]

Thanks for the report!! That is a nice looking walleye!! Wish you the best of luck tonight on your outting!!

Thank you!

Hopefully they'll be biting near that same spot tonight. Sometimes they push in real shallow there. I caught 3 small ones there on an x-rap popper about 5-6 days ago.

I'd like a 30", but that might have to wait a couple weeks.

I woulda cleaned off the fish a bit before taking a pic, but I was rushing to remove a lamprey from the fish on it's other side. I hate those things, ugggh.

 

[float^drifter]

nice report and fish :smile:

 

[manitoubass2]

I've managed some fishing in the past few days. We got hit with some snow and colder weather with heavy winds, and the river was super muddy, so I took a few days off.

The water has been steadily rising, which is great. The water cleared up, and the water temps raised near 40 once again. With that, the walleye should be near ready to spawn.

The girls are showing up now, got a couple 6-7lbers a few days ago, and 2 more 7's today. Both of them hit in about 13 FOW on a black jig with a bluegill colored 4" Kalin grub. Also caught about 10 smaller walleye in the 16-18" range.

Not too bad for only 2 1/2 hours fishing! Towards the evening, when I expected it to get active, the sky cleared and the bite died off.

I'm planning on heading out early tomorrow to try again for the 10lb+. If I get er, you'll now, and there will be a pic, lol.

 

[Dozer]

Very cool, walleye rule.

 

[Brian]

Nice manitou...I do hope you get that 10#er...

 

[manitoubass2]

Nice manitou...I do hope you get that 10#er...

I'm tryin, lol.

I've had 6 fish in the past week between 7-8lbs, so it's looking promising, haha.

You never know though? I usually get at least a few every year, but last year 8lbs was my biggest walleye for the entire year. I also never caught a bass over 5lbs, for the first time in forever. But I made up for it with a 47" pike, and three more in the lower 40's (I had never caught one over 40" on Rainy River)

Thats the river for ya though, changes every year

 

[ChaseChrome]

Sweet area man!!
Shore-lunch

 

[manitoubass2]

Sweet area man!!
Shore-lunch

Not a shore lunch, but a lunch nonentheless!

For something different I baked the walleye instead of breading/frying. It turns out very tasty if you season it good.

The girlfriend didn't want fish, so she got some ham, lol. But she wanted pan fries, go figure...

I wanted a baked potato, so with no potato shortage in our house, I cooked both...

Also served with some fresh oven bannock and maple beans.

and little saved for later. Added some onion to this one

So, so good!

 

[Brian]

yea...I'll have the 2nd plate please..

 

[manitoubass2]

I got a 10 today!!!!

Awesome, 28" fat momma walleye. Only had 30 minutes fishing time, and a storm was pushing in. She hit a orange jig rigged with a Matzou 3" swimbait in a glow orange flake color.

Fought like a beast, and didn't wanna pose for a quick picture either, she was feisty!

Now to catch some more that big! lol

 

[Brian]

thats pretty awesome man...congrats on your first 10 for this month...or maybe this week...lol we'll see...

 

[manitoubass2]

thats pretty awesome man...congrats on your first 10 for this month...or maybe this week...lol we'll see...

haha, thanks! If I'm lucky, I'll get 1 or 2 more.

then, all the walleye leave for the summer, so I'm sh*t outta luck till fall.

Thats why I'm tryin so hard right now.

I did manage a few quick pics (no good ones, was by myself in the rain), I'll post em up soon

 

[Porter86]

dammm...that looks soooo yummy man!!! Good job!! I cant wait to start learning more about cooking. taking a cooking course soon to better my knowledge.

 

[manitoubass2]

Thanks guys, the food was very good! The seasoning made it all that better.

Here is a measurement pic of that walleye (28" without the ol' tail pinch)