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| Anybody ever take sturgeon trips to the rainy in springtime? It's been on my to-do list for a while, so I was curious what sort of money I should be looking to spend and any general advice anybody has.
And yes, I know this is a muskie fishing forum, but this is the only networking interface I use other than facebook, so I'm assuming my chances of getting a decent answer are much better here  |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | Don't know actually what you're looking for. If you have your own boat, all you need is a couple of good anchors, a package of 5/0 or 6/0 circle hooks, a bunch of 1oz egg sinkers and a couple of dozen crawlers. Launch out of Wheelers Point, and drive out to where all the boats are. Anchor in a nice spot not too close to the next guy, bait up a hook with as many crawlers as you can get on the hook, have enough sinkers to keep the hook and crawlers on the bottom. Set back and wait for a bite. I use my muskie gear, and about 2' of 30 lb mono for a leader.
That doesn't cost much, couple gallons of gas, and a few bucks for bait, sinkers, and hooks.
If you are planning on getting a guide and staying a week at a resort that's a different story.
Doug Johnson
Edited by dougj 3/3/2012 3:02 PM
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Posts: 897
| You talking walleyes or sturgeon? I've been up there a few times for the walleye run and am going to try the sturgeon deal this year. |
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| whynot -
You talking walleyes or sturgeon?
"Anybody ever take STURGEON trips to the rainy in springtime?" (emphasis added)
Good topic. I've been curious myself. Thanks for the reply, Doug! Hopefully it's helped out the OP, too. |
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Posts: 439
Location: Lake of the Woods, Morson, Ontario | Great advice from Doug. It's pretty much what I was told the first time or two I ventured out there. Hope to make it out a couple days for a 4th spring in a row. Seems like you can hit them or not, assuming you aren't anchored in a area where nobody else is trying to fish. That would generally not be a good sign. HAHA.
For what it's worth, my advice would be to avoid weekends if possible. Many more boats out there to slalom through. Get out early...we had better luck in the mornings the last couple springs.
If you can hit it right when the river and parts of 4-mile bay lose ice, all the better. If you cant get there then, try and wait 4-5 days after the smaller rivers and tribs break up so most of the debris will have gone through. Lots of checking your line for debris if you are out there when the smaller feeder rivers are just breaking up.
Those things fight like nothing else in freshwater that I have caught. A 40 inch sturgeon hooked in 35 feet of water with the current in the river will wear you out, even with muskie gear. |
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Posts: 209
| I know the earlier in the year the better (as Justin mentioned), but when would you guys say the window is that at least gives you a decent shot at a good turnout? And when is ice out up there typically? |
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | The ice goes off the Rainy fairly early, but that varies widely. I would guess that this year it will be pretty early with the warm winter, and not much snow. I usually fish sturgeon around mid to late April (after the walleye season closes). A call to one of the resorts on the river will get you info on current conditions.
There's a whole bunch of regulation that apply to sturgeon fishing, make sure you read the Mn fishing regulations regarding sturgeon. Ontario doesn't have an open season so all fishing needs to be done on the Mn side of the Rainy.
Doug Johnson
Edited by dougj 3/5/2012 12:33 PM
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Posts: 897
| Lol, missed that...THANKS for the emphasis! Doug's got everything you need to know. |
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Posts: 439
Location: Lake of the Woods, Morson, Ontario | The regulation book is always confusing for me to read when I look it up because it seems to go from april to march. i think i had to look at the next year's book to get the april rules. it may appear to be closed at first glance, but the catch and release portion is open regardless I believe. if you plan to keep one, do read up on the regs....there is a time period window with sislot sizes.
Ice went out of the river March 17 two years ago during the super early spring melt. |
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Rainy River