places to open water fish next week

[jwmiller33]

i am going to be on spring break after next week's classes, so i will have 3/26-4/4 off from school. i will be getting my motor back from the shop this weekend, and have everything in the boat fixed and ready for the open water season. i have been lucky enough to be able to get out on pool 2 for 2 weeks before it flooded. it's pretty much unfishable right now. i really want to get the boat out somewhere during my time off of school, even if it means i have to drive across the state.

so what options do i have to open water fish during the span of 3/26-4/4? i know i can go to pool 4, but i would like to go somewhere other then there if i can.

is it going to be too late to hit the rainy river for eyes by then?

would i have any luck going on the lake superior? like out of the mcquade launch?

are there any places in southern or southwestern MN that have fishable open water right now? any help would be much appreciated... thanks

[traveler]

Should be good for the rainy, open till April 15th. Theres been a few boats out of McQuade, and some cohos being caught. Not as nice of weather as a few days ago, of course:)

[jwmiller33]

when does the big push usually happen for the rainy? or is there just more of a consistent/even push for a extended time?

i have never been up to rainy before, what city would you recommend going out of?

[CarpKing921]

I know they target Sturgies up there at that time of year check out the Sturgen forum for more info on the Rainy bite and locals

[jwmiller33]

what kind of license do you need for up on the rainy? 2009 MN fishing license still valid or ...??

[gonefishing70]

Your license should be good till april, You could go up to birchdale I am not sure if the fish are moveing in there yet or not we usually start going the last week in march, have had some good fishing up there, Hopefully the water is not to dirty yet. And like carpking said check the rainy forum, Hope this helps.

[traveler]

The "push" depends on the year, but once the boat landings are open there are fish to chase, just hard to say how many or if the big girls are there yet. I'd start at Frontier or Birchdale, and you can camp at birchdale (free) if you have a mind to. Check out the Rainy forum for sure.

[LoonASea]

I would hit Superior as its open and there are fish along the shore

Good Luck with your decision

LAS

[pushbutton]

would think the sauk chain in richmond/cold spring will be mostly open in 6 days, if you dont care what you catch there is usually plenty of action.

[Brad B]

Pushbutton,

You really think the chain will open that fast. I was just up by horseshoe on tuesday the 16th and the ice has pulled awayfrom the shore but there appeared to still be alot of ice on the lake it self. The river coming into the lake is open and has flooded the summer landing on horseshoe. I tried fishing the pier in cold springs on the river and had no lucky but I was there for only a hour. Does the flowing water from the river open up all the lakes of the chain faster then if there was no river present. I would think the flowing water eats on the ice melting it or breaking it up.

[harvey lee]

Great time for the Rainy river. Check out Woody's resort or the Falls motel. Both places could give you the tips you will need for eyes, pike and sturgeon.

Give either Woody a call or Kelly at the Falls motel. Check out their ads in the Rainy Lake forum.

[pushbutton]

Pushbutton,

You really think the chain will open that fast.

i would suspect in 3 or 4 days you will be able to boat from one end to the other. not saying the shallow backwater areas will be open, but where the main current flows is getting real close to busting wide open.

[Brad B]

good, now I just need to get my boat ready.