SPRING “WALLEYE” FEVER! Lots going on in the Fishing the Midwest World! Spring has finally sprung! This is an exciting time of year for fishing enthusiasts across the Midwest as open water is appearing, meaning it’s time to get the boat out. More importantly, it’s time to get that boat wet! In this edition of Reel-Times, we’ll give you some ideas on how to fish rivers, particularly the Rainy River. Here we go!
The walleyes are coming/are here! Here’s how you can get in on the action – The Rainy River on the northern border of Minnesota gets an influx of spawning walleyes from Lake of the Woods during spring. Plus, it has a strong resident fish population, making for premier walleye angling opportunities. The “Rainy,” in fact, often provides world-class fishing opportunities for both numbers of fish and giants during this time!
Last year we visited with Duane Peterson, two-time Hall of Fame angler and Rainy River veteran, about his thoughts and suggestions when seeking Rainy gold. (That’s Duane in the photo above with a big Rainy River walleye from a couple springs ago). Duane offered some great insight at that time. Insight that is certainly timeless when it comes to river fishing! Here are excerpts from that conversation:
When asked about ideal river fishing conditions, Duane offered the following:
Ideal river conditions start with clear water. Clear water and good visibility are high priority. Flow is important as well, we like a friendly current, some current, but not too much. Temperature is important too, the warmer the water the better. As the water warms, the fishing gets better.
Duane also offered up thoughts on the best lures and colors he uses when chasing Rainy ‘eyes:
My all-time favorite for years has been the Whistler Jig in a bright color. The spinning blade of that Whistler is important.
I like a good-sized rainbow minnow on that jig, but tipping with Impulse soft plastics also come into play as well. The always reliable Fire-Ball Jig is a good jig too. There are lots of ways to catch them up there, but it is hard to beat those two day in and day out.
(**Of note for river anglers, the Fire-Ball is now available in UV-color patterns that are dynamite in off-colored water. Also, Fire-Balls are also available in new long-shank versions that work great with bigger minnows (rainbows!) and plastics.)
When asked about how he presents jigs and minnows in the current, Duane had this to say: The number one presentation I use is to slip the current. I use a jig size allowing me to fish as vertically as I can while slipping with the current. If the current is too fast, you have to use the troll motor or even gas outboard to hold the boat back. Another popular technique is to forward troll very slowly into the current using a jig and soft plastic on a long line.
**As this issue “goes to print” we are seeing social media reports of fish being caught from the Rainy right now! It appears it’s time to head north!
TV fishing season continues
The last episode already!
This week on Fishing the Midwest TV, Mike Frisch is joined by Mike Gottheardt from P-Line and Beckman Nets. The guys go fall smallmouth fishing. The action starts a bit slow, but the guys find a spot “loaded up” with “browns” and put the hurt on em’ pretty good!
After that, we take a look back at some memorable moments from the TV year! Lots of good stuff coming, so be sure to tune in this week. Hover/click on Mike Gottheardt’s image above to be directed to our webpage and a listing of TV carriers and viewing times in your area.
Adaptible bassin’ and more from SAK!
Last week on Fishing the Midwest, Mike Frisch and Bob Jensen went bass fishing and caught a bunch of “largies.” Lots of their fish came on KVD Perfect Plastic 5″ Ochos fished jig-worm style. The Ocho is a multi-sided bait with awesome action that also has a fish-attracting light reflection as it moves through the water. If you haven’t already, we’d recommend “gettin’ some” for the coming season!
In the back half of the episode, North Dakota’s Lake Sakakawea was featured. Hover and click on Sakakawea walleye ace Jason’s Foss’s image below to see all last week’s TV action!
**Finally, stay tuned for some exciting news involving our website on this week’s TV episode!
#giveaway time!
TV Giveaway – the drawing is next week!
We are giving away all the great gear shown in the boat here -boat not included (sorry!). To enter hover and click on the boat image below to be directed to our Facebook page. Once there, “like” us! Also, subscribe to this newsletter (if you aren’t already a subscriber) at the top left-hand side of this edition. We will draw one newsletter subscriber’s name and, if that person is also a Fishing the Midwest Facebook follower, she or he wins all the gear!
**The drawing happens the first week in April – next week
Also, we’d really appreciate your help in getting this newsletter to more “fish heads.” So, if you have friends who might be interested, please send this edition to them. They can subscribe in the upper left-hand corner.
Thanks for reading! We’ll see you again next time and, as always, remember to include a youngster in your next outdoors adventure!
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