Lets hear some opener reports guys! I am studying for finals right now and need a little "pick me up." Only a few more days until I am home for the summer!!

HI T.L.,
I WENT OUT ON RAINY YESTERDAY, AND STARTED FISHING ABOUT 4 PM. WENT TO THE 1ST SPOT & IT WAS VERY POOR WHICH SURPRISED ME AS THE CURRENT WAS POURING THRU RANIER...NEXT SPOT TRIED THE EDGE OF BREAKLINE(35 FEET) CAUGHT A COUPLE SMALL WALLEYES, THEN POPPED A 16 3/4"...AFTER THAT, THEY STARTED SNAPPING...I BROUGHT A OLDER FRIEND OF MINE WHO COMES INTO THE RESTAURANT., HE THOUGHT FISHING WAS EXCELLENT, WE ENDED UP KEEPING 4 SMALLER WALLEYES & 4 WALLEYES BETWEEN 15 & 16 3/4...AND 5 PERCH THAT WERE A POUND PLUS!!! AND THE WEATHER WAS AWFUL...LOTS OF RAIN., AND VERY COLD...TODAY WE WENT TO VISTA & CAUGHT A LIMIT OF SHALLOW WATER LAKERS....WELL HOPEFULLY THAT WAS GOOD PICK-ME-UP!!!
SINCERELY,
FISHMEISTER

We did ok in Black Bay pulling Rap's. My 5 yr. old caught 1 34"pike and 22",20", and 15" eyes. my 6yr. old caught 23" eye.
Caught a few off the dock also. It should only get better.

Is Black Bay generally a really good spot to start? Is it worth tring by Kettle Falls....or what is near Kettle Falls?

HI SCOTT,
FROM BLACK BAY TO KETTLE FALLS IS ABOUT 35 MILES., IF THIS IS YOUR 1ST TIME ON RAINY, I HIGHLY SUGGEST GETTING A GUIDE., RAINY IS 220,000 ACRES AND HAS 1,500 ISLANDS, AND EVEN IF YOU GET A GUIDE JUST 1 DAY, HE WILL TEACH YOU WHERE & HOW TO FISH RAINY.
SINCERELY,
FISHMEISTER

Any news from the other side of the border and the Canadian opener? I'm planning on the first trip of the season next weekend. I'll bring an assortment and see if I can find what will make them bite. It's been a while since I've been up there with water temps this cold, so it might take some extra hunting.

Was up on the north arm last Sunday .We were pike fishing and it was unbelievable, we just pounded them, the biggest was a 39 incher,They were in shallow.Plastics and crank baits.
Bassbuster 1

When you say plastics....any recommendations?

I was using slugo's and flukes, I like to use a 4/0 hook with the wire in the eye for keeping the bait on the hook.You just screw the fluke right onto the hook.The bait is weedless, i do put it on a wire leader and make sure you poke the hook all the way through the plastic than back it up a little, better hook sets.The flukes or slugo must hang straight!You work it like a jerk-bait bait. Good Luck
Bassbuster 1

Does anyone know how the water temps and the lake level is doing?
We will be up the first week of June chasing the brown fish.And I have a question for the FISHMIESTER...If you had to pick one week in the fall and one area of the lake to chase smallies..wher and when would it be?

Seems I may have a chance to experience "Rainy" in the fall

Gbuck

HI GBUCK,
WATER TEMPS RANGE FROM THE MID 40'S TO MIDDLE 50'S, DEPENDING IF YOU IN SHALLOW BAYS OR MAIN LAKE. MY ADVICE ON SMALLIES IS NOT AS GOOD AS WALLEYES, CRAPPIES, NORTHERNS & LAKE TROUT., AS I PERSONALLY DO NOT FISH THEM EXCEPT ON WHEN UFFDA PETE MAKES ME GO!!! HOWEVER I HAVE SOME GOOD FRIENDS WHO FISH THEM ALOT, ONE BEING BRAD KING, WHO IS MAYBE THE BASS FISHERMAN I KNOW. HE HAS ALWAYS TOLD ME THE BEST OVERALL TIME IS JULY 4TH, BUT THE WEATHER WILL ALWAYS PLAY A HUGE PART ON THAT. THE BEST LAKE, CANADA HAS SO MANY LAKES THAT HOLD SMALLIES, YOU COULD NEVER CHOOSE ONE., AND MOST OF THEM DO NOT GET TARGETED AT ALL FOR BASS., I KNOW THAT SMALLIES START MOVING INTO DEEPER WATER AS THE FALL GOES ON, SO I WOULD PICK AS CLOSE TO AUGUST AS I COULD,
SINCERELY,
FISHMEISTER

If i had to pick a week it would be 3rd or 4th week of september on the north arm of rainy. The bass move up on the reefs and really put the feed bag on.We like to reef hop and get a milk run going.I have had some of the best smallie fishing ever on the north arm in september . Big fish and lots of them.That just my opion.
Bassbuster 1

gbuck,
Water temps are down a little from what I remember last year. Water levels are up a little though.

If I had to choose a time of year in the fall to fish for smallies it would be Late September and I would go to Northwest bay. That's just me.

Thanks for the information guys! One week and I will be there...can't wait!
In the meantime keep posting..I'll take all the info I can get...Hope we get a few sunny days..seems to really get them going good.

gbuck

Any fishing info on the holiday weekend. Bringing my son as well as another Father/Son up for H/S graduation trips first week of June. Looking for any tips on Smallies and eyes. Fishing out of Coppens area.

Thanks