Rainy Lake Northern Pike Fishing
Rainy Lake’s northern pike fishing is some of the best in Northwest Ontario. Casting with crankbaits, trolling almost anything, and even fly fishing for pike are very effective ways to fish Rainy Lake.
Rainy Lake, Rated One of the Best Big Pike Destinations in North America
Rainy Lake has some of the best northern pike fishing because of it’s diverse structure. It has many shallow weedy bays, deep open water basins, several islands with shoals and long expansive weed beds. The larger pike like to hang out just inside the weed beds that have deeper water just outside of them. Trolling along the edges of these areas is very effective. Since the introduction of smelt, we now catch many pike while trolling in open water, and these fish run huge. Just off the drop offs on any reef or shoal is also another great spot to target. If you are looking for medium or smaller fish for a shore lunch or fish fry, or just for some non-stop action, the weedy bays are full of them.
We have a slot size on Rainy Lake. All anglers must release all northern pike between 27.5″ and 35.5″ . We also prefer that you release all of the trophies measuring 35.5″ and above. The slot size, combined with the abundant smelt forage, has turned Rainy Lake into a true trophy lake for northern pike. These northern pike are often deep bellied fish with heavy weights. Be prepared for a good fight!
Let Your Next Fishing Adventure Begin
Rainy Lake is famous for its fishing and scenic beauty. As Northwest Ontario’s top drive-to fishing destination, its world-class fishing offers trophy walleyes, northern pike, smallmouth bass, crappies, and more.
Rainy Lake Northern Pike Fishing Info
Ontario has the finest northern pike fishing on the continent, with waters where 30-pounders (13.6 kg) prowl. Spring, early summer, and fall are peak periods in southern and central lakes for trophy northern pike fishing.
At ice-out in spring, northern pike begin to spawn. This occurs in the weedy shallows as early as March. Prime locations to fish when angling seasons first open are weedlines, flats, points, and creek mouths.
As the water heat ups, northern pike shift to deeper water with submerged weedbeds or other forms of cover or structure. During this period, deep-water trolling is your best bet. The most effective places to fish during summer are along the edges of weedbeds, drop-offs, points, islands, and humps.
In autumn, when water temperature drops, northern pike become very active again. They return to the weedy shallows, rocky bars, or below rapids in rivers or streams.
Effective northern pike lures include large spoons, noisy surface or diving lures, or bucktail spinners. You can also use live bait such as sucker minnows and smelt.
Tom’s Fishing Tips
- Rainy Lake has some of the best northern pike fishing because of it’s diverse structure. It has many shallow weedy bays, very deep sections, many islands with shoals and long weed beds.
- The larger pike like to hang out just inside the weed beds that have deeper water just outside of them. Trolling along the outside of these is very effective. Since the introduction of smelt, we now catch many pike just trolling in open water. Just off the drop offs on any reef or shoal is also another great spot to target.
- If you are looking for medium or smaller specimens for some non-stop action, the weedy bays are full of them. If you are looking for a few to eat for a shore lunch, these are the places to fish.
- We have a slot size on Rainy Lake. You must release any of the northerns between 27.5″ – 35.5″ . We also prefer that you release all of the trophy size one’s 35.5″ and above. The slot size, combined with the smelts have turned Rainy Lake into a true trophy lake for northern pike. These northerns are often deep bellied fish that weigh heavy on your line. Be prepared for a good fight!
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