Everyone knows the Rainy River walleye run is about to start. The sturgeon run is about to commence as well.

The Rainy River offers you one of your best chances to catch the largest fish of your life. From the mouth of the river at 4-mile bay (Lake of the Woods) all the way up to the dam at International Falls. I, personally, believe the lake sturgeon to be much stronger and just as acrobatic as the musky. The best fishing is usually had starting with ice out at 4-mile bay as the fish come in from the lake to start their spawning run. Although there are more sturgeon in the river during the spawn, the river offers good action all summer and fall along its full length.

Tools required: long rods with good backbone, reels filled with 50 lb braided line with a swivel and 3 feet of 20 lb mono leader, a number 1 circle hook, heavy sinkers, and lots of nghtcrawlers.