Minnesota Pro Tip of the Week: tip-ups for pike on Rainy Lake

By Ryan Schmidt 

Years of guiding experience: 22

Favorite lakes: Rainy Lake

The time of the year, I do my best tip-up sets at the mouths of bays and off main lake points on Rainy Lake.

We use packaged ciscos and smelt for bait, which work about equally as well.

I highly recommend quick-strike rigs because it’s so much easier on the fish, and we want to return those trophy northern pike in the best condition as possible. Quick-strike rigs are more effective, usually allowing you to set the hook immediately instead of giving the pike time to chew.

The best depths we have found lately have been between 8 and 14 feet of water, but I like to stage my baits, with most of them set a foot off the bottom. I also recommend putting a couple of lines high, assuming you have the bodies to set multiple lines. Sometimes those high lines do better.

Ryan Schmidt is a multi-species fishing guide on Rainy Lake. Check out his website at bcoaonline.com or contact him at (218) 324-0668.