A Perfect Day in Canadian Fishing Paradise
On a breathtakingly calm and quiet day in northwest Ontario, we found ourselves immersed in a multi-species fishing adventure that few anglers ever experience. Based out of LaBelle’s Birch Point Camp on Rainy Lake, we set out for a late fall trip in pursuit of trophy-sized fish—and we found them in droves. Big smallmouth bass, pike, chunky walleyes, and even oversized whitefish all joined the party. What makes this time of year so special? The fish are concentrated, feeding aggressively before winter, and the solitude is unmatched.
Fall: The Overlooked Prime Time
Many anglers focus on spring and summer for Canadian fishing trips, but fall may offer the best fishing of the year. As water temperatures cool, fish transition from the scattered, shallow zones of spring and early summer into deeper basins. On Rainy Lake, we found the magic depths between 25 and 50 feet, particularly along structural features like humps and reef edges.
Armed with LakeMaster mapping and Humminbird electronics, we cruised these underwater contours, pinpointing schools of fish stacked up by species and depth. Smallmouths were thick on top at 25 feet, while walleyes held deeper—typically along edges down to 36 feet. By fine-tuning our depth targeting, we were able to dial in species almost at will.
Finding the Bite with Precision Electronics
With today’s sonar technology, locating fish in deep water is easier than ever. Unlike spring, when fish are scattered in shallow bays and rivers, fall concentrations create massive schools. We marked dense clouds of smallmouth bass hovering over structure and picked them off one by one. The combination of depth-specific targeting and artificial-only tactics made for fast-paced action.
One standout fish came up from the depths—a thick, bronze smallmouth that slammed a bait often reserved for winter ice fishing. As we’ve learned, the Jigging Rap is no seasonal gimmick. It’s a year-round producer.
Essentials for a Remote Fishing Trip
If you’re heading north—especially into more remote locations—preparation is key. Alongside your rods and reels, don’t forget:
- Passport (mandatory for international travel)
- Rain gear/foul weather suit
- Tool kit
- Jumper cables & tow straps
- Flares & first aid kit
- Life jackets
- Sunscreen & bug spray
- Seafoam motor treatment & deep lube
- Bugs Be Gone for cleaning off tree sap/insect residue
And for lures? Here’s our must-bring list:
- Jigs and soft plastics
- X-Raps
- Spinnerbaits
- Topwaters
- Deep-diving crankbaits (like Rapala Shad Raps)
- Assorted sinkers, swivels, hooks, and extra line
- Jigging Raps—our go-to, all-season powerhouse
Why the Jigging Rap Shines
From 5 to 50 feet of water, jigging raps deliver. Their erratic, darting fall imitates distressed baitfish, and when worked with a high-speed reel (we used an 8.1 gear ratio), you can cover water fast and pick up slack line with ease. We used a Quantum Smoke 7-foot medium baitcasting rod paired with 10-pound Sufix 100% fluorocarbon line for maximum sensitivity and control.
When fishing vertically, it’s important to add a small barrel swivel (size 10 is perfect) about a foot up from your jigging rap to avoid line twist. It’s a small adjustment that pays off with longer, hassle-free sessions.
Cold Water, Hot Bite
With water temps hovering around 49–50°F, the smallmouths were grouped up and feeding aggressively. This is the sweet spot—when temps begin to dip into the mid-to-low 40s, bites get tougher. But at just under 50 degrees, it’s lights out. We caught fish after fish—many thick, heavy smallmouths—without moving more than a few yards.
And when we did move? It was only to find more fish.
Wrapping Up an Incredible Fall Fishing Adventure on Rainy Lake
Walleyes Join the Party
As the day progressed, the multi-species action only intensified. While the smallmouth bass continued to bite, we began to connect with some solid walleyes—classic Canadian gold with heavy shoulders and deep belly rolls. One particular walleye struck with such determination that we immediately needed the net. These weren’t just incidental catches, either—they were quality fish that confirmed we were tuned in to the right depths and structure.
Walleyes were hugging the base of humps in that prime 35- to 50-foot zone, reinforcing the idea that fall is a time of fish consolidation in deeper basins. The lake seemed to be giving up one prize after another, and we were grateful for every moment.
Why Fall Fishing Stands Apart
By this point, it was clear—we weren’t just lucky. We were in the middle of one of the most productive times of year to fish in northwest Ontario. And incredibly, we had the lake to ourselves. While most visitors at LaBelle’s Birch Point Camp were there to hunt, we were alone on the water, reaping the rewards of a relatively untapped fall bite. For those who “hunt fish,” this is the ultimate time to be on the water.
Mastering Boat Control for Deep Water Success
Key to our success was precise boat control. Using the mapping gradient on our electronics, we targeted humps topping out at around 23 feet and falling sharply into deep basins. Once positioned, we executed controlled drifts using the trolling motor to maintain a slow, consistent speed—typically under 0.7 mph.
Maintaining bottom contact was crucial. The jigging wrap had to tick bottom, then shoot upward before crashing back down again. This yo-yo action imitated wounded baitfish and triggered predatory strikes from fish hugging the structure. The moment we pulled onto an active hump, it was often fish on within seconds.
More Walleyes, Bigger Fish
As we shifted deeper, the class of fish improved. It was one nice walleye after another, with several fish pushing trophy caliber. The bite remained consistent, and we even saw the potential for a 10-pounder—something that keeps every Canadian angler coming back.
Each hump offered another opportunity, and the consistent success highlighted how important mapping, speed control, and presentation are in these late-season patterns. If you get those elements right, Rainy Lake—and lakes like it across northwest Ontario—will reward you.
Jigging Raps: A Cold-Water Weapon
While many bass anglers may not consider jigging raps a go-to for cold-water smallmouths, they should. We caught a staggering number of bass using this presentation. Though popular in western reservoirs, jigging raps are still underutilized in Canadian fall bass fishing—and they’re incredibly effective.
Wide-bodied smallmouth after smallmouth came to the boat, their sheer numbers and size proving that this method flat-out works. If you’re fishing cold water and want to cover depth efficiently, this bait belongs in your arsenal.
