Sunset Country Outfitters: Multi-Species Fishing Adventure on Rainy Lake, Ontario

Sunset Country Outfitters, located on Campfire Island in Rainy Lake, offers some of the best multi-species action you'll find anywhere in Ontario’s Sunset Country! Just a five-minute boat ride from Fort Frances (which is right across from International Falls, Minnesota), this private island destination is perfectly located for multi-species fishing! This is one of my all-time favourite lakes, having fished the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship many times.

Multi-Species Fishing on Rainy Lake, Ontario

A great thing about Rainy Lake: no matter what species you're targeting, you're never far from action. The smallmouth bass fishing was awesome during our stay; we caught a lot of 2.8-3.3 pound fish, crushing topwaters and swimbaits. The average size there is impressive! My go-to setup was a 7-foot medium power, fast action Trika 3X series rod paired with a 1/8-ounce VMC MoonEye jig and 3.5-inch swimbait. For topwater, a Rapala X-Pop or Jowler is a fantastic option for calling up big smallies to the surface.

Trophy Smallmouth Bass and Walleye Action

The walleye fishing was equally impressive! We targeted them on offshore gravel bars and mud flats where post-spawn fish were gathering. Owner Matt Goldamer put us right on them—literally within minutes of dropping our lines. One particular spot produced a monster walleye pushing 28 inches. Small underspin jigs with downsized swimbaits were the ticket for Matt. Snap jigging a 3.5” swimbait or Rapala Jigging Rap is also a good bet to catch ‘em. 

Northern pike are somewhat underrated on Rainy Lake, but they shouldn't be! The pike there grow big, and I’ve hooked into some giants over the years. They often show up while targeting smallmouth or walleye, creating that exciting multi-species experience where you never quite know what's going to crush your bait next. That's what makes fishing here so special.

Island Cabins and Guided Fishing Packages

Sunset Country Outfitters offers comfortable island accommodations that make your stay convenient and enjoyable. Our cabin featured two bedrooms, each with two beds and its own full bathroom. The fully-equipped kitchen had everything we needed—refrigerator, freezer, microwave, oven, coffee maker, and even a barbecue on the deck. It's about a one-minute walk from the cabin to the dock, where your boat awaits. If you don’t have a boat or are not bringing it, no problem, Matt provides all-inclusive packages that include guiding, and he'll put you right on the fish from day one!

Matt’s boat can handle Rainy Lake's sometimes rough conditions with ease—"big gear for big water," as he puts it. With over 250,000 acres of water to explore, having the right boat makes all the difference.

The all-inclusive package includes three meals daily, with a three-course breakfast and packed lunches for your day on the water. Matt focuses on catch-and-release for smallmouth and pike, which helps maintain the trophy fishery. For walleye, non-residents have a one-fish daily limit, which most guests quickly fill before releasing the rest of their catch.

Why Anglers Love Sunset Country Outfitters

What makes Rainy Lake so special is its versatility. No matter what the weather conditions are, you can always find protected water somewhere on this massive lake. When winds pick up, there are plenty of coves, bays, and islands to tuck behind for excellent fishing. And with smallmouth bass, walleye, pike, muskie, whitefish, and even big crappies available, you've got options for targeting whatever is biting best.

Whether you're a dedicated smallmouth enthusiast looking for explosive topwater action, a walleye angler in search of trophy fish, or someone who simply loves the excitement of multi-species fishing, Sunset Country Outfitters delivers an exceptional experience. As Matt mentioned, guests who come for trophy smallmouth are just as happy catching "fifty 2.5 to 3.25-pounders" as they are chasing a few giants—that's how good the action is!

For more information about planning your own Sunset Country Outfitters adventure, visit sunsetcountryoutfitters.com.

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