Part 2: Fishing Review and Fishing How-To

It’s nearly here. Saturday May 10th signifies another MN walleye opener. The closed season has worked according to plan—the walleye and northern have spawned, therefore, there will be millions and billions of fry hatching around the county.  The parent fish, who have just recently gone through the reproductive cycle are migrating back to “life as usual,” in which case, they begin food-orientated living as opposed their “survival-of-the-species” preoccupation.  As anglers, this is an exciting time. What do we look for this weekend? What baits to use? As an opening weekend general guide line, search out lakes that have the warmest water.  Why? Because the walleye and pike in lakes that are warmest probably spawned before their cousins in colder lakes.  This is a big deal early in the walleye season. Walleye that have spawned even 3-4 days before other walleye will be much more likely to eat than walleye that have just spawned.  It could be because of recovery time or maybe individual spawners have made associations with other walleye—forming schools—and are more likely to feed do to competitive behavior.  As for the bait, bring a little bit of everything.  Shiner minnows should be your number one bait on most lakes in the county—especially on lakes that are larger then 1,000 acres.  Use caution, however,  not all lakes (especially the smaller, shallow lakes in Otter Tail Lakes Country have lake shiners), so the fish may not recognize them.  Night crawlers are well worth a try on small lakes.  I usually carry a dozen leeches on opener weekend and rarely use them, but it’s good to have them along just in case.  Jigs and Lindy Rig style presentations are both good choices.  Consider using a Lindy Rig (with a 5 foot leader), and troll around until you get a bite or catch a fish.  Then if fishing slows, give jigs a try.  If you begin with jigs it could take longer to locate your fish—you can troll faster with a Lindy Rig and cover more water in a shorter period of time then you can with a jig.  Opening weekend is a perfect time to use blue, chartreuse, glow, pink, or florescent green.  Most of all this weekend, have a fun time and be safe—it is what fishing is all about.

Minnesota Fishing Report by:

Ross Hagemeister
Meister Guide Service