MN Opener

[FishSticks]

Where are you guys fishing for Minnesota's opener this weekend? I think a friend and I are either going to Sallie or DL Saturday morning.

 

[lunkerslayer]

Good luck

 

[Duckslayer100]

I honestly have no clue. If I do go, it will be a quick afternoon jaunt with my father in law and 2.5-year-old son. I'll be avoiding the big lakes like the plague. Would be fun to find a little walleye lake without a boat landing crowded with one-and-done fishermen, but we'll probably try to find some willing panfish instead (especially with this cold front coming through).

 

[johnr]

do you have to wash your boats down at the ramps?
I haven't made it into Minnesota for 15+ years, and cant say I miss it, but would likely venture east if I was still a fagroan

 

[MuskyManiac]

Lake Lida for me. Yeah, weather doesn't sound too hot. Possible snow on Friday night/Saturday morning around Grand Forks!??!!?

 

[KDM]

When I was a ND border minnetukian, I would be standing at midnight on any of about 3 spots, all by myself with a black and silver #7 original rapala looking over a sandy section of beach with emerging cattails in about 3 ft of water. Usually done by 2am with walleyes. Then I'd get up at 9am and go watch the boat ramp cartoons with a friend, then take a nap in preparation for the next nights activities. Arrive at my spot about 6pm and chase bass, bluegills, and perch. Fish for Crappies in the early dark with jig and minnow, then hit the walleyes at midnight again. Good memories doing that kind of thing years ago.

 

[3Roosters]

Myself and my better half will be going out in the morning for some elusive 'eyes and probably later in the day for some panfish. The plan is to hit a little lake north of Bemidji where we own a lake lot. It really hasn't been a walleye factory so may switch to another local lake Sunday if Saturday is poor.

 

[Jigaman]

Myself and my better half will be going out in the morning for some elusive 'eyes and probably later in the day for some panfish. The plan is to hit a little lake north of Bemidji where we own a lake lot. It really hasn't been a walleye factory so may switch to another local lake Sunday if Saturday is poor.

Your location shows Devils lake. Im confused why you would drive 3+ hours east to fish when you have world class walleye fishing right out your back door? Just curious.

I live near GF and normally head up to LOW for the opener but it looks like I will have to work this weekend. Not to bummed since the weather looks crappy. I will be up there for Memorial weekend for sure.

 

[FishSticks]

When I was a ND border minnetukian, I would be standing at midnight on any of about 3 spots, all by myself with a black and silver #7 original rapala looking over a sandy section of beach with emerging cattails in about 3 ft of water. Usually done by 2am with walleyes. Then I'd get up at 9am and go watch the boat ramp cartoons with a friend, then take a nap in preparation for the next nights activities. Arrive at my spot about 6pm and chase bass, bluegills, and perch. Fish for Crappies in the early dark with jig and minnow, then hit the walleyes at midnight again. Good memories doing that kind of thing years ago.

^^This would be a lot of fun. Not super familiar with open water fishing this area though, have fished it through the ice a few times. Buddy has a new boat so he really wants to get it wet Saturday morning, figure I can either fish with him or do yard work.

 

[shorthairsrus]

Weather sucks. If we had two days in the last month that has been decent

 

[Duckslayer100]

Weather sucks. If we had two days in the last month that has been decent

Agreed. Weather his tittysprinkles. However, when isn't opener weather less than stellar? You either are going to go because it's opener, regardless of the conditions, or you'll wait.

Personally, I'd prefer waiting for a nice weekend than dealing with cold, rain and bustling boat ramps. If it's sketchy, I'd just as soon hit the river for some kitty cats.

 

[3Roosters]

]Your location shows Devils lake. Im confused why you would drive 3+ hours east to fish when you have world class walleye fishing right out your back door? Just curious.[/U]

I live near GF and normally head up to LOW for the opener but it looks like I will have to work this weekend. Not to bummed since the weather looks crappy. I will be up there for Memorial weekend for sure.

No doubt about great fishing right out the back door here in Devils Lake. Although we have been flat landers here in ND for a good number of years now, I am originally from Bemidji area and always wanted to find lake property in our price point and when something came up 4 yrs ago, we took advantage of it. Plus, since our little lake isn't a walleye factory, it lets me target other species, mainly bluegill and crappie. Actually more enjoyable in many ways. No pressure. Just go out and fish..or ...sit in the camper if its crappy out or work around the property.

 

[stalker]

When I was a ND border minnetukian, I would be standing at midnight on any of about 3 spots, all by myself with a black and silver #7 original rapala looking over a sandy section of beach with emerging cattails in about 3 ft of water. Usually done by 2am with walleyes. Then I'd get up at 9am and go watch the boat ramp cartoons with a friend, then take a nap in preparation for the next nights activities. Arrive at my spot about 6pm and chase bass, bluegills, and perch. Fish for Crappies in the early dark with jig and minnow, then hit the walleyes at midnight again. Good memories doing that kind of thing years ago.

I might do it from a boat, but it's kind of the same setup. We use black / silver #5 countdown in a current. If they are in the river still, it can be a lot of fun. I have never tried it from shore. Might have to try a few shore locations also in the dark.

I hadn't looked at the weather conditions yet. You guys are bumming me out. But, a friend and I are taking the whole week off, so we should get a few good days. I would like to get up to Red Lake and Lake of the Woods if possible. LOW could be better this year with the early ice off.

Good luck to all!

 

[KDM]

Countdowns get hung up in the weeds after about 4 ft or you have to reel much to fast to catch fish consistently IME at my spots. It doesn't take a countdown very long to sink 3 ft. The slow roll retrieve of an original with a couple twitches keeps the rapala about 6 inches under the surface where the walleyes can see it and come up under and behind it to strike. They will move over for a bait, but if that bait is on the bottom or close to the bottom, they seem to short strike it or will completely whiff and you will feel the bait being pushed foreword, but no hookup. Additionally, with an original, it's not uncommon to catch fish that missed on the first swing as you can stop the bait and let it float to the surface or get a fish to hit in under a foot of water at your shoes when they follow the bait right to the bitter end of the cast. Sounds like a bass taking a frog when they do that too. In current, all bets are off and you have to tweek your presentation to the current speed and water depth. BTW, I love catching walleyes in current. They really crack the bait. Tight Lines Everyone!!

 

[snow]

Lake Bemidji is a good bet for walleyes in that area,Ottertail lake near Fergus as well.

 

[shorthairsrus]

Hi 53° RealFeel® 46°Precipitation 25%
[h=4]Day[/h]

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• NW 18 mph
• Gusts: 22 mph

Mostly cloudy, breezy and cool

• Max UV Index: 5 (Moderate)
• Thunderstorms: 8%
• Precipitation: 0 in
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• Hours of Precipitation: 0 hrs
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• Cold & Flu Forecast >

 

[BotnoJoe]

Lake Bemidji is a good bet for walleyes in that area,Ottertail lake near Fergus as well.

if anyone is in or near Fergus I recommend going to the Viking cafe. great breakfast and not expensive at all. They won best omelette in the state a year or two ago

 

[Apres]

The old man and I are going to a small lake that's between two very good walleye lakes near Alexandria. I bet we see one other person on the lake total. It has one of the best spring walleye bites. but by the beginning of june they move out. I think the lake acts almost as a private spawning sanctuary, gravel shorelines cabbage/coon for cover, 2 inlets 1 outlet. Why fight the masses? Going at midnight is about the only way to do it, your usually by yourself. My buddy that usually goes is out of town for work and my dad said hell no he wasn't young enough for that anymore. So I get to sleep in this year fish til about 930 then cut lanes around my deer stand

 

[SupressYourself]

Coming from the SD and now living in the ND, I consider fishing openers lame.
I'm sure there's good reasons for closing the season around spawning time - still lame.
Why can't there just be a 'catch and release only' period? I gives a damn about keeping fish most days. I just want to be able to go out and fish when the weather is nice and my life permits it.

 

[shorthairsrus]

Saturday
A chance of rain before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow between 8am and 9am, then a chance of rain after 9am. Areas of frost before 7am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 52. Chance of precipitation is 30%.