Saturday, May 09, 2009
Walleye Opener vs. Mother's Day
With a change in the law back in 1989, Minnesota's walleye opener weekend -- nearly a holiday in the state -- is often at odds with Mother's Day plans. For some, that may create a bit of family tension this weekend -- to fish or to celebrate with Mom.
Friday, May 08, 2009
MN Governor to Fish White Bear Lake on Opener
Last year Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty and first-lady Mary Pawlenty fished Leech Lake on walleye opener. This year, the governor and first lady will fish White Bear Lake, located just east of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Walleye opener begins tomorrow, May 9, throughout Minnesota, at 12:01 a.m. CDT.
Walleye opener begins tomorrow, May 9, throughout Minnesota, at 12:01 a.m. CDT.
Angling Contributes $4.7B to MN's Economy
Fishing is big business in Minnesota as outlined in this article.
Tomorrow is walleye opener in Minnesota. Enjoy.
Tomorrow is walleye opener in Minnesota. Enjoy.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Leech Lake -- One of MN's Top Ten Lakes for 2009 Walleye Opener
The Minneapolis Star Tribune names Leech Lake one of its Top Ten destinations for the state's walleye opener on Saturday.
Happy Opener from Rapala
One of my very favorite walleye lures of all time is the #9 Rapala Minnow Rap in Hot Steel color. Here's a very special 2009 Minnesota walleye opener message from Rapala.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Spring Boat Maintenance
I'm fortunate enough to be able to have my boat winterized, stored, and the prepped for Spring by Corner Sports of Bemidji. They make sure my Lund Pro-V 1800 IFS and 150hp Mercury Verado motor are ready to go when I pick it up.
If, however, you have to prep your boat yourself, here are some helpful suggestions on Spring boat maintenance.
If, however, you have to prep your boat yourself, here are some helpful suggestions on Spring boat maintenance.
Opening-Day Strategies -- from the Pilot-Independent
Opening day strategies
by Ron Anlauf
Published: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 in the Walker Pilot-Independent, Walker, Minnesota
Opening day isn’t all about catching fish. Getting on the water and enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer is part of the opening experience. It’s also a great opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family and maybe even start a new tradition. To that end it still wouldn’t hurt to put a few fish in the boat and can help get your program off to a good start.
One thing to keep in mind is the fact that there are always some fish biting somewhere; and if you stick with it and keep looking, sooner or later you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Last year’s opener was a good example, but the early results for my brother-in-law and I were less than spectacular. We started the season where we have for the last four or five years and where we had always done well — by slowly drifting a shallow weedbed with a light jig and minnow; that is, until now. Now our starting lead pipe cinch early season program was coming up dry, and we finally had to give up on it and look for what we were obviously missing.
What we eventually found was that shallow rocks were holding big schools of fish which were predominantly nice keeper-size males that were still milking. A rocky shoreline with a connecting rock-covered underwater shelve in the 4- to 8-foot range was the ticket to some incredible action. It didn’t take long to put together a solid catch.
Pitching light jigs in the 1/16-ounce range tipped with a spot-tail shiner up to the shallowest water was the key to catching fish without spooking them. The shallowest action held until some of the boats drifted over them and moved them out. We worked the deeper edges of the rocks by slowly drifting the same light jig and minnow.
That pattern held for the next three days that we came back. Successful drifts included casting the jig out and away from the boat and then slowly drifting (when there was enough wind) while lifting and dropping the bait. When it calmed down we used the MinnKota motor to slowly creep along, allowing us to duplicate the same productive speed and cover some water.
Last year’s colder than normal spring and late ice-out delayed the spawn. Instead of spread out on a weed-covered flat, a lot of the fish were stacked into a 100-yard stretch of rock and gravel where they were easy to find and relatively easy to catch. Who knows what this year’s opener will bring? But it wouldn’t hurt to keep an open mind. See you on the water.
by Ron Anlauf
Published: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 in the Walker Pilot-Independent, Walker, Minnesota
Opening day isn’t all about catching fish. Getting on the water and enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer is part of the opening experience. It’s also a great opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family and maybe even start a new tradition. To that end it still wouldn’t hurt to put a few fish in the boat and can help get your program off to a good start.
One thing to keep in mind is the fact that there are always some fish biting somewhere; and if you stick with it and keep looking, sooner or later you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Last year’s opener was a good example, but the early results for my brother-in-law and I were less than spectacular. We started the season where we have for the last four or five years and where we had always done well — by slowly drifting a shallow weedbed with a light jig and minnow; that is, until now. Now our starting lead pipe cinch early season program was coming up dry, and we finally had to give up on it and look for what we were obviously missing.
What we eventually found was that shallow rocks were holding big schools of fish which were predominantly nice keeper-size males that were still milking. A rocky shoreline with a connecting rock-covered underwater shelve in the 4- to 8-foot range was the ticket to some incredible action. It didn’t take long to put together a solid catch.
Pitching light jigs in the 1/16-ounce range tipped with a spot-tail shiner up to the shallowest water was the key to catching fish without spooking them. The shallowest action held until some of the boats drifted over them and moved them out. We worked the deeper edges of the rocks by slowly drifting the same light jig and minnow.
That pattern held for the next three days that we came back. Successful drifts included casting the jig out and away from the boat and then slowly drifting (when there was enough wind) while lifting and dropping the bait. When it calmed down we used the MinnKota motor to slowly creep along, allowing us to duplicate the same productive speed and cover some water.
Last year’s colder than normal spring and late ice-out delayed the spawn. Instead of spread out on a weed-covered flat, a lot of the fish were stacked into a 100-yard stretch of rock and gravel where they were easy to find and relatively easy to catch. Who knows what this year’s opener will bring? But it wouldn’t hurt to keep an open mind. See you on the water.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Ice Out 2009 -- Just About Average
Ice was officially "out" on Leech Lake as of April 30, 2009. Average ice out for Leech Lake is April 27, and the latest it was out was back in 1950 -- May 23. Last year there was ice from the shoreline to 200 feet out into Sucker Bay on walleye opener.
Here is some historical data on ice out for many lakes in Minnesota.
Here is some historical data on ice out for many lakes in Minnesota.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Leech Lake Walleye Tournament -- May 30-31, 2009
Welcome to a return of a tradition - the Leech Lake Walleye Tournament! Located on the hottest walleye lake in Minnesota, this is a non-profit family event with proceeds going to area organizations.
The response to the Leech Lake Walleye Tournament has been overwhelming. The positive feedback and response to our return of the tradition .... going back to the family fishing tournament days, has resulted in the LLWT committee receiving DNR approval to increase the number of boats in the tournament to 125. Of course, this also means an increase in the payouts to the anglers and in our donations to the Family Safety Network, Boys & Girls Club and Northstar Sportsmens Club.
Be a part of the tradition! Register now for well over $30,000 in cash and prizes.
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