One week from tonight I'll be at our house at Leech Lake.
I am really looking forward to my visit. As usual, there will be a lot of work to do, but I enjoy working around our properties. I'll have to get the boat cleaned up, the equipment in it, and then I'll need to put my boat in the water. I'll have to get the canopy on the boat lift. Run the electricity out to the end of the dock to power the electric motor for the boat lift.
I'll have storm windows to take down and screens to put up. I'll have to remove the insulation from the crawl space vents to air out the house. Then I'll have tons of work to do in the yards at both the house and cabin. I'll have flower beds to prep. Trees to trim. I'll need to clean out the fire pit and get it ready for another season of campfires. Put up the hammock. And on and on.
But no matter how much work there is to do, I don't mind because I'll be doing it on the shores of Leech Lake. For me, there is no better place in the world do to such work.
Oh, and I'll have to get some walleye fishing in as well. My "at-lake" reports will begin next week.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Leech Lake Walleye Opener Report, Part 2
My neighbor John Newman filed this report from Sucker Bay, Leech Lake during Saturday's (May 9) walleye opener.
It was a pretty chilly and breezy opener on Leech Lake. I was not even going to go out, but when saw a few nets in action among the flotilla (parked off Second Duck Point) I ventured out for a few hours. I caught a pike and a few perch. I had a sizeable hit of some sort, but no walleye were boated. As for the other anglers, I saw a few fish netted, but could not tell if they were walleye or pike.
Not the kind of success that some folks had on opener (see Good Opening Day on Leech Lake post), but at least John made it out onto the water.
It was a pretty chilly and breezy opener on Leech Lake. I was not even going to go out, but when saw a few nets in action among the flotilla (parked off Second Duck Point) I ventured out for a few hours. I caught a pike and a few perch. I had a sizeable hit of some sort, but no walleye were boated. As for the other anglers, I saw a few fish netted, but could not tell if they were walleye or pike.
Not the kind of success that some folks had on opener (see Good Opening Day on Leech Lake post), but at least John made it out onto the water.
Good Opening Day on Leech Lake
Leech Lake leads the way in walleye opener success across Minnesota. This article if from the Brainerd (MN) Dispatch.
Leech Lake not reeling anymore
2009 MINNESOTA FISHING OPENER
By BRIAN S. PETERSON
Outdoors Editor
Those who wondered if last year's success on Leech Lake was fleeting need not wonder anymore.
It wasn't.
Of all the reports from area lakes, nothing compared to Leech during the opening weekend of the 2009 Minnesota fishing season.
"It's as good as we've seen in a long time," Cory Brock of Reed's Sporting Goods in Walker said of the opener. "There was a good bite yesterday (Saturday). Today it slowed down with it being pretty flat (calm). But they're still catching fish."
Brock said he hit Leech for about an hour-and-a-half Saturday and caught seven walleye, including two nice keepers.
"I just went out for a while and the fish I caught were real healthy fish. Two nice 17-inchers. And the others were 19 to 24 inches."
That was the norm over the weekend - a nice variety of fish sizes. And they were being caught in a variety of places - Partridge Point, Bear Island, Rogers Point, Stoney Point, the Hardwoods, Pine Point and Goose Island, according to Brock.
He said most of the bigger fish were being caught on the southern end of the lake, with the Goose Island and Pine Point areas providing plenty of keepers. He heard a report of a 31-inch walleye being caught as well as a couple 28- and 29-inchers and a number in the 24- to 26-inch range. And reports of a lot of limits being filled.
"A couple different boats were done at 1 (p.m. Saturday). One had 40 to 50 fish in the 12- to 28-inch range.
"Today (Sunday) it's been up and down a little bit. Nothing real phenomenal. But yesterday (Saturday) was great.
"While one guide on Lake Mille Lacs wouldn't categorize the bite on Mille Lacs as great, he said it was better than last year.
"There are more people and the fish are cooperating better," said Rick Goodholm, longtime guide for Terry's Boat Harbor and Marina on Mille Lacs. "But it's still not as good as three years ago because the water temperature isn't warm enough.
"Goodholm said the water temp was 47 degrees Saturday and dropped to 45 with Sunday's wind."
Every day the fishing will get a little better because the water temperature will be warming up," he said. Goodholm said a walleye "just a hair under 28" (inches) was reported Saturday and few keepers were being reported opening weekend.
"We're seeing a lot of 15-inchers but didn't see any that night," he said of a guided night outing over the weekend. "You'll see a lot of 15- to 16-inchers during the day and the night is always a bigger bite."
I think the bite will determine how business will be (this year on Mille Lacs). If they're biting it will be good and if they're not biting it will be bad. And if people can keep some fish, that's a plus.
"It (opening weekend) was better than last for people, but not the year before, but better than I thought it would be - because of the economy. I wasn't sure if it would affect fishing or not. But there were sure a lot of new Ranger boats going down the highway."
Reports from several Brainerd-area lakes were mixed, with anglers coming off Gull Lake reporting a good number of smaller fish, but not many keepers.
In the Crosby-Ironton area, Jesse Williams of Oars & Mine Bait & Tackle in Crosby reported mostly the same.
"The walleye were kind of off and on all weekend," Williams said. "A couple guys here and there said it was pretty good on Serpent Lake and Rabbit Lake. And 10 minutes later a couple more guys would come in, and they were out at the same time and in the same place and didn't catch anything. And there were a lot of bass and pike being caught by accident."
While the opening of the walleye season got most of the attention over the weekend, the season for trout in Minnesota lakes also opened. And according to Williams, it was a successful opener in the Crosby-Ironton mine pit lakes.
"The trout fishing was excellent," he said. "A lot of fish were caught. Even some pretty decent ones. There were some good reports of 17- and 18-inchers and up to 20-inch rainbows."
Williams heard a report of a 5-pound rainbow being caught and reports of nice fish being caught in a number of the pit lakes.
"The Pennington chain was by far the top one," he said. "And there were some decent brookies out of Huntington, and rainbows, too.
And Portsmouth had some good reports, too."Traffic might not be way up - about the same (as last year's opener). But it seems like a lot of people are spending money and getting out."
BRIAN S. PETERSON may be reached at brian.peterson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5864.
Leech Lake not reeling anymore
2009 MINNESOTA FISHING OPENER
By BRIAN S. PETERSON
Outdoors Editor
Those who wondered if last year's success on Leech Lake was fleeting need not wonder anymore.
It wasn't.
Of all the reports from area lakes, nothing compared to Leech during the opening weekend of the 2009 Minnesota fishing season.
"It's as good as we've seen in a long time," Cory Brock of Reed's Sporting Goods in Walker said of the opener. "There was a good bite yesterday (Saturday). Today it slowed down with it being pretty flat (calm). But they're still catching fish."
Brock said he hit Leech for about an hour-and-a-half Saturday and caught seven walleye, including two nice keepers.
"I just went out for a while and the fish I caught were real healthy fish. Two nice 17-inchers. And the others were 19 to 24 inches."
That was the norm over the weekend - a nice variety of fish sizes. And they were being caught in a variety of places - Partridge Point, Bear Island, Rogers Point, Stoney Point, the Hardwoods, Pine Point and Goose Island, according to Brock.
He said most of the bigger fish were being caught on the southern end of the lake, with the Goose Island and Pine Point areas providing plenty of keepers. He heard a report of a 31-inch walleye being caught as well as a couple 28- and 29-inchers and a number in the 24- to 26-inch range. And reports of a lot of limits being filled.
"A couple different boats were done at 1 (p.m. Saturday). One had 40 to 50 fish in the 12- to 28-inch range.
"Today (Sunday) it's been up and down a little bit. Nothing real phenomenal. But yesterday (Saturday) was great.
"While one guide on Lake Mille Lacs wouldn't categorize the bite on Mille Lacs as great, he said it was better than last year.
"There are more people and the fish are cooperating better," said Rick Goodholm, longtime guide for Terry's Boat Harbor and Marina on Mille Lacs. "But it's still not as good as three years ago because the water temperature isn't warm enough.
"Goodholm said the water temp was 47 degrees Saturday and dropped to 45 with Sunday's wind."
Every day the fishing will get a little better because the water temperature will be warming up," he said. Goodholm said a walleye "just a hair under 28" (inches) was reported Saturday and few keepers were being reported opening weekend.
"We're seeing a lot of 15-inchers but didn't see any that night," he said of a guided night outing over the weekend. "You'll see a lot of 15- to 16-inchers during the day and the night is always a bigger bite."
I think the bite will determine how business will be (this year on Mille Lacs). If they're biting it will be good and if they're not biting it will be bad. And if people can keep some fish, that's a plus.
"It (opening weekend) was better than last for people, but not the year before, but better than I thought it would be - because of the economy. I wasn't sure if it would affect fishing or not. But there were sure a lot of new Ranger boats going down the highway."
Reports from several Brainerd-area lakes were mixed, with anglers coming off Gull Lake reporting a good number of smaller fish, but not many keepers.
In the Crosby-Ironton area, Jesse Williams of Oars & Mine Bait & Tackle in Crosby reported mostly the same.
"The walleye were kind of off and on all weekend," Williams said. "A couple guys here and there said it was pretty good on Serpent Lake and Rabbit Lake. And 10 minutes later a couple more guys would come in, and they were out at the same time and in the same place and didn't catch anything. And there were a lot of bass and pike being caught by accident."
While the opening of the walleye season got most of the attention over the weekend, the season for trout in Minnesota lakes also opened. And according to Williams, it was a successful opener in the Crosby-Ironton mine pit lakes.
"The trout fishing was excellent," he said. "A lot of fish were caught. Even some pretty decent ones. There were some good reports of 17- and 18-inchers and up to 20-inch rainbows."
Williams heard a report of a 5-pound rainbow being caught and reports of nice fish being caught in a number of the pit lakes.
"The Pennington chain was by far the top one," he said. "And there were some decent brookies out of Huntington, and rainbows, too.
And Portsmouth had some good reports, too."Traffic might not be way up - about the same (as last year's opener). But it seems like a lot of people are spending money and getting out."
BRIAN S. PETERSON may be reached at brian.peterson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5864.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
2010 Walleye Opener
The 2009 walleye season is barely 24 hours old and already the Minnesota governor's office has announced the site for the 2010 walleye opener. This article was published today in the Bemidji Pioneer.
Published May 10 2009
Kabetogama Lake to host 2010 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener
By: By Brad Swenson, Bemidji Pioneer
WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. – The Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener moves back north in 2010, after seeing its first visit to the metro area this year in 61 years of the event.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced Saturday night at the concluding banquet that Kabetogama would host the 2010 event. The small city is on Kabetogama Lake, about 30 miles southeast of International Falls.
The lake on the southwest edge of Voyageur’s National Park last played host to the Governor’s Fishing Opener in 1982 – 28 years ago – when Gov. Al Quie hosted the event, Pawlenty said.
Kabetogama Lake is part of a chain of lakes that make up the border waters between Minnesota and Ontario.
Meanwhile, Pawlenty was basking in his fishing prowess Saturday, having beat Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau in a contest they’ve had each year. Pawlenty’s four fish – three northern pike and one bass – was enough to beat his running mate who managed a 19-inch walleye at 5:03 a.m.
Pawlenty and Molnau traded barbs about starting the day on White Bear Lake at 3:30 a.m. and then coming in for breakfast and the official launch at 6:45 a.m.
“Our boat caught five fish,” Pawlenty told reporters dockside at noon, with guide Denny Merry catching a walleye and first lady Mary Pawlenty skunked for the day. “That’s a very good day, I think.”
He thanked the White Bear Lake community for promoting the sport and the pastime of fishing, as well as for its hospitality to nearly 400 media members and guests.
Molnau chided the governor in that her granddaughter, Anna, caught three fish and only one less than Pawlenty. She suggested Anna would “wipe the governor off the lake” next year.
“I didn’t have as good a year as I usually do,” the lieutenant governor said. “We had a great time, governor. … My fear is that you may have won this year. But, just so you know, you’re just a little bit better than Anna.”
The day was sunny and cloudy, off and on, but rain stayed away. A stiff cold wind created a walleye chop on the lake that may have kept catches down. Still, a 19-1/4-inch walleye was caught and released, as well as a 40-inch muskie. Many bass were also caught, with that season still closed.
“Tourism in Minnesota is an enormous part of our economy,” the Republican governor said.
"Fishing alone is a $5 billion industry in Minnesota. … It’s licenses and fuel and boats, tackle and equipment, restaurants and lodging. We want to promote fishing because it’s economically important to our state, and because it’s fun as it gives people the chance to experience and chance to enjoy our great outdoors.”
White Bear Lake was the state’s first resort town, said event chairman Bill Foussard, owner of White Bear Lake Country Inn. He notes that there are 800,000 anglers in the metro area.
“We talk about always going Up North, but think of all the lakes we have in the metro area,” he said. “The resource – this is so beautiful in White Bear and we’re just one of many.”
Minnesota fishing licenses had declined in recent years, but Foussard said it’s up 15 to 16 percent the past year. “It’s a reasonable sport, it’s great for families. It gives kids a relationship.”
The metro area offers so much in lakes, parks, golf courses and other outdoor recreational opportunities, he said.
“I adore fishing,” said Mary Pawlenty. “I probably drive the train in our family when it comes to going out fishing. The kids love it, and there’s no such thing as a bad day fishing. I had a really great time out there.”
The morning opened with a VFW honor guard, singing of the National Anthem and a blessing of the boats by three local clergy.
“The sun is out and the sky is blue and the fishing season is open in the great state of Minnesota,” Gov. Pawlenty said.
Mark Holsten, state Department of Natural Resources commissioner, noted at the Saturday night banquet about a number of activities throughout the weekend that involved children.
“There’s nothing like seeing a kid catching their first fish,” Holsten said.” Minnesota is a land of 10,000 lakes and a land of a million memories.”
Pawlenty also acknowledged former Sen. Bob Lessard, Ind.-International Falls, who was in attendance and whom the new Lessard outdoor and heritage fund is named after. The fund will come from proceeds from the new State Constitution amendment that adds to Minnesota’s sales tax for cultural and heritage programs that includes the outdoors.
Published May 10 2009
Kabetogama Lake to host 2010 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener
By: By Brad Swenson, Bemidji Pioneer
WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. – The Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener moves back north in 2010, after seeing its first visit to the metro area this year in 61 years of the event.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced Saturday night at the concluding banquet that Kabetogama would host the 2010 event. The small city is on Kabetogama Lake, about 30 miles southeast of International Falls.
The lake on the southwest edge of Voyageur’s National Park last played host to the Governor’s Fishing Opener in 1982 – 28 years ago – when Gov. Al Quie hosted the event, Pawlenty said.
Kabetogama Lake is part of a chain of lakes that make up the border waters between Minnesota and Ontario.
Meanwhile, Pawlenty was basking in his fishing prowess Saturday, having beat Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau in a contest they’ve had each year. Pawlenty’s four fish – three northern pike and one bass – was enough to beat his running mate who managed a 19-inch walleye at 5:03 a.m.
Pawlenty and Molnau traded barbs about starting the day on White Bear Lake at 3:30 a.m. and then coming in for breakfast and the official launch at 6:45 a.m.
“Our boat caught five fish,” Pawlenty told reporters dockside at noon, with guide Denny Merry catching a walleye and first lady Mary Pawlenty skunked for the day. “That’s a very good day, I think.”
He thanked the White Bear Lake community for promoting the sport and the pastime of fishing, as well as for its hospitality to nearly 400 media members and guests.
Molnau chided the governor in that her granddaughter, Anna, caught three fish and only one less than Pawlenty. She suggested Anna would “wipe the governor off the lake” next year.
“I didn’t have as good a year as I usually do,” the lieutenant governor said. “We had a great time, governor. … My fear is that you may have won this year. But, just so you know, you’re just a little bit better than Anna.”
The day was sunny and cloudy, off and on, but rain stayed away. A stiff cold wind created a walleye chop on the lake that may have kept catches down. Still, a 19-1/4-inch walleye was caught and released, as well as a 40-inch muskie. Many bass were also caught, with that season still closed.
“Tourism in Minnesota is an enormous part of our economy,” the Republican governor said.
"Fishing alone is a $5 billion industry in Minnesota. … It’s licenses and fuel and boats, tackle and equipment, restaurants and lodging. We want to promote fishing because it’s economically important to our state, and because it’s fun as it gives people the chance to experience and chance to enjoy our great outdoors.”
White Bear Lake was the state’s first resort town, said event chairman Bill Foussard, owner of White Bear Lake Country Inn. He notes that there are 800,000 anglers in the metro area.
“We talk about always going Up North, but think of all the lakes we have in the metro area,” he said. “The resource – this is so beautiful in White Bear and we’re just one of many.”
Minnesota fishing licenses had declined in recent years, but Foussard said it’s up 15 to 16 percent the past year. “It’s a reasonable sport, it’s great for families. It gives kids a relationship.”
The metro area offers so much in lakes, parks, golf courses and other outdoor recreational opportunities, he said.
“I adore fishing,” said Mary Pawlenty. “I probably drive the train in our family when it comes to going out fishing. The kids love it, and there’s no such thing as a bad day fishing. I had a really great time out there.”
The morning opened with a VFW honor guard, singing of the National Anthem and a blessing of the boats by three local clergy.
“The sun is out and the sky is blue and the fishing season is open in the great state of Minnesota,” Gov. Pawlenty said.
Mark Holsten, state Department of Natural Resources commissioner, noted at the Saturday night banquet about a number of activities throughout the weekend that involved children.
“There’s nothing like seeing a kid catching their first fish,” Holsten said.” Minnesota is a land of 10,000 lakes and a land of a million memories.”
Pawlenty also acknowledged former Sen. Bob Lessard, Ind.-International Falls, who was in attendance and whom the new Lessard outdoor and heritage fund is named after. The fund will come from proceeds from the new State Constitution amendment that adds to Minnesota’s sales tax for cultural and heritage programs that includes the outdoors.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Leech Lake Walleye Opener Report, Part 1
I heard from my neighbor Tom Malay that there were about 20 boats camped out near Second Duck Point all afternoon. Tom has not gone out fishing himself, but said he will get an update from the folks at Birch Ridge Resort and will get back to me in the next couple of days.
Tom said the weather was typical for a Leech Lake walleye opener -- overcast with rain on and off all day, the temperature didn't hit 45 degrees and the winds out of the NW were about 10 mph, enough to create a nice "walleye chop" on the lake.
More reports from the 2009 Minnesota walleye opener on Leech Lake will be posted here in the next few days.
Tom said the weather was typical for a Leech Lake walleye opener -- overcast with rain on and off all day, the temperature didn't hit 45 degrees and the winds out of the NW were about 10 mph, enough to create a nice "walleye chop" on the lake.
More reports from the 2009 Minnesota walleye opener on Leech Lake will be posted here in the next few days.
Walleye Opener Weather Trivia
Here's some walleye opener weather trivia for all of you. I'm still waiting to hear reports from my neighbors at Leech Lake. I will post an update as soon as I have one.
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.
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