In 48 hours I'll be on a plane on my way to the Bemidji airport. From there, I'll pick up my boat and drive to our cabin on the Sucker Bay of Leech Lake. Then on Wednesday I'll put my boat in the water, and by that evening I hope to be able to post my own report on the walleye fishing at Leech Lake.
Until then, here's another report on the resurgence of Leech Lake's walleye population.
This is from TwinCities.com, the St. Paul Pioneer Press
Landing a Leech Lake lode
The walleye — and the anglers — are returning to this largely undeveloped north-central Minnesota area, where one guide says the fishing is the best it's been in years.
By Chris Niskanen
WALKER, Minn. — Even after 35 years, Jeff Woodruff hasn't lost the thrill of hooking the Minnesota state fish.
Sure, the walleye isn't a super-charged fighter like a bass, but Woodruff lives on Leech Lake, one of the finest walleye lakes in Minnesota. He may have guided his first clients in the 1970s, but Woodruff still couldn't suppress a giggle Monday when he felt a jolt at the end of his line.
"That fish just hammered that jig," Woodruff, 62, cried out, as he simultaneously reached to grab the landing net.
"He just choked on it. It is one of those good-sized ones, maybe too big to eat," he gushed.
Woodruff has a sweet swing with a landing net, like Joe Mauer belting a double up the middle, and with a flash of the nylon-webbed scooper, Woodruff had the flailing Leech Lake walleye in the boat. With a weather-cracked hand, Woodruff pinned the walleye against a metal ruler and eyeballed a piece of black tape set at 18 inches.
The fish's tail failed to touch the tape.
"Nope, that's a keeper," he said with satisfaction.
The walleye made a loud bonking sound when it hit the inside of the livewell.
PRETTY, UNCROWDED
Woodruff has seen tornadoes suck water out of Leech Lake. He's guided the wealthy and powerful. He has landed a 55-inch muskie. But it has been years since he has seen such good walleye fishing on this north-central Minnesota lake.
"We had no trouble catching a limit on the opener," Woodruff said. "A lot of guys had a limit by 10 o'clock."
With the feds continuing to control the lake's cormorant population and the Department of Natural Resources entering its fifth year of walleye restocking, Leech Lake is getting a helping hand.
I've been following the Leech Lake walleye resurgence for the past three years, so once again I marked my calendar to fish the lake on the Monday after the opener. Last year, on the same day, local bait shop owner Jack Shriver Jr. and I had fabulous walleye fishing, boating dozens of fish, so I wanted to see if I could duplicate our success.
When Woodruff and I sped out of the public landing Monday morning, headed for Star Point, it was no secret the fish were biting. Even on a weekday, more than a dozen boats drifted lazily across Star Point's shallows, with landing nets popping out of their holders with regularity.
Woodruff grew up in nearby Hackensack, the son of a lumberjack. He headed to the Twin Cities to find his fortune, but grew tired of the bustling city life and came back to Leech Lake 20 years ago when he landed a job as a fish-house operator.
Last year, he had 91 guide trips on Leech Lake and enjoyed all of them. In addition to its superior fishing, Leech Lake has another advantage, he said: miles of undeveloped shoreline. The place is just easy on the eyes, he said.
"Just look at this," Woodruff said, waving to an unending stretch of woods and wetlands. "Leech Lake is just a pretty place, with all these undeveloped points. In the fall, you can sit out here and practically watch the leaves change color. The lake's big enough, you don't ever have to sit in a crowd of boats."
HIGHS, LOWS
Woodruff almost didn't live long enough to see the walleye rebound.
A few years ago, he was driving down Woodtick Trail during the muzzleloader deer season when he had a stroke. When he finally made it out of the hospital and into physical therapy, the best he could hope for was to get around with the aid of a walker. Fishing from a boat — much less loading or unloading a trailer — was out of the question.
But there he is today, running his boat up and down the ramp and beating the waves for walleyes. His special gift, he said, is the chance to fish with his 13-year-old grandson, Ian, in a walleye-fishing tournament at the end of this month.
"That's the real bonus," he said.
Ian has learned a lot about his grandpa's fishing life because Woodruff sat down one day and wrote a 30-page book of fishing stories and gave it to the boy. Every so often, the boy calls Woodruff on the phone and asks, "Did that really happen, Grandpa?"
Woodruff has to answer "yes" every time, even to the infamous moment his dangling cigarette burned through the fishing line of a client trying to land an 8-pound walleye.
"Most embarrassing moment of my career," Woodruff said.
FISH R BITING
Possessing a GPS-like mind for Leech Lake's structure, Woodruff wasn't satisfied when things slowed on Star Point. "Let's reel up and try a new spot," he said.
Wind is a critical element of successful walleye fishing on Leech Lake, and a calm day can kill a good bite, so we kept our eyes on the sky, praying a few small storm cells would keep the water frothy and the walleyes biting.
When the walleyes weren't snapping at our rainbow dace minnows and spot-tailed shiners, the perch were hammering our baits. Some were small, but others were 9-inch keepers and a few were nearly a foot long. We were filling the livewell with yellow-flanked perch, in addition to keeper walleyes.
Regulations require anglers to throw back Leech Lake walleyes between 18 and 26 inches, and before long, we both had landed and released several walleyes over 20 inches.
One swam up to the edge of the boat and nailed my minnow as it drifted just below the surface. "Now that's a hungry walleye," Woodruff said.
He said he's satisfied the extra regulations are helping protect the lake's walleyes.
"You're able to keep about half of what you catch, which is good. When you got people paying you to take them fishing, you like to get a meal, too."
Fishing still sustains communities like Walker, even if the resort industry is about one-third the size it used to be. "I remember when there were 74 resorts on the lake, and in the chamber of commerce book this year, there are 23," Woodruff said. "Every year, we seem to lose a few more."
Resorts might succumb to the changing whims of vacationers and rising property values, but walleyes are still a draw on Leech Lake. We outraced a storm to the dock, having landed 15 walleyes, and kept a half-dozen "eaters" and a dozen fat perch.
The fishermen are returning, and Woodruff likes what he sees.
"On Sunday, the white spray was coming from all directions as boats headed back to shore and guys headed back to the city. It's good to see it again," he said.
Woodruff can be reached at 218-547-1405. His Web site is fishrbiting.com.
LEECH LAKE FISHERY AT A GLANCE
State and federal officials are taking a multipronged approached to restoring Leech Lake's walleye fishery.
Federal officials are continuing to cull double-crested cormorants from the lake, in hopes of reducing the population to 500 nesting pairs or about 1,000 individuals. This spring, there were 3,000 individual birds. It is the fifth year of such culling. Experts believe the birds eat not only walleyes but also young perch that are the mainstay of walleye diets.
This week, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources again will stock millions of fry into the lake, the fifth consecutive year of the stocking effort. The stocking continues next year, after which the agency will evaluate the effort. Managers want the lake to have self-sustaining walleye populations, as in the past.
DNR regional fisheries manager Henry Drewes said researchers may never know why Leech Lake's walleye population began to plummet in the early 1990s. He said the most important thing is that yellow perch and walleyes are recovering with cormorant numbers under control.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Three Days and Counting...
This is my last weekend in California for the next several weeks. Beginning Tuesday, I'll be at our house on beautiful Leech Lake.
I spoke with my neighbor and friend Tom Malay yesterday and he said weather conditions for the Friday of the second weekend of the Minnesota walleye season couldn't have been worse -- 24 mph winds out of the NW, 3-4 foot waves and whitecaps, rain off and on, and temperatures that fell from a high of 65 to the mid-40s. In fact, the forecast for last night called for temperatures below freezing and the possibility of snow showers.
Tom said he saw 3 or 4 boats heading north on Sucker Bay struggling against the wind and pounding waves on their way back to Birch Ridge resort. "Real white-knuckle weather," according to Tom.
Today looks a little better. The Weather Underground web site says that the wind today is around 15 mph gusting to near 30 mph, the sky is clear and the temperature is hovering around 50 degrees. If you can get on and off the water safely, it probably isn't a bad day for walleye fishing.
I'll be making my first post from Leech Lake either Tuesday night or Wednesday next week. Stay tuned.
I spoke with my neighbor and friend Tom Malay yesterday and he said weather conditions for the Friday of the second weekend of the Minnesota walleye season couldn't have been worse -- 24 mph winds out of the NW, 3-4 foot waves and whitecaps, rain off and on, and temperatures that fell from a high of 65 to the mid-40s. In fact, the forecast for last night called for temperatures below freezing and the possibility of snow showers.
Tom said he saw 3 or 4 boats heading north on Sucker Bay struggling against the wind and pounding waves on their way back to Birch Ridge resort. "Real white-knuckle weather," according to Tom.
Today looks a little better. The Weather Underground web site says that the wind today is around 15 mph gusting to near 30 mph, the sky is clear and the temperature is hovering around 50 degrees. If you can get on and off the water safely, it probably isn't a bad day for walleye fishing.
I'll be making my first post from Leech Lake either Tuesday night or Wednesday next week. Stay tuned.
Friday, May 15, 2009
First Week of Walleye Season Update
Here's a brief mention of Leech Lake in today's Bemidji Pioneer.
Leech Lake was another good lake for walleyes on the opener, but heavy winds also hampered anglers efforts much of the first week of the season.
Walleyes were biting well in both Portage and Sucker Bay of Leech Lake as well as on some of the larger points like Ottertail and Pine Point in the main lake. Most of the walleyes were biting in 8-12 feet of water on either rocks or on the edges of the emergent cabbage weed beds.
Leech Lake was another good lake for walleyes on the opener, but heavy winds also hampered anglers efforts much of the first week of the season.
Walleyes were biting well in both Portage and Sucker Bay of Leech Lake as well as on some of the larger points like Ottertail and Pine Point in the main lake. Most of the walleyes were biting in 8-12 feet of water on either rocks or on the edges of the emergent cabbage weed beds.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Another Report from Opener
Here's another update on walleye opener from Leech Lake.
Leech Lake: Adam Arnold of Reed's Sporting Goods in Walker said the best bite in 10 years is happening on Leech. Some anglers are catching 23-27 inch walleyes, with lots in the 14-18 inch range. Best have been standup Northland Fireball jigs with shiners.
Goose Island and Pine Point produced some limits for about 500 boats there over the weekend. Best areas on the east side are Partridge Point and Sugar Point, which are producing some walleyes over 24 inches.
Leech Lake: Adam Arnold of Reed's Sporting Goods in Walker said the best bite in 10 years is happening on Leech. Some anglers are catching 23-27 inch walleyes, with lots in the 14-18 inch range. Best have been standup Northland Fireball jigs with shiners.
Goose Island and Pine Point produced some limits for about 500 boats there over the weekend. Best areas on the east side are Partridge Point and Sugar Point, which are producing some walleyes over 24 inches.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Walleye Fishing On Leech Lake Makes a Comeback
Originally published in the Mankato (MN) Free Press.
Leech Lake Makes a Comeback
Leech Lake traditionally has been a favorite opening-day destination for walleye anglers.
But in recent years, a bit of the luster has been lost on the sprawling lake with its many bays, islands and rocky points as the walleye population fell on hard times.
For whatever reason — a real or perceived problem with unchecked cormorant populations, poor walleye recruitment and overfishing, angling success four or five years ago was poor.
Well, measures have been taken to control the cormorant population, the lake has received intensive walleye stockings, and beginning last year, a slot limit was imposed to restrict harvest.
And I’m pleased to report that Leech Lake once again is back as a walleye angler’s destination.
On Saturday morning, along with Brian Fowler of Eagle Lake, Larry McCreary of Faribault, and probably 75 other boats, I fished off of Leech Lake’s Stony Point.
It was typical weather for an opener, of course: cloudy skies, temperatures in the 40s, northwest winds whipping up a bit more than a walleye chop, and just for good measure, an occasional squall line of rain.
Just the kind of weekend weather you’d be tempted to complain about, except that you were fishing.
We began fishing at a leisurely 9 a.m. and by 9:15, had our first fish in the boat — a fat 16-incher that went right into the live well for the evening fish fry.
The imposed slot limit for Leech requires that walleye from 18 to 26 inches be released. There is a daily limit of four fish and one fish 26 inches or larger may be kept.
Fishing in 10 to 16 feet using jigs and shiners, through the course of the day, we had steady action.
And judging by all the landing nets waving in the breeze, so were most everyone else.
By 3:30 p.m., we had our 12 legal fish to ensure sufficient walleye for our supper. But the kicker really was the fish we didn’t take home.
Through the course of the day, we caught and released several dozen fish that fell into the protected slot. A few measured just a fraction over 18 inches but most were in the 24-inch range — fat, deep-colored healthy walleyes that bode well for the future of Leech Lake.
The largest fish we boated was the 26 inch-plus walleye I hooked about mid-day. While it could have been legally kept, we instead were intent on taking home some eating-sized ’eyes instead.
It was late in afternoon Saturday when the sun finally poked through the heavy cloud cover briefly and spread some welcome warmth into our chilled hands.
At about that time, Larry McCreary landed yet another slot-protected fish — this time a 25-incher.
“Isn’t it something when you start to consider big fish like this a nuisance,” he said as the big female walleye drifted back into the depths of Leech Lake.
Leech Lake is back and the future looks bright.
Leech Lake Makes a Comeback
Leech Lake traditionally has been a favorite opening-day destination for walleye anglers.
But in recent years, a bit of the luster has been lost on the sprawling lake with its many bays, islands and rocky points as the walleye population fell on hard times.
For whatever reason — a real or perceived problem with unchecked cormorant populations, poor walleye recruitment and overfishing, angling success four or five years ago was poor.
Well, measures have been taken to control the cormorant population, the lake has received intensive walleye stockings, and beginning last year, a slot limit was imposed to restrict harvest.
And I’m pleased to report that Leech Lake once again is back as a walleye angler’s destination.
On Saturday morning, along with Brian Fowler of Eagle Lake, Larry McCreary of Faribault, and probably 75 other boats, I fished off of Leech Lake’s Stony Point.
It was typical weather for an opener, of course: cloudy skies, temperatures in the 40s, northwest winds whipping up a bit more than a walleye chop, and just for good measure, an occasional squall line of rain.
Just the kind of weekend weather you’d be tempted to complain about, except that you were fishing.
We began fishing at a leisurely 9 a.m. and by 9:15, had our first fish in the boat — a fat 16-incher that went right into the live well for the evening fish fry.
The imposed slot limit for Leech requires that walleye from 18 to 26 inches be released. There is a daily limit of four fish and one fish 26 inches or larger may be kept.
Fishing in 10 to 16 feet using jigs and shiners, through the course of the day, we had steady action.
And judging by all the landing nets waving in the breeze, so were most everyone else.
By 3:30 p.m., we had our 12 legal fish to ensure sufficient walleye for our supper. But the kicker really was the fish we didn’t take home.
Through the course of the day, we caught and released several dozen fish that fell into the protected slot. A few measured just a fraction over 18 inches but most were in the 24-inch range — fat, deep-colored healthy walleyes that bode well for the future of Leech Lake.
The largest fish we boated was the 26 inch-plus walleye I hooked about mid-day. While it could have been legally kept, we instead were intent on taking home some eating-sized ’eyes instead.
It was late in afternoon Saturday when the sun finally poked through the heavy cloud cover briefly and spread some welcome warmth into our chilled hands.
At about that time, Larry McCreary landed yet another slot-protected fish — this time a 25-incher.
“Isn’t it something when you start to consider big fish like this a nuisance,” he said as the big female walleye drifted back into the depths of Leech Lake.
Leech Lake is back and the future looks bright.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
One Week and Counting...
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.
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.
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.
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