Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Your favorite open water time of year to fish?


Recommended Posts

I have to say I prefer Mid summer through early fall for my walleye fishing. I just seem to have the best luck then.

I feel I am more in tune for the fishes/walleye patterns in mid summer through early fall and what they want and how they wanted it presented. I will admit I am not the best spring fisherman or late fall fisherman and I need to work on my tactics for walleye fishing in this type of weather. Too much second guessing myself and not sticking to a plan I feel is my problem.

So when is your favorite time of the year to fish?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

RIGHT NOW! My favorite walleye bite of the year is happening right now. Good Luck and practice catch and release my friends.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Open water, period. If I can get on some fish early and fish often enough, I can make smaller adjustments to my patterns and stick with them. Too much golf, wind, or projects and it takes longer to find 'em again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Open water, period. If I can get on some fish early and fish often enough, I can make smaller adjustments to my patterns and stick with them. Too much golf, wind, or projects and it takes longer to find 'em again.

I agree time on the water is essential. I like to try to fish too many lakes it seems. Once I start having a pattern down I'm into the next one. I spent too much of my vacation last year at low if you can complain about that. I believe it effected how well my rest of my weekend fishing was around here. This year i will be staying closer around the area trying lakes i can afford to fish every weekend and putting in two to three days in a row on the same body of water to try to boost my success and understanding of the body of water

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A really good question. Walleyes will always be where the food is. Find the food and you will find the walleyes. In most (classic) walleye lakes in the Dl area the walleyes will focus on shiners at this time of year. I will cruise the shallows and look for baitfish, if there is nothing move on. I really like the night bite from about 12am untill the birds start singin in the morning. Look for rocky points, I often will cruise these points in 2-8 ft of water and shine a flashlight looking for eyes glowing. I will then return a bit later and pitch silver raps around docks. do not submerge a light by the way that is illegal in Mn (is'nt everything)? In late fall after the lakes turn over I look for the sharpest breaks into deep water closest to shore, I often find concentration of eyes in 40-50ft of water. The key for early and late eyes is think outside the traditional walleye box, they will always follow the food.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Around DL area, 2nd week of June , then by far Fall is my favorite time. Less traffic on lakes, and those eyes are putting on the feed bag.

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I reall like mid may to mid july. Love the transition from minnows to crawlers, leeches: from slow lindy rigging to faster spinner set-ups. I really get like getting up super early, being the first boat on the lake and watching the sun peak over trees... It is all good smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Every year I ask Santa for two Octobers. I never get it frown

Fall is hands down my favorite time of year to fish. Not always easy, sometimes cold, nasty and downright unpleasant, but can be exceptional at times, and the quality is hard to beat.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep, mid october on can turn an average fisherman into a pro........... I speak from experience here wink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • jparrucci
      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • Brianf.
      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
    • Brianf.
      Early bird gets the worm some say...   I have it on good authority that this very special angler caught no walleyes or muskies and that any panfish caught were released unharmed.        
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.