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.

Opening Fishing - Warmwater or Coldwater?


tie flyer

Recommended Posts

With “opening season” fast approaching it occurs to me that I’ve marked three openers already this spring. That doesn’t include Wisconsin’s warmwater opener, since yesterday I was busy bringing trout to hand rather than toothy pike or walleye.

Over the last couple of years my opening weekend tradition has shifted to the relatively uncrowded trout streams. Prolific spring hatches and active fish are just too much to resist.

On the other hand, spring is a great time to strip flies through the shallows in your favorite warmwater lake. The fish are in shallow and you never know what you’ll catch…

Where is everybody fishing next weekend? I guess the question is: walleye or trout?

Wherever you fish please be courteous and follow the regulations. And have fun!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm thinking I might do both smile.gif Starting with Troot.....unless my dad wants to hit the midnight madness on Mille Lacs. Then technically it's walleyes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm thinking cold water. When I've been out stream fishing so far this year, it's been difficult to get away from crowds. I'm hoping the warm water opener will draw some people away from the streams. I miss the solitude.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I get a chuckle out of all the hoopla about "the opener" (Said hoopla includes the counter at the top of this page) because the season opened for me in mid-January. Some of the nicest hatches and most consistent action of the year for trout fishing occur before what the mass media insist on calling "the walleye opener" rolls around. I always wonder, by the way, whether anyone ever deliberately fishes, by any means, for northern pike, considering that the 'eye gets around 98% of the publicity.

Anyway, thank heavens for the walleye and the warmwater opener - both ease the pressure on the trout resource.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree. I love the warmwater opener. From here on out that means the streams will be less crowded (save weekends and holidays). There's no doubt that the first month after the harvest opener arrives that trout fishing is a way for many to alleviate cabin fever. Keep publicizing the 'eyes tongue.gif.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's great to have been fishing for trout since January! I too like the 'eye opener as there seems to be more room on the streams from then on out.

I am looking forward to the May 28th opener of the bass season, but it'll probably be July or August before I hit the Root and Zumbro for smallies.

Good luck to anyone heading out for the big walleye opener this weekend!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't fight the madness of walleye opener anymore. I will definitely choose to hit the Wisconsin trout streams if I get out fishing. Fly Tyer - I was just up on the N. Shore this past weekend after the rain, and some fresh steelies were back in the lower rivers. On the other hand, you could pull the fly rod out for warm water. Yesterday I landed my first two catfish using the fly rod.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With no trout nearby, it would be warm water. Instead I'll be driving to Wichita for my sister's graduation from grad school. But that's ok, not big on the hoopla of opener myself, too many crazies on the lakes. I agree with WxGuy on the bass opener though, that may be one I have to make. The pannies have definitely been cooperating, but I'm ready for some bass. I got into tying this winter and have some hair poppers I want to get wet (and hopefully chewed up).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Catfish? Nice work! They must have put up a fight.

Yeah, I am so torn right now as to the fishing opportunities. My sights are set on coldwater, as with many fellow fly rodders here, but the rich karst region calls my name only slightly louder than our rocket-propelled steelhead. This weekend I am off to an annual trip to the driftless country.

I hit the steelhead hard for a week and then ran out of steam. The honey-do is losing its sweetness and I am losing sleep trying to figure out how to hit both steelies and dry fly opportunities.

Sunday was pretty good. We went out on the Mother’s Day fishing trip (also a tradition of sorts) and caught a few chunky trout, mixed brown and rainbow. The river supports a steelhead run so that possibility excited me on every deep bend.

Do any of you have troubles convincing others that you have to go fishing now, right now? Even though the season is long, this is like deer hunting and now is the time.

Oh, the madness…

Link to comment
Share on other sites

tie flyer,

What part of the state were you fishing on Mom's day? Up by Alex or?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. 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. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   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...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • 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.