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.

Where is everyone headed?


Recommended Posts

With the walleye/northern opener just around the corner where is everyone going? Last year I spent Sat on the river and Sun on the Horseshoe chain. This year I'm not sure where I'm headed yet but am considering Rice or Kronis as well as the two places I spent last year. With the early spring Kronis might be a good bet if the main lake temps are in the high 50s or low 60s while Rice and the Shoe might be better if the temp stays cool. Then there are lakes like Grand, Pearl, Big, Big Fish , the Spunk chain, Little Rock and the Briggs chain just to name a few that also have and put out good numbers of game fish. Like I said I am not sure where I will end up, I just hope it will be somewhere with fish wink

Good luck and please be safe this opener grin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

I'll likely hit Koronis after most of the folks are off the lake and in their cabin having some beverages.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Night trolling, Borch? I'm almost certain to be fishing for flathead catfish during walleye opener, as has been the case for the last 5 years since I started the crazy addiction.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Borch crankin at night Naaa. Big or little Birch, maybe Osakis. Come on May 12.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't know yet. Like Borch will go out after the craziness subsides. Maybe the river.... overheard Rick G talking about this super secret level 5 security clearance honey hole smile....Don't worry bud...I earn my spots wink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Night trolling, Borch?

Yep! I hit the access to put my boat in when everyone else is pulling their boats.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will probably be on Gull again. Start at 5 and quit at 10. Typical opener for me. Me and the old man have been doing that for close to 10 years now and it has been good to great every year. I am a creature of habit and do not like to change things up too much so I will follow the tradition.

Following opening I am sure to spend a lot of time on Mille Lacs chasing the elusive 16" walleyes. Will be tough to bring home fish from there this year I think. But the quantity of quality fish you catch is better than everywhere else I have gone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Park Rapids area for me. Good luck to all on opener.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, CptnMusky, I'm curious about how the keepers will be this year. Frankly, I don't mind much...I'll take lots of big fish without complaining. smile

Sure helps that I don't like eating fish....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree. If I want fish for the pan (because I really like to eat fish) I can get panfish (ironic, isn't it?) in almost any lake. But if I want to get my hands dirty with numbers of 20+ inch walleyes, its tough to beat Mille Lacs!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I unfortunately won't be back in MN, or is it fortunately. smile I'm up in Bismarck for work, so I've already hit the water for some eyes. Got lucky enough to limit out, but we threw the largest back...about a 7lber. If I was home I would be fishing the Horseshoe Chain, which is what my brother is doing. Hope it all holds out for you guys have you have some decent weather for a change.

Here's a few pictures as a tease. smile

IMG_0965.jpg

P1000641.jpg

P1000643.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't know yet. Like Borch will go out after the craziness subsides. Maybe the river.... overheard Rick G talking about this super secret level 5 security clearance honey hole smile....Don't worry bud...I earn my spots wink

maybe we should talk to rick and see if he has plans yet. I would love to hit that spot with him sometime this summer if he would show me how to get there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Plan is to hit Rice or the HS chain about 1am when my fishin partner gets off work. Its been nice to know a couple Bowfishers who've been spotting some pigs here and there as of late. Hope it all pans out! BOL everyone

Link to comment
Share on other sites

maybe we should talk to rick and see if he has plans yet. I would love to hit that spot with him sometime this summer if he would show me how to get there.

grin Sometime this summer sounds like a fishing trip in the making wink We can dress in camo so no one sees us grin Not too many people know there are fish in that little pond, much less quality ones.

I like a lot of others will be out on either Kronis or the Chain for the opener. I hear that the river sections of the Chain are real muddy right now from all the rain. If the water settles down a bit I will be on the Chain otherwise Kronis.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hear that the river sections of the Chain are real muddy right now from all the rain.

Used to live by that not so secret river spot on the chain...... and it often got rather interesting with drunken bumper boats and frequent visits from county sheriff smile Good luck, stay safe, and play nice!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Stained water fast current equals crankbait success on the chain! smile Rick I wouldn't be afraid to give it a shot if I work 2 late to head to park rapids I will be out there thats for sure!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

grin Sometime this summer sounds like a fishing trip in the making wink We can dress in camo so no one sees us grin Not too many people know there are fish in that little pond, much less quality ones.

I like a lot of others will be out on either Kronis or the Chain for the opener. I hear that the river sections of the Chain are real muddy right now from all the rain. If the water settles down a bit I will be on the Chain otherwise Kronis.

Can I come with too? gringringrin

I am not 100% sure where we are going for opener, but I have a couple that I am strongly leaning towards. smile Whether the eyes or biting good or are a little slower, the weather sounds like it is going to be pretty decent out there this weekend. grin Good luck everyone!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Trappingaddiction, If you guy's want to head up this way send me a pm. Can't guarantee limits but fishing should be good grin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are probably going to stay around here this weekend but will definitely be sending you a PM very soon! smile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Koronis; every opener we catch more fish right off gramp's dock than out in the boat. this year might not even pull the boat to the lake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Mr. Perch that can be true more time than not for Koronis.

Good Luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Talked to some folks and the minnows are in shallow they tell me. Sounds like a great late bite shallow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kronis has always had a pretty decent shallow bite early and late in the year. Like Borch my favorite time for this lake is after most have called it a day. Some of the biggest walleyes I have ever saw were up in less than 10ft after dark. On a nice calm night you can see quite a few fish if you go looking for them with a spot light wink.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some guys were doing the same thing off the dock in Mille Lacs last night....they spotted a few of them up in 2-4 feet of water. Let me get this right: You can spotlight fish IF you don't then fish for them? As far as I can see in the regs, it's illegal to use light to "lure or attract" them. So....how do I know if I'm just finding them, or if I'm luring or attracting them?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How did everyone do today? Walleyes were tough for us and everyone else we talked to but the day wasn't a total bust since we did get a bunch of really nice crappies and sunnies.

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.