Opener ???

[cheater35]

Hey guys I have fished LOW many times on the ice but have never been up there open water fishing walleyes yet. Looking for suggestions on if I should go up there on the opener or wait till the 2nd weekend? Maybe a lot less traffic on the 2nd weekend. Also what is your tactic of choice for presentation? Assuming jig and a minnow is real common for early season but wondering if there are other good choices for tactics. Would it be easier to stay at a resort and launch from there?? Thanks for any info.

[cheater35]

Any help??

[Barry45]

cheater it is always nice to stay at a resort either on the river, or at Bostic bay or Long Point. The 4 mile bay area is generally excellent at opener. I always go up a week or two after opener because it is easier to get lodging and there are not as many people. Yes, jig presentation is good or spinner rigs are also good. Chartreuse coloring has always been good for me. LOW has never let me down--always find plenty of walleye.

[cheater35]

Thanks Barry45.

[NAMASafetyDirector]

Cheater, check out U-Toob. There's quite a few vid's on there if you type in Lake of the Woods opener. Some are older but the name of the game is the same. You'll get the idea.

[TK Tack]

I only use frozen shiners, sometimes with a stinger. Don't have to mess with live bait and out fish your friends/family, seems like a no-brainer to me. Only downside is when shiner scales dry on your fishing rod, might as well be epoxy...

[kfk]

A jig and frozen shiner are always a good choice like TK says, but don't rule out live shiners if available, fatheads or rainbows either. I've seen times where live bait or a combination of something like a live fathead and frozen shiner in combination on a jig will work better than frozen shiners. You just have to let the walleyes tell you what they want.

I've also done great on bottom bouncers and spinners with crawlers on opener or even crankbaits as well.

It's difficult to say where exactly the best bite will be on opener, but just outside of The Gap has traditionally been a good area for me.