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Opener on chain?


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Anyone have an open water/ice report for the chain? I'd assume it's open but that is further north than I've been since February. Headed to riverside on opener for the first time. 

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

no ice left. :)

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  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Ice free water temps are running about 58-60 degrees right now. Current flow in the river and channels is at a medium rate.  Bad thing is the water is very stained right now clarity is almost like coffee. Hopeing things clear up soon crazy last year you could see bottom in 11 foot of water. 

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If it's stained now you can bet the rain mid week won't help that issue. Better make sure my rattling cranks are stocked up! Thanks for the SITREP, I would've never guessed the water temp was that warm already

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Man it's warming up fast.  Pretty short spawning window for those walleyes this spring.  Jumped from ice out to bass, panfish spawning temps in about 2 weeks.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

cappies are getting pretty black in a couple spots I have hit. 

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  • Official Fishing Report Team - MN

Found a pretty good walleye bite this morning out on the chain . ? Ill be doing some updates and giving out some good information for the chain over in the Fishing clubs. Check it out. 

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Glad to hear someone had some luck on that zoo. Never been there for opener before and I personally will never do that again! I figured it would be busy but not that darned busy. Wouldn't have been so bad if the other anglers weren't so blantely rude. Seriously I've never seen such disregard, it was absolutely appalling. All that water and everyone tries to squeeze into one bridge so you can't even drive through it, which by the way is illegal to block a navigation channel read the boating regs. A little courtesy goes a long way fellas. I've fished the chain many times with great success and no success but that entire area is no longer on my radar with the boat. Best of luck to those brave enough to battle the crowds of inconsiderate jerks.

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Eyesniper, you aren't the only one that has sworn off that lake for opener. I haven't heard too much from other lakes yet but some of the reports I've heard are that it was slower because of the cold water. I too was frustrated with the bumper-boats and didn't actually catch a fish till after 10:15 once some of the traffic died down "I was on the water by 6am". My buddy fished it last year and said it wasn't bad so I agreed to fish it this year with his crew. It only took my line getting run over twice for me to swear this lake off for opener. A couple of fish just isn't worth that hassle, next year maybe there will be less traffic because I won't be there. We caught some fish but because we weren't willing to play bumper boats while dragging lindy's and raps during the peak morning bite we didn't end up with numbers, just enough for dinner. Oh well, the company made it worthwhile and at least we were on the water! Live and learn and fish lesser known spots for this guy!

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I don't know why people pile up under those bridges any more. 20 years ago we used to catch walleyes, northerns, catfish and even a couple of small mouths sitting under those bridges but now days if we do spend some time under there I rarely see anyone pull anything in. We have found other more productive spots out there.

I will be up there with our group of about 12 again this weekend.

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Hopefully your group will yield some results. I know it's a good fishery but I won't fish it anymore unless it's frozen. After last weekend though I wouldn't be surprised to have some self-entitled roll of charmin(*** wipe) drop their 'ducer and jig in my ice hole! I've just never seen such disregard amongst fellow anglers and that's even worse when kids are being exposed to it as it's our duty to set the examples and to get them involved and off the couch. Shame on those that act so arrogantly. Best of luck to the rest!

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
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    • leech~~
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    • Rick G
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    • monstermoose78
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