What are your fishing goals for 2021 open water season?

[Hookmaster 100]

Just retired in December so I'll have a lot more time to fish. In addition to my normal walleye fishing I want to 1) learn to consistently find and catch/release larger sunfish and crappie after they spawn and 2) spend more time targeting bass, largemouth and smallmouth.

I've been a longtime member here (2002) and will be posting more. I added info to my profile and "About me" section.

[Wanderer 2,019]

Congrats on retirement!

 

Having goals will keep you out there and motivated for sure.

 

I’d love to get a 50 inch muskie.  I think that’ll be enough of a hill to climb for 2021.

[gimruis 585]

I accomplished one of the goals I had tried to get to for years last season.  Either a 50+ inch pure strain muskie or a 40+ inch tiger muskie.  Knocked the tiger muskie goal off with a 41 incher and a replica is coming in March.

 

Another goal that I have not been able to breach for years now it a 15+ inch crappie.  I have seen them with my own eyes in person at the spring crappie contest.  Biggest I've caught is 13.5 inches and last year I caught two that were each 12.5 inches.  I know the lake they reside in but if anyone has some guidance on how to target and potentially catch one of these monster slabs, please help.  Disclaimer - I only target them in the spring after ice out a few times before walleye/pike/bass/muskie season starts.

Edited January 28 by gimruis

[PRO-V 552]

I'm aiming for a 32" walleye. Many years ago I said I would mount a 28". Caught a bunch and never did. Raised it to 29" then 30" and still didn't mount them. If I get that 32" I'll do a replica......or maybe just a nice picture.

[Hookmaster 100]

This is the first year in about 20 that I didn't store my boat off-site. When Tonka opens I'm going to be out there right away chasing crappies. I know quite a few spots, at least for numbers, that can get choked with algae not too long after ice out. I would never get my boat out early enough to fish them when they are "clear". 40+ years ago it was never like that. I also have a tip where guys ice fish and catch a few crappies each outing but they are big. I think they would hang around that corner of the bay all year.

I also purchased 10 Angling Edge videos of different topics but some are on seasonal movements of different species.

[smurfy 868]

my only goal is to go out and enjoy fishing each and every time out. 

 

however a mountable walleye  would be nice. my standards arent near as high as ProV's though!!!!!

[Kettle 411]

2 hours ago, PRO-V said:

I'm aiming for a 32" walleye. Many years ago I said I would mount a 28". Caught a bunch and never did. Raised it to 29" then 30" and still didn't mount them. If I get that 32" I'll do a replica......or maybe just a nice picture.

Same for me, few over 30, never broke 31, 32 is what I'd mount. Several lakes in your area Pro-V that has 32, I neted one my friend caught two summers ago in your neck of the woods 

Without a boat yet hopefully get some panfish from shore and some walleye on the river from shore

Edited January 28 by Kettle

[Hookmaster 100]

My PB for walleye is a 30 1/4 out of Mille Lacs one of the years when bait fish were down and the walleyes were on a rampage. It weighed 7# 9oz.  Didn't weigh the one in my avatar. That was a 28" prespawn from the Fox River in April 2019. I will definitely go back there. My goal for walleyes is to become more proficient at some techniques like lead core and bottom bouncers.

The last 3-4 years I have "power corked" on Mille Lacs with success. It's fun to do after rigging for several hours. I'd like to do that on Rainy if the border restrictions are lifted in time. I'm not holding my breath though.

[Dash 1 52]

Just to be on the lake away from news, social media, crazy people,etc.  Just looking forward to beautiful day on the water. Catching fish would be a bonus.

[ozzie 329]

My goals for 2021 is to enjoy continuing to teach my boys the enjoyment of fishing and trying to get them to come with me more often.  As for big fish goals I have been on the search for a 16" crappie forever now and it will continue!  I am going to try to branch out to new lakes like I did last year as I found enjoyment in exploring to see what new bodies of water had to offer.

[Better Than Working! 104]

Wow I had not really given that any thought yet! I always aim for thequality of the trips. This June I am taking my dad to Kabetogama for his first time. My oldest daughter will be joining us. The goal is a fish fry on a remote day use site! I personally would love a walleye over 30 inches and a smallmouth topping 21! My wife got a 20.5 last year and I really need to top her! Overall I just want to get out more and share the jot of fishing with as many others as I can.

[PRO-V 552]

7 hours ago, Kettle said:

Same for me, few over 30, never broke 31, 32 is what I'd mount. Several lakes in your area Pro-V that has 32, I neted one my friend caught two summers ago in your neck of the woods 

Without a boat yet hopefully get some panfish from shore and some walleye on the river from shore

Yeah, one of those lakes is a half mile from my house. I had one on Cutfoot years ago that spit the hook at the boat. Hook stuck in rocks, I ripped it out and the fish hit it immediately. Tip was dulled. Biggest walleye I have ever seen. Bigger than anything I've ever seen in their spawning nets. My buddy with the net about had a heart attack.

[Kettle 411]

15 hours ago, PRO-V said:

Yeah, one of those lakes is a half mile from my house. I had one on Cutfoot years ago that spit the hook at the boat. Hook stuck in rocks, I ripped it out and the fish hit it immediately. Tip was dulled. Biggest walleye I have ever seen. Bigger than anything I've ever seen in their spawning nets. My buddy with the net about had a heart attack.

Where my friend landed the 32 inch fish is the lake half mile from your house. Full moon at about 3am.

Definitely some good walleye lakes in the area, looking forward to moving up in December 

[whateverisbiting 101]

I am happy with the size and numbers of fish I have caught so no goals for me there.  One goal is to break in the new boat next year looking very much forward to better boat control (old boat too small for the lake blown all over the place).  Second goal is to learn deep water patterns and night fishing.  The lake used to be nice and green and I hammered everything in 13 feet or less all day long all year long.  The zebra mussels screwed that up lake is too clear now and they hover out on the deep flats and are biting stronger at night.  Ice fishing I no longer see the camera screen light up with plankton as it gets dark that pattern changed too but figuring that out is for closer to retirement.

[smurfy 868]

Hey  with all you guys being retired or soon to be.... How am I gonna have all these lakes to myself midweek.

[PeachyHans 41]

I never did get that catfish  Somehow I kept getting bass! I hauled a real tank of a largemouth out of Medicine lake during the end of summer. Wasn't expecting that PB!

I haven't given up on the cats but I'm expanding my goals this year. I also have never caught a walleye or trout. In my teen years I went on eight guided fishing trips on Mille Lacs. Someone else gave me their fish as a sympathy gift  Meanwhile my mom caught a crayfish... It was holding onto her leech for dear life and all of us about died laughing. Good times! I hope to make more good memories this year.

Good luck out there everyone! 

[eyeguy 54 3,540]

Hope to beat 11 inch PB on a gill. Came close a couple times last year. 

[Rick G 2,310]

14 inch rockbass.. @eyeguy 54 let's make this happen.... might even put one on the wall.... lol.   

[Rick G 2,310]

12 minutes ago, PeachyHans said:

n my teen years I went on eight guided fishing trips on Mille Lacs. Someone else gave me their fish as a sympathy gift  

that's quite the run of bad luck!  Hopefully you get your walleye this year!

[JBMasterAngler 536]

Going to Devils Lake for first time next month. Also, to get back into WI trout fishing. Skipped it last year, and regretted it greatly!

[PRO-V 552]

5 hours ago, Rick G said:

14 inch rockbass.. @eyeguy 54 let's make this happen.... might even put one on the wall.... lol.   

A few years ago I caught a HUGE rock bass on LotW and threw it back. Found out later it would have crushed the state record.

[Wanderer 2,019]

9 hours ago, PRO-V said:

A few years ago I caught a HUGE rock bass on LotW and threw it back. Found out later it would have crushed the state record.

It would be nice to have you’re name on a state record no matter which one, eh?  I also might’ve beat the rock bass record once (Pine River) and possibly the bowfin (Horseshoe Chain).

 

I can’t say the rockie would’ve crushed the record so you’d probably still own it if that makes you feel better at all! 

[Rick G 2,310]

26 minutes ago, Wanderer said:

It would be nice to have you’re name on a state record no matter which one, eh?  I also might’ve beat the rock bass record once (Pine River) and possibly the bowfin (Horseshoe Chain).

 

I can’t say the rockie would’ve crushed the record so you’d probably still own it if that makes you feel better at all! 

I often wonder how many people have caught a state record rough fish and had never thought about it.... I personally think I beat the white sucker   record and didn't even think about it untill well after the fish had been released.   

[bobberineyes 29]

A little over 30 years ago 6 of us rented a house boat , we brought a decent size boat and a 14' aluminum with a 15 horse we pulled around for fishing and had a blast.  Pretty much stuck to Namakan,  fish an area for a day then move on. Talk about peaceful.. Sure would like to bring the fam up so they can enjoy a trip like that. 

[smurfy 868]

1 hour ago, bobberineyes said:

A little over 30 years ago 6 of us rented a house boat , we brought a decent size boat and a 14' aluminum with a 15 horse we pulled around for fishing and had a blast.  Pretty much stuck to Namakan,  fish an area for a day then move on. Talk about peaceful.. Sure would like to bring the fam up so they can enjoy a trip like that. 

hey dad......when ya planning that!!!!!!!!

[smurfy 868]

6 hours ago, Wanderer said:

It would be nice to have you’re name on a state record no matter which one, eh?  I also might’ve beat the rock bass record once (Pine River) and possibly the bowfin (Horseshoe Chain).

 

I can’t say the rockie would’ve crushed the record so you’d probably still own it if that makes you feel better at all! 

i could of swore i caught a world record bowfin years ago on big fish lake just north of cold spring. made that zebco 202 scream!!!!!!

[Mike89 442]

5 minutes ago, smurfy said:

i could of swore i caught a world record bowfin years ago on big fish lake just north of cold spring. made that zebco 202 scream!!!!!!

sounds like ya had a bullhead!!!  LOL!!!   

[smurfy 868]

4 minutes ago, Mike89 said:

sounds like ya had a bullhead!!!  LOL!!!   

[Hookmaster 100]

1 hour ago, bobberineyes said:

Talk about peaceful.. Sure would like to bring the fam up so they can enjoy a trip like that. 

 

My family (wife and 2 kids, 12 and 9) did a week long houseboat trip in 2004. We all agree it was our most favorite vacation. We were on Sand Point, Namakan and Kab.

[slipperybob 11]

19 hours ago, Rick G said:

I often wonder how many people have caught a state record rough fish and had never thought about it.... I personally think I beat the white sucker   record and didn't even think about it untill well after the fish had been released.   

 

I've caught a 25" Tullibee and just ate it.  Thought I'll go catch more, but never got anything over 21" after that.  I've also caught a 14" Rockbass and tossed it back after measuring it.  Haven't caught anything over 11" after that.