Opener 2004

[walleyeking#8]

Saw this on another forum and thought I'd ask the same question in the willmar area. What lakes do everyone in this area usually hit on opening day, and how many of you avid fisherpeople make it out there at midnight on opener? Seeing how the weather has been these last few days, if it continues I'd expect this opener to be better than the past ones, (maybe not?) Goodluck to all who make it out on opener and remember practice catch and release our future depends on it.

[J-Hawk]

I'll be on Kandi just as I have been on every opener since I started fishing. Never had a spectacular opening night there but I don't think I've been skunked there on opening weekend either. Let's hope the wind cooperates this year. Good luck.

[walleyewacker]

The one the only DL.

[Guest]

I'll probably do the annual "lake hopping" deal. It's so easy to hit a number of lakes here till you find a hot bite. Besides, its just fun to move around and see the sights, I've never gotten too overly excited over opener anyways....lots more days to fish, so why get all worked up

[jigginjim]

Last year was my first year living in Buffalo MN. Friday nite I wader fished with about 13 others from the shores of buffalo lake. And got only 3fish over 16inches. The past 15 yrs i have been doing the midnight bite sometimes with great success. Others if I caught 1 fish for the 1 1/2hrs I fish would have been nice. For many years i fished only norway lake for the opener. But my nite bite start on the beaches of green lake and than move around. 5yrs ago I fished Milelacs opener for the first time. The midnite boat trolling with 100 others on big point was really bad, 0 fish. Went in after the 1 1/2 hr fishing. Got back on the water 7:00am after a good breakfast. Another guy asked where i was going fish that morning I said i was going to troll crank off doe island. He said thats a waste of time on mille lacs you must use leeches. I went in at 10:30am that guy was in store for coffee. Said "skunked yet". I told "No iwas done for the I had my limit of 16" to 19" fish. Than he says "used leeches?" "Nope Deep diving cranks in 12-15 ft of water. I could have push him down wiht a feather in dis belief.

Toms idea is fun though. I done that in the past also. Hopping from Norway,Green, D.L., Andrew and Ringo. All good waters.

For someone looking for a lake I say.
A. Look at the lake types, water depth, size and if you can check water temperture.
B. Whatch the weather, temp, fronts, and wind.
all of these can help put together a reason fishing opener.
Good luck and tight lines.

[Guest]

Our group is planning on fishing Kandi as well. Have opened there since I can remember. Had my best luck on Kandi last year after Memorial day. Actually had more fun catching smallies (all released) last year than walleyes. Has anyone caught any crappies on Kandi recently? I pick one up trolling once in a while (usually big!) but haven't heard of any consistent catches in quite a while.

[tram]

i usually start on DL at midnight at midnight at shore in waders.i figure to move with the boat to big kandi in the afternoon on saturday. i hate to fight the people at the landings right away in the morning. unless i can find the diamond lake man on friday night. i may not need to fish saturday.

[LocalGuide]

I fish on Nest Lake mostly. Last couple of years I have been hitting the midnight to about 4:00am. We normally end up catching around 3 eyes. Most of the time they are too small or big for my liking. But it still is a lot of fun to start off the new season like that.

------------------
And keep those hooks sharp!

[walleyewacker]

Tram....I am trying to get into a tourny that weekend but if that doesnt work out I think you know where you can find me. I plan on workin kandiland over real hard again this summmer so you might have to jump in if your at your new place there. Its too bad home sweet home wasnt a little closer for me.

[JHansel7]

We have a cabin on Diamond, we have never fished anywhere else in the Willmar/Spicer area. We have always done very well. Lots of small fish though. Nobody going to Wagonga? Or is that a zoo, with a lot of people?

[Guest]

Right on Jim!

Cranks are awesome on Mille Lacs ANYTIME.

That is usually my bread and butter on lakes around here too on opener.

I hate the mornings too. I usually sleep in and then hit the water just as everyone is leaving. Much better from 5 pm till midnight anyways

[doubleUcubed]

Hmmm, where will I be? That's right, I'll be home!! Let's hope for some rain to hit us, got missed by the last stuff and I say we are close to 2 feet below normal for water! Man, I watched the Cormorants and Pelicans taking fish Sat. morning, lot's of perch and smaller walleye! They are fishing machines to say the least!

[iizfishin]

I usually wait until monday to start my fishing opener.That way we usually have the lakes somewhat to ourselves.I think we will be heading out to lake johanna between Sunburg and Glenwood.Usually do well there with both walleyes and northerns.

[iizfishin]

I usually wait until monday to start my fishing opener.That way we usually have the lakes somewhat to ourselves.I think we will be heading out to lake johanna between Sunburg and Glenwood.Usually do well there with both walleyes and northerns.