Washington for Opener

[hoffy]

I know lake Washington is busy for opener. Yet I have someone who would like to catch Walleyes on opener,namely a father-in-law. If anyone has tips on where to go on the lake and what to use I would greatly appreciate it.

[eyepatrol]

hoffy

Personally, I don't like to fish Washington anymore. Too many weeds to deal with. We used to fish the northwest side along the inside weed line in about 3 feet of water with a 1/4 oz fuzzy and fathead. Caught plenty of 14 and 15 inchers that way.

I tried that lake last year around 2nd or 3rd weekend, and it was terrible with weeds. I much prefer to hit the smaller 300 acre lakes north of Hutch for walleye. I've had very good success on those smaller lakes during the opener and for a few weeks following. Plus, the boat traffic has really been minimal. Don't know why more people don't hit these smaller lakes, but I guess it's "my little secret" so to speak.

JMO though.

[hoffy]

Thank you basscatcher, would you suggest a couple other lakes? Also, with Washington, have you ever pulled shad raps around it?

[friendlyfisher]

hoffy, when you say you will be out for opener do you mean at midnight or the next morning at sunrise? ff

[LMITOUT]

A couple of years ago on the 4th of July, I pulled Shad Raps around and caught my limit easily. Had the same success for the rest of the month. Since then I've had a hard time due to the weed growth as stated in the above reply. The worst part is the floating weeds on the surface that get tore up from jetskiers and the like. They wrap around your line and go straight down to the lure.

Unless this winter took care of some of the weed growth so that it's easier to fish early in the season, I'll be heading elsewhere.

Slip bobber's on the rock reefs seem to be the popular method to work around the weed problem on that lake.

[hoffy]

next morning at sunrise....hopefully before sunrise

[MRWALLEYE2005]

Collinwood, big swan and cokato are good on opener for walleyes for me.

[eyepatrol]

Three lakes I like to hang out on around the opener include Belle, Hook, Erie and Collinwood. Manuella and Stella too, but not as frequently.

[friendlyfisher]

I like to hit Washington, Jennie and Star.

Star used to be a sleeper but is now packed.

Also keep hhok and erie on your list.

ff

[hoffy]

Thank you, it looks like collinwood might be the ticket. Do you have any areas on that lake you have fished?