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Where are you heading for the opener?


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I saw this topic in a few other forums so I thought we could maybe get it started here. Also, maybe some past experiences with crowding on certain lakes. This will be my first opener since I got serious about fishing so I'm curious to know what lakes get hammered by people.

My dad and I are thinking about going to Clearwater early in the morning on the Saturday of.

It looks like the weather leading up to the opener could be in our favor.

Good luck

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I might hit Clearwater Sat. too--depending on the weather.. Locally Buffalo is the biggest Zoo, I wouldnt go near it. Also opener can be such a pain at every lake with all the extra guys at the boat landing that dont seem to have a clue as to the proper way to load or launch a boat. I dont mind waiting my turn but when I have a 19 foot fiberglass boat and never take more than 4 or 5 minutes total at the landing it makes it hard to take waiting for some of the jokers I see .....as long as I'm at it.... HEY ALL YOU TWICE A YEAR FISHERMAN YOU CAN PUT THE BOAT STRAPS ON AND DO YOUR WALK AROUND AFTER YOU PULL AWAY FROM THE LANDING!

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I too will be out on Clearwater opener but I am one of the lucky ones that have my boat docked there thru summer so there is no need for me to wait in a line or be another one in front of you or behind you holding up the line to the landing. Good luck and hopefully we will all have enough room on the lake that day..

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I will be on Elk Lake in Zimmerman. Fortunate enough to find someone that will let me dock the boat there the evening before opener. w00t!!! Nice and close to home...bout 5 minutes!

Good luck guys!

Jim cool.gif

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Loebs, Not to spark a flame, but I fortunatly had a good teacher at the boat launch for the straps. Luckily, I know when and where to put the boat straps on and can also drop and pick up the boat in 5 minutes. But, if I see a "rookie", I like to give them a hand. That way, it get's everybody in and out of the water faster. Everybody is out there for the same purpose - to catch fish. Give the "MN Nice", and we can all work thru the opener - Good luck to everybody!

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Sorry Loebs, I mean the reply to Iron Cowboy - Only 6 days aways for the walters!!!!!!!

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In the past, when I've fished Clearwater on opener...we would get there at-or-before midnight and launch at Mrs. Heberling's ramp...I don't fish the "opener" anymore, because I can't get out on Friday night at midnight due to my job (I'm working until Saturday morning), and darned if I'm going to go to a public access on Saturday and "wait" to fish! I'll "wait" until another weekend, my time is too precious and limited...I've got better things to do than wait at a boatramp just to fish...

From the looks of this thread, sounds as if Clearwater Lake is going to be a zoo also!!

I do apologize if I sound negative...but that's the "other side of the coin" grin.gif

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backherup, Thats why i shore fish opener weekend. Or I go to Norway lake near willmar. I can always get on, or if the weather is nasty I'll use dads boat.

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It seems like the weather always gets crappy (not crappie) around the "opener".

I'm not wishin' I was fishin', one bit!

Driving the big-rig back to St. Cloud this morning, I saw a few boats out on Locke Lake and I had to laugh...those people looked absolutely wet and miserable all wrapped up in rainsuits and the walleye bite will be few and far between if at all existent smirk.gif...

...and the forecasted winds haven't kicked up yet...(supposed to blow 15-20 mph this afternoon!) That makes for a long wait at the ramp while boats try to get off...

Well, I'll try to get out next weekend. The temps next week are forecasted to be in the upper 70's!!! I like those numbers! grin.gifgrin.gif

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