early ice out means poor opening weather.

[crappie todd]

I was in the aitkin area. I couldn't tell yah about eye ball fish as I fish crappies and blue gills. Just the kid in me and I am an old fart. Anyways, gale force winds with snow pellets in your face in the Middle of May in Minnesota on opener is what early ice out means. Early ice out means getting in the boat early but doesn't mean great fishing early on. It means the weather was warmer and then temps stayed put; almost flat lined so when the temps then were 45 and 50 at Ice out, they are 45 and 50 on opener when they should be in the 60's

Next year, pray for a normal ice out and we will get better opening day fishing weather.

The crappies are in "ice out" staging areas of 15 to 20 feet. Some have been shallow then back to the breaks. Even the fish want to know what the heck is going on. Fishing was not real bad, just not as much fun frezing your fingers to the point of not being able to move them.

The gills were active in 10 feet and some crappies mixed in. But 20 feet was the key depth. It was like ice fishing from the boat as yah all know.

Next week sounds like it will have been warmer for a few days.. Let the real fun of fishing begin !

CT