Opening Day

[vermilionwally]

Only 13 days away. Just have to put the finishing touches on my tackle this year and will be ready to go. i was wondering if anyone else noticed how there seemed to be fewer northerns last year? I didnt catch one the whole year on vermilion last yr and the only one i saw was the tiny snake that my uncle caught on opening day last year. The dnr population assesment also sampled less northerns than 2005. Walleye population is still up though

[delcecchi]

It has also seemed that way to me. I blame it on the muskie fishermen flogging every rock and weedbed. It is bound to discourage the northerns to have some guy throwing foot long bucktails at them all day. :-)

[vermilionwally]

I agree, lately i have seen a lot more people out muskie fishing than in past years. But i usually get a few northern every year trolling rapalas but none last year, although i dont specifically target them.

[TomWehler]

Fish them pike early, up tight an fast.

Or later, deeper an slow.

They are there if you know where to look.

Husky jerk, white spinner bait, large johnson silver minno or Doctor spoon, Mepps #5 spinner deer natural deer hair color.

BINGO.

Larger pike like COLd water while muksy like warm water.

go find some colder water with food around an your going to have fun.

They are growing with slot an sometimes run in packs.

Points, weedlines, most first breaks to deeper waters will hold some dandys.

Even some BIg ones runnig with the walleyes deep

Ditch the musky guys an go find PIKE!

T.

[Backwoods]

What do mean, No Northerns,

Was fishing the bay yesterday, 2 Northerns 0 Crappies, using my fly rod, slip bobber, crappie minnow and # 6 hook. They didn't even like the bigger rainbows. With that combo they realy take you for a ride, all in 3 - 4' water.

Backwoods

[vermilionwally]

Do you pretty much have the lake to yourself now? Its harder to fish where you want once the season starts and there are boats everywhere.

[garytheguide]

there is a good amount of pike...the slot has helped...right Tom?....they have very much related to windy days overall if you ask me....but a sucker early in the year is very good ,,,,and trolling a good sized bait from second week of june until what i call the great weed bloom in july is the ticket....then cas t until late august or the third big frost.,..

[bigsmallie]

I fished the everstart a few years ago, and numerous pro/ams on the lake for smallies. We caught tons of northern, mostly on plastics in the shallow weeds, and reeds, deeper reeds if possible. Also, you get a lot of bonus fish, such as large and smallmouth, with an occasional muskie. hope this helps.........