Walleye Opener '07!

[Team Otter]

Other than the wind today, which was tolerable, I don't think we could have asked for nicer weather this past weekend. It's been quite a few openers since gloves were optional and people being seen with no shirts and shorts. And, I'll tell you, the fish did not disappoint either. I will say the action was not what it was last year but the quality was there and when you were "on" fish, you were definitely "on" them. The schools of fish, for us, were not as concentrated but more than willing to chase, so that helped with the search.

I started Saturday with my mom and dad on the sand S and W of Malmo Bay. We immediately found ourselves smack dab in the middle of a school of post-spawn females in the 24 - 27.5" range. In order to stay with these fish, we worked an outside turn off a break line in 19 - 21' of water with leeches behind 6' snells, a red hook and glow bead. Once this bite subsided, we slid out deeper to take a look, but again adjusted our presentations. We went to lighter sinkers (i.e. 1/4 oz) and longer snells (i.e.~10') and just a red hook w/o a glow bead. With the low winds, we were able to stay right over top the presentation and give the fish a good look at what they were deciding to eat. This proved to be the "show-stopper" for our slot fish, which all fell in that 18 - 19" range. Today, we adjusted our game plan, mainly because of the wind, and ventured S of Fisher's Resort. Boat traffic was next to non-existent when we first arrived at our location but after sticking a few fish, it didn't take long to have a little company. In any event, we put together another nice day of fishing and the presentation remained the same as it was for our slot fish in the sand. The only difference was we went to heavier sinkers (i.e. 1.25 oz) to compensate for the chop and we also targeted shallower fish, in that 15 - 17' range. The quality of fish was down just a touch from what it was in the sand but the numbers made up the difference. For awhile this morning, you didn't even need to give the fish any line. It was like jig fishing with Lindy Rigs.

I have included a few photos from the weekend. Enjoy!

My dad got things rolling within the first 5 minutes we arrived to our spot Saturday morning with this 24.5" bulldog.

My mom quickly answered with this beautiful 26"er.

I had to do better. This one went 27.5" and proved to be the biggest of the weekend for us.

My sister got today going quickly too. A 25.5"er, her largest to date!

My mom and dad with some of our better slot fish from Saturday.

I stuck this one just before moving to the slot fish on Saturday. Just a touch over 26".

These 23 - 24" "models" dominated at times today. They are just viscous!

My dad and sister with some of our better slot fish from today.

[jltimm]

Nice pic's and great report! Good to see someone have some good quality family time!

[eyemaster]

nice fish!

[minnesotatuff]

great report! ditto on the family trip. we couldnt decide between the southwest corner and northeast. the wind made our decision. it looks like they are just plain hungry from the reports. what a great time to be fishing walleye on mille lacs!

regards,

minnesotatuff

[Team Otter]

It's tough not to love The Freshwater Giant!

[rodmaker]

Awesome report. Heading up Thurs. Predicting South wind 10-15. Fish Fischer's and just south of there (I think I know where your'e talking about). Then head up to the Sand?? How far up ?? Barnacles??

I guess most importantly how deep???

What point do you throw out your drift sock for drifting ? Winds over 10 mph??Seems like when I get up there it's usually calm or 3 ft swells. Then its a "no brainer"

Thanks!!

[Team Otter]

The Carlsona area would be a good starting point before heading up that direction. Look in 19 - 22' for starters and then go deeper from there if nothing unfolds.

Unless it's dead calm, I almost always use a drift sock (or two). The slower, the better.