Island Opener

[fivebucks]

The fish and the weather cooperated this year for opener. It was a little chilly Sat. AM but at least it wasn't raining. We had a good day on Saturday and then it slowed down on Sunday for us. It could have something to do with running out of shiners. We found our fish in 8-12' depths and jigs or plain hooks worked best. The hardest part was finding walleyes you could keep. We caught a dozen or so 10" (stocking product of the lake association I think), and a few less than that 18-23" long so they were in the protected slot. I wanted a fish fry so we kept a couple of smaller northerns. We also caught a handful of smallmouth bass, a couple at 16". Last year was the first year I ever caught a smallie there. We almost caught a crappie also.

We had fairly steady action. Watch out for the boat landing though. With the lake levels so low I backed my trailer in and when I pulled it out the light was bent out of shape with sand all over it. The hole might need a little dredging again. Remember the shiners!

[woodman]

Thanks for the report, dad said that on sat. am there was only one rig in the parking lot. Sad to see, when it used to be parking out by the highway on opener! This will only let that lake build and get back to the way it used to be!

[fivebucks]

Yea the boat traffic was pretty light. When I landed my boat on Friday afternoon the parking lot was empty. With the good class of 18-20" eyes and the 10" fish coming up it will help out the lake. I initially was not in favor of the slot (wanted a LOW size of 19-28") but it has been saving a bunch of nice fish from the frying pan. I think it will be a good future on Island Lake

[Huskie]

I hope the fishing picks up on Island soon for you guys, I think the slot will work but it will be frustrating at times. Say, I was wondering about the cabin I see for rent on Island in the Mpls Tribune, secluded log cabin, 3 bedrooms for 600 a week? Does anyone know where that is at, Woodman you might know. Good to be on the forum again for another fishing season.

[woodman]

I have no clue, but I will ask my dad next time I talk to him if I remember!

[fivebucks]

I haven't seen it either driving around the lake or boating around. I'll keep my eyes open this weekend.

[grpd]

My wife and I fished mostly the north shore on Island on opening Sat, caught close to 40 walleyes, about 15 in the 10-12" range the rest 19" to 24" a couple of smallies, very few northerns. We fished Island again on Memorial weekend, Friday night only caught four walleyes, all to big, fished most of that Sat and caught 10 walleyes all over 18" and can not tell you how many northerns, will be there for ten days beginning June 10 so hopefully can catch some eater walleyes. Even if the fish are in the protected slot it is great to see some fish after the last three or four years

[fivebucks]

Memorial weekend I did not catch any walleyes, only a few northerns and a handful of smallies. I only fished a few hours each day though but it was slower than opener.