Fishing Opportunities Abound… NOW!

While nothing can replace the pageantry & popularity of walleyes in Minnesota, here are three reasons you should go fishing NOW!

1.     Spring is a great time for crappies.  They are either in the shallow bays or just outside the shallow bays as part of their annual spawning ritual.  My son Willie & I had to check three different lakes before we found them, but when we did it was GAME ON!  I’ve never seen anything like it.  Our set up was simple: a plain hook or small jig beneath a small slip bobber & a crappie minnow.  It seemed that every cast we got bit or caught a fish.  We left after 30 minutes with a few nice fish for the frying pan, didn’t want to get greedy.  The best part is you don’t even need a boat.  We were fishing from shore.

2.     Big Stone Lake.  If you do NEED to catch walleyes, you don’t need to wait until May 9^th.  All you have to do is head to Big Stone Lake on the Minnesota- South Dakota Border.  The walleye season opens there this weekend, April 18.  I was on Big Stone for the first time last year and was impressed with not only the quantity but also the quality of the walleyes there.  Anglers can expect to find fish in 2-6 feet of water.  Once again a slip bobber set up or a jig & minnow casted into the rocks should produce fish.  Make sure to stop by the best bait shop in Minnesota, Artie’s Bait & Tackle, they not only have the best bait in the area, they are also experts when it comes to catching fish on Big Stone. 

3.    Stream Trout.   There’s an opener of a different sort on all of Minnesota’s inland trout streams.  And according to the Minnesota DNR conditions should be ideal for fishing this spring. “It’s a great time to be a stream trout angler,” said Brian Nerbonne, Minnesota DNR stream habitat consultant.  “Access to trout stream has increased in recent years, thanks in large part to increased funding that has allowed the DNR to improve trout stream access & habitat.”

So whether you are looking for panfish, walleye or trout.  Whether you want to fish from shore, from a boat or in a river.  You don’t have to wait any longer; there are plenty of opportunities to go fishing NOW! Remember, it’s not about having time, it’s about making time.