Posted: 4/21/04

Open water spring walleye options

Steve Carney
Guest Writer

As we enter into the month of April, open water walleye fishing just begins as the ice leaves our lakes and rivers and new springtime opportunities for good fishing starts in earnest.

Statewide, the ice has left slightly ahead of normal, meaning both April and May look ideal. The sooner the water warms, the better off the fishing will be. Here are some open water choices available right now for the walleye zealots who just canít wait until the mid-May inland season:

Rainy River

This fishery is probably the best in the midwest for both size and numbers, but the good fishing is offset by the huge crowds into mid-April. If you can deal with the crowds you have an excellent shot at a trophy walleye or sauger. Keep in mind the limit on this stretch of the river is two walleyes. Also with a Minnesota license you are allowed to fish the southern half of the river only, meaning that if you have a tendency to rove around too far north you could end up with a fine for fishing on the Canadian side. Unless, of course you have a Canadian license (most do not). The authorities say we have an ëimaginary lineî down the center of the river and we have to stay on the southern part of that line.

Missouri River

This incredible fishery in the heart of South Dakota is one of my favorite places to be in April. If I had a choice between a Hawaiian beach and April walleyes of the Missouri River, hands down the walleyes would be my choice. These fish are right in the middle of the spawn in April, making them shallow and vulnerable for a very short time. This two week window presents some of the best angling of the season as they are present in good numbers and eager to bite. Look at the towns of Ft. Thompson and Chamberlain for the best action. These little towns have miles of shoreline dotted with ërip rapí rocks to deter shoreline erosion. The springtime walleyes use these rocks to lay their eggs and the early mornings and late evenings can be spectacular fishing because of this.

Mississippi River

I am very fond of the stretch which flows just south of the Twin Cities near the 494 bridge near St. Paul. This fishery is actually a very fine sauger fishery more so than walleyes. This is a catch and release area as well. You donít want to believe the huge saugers down there with the average sizes around 3 lbs. Avoid the weekends if possible and opt for the midweek.

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