Steve Carney
Guest WriterThe 2004 fishing opener is right around the corner and the options for walleyes and northern are numerous - just as the crowds will also be numerous. Here are a few early season choices that have been proven ìwinnersî in past openers for me:
Lake Traverse/Big Stone Lake
These lakes located along the Minnesota and South Dakota border are awesome choices tight around mid-May. The walleye and northern pike season opened early here a few weeks ago and the best fishing of the year happens on these lakes right around the general inland opener.
The water is very clear this year making for tough daytime fishing but excellent nighttime angling. Most of my walleyes so far this season have been coming from sundown until 11 p.m. The walleyes go on a tear at that time and chances are youíll have the lakes to yourself. Many anglers head to other lakes to avoid these two after the border opener. Both Traverse and Big Stone are top choices for the inland opener.
Leech Lake
Leech Lake has so many walleye choices in May that it is hard to know where to start. Steamboat Bay is very shallow and warms early making it a good place to start. Walker Bay also can put out walleyes even in the deep water at the time of the season, and the crowds will be less within Walker itself. Look to the shallower bays to the north part of the lake, especially if there is incoming water such as the Federal Dam area. You just canít beat the jig N minnow in shallow water during May. Trolling crankbaits along shallow, rocky shorelines is also a great tonic during late evenings.
Lake Mille Lacs
The sand bite along the north shore is legendary during the first couple of weeks of the season. Very few snags and lots of aggressive male walleyes make this a top choice for anglers. I prefer the depths of eight to 14 feet during May and always check out the 22 to 26 feet if the crowds are heavy. Those deepwater walleyes provide great action and are almost overlooked by the crowds. Everyone thinks shallow on Mille Lacs leaving the deepwater walleyes up for grabs.
Think simple when gearing up for Mille Lacs walleyes. Leave the gadgets at home and go with the basic livebait rigs with plain hooks. Leeches with a long snell are the top producer in May.
Donít overlook the famed midlake mudflats as well. Walleyes are present on this midlake structure at the opener and are unpressured. If the wind allows, take a peak out to the center of the lake and look for walleyes on both the tops and the sides of the mudflats. Chances are you will have these midlake fish to yourself.
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