Opening Weekend Fishing Report

FISHING REPORT – May 3, 2009

Hi Folks.

WALLEYES, Wind and Sun greeted anglers for the 2009 opener. These three things combined for a very enjoyable and successful weekend of fishing. Nice-sized walleyes were both abundant and cooperative over the weekend. We concentrated our efforts on mid-sized waters and large waters. On the smaller lake we located some green weed in 8 to 10 feet of water and using jigs tipped with fathead minnows we caught all kinds of walleyes. On the larger water, fish are still in full spawn mode. Most of our activity was in 12 to 18 feet and we used jigs tipped with either fatheads or redtails – it didn’t seem to matter, and had some good success on decent-sized walleyes. There were even some bonus fish to be had along the way in the shapes of small muskies and lake trout.

For the upcoming week, look for these patterns to continue and I would expect the bite to become even better yet. The BEST fishing lies ahead of us! Anglers will continue to see their best action take place on jigs or slip bobbers tipped with minnows. Watch as weather warms up and you should find crank baits just getting better and better. Concentrate on new, green weed. This will be important in locating fish. Timber will play a major role also in the upcoming days.

Start watching for CRAPPIES moving in on the smallest lakes. They’re gonna go quick if this nice weather holds. These sought-after tasty little morsels will start beginning their spawn. Keep your tackle very light and a variety of bait and lures will work best. Look for this bite to peak that week prior to Memorial Day.

Some of our low-water conditions improved on area flowages somewhat, although some lakes are still in rough shape. If you have questions on a lake you plan to visit, you can always check with your local bait shop or DNR.

That’s it for now. See you on the water. Jeff Winters