Did Someone Say Walleye Opener?!?

It's hard to believe we're staring down at the opening of the season here in just a few short days! 

After a winter that never seemed like it was going to end, here we are getting all prepped and ready for one of the most exciting weekends for us Minnesotan fisher-folks!

We're already loaded up on leeches of all sizes, and we're remaining optimistic about the spottail shiner supply for this weekend.  We'll know more over the next few days.  The extended cold stretch has not been helpful for shiner movement & trapping so far this spring.

As of right now, I'd expect to see a fairly normal opening pattern for the eyes.  Yes, we've had some cold weeks leading up to now, but with a little bit of a warming trend this week and a decent forecast so far for the weekend, it should be game on!

If it's going to be a little more bluebird weather be sure to get out early or stay out a little later for the fish.  Hit your typical shallow water haunts this opener for the walleyes.  River mouths, bars, adjacent shallower flats or edges of old reed beds with a bit of an extended feeding flat out in front.  The smaller eater males should be hitting these areas.  

Long shank shiner jigs tipped with a spottail is always a very popular presentation opening weekend.  Be sure to check out the new Northland Tackle long shank jigs this year.  Some anglers prefer a shorter shank jig & go with the ever popular Northland fireball jig & add a stinger hook for those short biters.  As always, we'll have a great selection of everything you need here in the store.  Kenkatch shiner jigs, Mission Tackle shiner jigs, the new Clam Tungsten long shanks, the new Northland long shanks, Google Eye long shanks, fireballs, and much more!

Don't hesitate to try some other presentations.  I know some anglers that always do well rigging leeches out a little deeper right away opening weekend & catch some very nice fish.  If you find an aggressive pod of  fish, trolling cranks over them can be a good tactic.  Others have done well pitching plastics.  The B-Fish-N plastic line did well for some anglers willing to switch from live bait last year.

Whatever tactic you start off the season with,  just know that we'll be working hard here to keep you supplied with all the best bait & gear to make your time on the water as successful as possible!  

Tight lines everyone!
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