Bemidji Area Walleye Opener 2000

The Bemidji Area offers anglers a number of choices for opening weekend and spring walleyes in general. Choosing the right lake can be frustrating. After working hard on opening day to scratch out a few fish, it’s inevitable that reports of a good bite on another lake will greet anglers when they reach shore.

How does one improve the chances of catching enough fish to stink the pan at the end of opening day? Consider the following.

Pick a “Walleye Lake”
Most lakes can be classified as “walleye/perch” or “bass/panfish” lakes. Obviously, a lake with a healthy walleye population is a good starting point. This may sound elementary. However, some anglers refuse to break the mold. They continue to fish the same waters each year regardless of previous results. It may just be tradition. Others avoid classic walleye lakes because of the opening weekend traffic. To each his own, but there is a reason these lakes are popular. They produce. Most of the lakes on the Mississippi River chain are “walleye lakes.” See my “Deadly Dozen” Bemidji Area opening day lakes later in this article.

Stay Shallow
As a rule of thumb, stay shallow for opening day ‘eyes. Most fish in the Bemidji Area lakes and rivers will be located in less than 10 feet of water. I can think of only one opener where I caught fish in deep water and that was on an extremely clear water lake with no wind and bright skies.

Search for Warm Water
Spring walleyes are attracted to the warmest water they can find. Additionally, walleyes in the warmest water within a system will generally be the most active and willing to bite. Even a few degrees can make a big difference. Warm water areas include rivers, river mouths, and bays. The north end of a lake will generally be a few degrees warmer than the south end as it gets more sun exposure. Also consider the wind. A consistent wind for 2-3 days can really set things up as it warms the water on the windy shore. Predicting the warmer areas of the lake is relatively easy when one considers sun exposure, incoming water, and recent wind directions. Use a temp gauge when in doubt.

Jig’m Up
Now that we are on a walleye lake and in a shallow warm area, let’s get the skunk out of the boat. While other lures and live-bait rigs will take their fair share of opening day walleyes, a jig and minnow combination is my top choice. Specifically, I use a Northland Fire-Ball Jig. Lighter is better if it stays in the strike zone. With the fish in shallow water, a 1/16 oz works well. Switch to an 1/8 oz. in windy or current conditions. While shiners are the bait of choice on some lakes, fatheads work well on most. Depending on availability, I prefer small to medium sized shiners. Remember, we are fishing primarily for smaller male walleyes that are relatively lethargic and may not go for the full meal deal. I always use add a stinger hook to the Fire-Ball Jig from opener through May. It will catch the short biters which are often the majority during this cold water time period. I disagree with those who feel that adding a stinger hook will result in dramatically fewer bites. While it’s foolish to hit the lake without a few leeches and crawlers on board, 90% of the opening day walleyes in this neck of the woods will be taken on minnows.

Sneak Up on ‘em
Shallow water walleyes are spooky, especially in the clear water lakes of the Bemidji Area. Use an electric motor or drift if possible. Cast to the fish, retrieving with a lift and fall swimming action. Otherwise drift or troll the jig a good distance behind the boat. Again, impart a lift and drop action on the lure. Don’t forget the anchor. When a concentration of ‘eyes is located, quietly slip the anchor in on the upwind or up-current side of the fish. Cast jigs to the fish or allow a slip-bobber rig to hover over them. Crowds tend to scatter fish from the community spots so fish the edges of the pack.

Run and Gun
Be mobile on opening day. If a lake isn’t producing, move to a different lake. That’s what trailers are for. A few years back on an opening day guide trip I started on a large lake and had one fish in the boat by 10:00 a.m. That fish was pretty lonely in the live-well until we moved to a smaller lake. The water was simply warmer and thus the fish were more active. The Bemidji Area is loaded with lakes and it’s possible to fish 3 or 4 in a day if one is willing to be mobilize.

The Deadly Dozen

1. Winnibigoshish - The last couple openers on Winnie have been outstanding and the same should hold true this spring. Fish the shorelines in 4-8 feet of water. Expect a crowd as Winnie is world renowned. A productive area will quickly draw a crowd. Don’t be afraid to join the pack, but fish the edges, where fish will be less spooky. Be aware of pending regulations on Winnie which would protect walleyes between 17 and 26 inches.

2. Lake Bemidji - Pay attention to the wind for a couple days prior to opener. A consistent wind out of the south will set up the northwest shore of the lake. A west or northwest wind will turn fish on the east shore in an area known as “The Pines.” Several other areas will produce but these are the most consistent opening day spots.

3. Lake Andrusia - Andrusia is a great opening day lake as spawning fish are drawn to it from Cass Lake via a short stretch of the Mississippi River. The east shoreline north of the outlet will produce opening day limits as well as the west shore near the inlet. The northwest shore of the lake can be a sleeper. Anglers anxious to get an early start on opener should hit Andrusia at midnight, the official start of the new season. Casting or quietly trolling Countdown Rapalas or Husky Jerks in 2-5 feet of water can produce.

4. Lake Irving - This small body of water located a short distance upstream of Lake Bemidji is a popular and productive opening day lake. Use the public access on Irving or drop in on Bemidji and navigate the river. Many fish migrate from Bemidji to Irving to spawn as it is one of the first lakes in the area to become ice free. It’s not uncommon on opener to find the water temperature 5-8 degrees warmer in Irving than in Bemidji. The entire shoreline of the lake can produce as well as a large underwater island in the center of the lake. Play the wind. When the bite is tough on Bemidji, move to Irving.

5. Kitchi Lake - Similar to Andrusia, Kitchi draws spawning fish from Cass Lake. Located north of Cass and connected by the Turtle River, Kitchi produces even on relatively tough openers. On late spring openers, the area where the Turtle River enters Kitchi can be hot. Average to early spring openers will find fish scattered on the shorelines while many fish will be filtering back to Cass. Pug Hole, a small body of water between Kitchi and Cass is the place to catch these fish as they migrate back toward Cass, following the spawn.

6. Big Wolf Lake - Situated upstream of Andrusia, target the areas near the inlet and outlet. When spring is slow to arrive, fish holes in the river upstream of Big Wolf.

7. Cass Lake - Cass Lake has miles of shoreline to fish as well as mid-lake bars. Stick to the shorelines on opener. The north shore is a good bet, especially with a south wind, as many walleyes spawn in this area and will remain in the area for some time.

8. Big Turtle Lake - A popular opening day lake among locals. Fish windswept shoreline points.

9. Turtle River Lake - A sleeper. Turtle River Lake, located northeast of Bemidji has a good population of walleyes and gets relatively little pressure.

10. Big Lake - Another sleeper. Don’t be afraid to cast jigs right up to and even into the dead bulrushes here. A Northland Weed-Weasel jig will result in fewer headaches when casting into stubborn bulrushes, dead or alive.

11. Lake Plantangenet - It wasn’t many years ago that Plantangenet was touted as one of the top walleye lakes in the state. In recent years, even faithful fisherman have given up on it, some blaming hungry muskies for the decline in walleye numbers. However, last fall’s bite was absolutely spectacular. The entire shoreline has potential. I look for Plantangenet to produce come May 13th.

12. Three Island Lake - The biggest sleeper of all. I’ve never opened here but am tempted as my resources (DNR) tell me it has an extremely high population of nice walleyes for its size.

Those heading for the Bemidji area for the 2000 opener have plenty of options. Above all, have a safe weekend. As usual, the highways heading north as well as the high profile lakes will be somewhat congested. Be patient. There are plenty of fish for everyone and it’s a long season.

Good luck and have fun.

River Walleye Tackle

The Tackle Box

Nagels Live Bait
(507) 334-8341
2030 NW 7th St
FARIBAULT MN 55021
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Faribault Bait & Tackle
1935 NW 7th St
FARIBAULT MN 55021