Who would've thought that during the first week of March, we would be enjoying 70-degree temperatures!

The early spring might have been good to get ahead on the tasks of raking your lawn or just general clean-up, but if the trend continues it will be awfully bad for the Walleye opener. Last year was bad enough, you were either really on the fish or you didn't even get a bite. Those who were successful realized that the water temps were more like mid-June than mid-May and adjusted accordingly.

Those who stuck to the traditional opening weekend techniques found themselves fishless. To be successful, one has to realize that one must change when the situation demands it.

This year, unless things change dramatically in the next few weeks, make sure to check the water temps before you start to fish. The fish will probably be in the transition from post-spawn to their early summer patterns.

The calendar may say it is May 13th while the water temps say it is June 13th or even later. If this happens, be prepared to "think ahead". How would you fish 3, 4 even 5 weeks from now? What tactics, presentations and bait would you be using? Remember also that with an early spring, there will be more forage available to the fish that your bait has to compete with for the walleye's attention.

Remember nothing is worse than coming in from a hard day of fishing empty-handed because you were too stubborn to change.

Well, now that I got that out of my system, here are my picks for a warm-water opener-

1) Mille Lacs- Take advantage of being able to fish at night during opening weekend. If the water is as warm as I think it's going to be, work the 9-12 ft depths with a #5 Shad Rap or other type of diving lure. Troll the break lines and hang on…you will catch fish.

2) Gull Lake- Stay away from the traditional opening day spots. You will catch more fish if you concentrate on the mid-lake structure. Here also try trolling at night.

3) Lake Edwards- Another one of my favorite "Night Lakes". Again, run the break lines with a crank bait.

Night fishing may not be for you, but when the water is between 60-70 degrees, you will boat more and bigger fish.

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