Due to a number of factors,I'm unable to make my normal trip to Vermilion this year for opener... So, I'm thinking of trying South Center instead. Never fished it on soft water, and it's been years since I ice fished it, so I could use a little help.
Does anyone have any tips on the walleye fishing? Not looking for spots, I expect to have to work to find the fish, which is half the fun, I'm just hoping for maybe a general tip or two, like minnow preference, jig color, jigsvs. Lindy's or cranks, etc. Also, is it normally really crowded on opening weekend, or will there be some room to park at the access, and also to move around some while on the water?
Thanks in advance for any info. you can float my way.

The walleye population in S.C. isn't what it was a few years back in my opinion. However there are fish in there to be caught for sure. I would look for wind blown shorelines and try cranks myself.. 6-10 feet(if the curly leaf pond weed isnt too bad yet.) of water and look for shorreline breaks. I'm sure there will be quite a few boats near needle point.

Thanks Deitz. I was guessing that Needle Point might be crowded. I've been looking at the maps and I think I've found a spot or two to try and hopefully avoid the crowds. I guess if the walleye population isn't as good as it was, there's always crappies... I just want to be on the water.

Was out at midnight on opener till about 3am, 1 bite and no fish for 8 of us and we tried everything and everywhere. Nice night to be out there as well.

Did have a little [PoorWordUsage] match with some dude off needles point, said we were in his spot evening though we were sitting still and he was trolling around casting. Guy got mad because we didn't move and decided to cast a rapala in our boat which just about got me in the face and just about hit my buddies girlfriend which sent me over the edge. I grabbed his line and was going to rip his rod out of his hands but my buddie beat me to it by also grabbing the line cutting his line and saying thanks for the free rapala. After that the guy shut up. Not sure what he was thinking but he was pretty rude and thought he owned the [PoorWordUsage] lake.

sorry to hear about your experience elusive. Some guys think they own whatever part of the lake they're fishing.

Yea it sucks but I guess what are you going to do. I am not the one to get fired up about anything and we were being the bigger person and about to move but after the rapala almost getting me in the face, not to many people will remain calm after that. We moved to a different area after that.

true. It's hard to stay calm after almost getting a rapala in the face. I would've moved too. The worst though are the jet skiers that start coming out in the summer. One of my biggest pet peeves is the way they will come and blow right past you missing byour bobber by mere inches.

Oh and also noticed a few boats with NO LIGHTS! HOW DUMB IS THAT! Then they would take off and still not have them. Only reason I saw them is because they had light up bobbers lol.

Maybe they thought the boat lights would scare off the eyes?!?!