Walleye Opener

[Cecil]

No, I'm not going walleye fishing or posting a walleye question so settle down .

Looking to go to WI for our walleye openener and wondering if any of you have been to some good smaller lakes over there that have good multi-species fishing with an emphasis on bass?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Nope.. no good lakes over there.

[Nick Kuhn]

Just for clarity are you going to Wisconsin with walleye fisherman for WI opener or are you going there to avoid the walleye fisherman of the MN opener? If you don't have walleye fisherman with you throw a dart at the map and you'll probably do just fine. LM are just about everywhere in good numbers. SM are much harder to find just over the border. You really have to drive to the Chippewa/Flambeau river basins to find clusters of good smallie waters. Subsequently those waters (particularly the flowages of the rivers) are great walleye waters as well if you do have to bring those pesky walleye guys.

[TR21HP]

Deitz play nice!

I've always had good luck on Lake Chetek for both species. Actually fishing for bass and couldn't keep those pesky walleyes of the spinnerbaits and worms.

[Cecil]

I am going with a few guys. None really walleye fish, but might like the option if possible. We are going over there because we can fish for just about anything that time of year over there, and only walleyes here.

[Pherris]

I am going with a few guys. None really walleye fish, but might like the option if possible. We are going over there because we can fish for just about anything that time of year over there, and only walleyes here.

I go to Vermillion every year on the MN walleye opener and fish Bass!!!!!

We do get some walleye's of the dock at night for a fish fry though.

Good Fishing!!

[Reid G]

How far are ya willing to drive into WI?

[Cecil]

Dont think we want to go too far. Have some kids coming with and smaller lake and shorter drive would be a good thing...

[Nick Kuhn]

The best multi-species lake close to the border would probably be Wapogasset/Bear Trap. If you want the small lake feel go into Bear Trap. There are spots where you can easily catch several different species at the same time.

Long Lake (near Balsam) would be a good kids lake. There's enough pike to keep the kids happy (and the 26" minimum length keeps them from all being hammerhandles) as well as having good numbers of bass. Not sure about other species for Long.

Don't shy away from the larger lakes either, as all the bigger lakes in the area are good bass producers and also kick out at least 1 other species (though it varies depending on the lake which species that is).

[Cecil]

We are looking at Deer Lake right now

[Nick Kuhn]

I can't say that I'd recommend Deer. Any bass in there tend to be on the small side, and there aren't all that many. The other species in Deer are muskies which will be closed until Memorial Day. Pike and walleye are practically non-existent in Deer. There are a few that chase perch and crappie, but they are a minority. Also it's clear deeper water will make it colder than other area lakes, so fish might not be as active.

[Ray Esboldt]

I second the NOT DEER LAKE opinion. Our club put that on the "Never Again" list many years ago.

Round, Trade, Wappo, Wood, and just about any of the surrounding small lakes are entertaining. Balsam is another option, but you'll need all of Deitz's spots out there. Mine are pathetic. Right DD?

Walleyes are a little tough to come by in Polk and St. Croix counties. Round, Balsam, Wappo, and Cedar are probably the best options with Round being the best multi-species lake of them. However, Round's boat launch is brutal, so you may want to bring a backup plan on that one.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Deer?.. Really? I too vote just about any lake but Deer.. there are some decent crappie and a few perch in there.. But bass are skiddish and tend to be small.. hard to find a 14" in there.

[Deitz Dittrich]

ray- your spots are great.. just not in 36 degree weather and 40+ MPH winds..

[riverrat63]

i would go with cedar there is big crappies walleyes smallmouth and largmouth in there the only thing that sucks about the walleyes out there is that u can only keep two and you have to throw every thing back between 14 to 18 unless thay change it but thats what it was this winter.

[Cecil]

Anyone been to Shell lake? I was there once and did ok for smallies. Not sure what else is in there. The DNR site for WI is not good...

[Cecil]

river, where is cedar? Is it the one by New Richmond?

[Nick Kuhn]

Yeah, the bigger lake near New Richmond is Cedar (I'd say Star Prairie is the nearest city). The DNR's most recent info on Cedar: http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/nor/docs/2004cedar_spring_summary.pdf

Shell has a decent number of walleyes and a TON of hammerhandles. In the south bay I had small northerns follow/hit my muskie bucktails just about every 4th cast (they were too small to hook). Put something red and white on near weeds and you will catch hammerhandles.

[riverrat63]

yea its over by new richmond well more like over by star prairie thay put out a bunch new cribs this winter to let me no if you need directions to the ramp.

[Pherris]

I would skip Deer also........can be some good crappie fishing but very poor bass lake in my opinion.

Good Fishing

[Cecil]

Sounds like we are leaning to the chip flowage now. little further and bigger lake, but you can get out of the wind if need be. And can fish for anything you want...