Walleye and Pike Opener

[gloomiseye]

I think part of the reason the fishing is better in MN and WI (excuse my bias) compared to Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota [besides the # of lakes] is because of the fishing seasons we have (ie not open year round). IMO, it makes a big difference when the spawning fish are protected. Look how easy it is to put the smack down on crappies when they are on their spawning beds. Imagine if we did this for walleyes, among many other species. Sure, you Iowans can enjoy your year round fishing while us Minnesotans enjoy a shortened but overall better season.

How many people come to MN to fish from IA/ND/SD compared to how many people from MN go to those states to fish? Are all these people coming to fish in MN b/c the fishing is better? That would be what my best judgement tells me.

The main reason why Iowa walleye fishing isnt as good as Minnesota is because our water quality is terrible. Walleyes only natrually reproduce in the Mississippi River and in the Iowa Great Lakes no where else.

[creepworm]

I do not believe the fishing is better in Minnesota, there is just more opportunity. I must not be the only one either because if you pull up to the landing on Bitter, Waubay, or any of the Missouri river reservoirs here in SD, it will be at least half MN plates on the vehicles.

[GlassEyeangler]

sorry, haven't chimed in...i was too busy cleaning my tackle box. he he.

someone in this thread got me thinking...maybe it was the media who started "Fishing Opener" and not the DNR. either way it's always been referred to as Fishing Opener. (and honestly, i look forward to it every year...moreso than Christmas!)

here's my beef...

take the angle worm...it's actually an earth worm used for angling. hmm, FAIL (ex, "Ahh yea, caught those crappies on angle worms, don't you know.") No you didn't, you caught them on earth worms.

take hot dish...it's actually a casserole. hmm, FAIL

take Fishing Opener...but not for bass or muskie. hmm, FAIL

kinda odd, and yes life will go on. happy early Fishing Opener everyone.

[Great Outdoors]

This just hit me a few days ago and it's bothering me. Why does the DNR call it "Fishing Opener" when it should be referred to "Walleye and Pike Opener"? There's a Deer, Musky, Bass...etc. Opener, why not Walleye and Pike? Kinda kicking myself for just realizing this now. At one time long ago was the season closed to all types of fish? Is walleye and pike opener just too long of a name?

Thoughts?

The taking of all species of fish is legal in the Ely/Grand Marais/Arrowhead section of Minnesota on "the regular opener," except for Musky.

That includes Bass!!!!!!

[itchmesir]

Explaining Trout Opener is funny sometimes to people who don't trout fish.. "yeah i've been trout fishing since jan 1st... can't wait for trout opener!" "huh?" "oh well there is winter c&r until march 31.. then from april 1-15th is Spring C&R... and then on the 16th its Opener.. in which you can keep them".. and they just stare at you like you like its all greek