So Where Are You Going For Opener?

[TMF89]

I'm thinking about spending the weekend up camping at Vermillion, as I haven't got the pleasure of fishing that lake yet. If that falls through, I'll probably just hit Tonka or White Bear. How about you guys?

[MuskieFever]

I'll be on one of the north metro lakes for sure. Hopefully I can shake off the rust on the river next weekend for the border water opener.

[BIGRED07]

central mn is my best guess for now

[bemidjibasser]

Bemidji area...lots to choose from.

[Musky Buck]

I'm going to either Mina, Itasca, Irvine or Molly Stark. I am staying away from Big Detroit Lake and most stocked waters just because of the insanity of opening day. Big DL is a complete circus.

[BrianLucky13]

I'm going to either Mina, Itasca, Irvine or Molly Stark. I am staying away from Big Detroit Lake and most stocked waters just because of the insanity of opening day. Big DL is a complete circus.

Big D is a joke and the fish are really showing it. I wished I lived farther then a half of block from it. Might be long but very very skinny...

[Scoot]

Might be long but very very skinny...

Are you still talking about muskies here BL13 or are you sharing difficult personal information?

[Andrew Erickson]

LMAO

[Musky Buck]

lol, I was just completely floored a few years back, maybe 4 years ago we got to that east ramp and there wasn't anyone there at 5:30AM, big DL that is, no 1, so we launched the boat, had engine issues and some started showing up so we moved to the side so I could analyze what the deal was, couldn't get it going, gasline issue, but anyway so we sat there realizing we weren't going to get out fishing, we never had a solid chance to load up and get out of there because it was 1 after the other after the other until 7:00AM ish and people were parking down the shoulder of the road, I just sat there jaw dropped just in awe going wow, had never tried to open on Big DL before so it was a moment, incredible and how many more accesses are on big DL ? I figured the east would get the least because fargo/Moorhead area is west but wrongo, it was a nuthouse lol with everyone in such a hurry etc.

[Jessie_H]

Planning on trying our luck on Mille Lacs again. 2 years ago my fiance caught his first ever muskie that was 42" on opener.

[SmellEsox]

I'll be opening at Big Lake at a U13 baseball tournament.

[BrianLucky13]

Are you still talking about muskies here BL13 or are you sharing difficult personal information?

Ufta.....haha

[JackPineGuy]

lol, I was just completely floored a few years back, maybe 4 years ago we got to that east ramp and there wasn't anyone there at 5:30AM, big DL that is, no 1, so we launched the boat, had engine issues and some started showing up so we moved to the side so I could analyze what the deal was, couldn't get it going, gasline issue, but anyway so we sat there realizing we weren't going to get out fishing, we never had a solid chance to load up and get out of there because it was 1 after the other after the other until 7:00AM ish and people were parking down the shoulder of the road, I just sat there jaw dropped just in awe going wow, had never tried to open on Big DL before so it was a moment, incredible and how many more accesses are on big DL ? I figured the east would get the least because fargo/Moorhead area is west but wrongo, it was a nuthouse lol with everyone in such a hurry etc.

Detroit lakes the city is just a madhouse in general. I like it up there but jeez talk about over population. Also yer experience sounds like every lake ive ever been to on a weekend in Mn period.

[JackPineGuy]

i have dreams about pulling a shallow raider around tho

[Scoot]

Also yer experience sounds like every lake ive ever been to on a weekend in Mn period.

Sounds like you're going to the wrong lakes, JPG. There are oodles of very nice lakes that are very quiet and peaceful, even on the typically busy weekends. You have to get away from the resort areas and the lake towns a bit, but there's lots of great options if that's what you're looking for...

[Musky Buck]

Oodles ? Oodles of headaches every weekend on the dozen or so lakes I tend to try on weekends, sometimes unable to fish because of full ramps and no parking down the highway, if you're Bemidji/Grand Rapids you'll have a better chance at less pressure especially with gas selling like gold now.

[JackPineGuy]

Oodles ? Oodles of headaches every weekend on the dozen or so lakes I tend to try on weekends, sometimes unable to fish because of full ramps and no parking down the highway, if you're Bemidji/Grand Rapids you'll have a better chance at less pressure especially with gas selling like gold now.

Tis a fact

[smeese]

Tetonka!

[Scoot]

Yes MB and JPG- oodles. Like I said before, if you're in big resort or populated areas on the weekends, expect the zoo you described. If you really want to find peace and quiet, it's out there waiting for you. ...even on the weekends!

You guys are right though, you may have to travel a long ways to consistently find it (depending upon where you're starting from).