Opener!

[Badger_55]

I picked up a bigger boat this month and am rearing to go. My big question is where am i going to go for opener? For all my years I have stayed home and fished the local lakes only catching a few good eaters but nothing else. I am looking for a good lake to go for opener, kind of want to see what you guys think?

[eyepatrol]

Not sure where Cromwell is, but I'll be fishing local lakes as I have on every opener. Just different local lakes this time.

There is good walleye fishing pretty close to just about everyone in the state. It's a matter of learning the lakes, patterning the fish and figuring them out. Once you've done that, you'll probably enjoy your local lakes more. Just my $.02 here.

And for me, I'm putting the boat back in the garage next weekend!

[Badger_55]

I agree, I don't know what it is but just wanted to be different this year. Cromwell is about 45 minutes east of Mille Lacs. I do have a few dandy lakes right here in late june and early july where I can go out and catch some pigs every night.

[Can'tFishEnuf]

Only 45 minutes from Mille Lacs? I hear that's a pretty good walleye lake.

[Team Otter]

45 minutes? That's a no-brainer.

[PerchJerker]

Yep, Mille Lacs is a lot of fun for the opener. As long as you aren't expecting to have your secret spot to yourself, and as long as you can enjoy being in a crowd that weekend, Mille Lacs is a GREAT option for the opener.

[Badger_55]

Yah she is a pretty good lake i guess hee he. I have been thinking about winnibigosh, mille lacs or kabetogama.

[Random guy]

Upper Red, looking for pike but catching walleye on 9" cranks...them fish are hungry. It is crazy as all get out, I can't decide if they tried to eat it or spawn with it.

[Northlander]

If you like crowds, I see your thinking of Mil Lacs, you might as well save yourself time and catch a ton of fish in the St. Louis River.

Big Sandy is a close lake to you and some nice fish in there or Winni and I hear Leech is starting to come around.

[Mike Walerak]

Opener? What's an "Opener"? Just kidding personally I do not see the hipe of opener. There are far too many options to fish walleyes year round.

Mississippi River the entire state of Sout Dakota, and certain lakes in Iowa to list some of the possibilities. Not to mention the best fishing of the year.

mw

[Team Otter]

It's kind of like deer opener. Tradition of a get-together more than anything.

Winnie is a good option too. As for "fighting" crowds on Mille Lacs, it's not a requirement. The lake is huge.

[youngie22]

It is a huge lake, w/ lots of room. When you get a nice one, stay quite or you'll have boats all around you in no time. That was my problem last year. Had a buddy slightly buzzed, we had 3 fish by 12;18 and one was 28 1/4". We were all excited and he was a little loud. We were all by ourselves for about 5 more minutes THen we kept on the move. The landing is were the hassle comes. I should have set up a lawn chair w/ a cooler to watch some of these guys load and unload the boats... Very, very comical. Can't wait for that night (morning).

[james_walleye]

I fish eyes year round but opener is such a tradition in my life that i wouldnt miss it. I fish an 1100 acre lake that will 150 boats on it, but i dont care, i love it. We're on the water at midnight every year and by the time most people get their boat in the water we've boated dozens of eyes. Even though i've been fishing eyes for a couple of months by opener, its the first chance of the year too get on my favorite lakes. That plus the fact that the action has been 2nd too none is a big part of the reason i love opener.

To help answer the question, Mille Lacs is a walleye factory and if i were closer, it would be hard too turn it down. You know going too Mille Lacs, along with any other decent walleye lake, that the crowds will be there on opener. You just deal with it. There are plenty of fish on any lake away from the crowds.