Early walleye Opener SD/MN Big Stone Lake

[spoonbill]

Who's going and any hints on presentations to use for that lake?

[kaz2611]

I'll be heading out friday morning daughter and I are gonna fish hopefully weather cooperates. For presentation I'd try jig and minnow first , jig and plastic, jig leech, throw crank baits, pull cranks, you can probably catch fish on any of these ideas. I usally fish around the islands first unless its crowded then I would try the lagoona beach area but in this area becareful for underwater boulders not sure how the lake level is. You should have sucess in shallow water. If its to windy to be on the lake in a boat dont shy away from trying from shore this time of the year. Spoonbill send me an email illgive you my cell number and we can see how each other has done saturday [email protected]

[spoonbill]

you have mail

[Moses2531]

Dont know if I will get to be in a boat Saturday, but are there any shore locations that might be worth a shot and that are fairly accessible...??

[spoonbill]

I here the dam in ortonville people fish from and can pick up a few walleyes. People fish from the docks also but not sure of state parks if their is a pier or i suppose just from shore, bring some waders and walk out a bit...

[kaz2611]

moses there are many spots to fish from shore the bridge at the foot of the lake but this may be crowded there is a pier in town that is a good spot DO NOT fish the dam in ortonville this is not part of the border water it is at the head of the minnesota river which is an inland tributary.most any place you go will probably have people fishing just have to pick a spotalot also depends on how strong the wind is and from what direction. There is a bait shop in town just down the hill and before you curve to the right stop in there for any information they are very down to earth good small town folk that are willing to help out a fellow fisherman the best they can. GOOD LUCK FISHING!!

[Team Otter]

I'll be there Saturday and Sunday. Shallow, stained water on the wind-ward side of main-lake points or gravel shorelines is a good starting point. Pitching jigs and minnows, casting cranks and corkin' will be the arsenal of choice in my boat.

[kaz2611]

just read report from fisheries guy walleyes will be sppawning on big stone late this week and he says the males should be biting.

[Rippinlip]

Kaz, what time you heading out?

My daughter and I are leaving about 9 am.

Taking some lesser traveled highways, not sure this is going to be such a good idea. plan on getting out there about 1 or so. maybe stopping for lunch somewhere on the way. Be careful, have a good trip and talk to you here soon, let us know how you did. I will be reporting when we get back Monday sometime.

[kaz2611]

wont be heading out till around 3 friday afternoon since my nephew has class til 2 giving him a ride out to his parents. I'll be coming back monday as well drop me an email and ill give ya my cell number if youd like to hear how I did saturday i plan on fishing at midnight friday.

[kaz2611]

[email protected]

[Team Otter]

It sounds like we'll be dodging a lot of wind. What a surprise.

[pikerliker]

Hey Otter how is this lake later during the year? I only hear about it because of the early opener and have never fished it. I was just curious if it's worth going after later in the season.

Thanks ~piker

[Fish'n guy]

Big Stone tends to slow as the the submerged vegeation becomes more prevelent and algea blooms occur. Fishing can still be had but the fishing early in the year is quite good due to the abundence of post spawn male walleyes that linger in the shallows foraging on small baitfish. The later part of this is where the fishing slows as the walleyes spread out into the main lake and take up cover in the submerged vegetation.

The summer walleyes can still be had by fishing on isolated rock beds throughout the lake. Precision casting and slow presentations are crucial this time of the year as the walleyes are mainly in a negative feeding mode due to the high abundence of young of the year baitfish. Many larger fish are caught this time of the year. Quality bluegill & perch can be caught on the deeper rock piles if you can find them. White and Largemouth as well as some very large pike move up to the shallows in the dense vegetation to ambush surface dwelling baitfish and macroinvertebrates even during the heat of the daytime.

As the year moves along and the water temps begin to dwindle into the 40's & 50's the walleyes go on a feeding binge to build up on their fat reserves for the upcoming winter. Look to areas where the wind is pushing up onto the shoreline or shallow areas such as rocks or gravel. The size of some of these walleyes can an more than likely will amaze you. A good go-to presentation has always been larger crankbaits 4" and bigger such as Rapala Original Floaters or Storm Thundersticks to name a few. Deadsticking a large minnow such as a 5" creek chub can also be lethal on big walleyes on Big Stone during the fall.

The big perch start to school up as the water cools off in the later part of the season. When the water temps drops below 60 degrees the perch tend to school up and move to areas with or adjacent to rocks. These are most effectively fished with via float and smaller hooks in the #6 or #8 size tipped with wax worms, night crawlers, or minnows.

Hopefully this has answered your question.

[Team Otter]

I can't add anything from what Andy has already mentioned.

Good information Andy.

[Fish'n guy]

Thanks! Glad I help out!

[OtownNative]

Hey guys! What's the report on the fishing on Big Stone? Any hot spots?

[pikerliker]

Thanks Fish'Nguy, good info!!

~piker