First Big Trip Of The Year??

[PerchJerker]

The days are getting warmer and the snow and ice won't be here for long. It's time to get excited for open water.

So ...... what are you looking forward to as your first "big" trip of the year? Is it something on the Opener, or maybe something later (or earlier) in the year?

The trip I'm looking forward to the most is fishing Upper Red and Winnie on Opening Weekend. I have a cabin that's about an hour from Upper Red and a half-hour from Winnie so it makes a great base camp. I think the group will be 9 guys and 3 boats. We've done it the last 2 years (since Red opened up) and had a blast both years. The fishing on Red is really fun, mostly pitching or drifting jigs and shiners and getting lots of bites and catching lots of fish. I get kind of giddy just thinking about it

So ... tell us where you're going and why you're looking forward to it.

[Coach1310]

I fish locally for the opener, but first big trip is to the Blackduck area Memorial Weekend. Usually 4 guys, but I think this year it will be expanded. I'm with you, I get excited just thinking about it.

[Team Otter]

Great post Dave.

I'm really looking forward to going back to Leech Lake for the opener. We took some time away from this lake when it "went the other way" but early signs indicate another strong bite on the horizon.

[Brunsvig_slayer]

I cant wait till The Missouri River opens up on Oahe, That spring walleye fishing is usually the best.

[Bigeye30"]

Iowa here I come, I know, I laugh to myself everytime I say I'm heading there to go walleye fishing, just one of them great border battles. Heading out May 2nd for thier opener to the Okoboji area, with a group of 3 boats, a little tradition that we started a few years ago. Other than that, have'nt planned a whole lot for the year, going to just play it by ear. Definately hitting the Fall Full Moon on Mille Lacs, hoping to get up to Rainy lake again this summer, and I will definately be hitting Gull sometime this fall for a weekend.

[PerchJerker]

For a few years I went to Lake Erie in mid-April for open water trolling for BIG walleyes, although this will be the 2nd year in a row we haven't done that trip (our group had some conflicts with new babies, new houses, things like that). I think we're doing that trip again in 2009. It's really a fun trip to look forward to, getting trolling gear and planer boards and crankbaits ready in February and March

[tisosy11]

I was hoping to go up to the Governor's opener, but the mrs won a trip to Cali through work so that takes priority...

[jsc1987]

I always go up to raniy lake around the first week and june and camp out on the islands for about 5 days, and love it. Can't wait to go!!!!

[JohnMickish]

The first big trip of the year? That would have been my two trips to LOW I suppose. The next trip will be back up to the area for opener.

[Scott M]

Opener for Mille Lacs. Two weeks off and then on Memorial Weekend it will be Winni or Red or both if there is time and cooperative weather. Also plan to hit Leech before water temperatures get too warm.

[Shane683]

Heading to Winnie on May 29th. If anybody else is going to be there then it would be fun to meet.

[muc33]

Take off for Lac Seul May 31st! My arms hurt just typing this. A guy sets the hook so many times it hurts. but it's a GOOD hurt!!!!

[Northlander]

Not a real big trip but my 1st trip will more than likely be rainy River for the early spring bite. Coming up real soon.

Man I better get my ice gear out of my boat.

[paceman]

Next weekend down to Red Wing for the Mississippi eyes/suagers. Minnesota opener will be around Otter Tail....

[Maximum12]

May 26th hitting the BWCA for some good walleye waters, then deep into the BWCA bush to hit some primitive management area lakes & fish that likely haven't seen a lure in a year...can't wait!

[james_walleye]

Paceman the fishing has been pretty good at Red Wing.

3 of us leave memorial day weekend for Dogtooth Lake Ontario.

[TrophyEyes]

Well I have to say Mille Lacs for opener will be one to mark on the calendar. I am also trying to get up to Manitoba some time this year, but nothing planned yet.

[bimbo]

im going to mexico tonight with my family, and me and my dad are going fishing on monday down there! whoo i get to get outta this snow!! i sure hope its gone when i get back!

[jwhjr]

I'm still planning on opener in the Perham area again this year.

[Bigeye30"]

 Originally Posted By: muc33

Take off for Lac Seul May 31st! My arms hurt just typing this. A guy sets the hook so many times it hurts. but it's a GOOD hurt!!!!

Nice what part of Lac Seul, we used to head up every year at the end of July, beg of August but we couldn't make it last year or this year, Definately 2009,

[Tim_Anderson]

Fortunate here to have been able to get the ball rolling earlier than ever this season. Have been experiencing some great walleye action on the Mississippi River the past few weeks, although yesterday was really tough. A half dozen walleyes in the boat 8 pounds or more so far...the biggest being 30 inches with a 18 inch girth. Steve Jonesi was the lucky guy. We Didn't weigh it, but the formula puts it at 12 pounds. Also caught my first flathead catfish at about 15#...what a blast on light gear.

Next up is the Rainy River, which I am hoping will be ready for big boats within the next couple of weeks. Will be spending as much time as possible up there chasing the hog walleyes and the mighty sturgeon.

After that, maybe a trip to Devils Lake, and then it'll be time for the Minnesota opener. Trying to take this one month at a time!

[minnesotatuff]

wow! ...wow!!!

my next big trip is taking my boat to minnetonka as soon as the ice is out. i get to take a pleasure cruise around the lakeshore with a date while looking at mantions and breaking in my new 9.9 prokicker for 3 hours or so.

regards,

minnesotatuff

[eyewarrior]

Chamberlain this weekend 28th thru 30th. Jigs, rigs & even trolling cranks. Hope the weather cooperates or we'll just stay home.