Lake Winnibigoshish 2014 Fish Population Outlook
Transcription
Lake Winnibigoshish 2014 Fish Population Outlook
1 2 Page 3 Contents 2014 Open Water Edition From the Editor Keeping Invasive Species from Invading your Favorite Lake Page 5 Bring on the Dog Days of Summer Page 7 By Joe Henry Lake Winnibigoshish 2014 Fish Population Outlook By Chris Kavanaugh Leech Lake 2014 Fish Population Outlook Page 9 By Doug Schultz, Walker Area Fisheries Supervisor Answering the Superline Slip Through Issue By Steve Mattson Fishing Questions and Answers Page 11 By Gary Roach 3-D Walleyes By Ted Takasaki and Scott Richardson A New Concept for Spring Walleye’s Page 13 A New Spin On Old Techniques Page 15 By Brewer-Agre Outdoors Spring Bassin’ Page 19 By Marianne Huskey By Jared Barbee Getting Nowhere Fast! By Ron Anlauf Back in the Sticks Page 21 Location and Lures for Largemouth and Smallmouth Page 23 By Jamie Dietman By Travis Peterson Digging Walleyes From the Weeds By Matthew J. Breuer True North Reflections Page 25 By Phill Hall Walleye Fishing Goes High Tech, But Don’t Forget the Live Bait By Brian ‘Bro’ Brosdahl Lots of Options Page 27 Get out of the Cold, Utilize a Jigging Rap Year Round Page 29 By Brad Hawthorne By Jim Ernster Hunting for Minnesota’s Homegrown Gators By Ron C Hustvedt Jr 3 From the Editor For the past 11 years UPNORTH has been producing outdoor style newspapers that focus on educating its readers. It’s 20 plus pages are loaded with tips and tricks to help you be more productive in the outdoors while showcasing many different business’ that share the same passion and philosophy as we do. No matter what the situation, customer service always comes first. Outdoor Media Companies start up every day and then quietly disappear, never to be heard from again, while UPNORTH invests time and money to make sure we are moving forward. We weren’t the first, or the last, but hopefully you find us to be one of the best. We started with our main focus being print and that still continues to grow today. However, now our publications are available online in an EMAG or digital format at www.upnorthinc.com. This tends to appeal to a younger generation while creating additional advertising avenues since ads become links back to the prospective websites. To add to the digital side of the business we are now producing short video segments with fishing tips along with destinations. These destinations are generally resorts and hotels/motels that are located near Northern Minnesota’s Walleye Factories that we feel would make a great family destination/vacation or even a week-end warrior get away with the guys. Also those nearby business’ that are a must see or could have that one thing you forgot but need. Northern Minnesota has so much to offer but with today’s fast paced lifestyle a season can fly by and be only a memory before you know it. We hope to help narrow your options and make this summer’s choice a little easier. With our many well known writers and experts you might just pick up another tip that will aid in landing a trophy of a lifetime while completing your UPNORTH experience. Have a fun and safe Open Water Season! Jason Green, UPNORTH Editor Keeping Invasive Species from Invading your Favorite Lake Nobody really likes thinking about invasive species, and trying to follow all the laws surrounding them can be a real pain in the butt, but if we don’t protect our lakes and rivers they will be diminished. That means more stress on the species we love fishing for and fewer opportunities to use the precious time we have to go fishing. There is a ton of information to be had on the Minnesota DNR website w w w. d n r. s t a t e . m n . u s including videos showing how to properly clean off your boat, drain water, and other necessary actions. As responsible boaters and anglers, we owe it to each other to follow through and act as if the Conservation Officer is next to us each and every time because all of us are the best enforcers of game and fish laws. Required Actions you must take 1. Clean all visible aquatic plants, zebra mussels, and other prohibited invasive species from watercraft, trailers, and water-related equipment before leaving any water access or shore. 2. Drain water-related equipment (boat, ballast tanks, portable bait containers, motor) and drain your bilge, livewell and baitwell by removing drain plugs before leaving a water access or shoreline property. Keep drain plugs out and water-draining devices open while transporting watercraft. 3. Dispose of unwanted bait, including minnows, leeches, and worms, in the trash. It is illegal to release live bait into a waterbody or release aquatic animals from one waterbody to another. If you want to keep your live bait, you must refill the bait container with bottled or tap water. Restricted Actions Before you leave anywhere with your boat, make sure you remove the drain plug. Keep it removed until you are just about ready to launch the boat at the access. I keep my drain plug on my keychain so I don’t accidentally put my boat in without the plug but also so I don’t leave the plug anywhere else. Always inspect your boat for aquatic plants, zebra mussels, or other prohibited species before heading onto the road. Saying that you will take care of it later is only inviting a bigger problem. Also, that unused bait in your bait bucket needs to be dumped in the trash or on shore away from the lake. Catch and release with game fish is great, but with minnows it is illegal because it could potentially harm the lake. Exhibit good behavior After you use your boat, be sure to spray, rinse and dry it off. Some invasive species are small and difficult to see at the access. To remove or kill them, do at least one or more of the following: Spray with high-pressure water; Rinse with hot water (120 degrees for two minutes, 140 degrees for 10 seconds); Let your boat dry for at least 5 days. Before you head out on the road, start your motor and let it run for just a few seconds to discharge water before leaving a water access. Get to know what invasive species look like. If you spot one, or think you’ve spotted one, on your favorite lake, you should contact the local fisheries office. Infestations can be contained or controlled when caught early. And just like you’d do if you saw somebody harming the resource by poaching, report boaters who you see not following the law. All it takes is one fool who doesn’t care about the fishery to damage your favorite lake. UPNORTH • 2014 SPECIAL OPEN WATER EDITION EDITOR: Jason Green CONTRIBUTORS: Ron C Hustvedt Jr, Joe Henry, Chris Kavanaugh, Doug Schultz, Steve Mattson, Gary Roach, DESIGN & LAYOUT: Ted Takasaki & Scott Richardson, Marianne Huskey, Cowduck Designs: Scott Brewer & Kyle Agre, Jared Barbee, Ron Anlauf, Brent Burich, Art Director Jamie Dietman, Travis Peterson, Matthew J. Breuer, and Jason Green Phill Hall, Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, Brad Hawthorne, Jim Ernster ON THE COVER: Steve Mattson All rights reserved. Use or reproduction of any information contained in UPNORTH’s Publications is prohibited without authorization. 4 “Quality at a Discount” SINCE 1959 See us for all your fishing needs! 13 Departments • Open seven days a week! SHOP OUR STORE ON LINE www.lmsupply.com [email protected] Stop by one of our Eight locations: GRAND RAPIDS 1400 S. POKEGAMA AVE. 326-2926 • HOURS: MON. - FRI. 7:30 - 8:30 SAT. 7:30 - 7:00; SUN. 9:00 - 5:00 HIBBING 1101 E. 37TH ST. SUITE 2 262-6678 • HOURS: MON. - FRI. 7:30 - 8:30 SAT. 7:30 - 7:00; SUN. 9:00 - 5:00 MT. IRON/VIRGINIA 8497 ENTERPRISE DR. N. 749-2340 • HOURS: MON. - FRI. 7:30 - 8:30 SAT. 7:30 - 7:00; SUN. 9:00 - 5:00 CLOQUET 620 HWY. 33 SOUTH 879-8723 • HOURS: MON. - FRI. 7:30 - 8:30 SAT. 7:30 - 7:00; SUN. 9:00 - 5:00 BEMIDJI 2740 PAULBUNYAN DR. NW 751-3237 • HOURS: MON. - FRI. 7:30 - 8:30 SAT. 7:30 - 7:00; SUN. 9:00 - 5:00 PARK RAPIDS 1307 1ST STREET EAST 732-9326 • HOURS: MON. - FRI. 7:30 - 8:30 SAT. 7:30 - 7:00; SUN. 9:00 - 5:00 DETROIT LAKES 1100 HWY 59 SOUTH 847-1171 • HOURS: MON. - FRI. 7:30 - 8:30 SAT. 7:30 - 7:00; SUN. 9:00 - 5:00 HAYWARD 10680 STATE HWY 27/77 934-2300 • HOURS: MON. - FRI. 7:30 - 8:30 SAT. 7:30 - 7:00; SUN. 9:00 - 5:00 tm www.LakeofthewoodsMN.com | 800.382.FISH (3474) LakeoftheWoodsMN @walleyecapital 5 Bring on the Dog Days of Summer By Joe Henry There is a time during the dog days of summer as the water warms, when a group of anglers really get enthused. This time isn’t typically looked forward to by Midwest anglers as fishing can be tough. Up on Lake of the Woods, however, things are just different. With many lakes experiencing high water temps, blooms of baitfish and weed growth that makes trolling difficult at best, walleyes can be tough to catch. Not here. Schools of walleyes in the thousands are feeding in high gear, the water temps are moderate and the pattern is predictable. The big expanse of water called Big Traverse Bay offers tens of miles of flat mud, otherwise called “no man’s land” or “the basin” stacked with walleyes making it a troller’s dream. The majority of this mud exists in 30 – 33’ so trolling your favorite crankbait is an absolute weapon in slaying late summer walleyes and saugers. a charter boat is very high. Do it yourselfers. Many anglers hit the summer waters on their own. As long as you have the right boat and equipment, success can be yours. Equipment. Let’s make this simple. Most anglers do not own downriggers. There is a another great option. If you don’t already own a lead core setup, go to your favorite sporting goods store and pick one out, you won’t be sorry. In a nutshell, a large line counter reel able to hold 100 yards of leadcore line, a 7 – 8’ trolling rod and some lead core line and you are in business. As lead core trolling has become more popular, there are a number of stores offering leadcore combos all rigged up and ready to go. These pre rigged set ups are normally good. There are a few features and nuances I do prefer. Lead Core Line. The advantage of lead core line is just like it’s name indicates, the Charter boats teamed up with down riggers are extremely effective in presenting crankbaits right where the walleyes live. With miles of flat mud and massive schools of walleyes, it is a successful combination. (Photo credit: Doug Stamm/www.stammphoto.com) Charter Boats. If you have not experienced this type of summer fishing, it can be a blast. The Walleye Capital offers dozens of charter boats that accommodate up to six people and are geared for deep water trolling. Charter boats make life easy. There are literally two decisions a guest has to make in a day, “what should I wear and what should I eat”. Everything else is taken care of. Licensed charter captains guide your trip into the beautiful open waters loaded with big fish and lots of them. Downriggers teamed up with a limber rod get the crankbaits to the bottom where most of the walleyes live. Guides have all summer to figure out which wobble, size and color are most to the walleyes liking. They are dialed in and hone in on the roaming schools of fish until rods start popping. Success on core is filled with lead so it sinks, allowing you to troll depths with cranks un reachable with traditional fishing lines. The lead core line is colored. Each color represents 10 yards or 30 feet of line. As a rule of thumb, one color of line will get your lure down an additional 5 feet. Ok, there are lots of brands of lead core line. One line recently has my attention and so far, I like it. Suffix just came out with a 721 Advanced Lead Core. Why do I like it? It gets down with 30% less line out than traditional lead core. This is a big advantage. It saves time when letting out and reeling in lines, causing more hook time and less fatigue. When a fish is hooked, it also is less reeling, which to me, is that much less opportunity for the fish to come unbuttoned from the crankbait before being swooped with the net. Leader material. Attached to the leadcore is a leader. The go to leader material is either a superline or a fluorocarbon. Personally, I will use a superline if I can get away with it. Up at Lake of the Woods, the water drains north into the lake. The basin it is draining from has a strong presence of muskeg and consequently, the water has a nice tint. This allows the fish to be less finicky vs gin clear water. It also makes for a great daytime bite vs fishing during the wee hours of the night. The superline leader, about 6 feet long, make it easier to see the action of the lure on the rod tip. This works well to detect if your lure hits the mud dirtying up the trebles, causing the crank not to run well. If you are fishing a clear lake, it is a good idea to have your fishing partner use the opposite leader material or lean towards fluorocarbon. You might also want to increase your leader length to 8 feet. The easiest way to attach the leader material to the lead core is with a small swivel. Take the lead out of the end of the lead core line so there is just the outer shell. This will make it easier to tie the knot to the swivel. The A, B, C’s of depth. Lead core line can be fished in any segment of the water column. Typically, the fish will be hanging near the bottom. To figure out depth, have a ballpark idea on how deep your crankbait runs. You can figure your lead core line, which has a different color every 10 yards, will give you 5 feet of depth per color (30 feet on the linecounter). Let out however much line you think will get you to the bottom. Once you start trolling, watch your rod tip. If it is not jumping, which indicates it is hitting bottom, let out more line until you find bottom, and then reel up 10 feet. This will put your lure just off of the bottom. Adjust your lure depth based on where the fish are you are marking on your electronics. If you have two or more anglers, experiment with varying depths your lures are running. Speed. In a nutshell, experiment. A rule of thumb is start out in cooler water at 1.5 – 2.0 mph. As the water warms, 2.0 – 3.5 mph. It amazes me to watch a charter boat cruising by me at a really good clip netting fish one after the other. Mix it up until you find what the walleyes want that day. When you speed up with lead core, your lures will rise. When you slow down, your lures will fall. If you are trolling and the bottom comes up, either reel in some line or speed up. Speeding up will raise your lures up. In a MTT Tournament last summer, my partner and I were pulling lead core in the main basin. We were pulling our lures through fish after fish on the graph, but the fish were not eating. We changed lures, colors, wobbles, etc. At one point, I was reeling in to check my lure as I thought there was some mud on my trebles and about a fourth of the way in, with my lure going in the vicinity of 3.5 mph, bang, a nice 18” walleye. From that point on, my driving probably looked like a drunken sailor, speeding up, slowing down, making turns, accelerating to what seemed to be speeds too fast, but guess what, we began getting bit. That one difference in speed made all the difference in the world. Crankbaits. As you might know, there are literally thousands of possibilities when it comes to crankbaits. I do have my favorites. Here is my advice. Assuming you have two or more anglers in the boat, start out with your favorite crankbait on one line and experiment with the other until you become dialed in on the fish. Be aware of size, tight wobble vs. erratic and wide wobble, colors, shape and diving angle in the water. These all can make a difference. Some of my favorites on LOW. In “No Man’s Land”, making “S” turns. Some other techniques that will put fish in the boat: The ripping technique. There are times walleyes will react positively to ripping the rod forward, driving the crank into the mud, rocks or sand. This gets their attention and triggers strikes. Dropping it back. This past June, I was fishing in a boat that did not have rod holders. Since I was forced to hold my rod, I decided to do a soft pumping motion where I would pull the lure forward and let it back quickly, almost stopping the lure for an instant. The lure was made of balsa, thus it floated. Not only did the motion of dropping it back trigger what I can only imagine were following walleyes, our catch rate doubled, we caught bigger fish using this technique and the fish would absolutely hammer the bait. The escaping baitfish. Very simply, from time to time, pull the crank forward very quickly, emulating an escaping baitfish. This injured minnow is trying to make its escape and instinctively, the walleye nails it. The technique of trolling and covering lots of water with downriggers or lead core line and crankbaits can seem intimidating, but actually, can be very simple. Rather than trying to memorize depth charts based on the dive curve of the lure and how much line is out based on what speed you are trolling, simply take a guess and adjust up or down accordingly. After Joe Henry with a monster Lake of the Woods walleye caught on lead core line and a crankbait. This fish hit a Rapala Scatter Rap when the rod was suddenly dropped back while trolling which made the lure hesitate and rise.. I like shiny gold, crawdad or pink. Other captains like yellow “5 of diamonds”, fire tiger and chrome with a blue top. As far as specific lures, I do like to run one jointed along with a normal crank. Sometimes that jointed really gets hot. Nuances to trolling. I already mentioned varying speeds and a short time, you will have a good idea of where your lure is in relation to the bottom. When you catch a fish, take notice of the speed and how much line you have out and duplicate. It will not take long to understand the result of a wobbling crankbait passing in front of a big walleye. Have your camera ready! 6 Shipshape Insurance Afloat or ashore we can provide the protection you want and need. Farmers Trident Boat Policy covers almost everything that can happen to your boat equipment. It provides for liability medical payments, damage to your craft, plus 30-day automatic coverage for newly acquired or replacement boats, motors and trailers. Set sail with the best - call us today to learn about a Trident Boat Policy and get acquainted with farmers’ fast, fair, friendly service PETERSON INSURANCE 326-5757 ~ 326-4646 625 NW 4th Street, Grand Rapids, MN DEER RIVER MINNESOTA Gas • Convenience Store Car Wash • ATM • Propane Pizza • Subs Lake Winnibigoshish 2014 Fish Population Outlook 7 By Chris Kavanaugh Walleye anglers on Lake Winnibigoshish can expect to see good numbers of fish between 13 and 17 inches in 2014, along with fish in the protected slot. Annual assessment netting completed in 2013 continues to show a healthy walleye population along with increased catches of yellow perch and northern pike. Walleye: The catch of 6.3 walleye per net in 2013 was down from the catch observed in 2012 but still among the highest observed since the Large Lake program began in 1983. The walleye sampled varied in length from 11.2 to over 28 inches, and the average length was 17.3 inches. No yearling walleye were sampled in the summer assessment nets and the two-year old fish grew very rapidly, thus explaining the lack of small fish. Additional netting completed in the fall did sample age-1 walleye as well as several young of the year, or fingerlings, suggesting that these year classes have at least some fish available. Year-classes produced in 2005, 2006 and 2010 were very good, the 2007 and 2009 year-classes were average while the 2008 year-class was poor. Anglers are likely to see many walleye in the protected slot, as well as many in the 13 to 17 inch range. The 17 to 26 inch protected slot for walleye will continue in 2014. There is interest in modifying the slot limit and data is currently being evaluated. If the data indicate a change is possible, an announcement of the public input process will be made. This will provide anglers with an opportunity to comment that will last into the fall when a final decision will be made. If there are any changes it would begin with the 2015 open-water fishing season. Northern pike: The catch of northern pike in the 2013 assessment increased to 14.6 per net, the highest observed. High catch rates usually mean a smaller average size, the average length in 2013 was about 20.6 inches and the largest pike sampled was over 32 inches. The high catch and relatively low average size is the result of several strong year classes of young pike. Only about 14% of the pike were longer than 24 inches. Anglers are encouraged to voluntarily release northern pike over 24 inches and target their harvest to smaller fish to help improve the size structure of the pike population. following a summerkill as the remaining adults have better success spawning and their offspring have less competition from older fish and tend to do well. As summers get warmer it is likely we will see more frequent summerkills. Yellow Perch: Perch are an important species for both anglers and as a prey item for walleye and northern pike. The catch of perch increased from 57 per net to over 74 per net. The catch was dominated by small perch (age 3) recruiting to the nets. The high catch of small fish, which were only 5.5 to 7 inches, resulted in only about 8% of the yellow perch sampled larger than 9 inches, the generally preferred size for anglers to begin harvest. The Lake Winnibigoshish/ Cut Foot Sioux lakes also provide opportunities to fish for other species. Black crappie, sunfish and even bass are found in the big lake, but more so in Cut Foot. The lakes also provide an opportunity to catch a muskie. Few anglers actually target muskies but some are caught while fishing for something else. Anglers are reminded that Winnie and connected waters contain faucet snails and zebra mussel larvae were identified in the lake in 2012. There have been restrictions on the taking of bait from Winnie for several years, with the discovery of zebra mussels it is important that all boaters do a thorough job draining and cleaning their equipment. If you are going to fish a couple of lakes in a day, make Winnie the last stop so Cisco: Cisco (also known as tulibee or herring) are an important prey item for large walleye and northern pike and were caught in very low numbers. There was a substantial summerkill observed in the hot summer of 2012. Catch rates typically recover two to three years you don’t inadvertently spread these invasive species to other waters. In addition to the annual netting assessment, Winnie also has a creel survey conducted two out of six years to measure angling effort, catch and harvest rates, and estimate total harvest. The creel survey continued in 2013 and estimated fishing effort was down slightly to about 450,000 hours. With the lake still being ice-covered the first few days of the season this is not unexpected. The estimated harvest was nearly 57,600 walleye with a total weight of over 69,000 pounds. Angler catch rates for walleye, the number of walleye caught per hour, improved to 0.36. Harvest rates, the number kept per hour, remained steady at about 0.13. The next creel survey planned for Winnie will begin in 2018. Please feel free to contact the DNR Area Fisheries Office in Grand Rapids at (218) 3274430 or by email at grandrapds. [email protected] if you have any questions. Leech Lake 2014 Fish Population Outlook By Doug Schultz, Walker Area Fisheries Supervisor The 2014 fishing outlook on Leech Lake is again looking very good. Annual fish survey work showed a strong walleye population and good levels and sizes of other species frequently pursued by anglers. Anglers can expect to encounter creel clerks on Leech Lake this summer as a creel survey has been scheduled to measure changes in fishing effort and harvest associated with a new walleye regulation, which will be effective on Opening Day of the 2014 season. Walleye: The 2013 catch of 8.9 walleye/net is the seventh consecutive year walleye abundance has been above the long-term average. Walleye ranged in length from 6 to 27 inches, with about 50% of the net catch that will be of harvestable sizes during the 2014 season. A new 2026” protected slot limit will be effective on Opening Day, 2014. This regulation change is intended to increase harvest opportunity by anglers while still protecting mature fish needed for natural reproduction, which was about 25% of fish sampled in 2013. The 4-fish possession limit with one fish over 26.0 inches allowed in possession will remain unchanged. A creel survey is scheduled for the open and hardwater seasons during 2014 to measure changes in walleye harvest under the new regulation. Northern pike: The catch rate of northern pike in 2012 was 4.6 fish/net, near the longterm average. Pike catch rates have historically ranged from 4 to 6 fish/net with sizes into the mid-30’s commonly observed. Several fish 30 inches and longer were sampled in 2013. predation by a very strong walleye population. All sizes of perch are still present, and about 20% of perch sampled were 9 inches or longer. Anglers pursuing perch can expect to stay on the move more than they might be used to in response to the lower abundance. Yellow perch: Perch are not only a favorite species for anglers, but are also the primary prey for walleye and northern pike. The perch catch rate of 12.1 fish/net in 2013 is a decline to a record low. Causes of this include weaker year classes during recent years, high harvest during some years, and high Other species: Special sampling conducted in 2012 showed high-quality largemouth bass, bluegill, and black crappie populations with bass up to 18 inches, bluegill up to 10 inches, and crappie up to 15 inches sampled. Anglers can find these fish in the vegetated areas of the major bays. Reports from muskie anglers during 2013 were positive. Traditional muskie locations include the cabbage beds in Sucker and Portage bays and the rock structure in the main lake. Leech Lake is infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and other species, but has yet to be designated infested with zebra mussel or spiny waterflea. All boaters are reminded that they are responsible for stopping the spread of these and other harmful species to new waters. All boaters should thoroughly clean their water-related equipment, drain all water prior to transportation, and allow equipment to dry for at least five days before using again. 8 at Beautiful BOWSTRING SHORES RESORT & CAMPGROUND Whether you are looking for the quiet solitude of the Chippewa National Forest, or the companionship of new friends, you will find it all at Bowstring Shores Resort. Open year round, we are located 33 miles Northwest of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. 49231 County Rd. 173 Deer River, MN 56636 218-832-3101 Answering the Superline Slip Through Issue 9 By Steve Mattson In ice fishing and open water, I know of nothing that can be more critical but yet so simple to monitor and correct then the position of the knot on the hook or lure eye. It will allow a horizontal bait to hang correctly or look odd hanging diagonally. It will allow a jig and minnow to look real or strange. And it will allow you to stay attached to your worm hook when using a “super line”, if you watch it often. I remember it all too well, while on historic Rainy Lake for a three day bass tournament. It was day two of the event and Matt Christy and I had a solid pattern that we were riding in hopes of cashing a check in the 130 plus team event. Summer was in full swing and the smallmouth bass were holding on the edges of rocky shoals and points but were also well aware of the abundant smelt population in the system. Some of the anglers were keying in on these well fed fish specifically in the open water areas where the baitfish would roam. Some of these areas were deep 50 to 60 feet of water without any nearby structure. On calm days, you could hear and see boils and splashes as the bass would drive the smelt to the surface and blast them like a script out the orca’s playbook. Be there at the right time and you would cash in on the opportunity of a fish feeding frenzy. Timing is everything though. Be there 20 seconds late and you’re wasting your time. Cast near there within a few seconds after the splash and you got yourself a fish. We kept telling each other that we have to be ready for it! We both knew that if that happened and we hooked up, it was going to be a highquality fish. About half-way through the day we pulled into an area that would produce good fish for us in the afternoon. This area had it all, structure, weeds, shoals, points and most importantly good schools of fish. As we were working the edges of a point we heard a splash pretty close behind us. I immediately made a cast with a weightless fluke to within a foot of the splash. Instantly I felt a tap and I blurted a “fishon” as I set the hook hard. My rod loaded up then returned to normal as the line went slack. My heart sank as I realized we had just missed the opportunity we had been hoping for. Matt fired his Skitterpop into the vicinity but there were no takers. The school that was there decided to add insult to injury and follow him back to the boat though. Every last one of the fish in the school were dandy’s. I didn’t know what happened, did my super line break? Did my knot come undone? As I inspected the end of my line I noticed the knot was just fine as it was still there! The line didn’t fail nor did the knot fail. The hook failed, well sort of. Truth be told, the hook was just fine it’s just that it didn’t work with that thin of line. Let me explain. The super line was 8 pound diameter and the hook was a 5/0 worm hook. The eye on this size of a hook doesn’t make a tight connection back to the shank on the hook. So, there ends up being a small gap in the eye of the hook. With large diameter line, it doesn’t matter, but with smaller diameter lines it can actually get stuck in there. With a no stretch line and a load on the end of the line, something has got to give. And that is what happened. The knot got stuck in there and when I set the hook it just popped out. It actually happened a lot to me where the knot would get caught. After that incident I found myself checking it after every cast. There has got to be a better way. My solution was to jam a rubber strand into the eye to reduce the ability of the line to move into the void of the hook eye. It worked but wasn’t perfect. Another work around was to tie a 14 to 20 pound monofilament leader onto the end of the super line. This end is then tied to the hook. This solves the dilemma by using thicker line and also adds a little stretch which can help sometimes when you set the hook close to the boat. But when you catch a lot of the fish at the end of your cast you want to be able to set the hook as good as you can. was how to decide whether it was better to incorporate finesse techniques or triggering techniques when the walleye bite is tough. In this situation the rule for which technique to choose doesn’t change. If walleyes are bunched up tightly on the structure than use a finesse approach. If the fish are spread out or suspended use a presentation where you can cover water. The big difference when the bite is tough is how good your bait is or how you rig the lure to be more appealing to a fish in a negative feeding mood. On a tough bite with finesse approach the livelier the bait the better chance of a bite. Weak worms, or limp leeches won’t do the trick. You need to feed those walleyes something that has some appeal to it. You can increase your chances with a finesse approach by using quality bait. On a triggering approach where you want to move faster and cover some ground consider adding some meat to the lure. On a crankbait thread a half a nightcrawler on the front treble hook. I’ve also had good luck tipping that front hook with a piece of Northland Impulse Plastic. This stuff really works. On a spinner rig use a heavier bottom bouncer and a bigger blade. One of my tricks on the fast moving spinner rig is to use a nightcrawler harness with three hooks and put a small leech on each hook. This can really trigger bites. My favorite question of them all was whether I ever get tired of chasing walleyes, bass, pike, panfish and salmon all over the world. That’s a simple answer. NEVER Therefore, zero stretch is still the key for me. Good hooks are also key. There are options today to alleviate the issue that plagued me in the past. VMC addressed the issue head-on by offering a resin closed eye on their worm hooks. This little addition to the eye is cheap insurance to a potential big issue. No more worries about line slip through, just worry about feeling for bites. Nobody likes to lose fish. Use whatever size superline you want (such as Sufix 832), no matter how thin it is. Then set the hook with confidence. Get the net....its a Big One! Steve Mattson Is A Professional Bass Angler And Fishing Guide In The Grand Rapids, MN Area. For More Information Go To www. mattsonangling.com . Fishing Questions and Answers By Gary Roach I do a bunch of seminars every year as usual; I get asked some good questions by audience members. I always love getting questions because it helps me to realize what is on the minds of anglers as they begin to formulate their game plans for the coming season. I thought I would share some of the insights with you. Anglers are wondering what kind of impact the underwater viewing camera is going to have on their walleye fishing in open water. I believe the camera can be a tremendous factor when fish are on the structure and here’s an example to show why. Using a Lowrance HD Sonar, we spotted fish that were holding tight to bottom. Many types of sonar can’t “see” fish this tight to bottom. The power of Lowrance can. Down went the live-bait rig with a leech, two passes later we didn’t have a good bite. Here’s where the camera is a real asset. Dropping down the camera we saw that the fish weren’t walleyes, but suckers and small perch. Without the camera we would spent a lot more unproductive time on these fish and the results would have been less time finding and catching what fish we were after. Another example that shows how a camera can put you onto fish is where you have a big sand bar and nothing shows up on sonar. You drop the camera down and as the boat is drifting over the bar you suddenly spot a few walleyes here and there they’re spread out over the sand but holding tight to the bottom. Mark that spot on the Lowrance GPS. Now the fish are spread out so a bottom bouncer and a spinner with a nightcrawler harness will let you cover some ground, keep the bait near the bottom where the fish are, and even though you can’t see the fish on the screen, you know they’re there. You could also troll crankbaits through these fish and that will generate bites. Another concern from anglers who I visited with 10 Jerry’s Warehouse Liquor 1509 NW 4th Street, Grand Rapids, Minnesota 218-326-1229 • [email protected] OPEN Monday - Saturday 8am to 10pm We reserve the right to limit quantities. No additional discounts on sale items. TWO NEW MODELS! Jerry’s Warehouse Coupon Excludes Sale & Clearance Items. One coupon per person. 10% OFF A life time of Walleye fishing is a whole lot of Walleye. Not only do the Jason Mitchell Walleye Series of high performance rods boast a lifetime warranty, these rods were built with a purpose. 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UpNorthSummerAd_Layout 1 2/15/2012 6:23 PM Page 1 CLAMOUTDOORS.COM www.jerryswarehouseliquors.com Wheelers Point Resort Where the famous Rainy River enters legendary Lake of the Woods Lake of the Woods Baudette, MN • Waterfront Cabins • Marina & Dock Slips • RV Camping • Golf Course nearby • Waterfront Bar & Dining • Charter Walleye Fishing • Entertainment • Package Plans • Meal Plans www.WheelersPoint.com 1.800.542.2435 • Boat Rentals •Pontoon Rentals 11 3-D Walleyes By Ted Takasaki and Scott Richardson It would be easy for anglers to fall victim to the notion that the watery world below is two-dimensional. The water’s surface is flat. Lake and river maps are flat. Your sonar screen is flat. But down below, the bottom consists of peaks and valleys just like the dry world above. Changes in bottom contours are called structure and understanding how structure affects fish behavior is the key to angling success. The trick is to train our minds to translate two-dimensional images from a map, your sonar screen, or GPS into mental images with three dimensions. A technique called visualization can help you with this task. Many professional athletes have used visualization within their respective sports. When Tiger Woods lines up a putt, he “sees” himself stroking the ball, follow the breaks, and watches it roll into the cup. When Michael Jordan played basketball, he saw himself hitting nothing but net time after time. Fishermen can practice the same method by taking information from the tools they have to visualize every subtle break and fishholding feature below the boat. The importance of this skill cannot be stressed too much in the case of walleyes. Walleyes that relate to structure are catchable fish. With the exception of spring spawn, they are there most of the year for just one reason – to eat. Walleyes which are suspended in open water are often there one day and gone the next. On the other hand, walleyes lurking on a point or hump will take up residence as long as food is handy and weather is stable. Fish utilize the breaklines on structure as migration paths and will often congregate where the breakline makes slight changes along the way. This is the 10 percent of the water which often holds 90 percent of the fish. Your challenge is to understand where those contact points are and how to fish them. But how many of us take the time to analyze our favorite fishing holes in order to understand why they produce time and time again? Think of one of your best spots. How is it shaped? Where are the points, the sub-points off the main point, and the inside turns? Some of these are known as the ”spot-ona-spot” and each one may hold fish. What is the bottom composed of? Is the grey line on the bottom of your sonar screen thick, which indicates hard bottom, or thin which means a soft bottom? Transition areas from hard to soft can offer a variety of food for fish to eat, so they stay. Same is true for other changes on the bottom, such as places were pea gravel meets larger rocks. them, fish the “something different” - the hard to soft bottom areas, the turns, the points, the weed patches, or the rock piles. Each one may prove to be a fish magnet. One of the most important tools of structure fishermen is a contour map. A map and an understanding of Rigging your boat with useful electronics gives you the tools it takes to ‘see’ how the bottom of the lake lays out. But it’s up to you to learn to use sonar, maps, and other tools well. Here, Ted Takasaki is looking things over with the help of his Humminbird sonar and GPS mapping device. Another unit is mounted in the bow, where he often fishes. Where are other features? Are there weeds? How is the weedline shaped? The weedline’s points and turns are important fish locators for the same reason structural points and turns are. They hold fish. Where do weeds change from one kind to another? This often signals a subtle change in the bottom content. Practice “seeing” every detail in your mind. Just like having x-ray vision, you should eventually be able to use your tools to look down and “see” the structure. Once you can visualize seasonal movements can eliminate unproductive water fast. The closer the contour lines, the sharper the break is. Weedlines or mid lake humps are productive during the summer, but deep and sharper structure breaks are good in the in fall. Be aware of changes in wind direction which will push plankton and pursuing baitfish to one side of the lake or the other. The need for good electronics, like a Humminbird 1199, is critical to the process. Once on the water, use your sonar and GPS to of a point or hump. In the case of mid-lake humps, try motoring over and around it to locate the top. Toss out marker buoys at critical spots to help visualize what lies below. Using a jig or a bottom bouncer with a live-bait rig are also great tools to learn more about what lies below. Start fishing with quick presentations to cover water and find aggressive fish. Nothing? Go progressively slower. Use your bowmounted trolling motor to move along the break from shallow, down the edge to the base and back up again. Keep a 45-degree angle between your line and water’s surface. Pay attention to what your jig or rig is telling you about the bottom content. They will telegraph details like the position of small gravel or rocks on a soft bottom, where weedlines starts, etc. If unsure about what you sense through the rod, an underwater camera can confirm what you are fishing. Note the depth and particular kind of structural element when you begin to contact fish. Use the map to find similar spots. The goal is to discover a productive pattern including structure type, depth and presentation. Don’t fish blind. Practice visualizing structure, and see your success soar. A New Concept for Spring Walleye’s By Marianne Huskey As this long drawn out bitter cold winter has us all longing for open water, each one of us has thoughts about where and when we will be able to get out in our boats for the spring walleye bite. This winter season has brought ice depths to a point that most of us have not seen in years. These thick iced up rivers and lakes could cause a problem when the temperatures do finally start to warm up. As the ice begins to melt I will be getting the itch to take my boat out and will make multiple trips to the boat landing hoping that I can give the “all clear” to launch and begin the open water season. After the winter we have had I may not be in the boat for a while. So before I actually drop the boat in I will start to “Shore Troll” for walleyes. Yes! That is trolling from the shore line or river bank. With currents running faster than in midsummer this is the best opportunity to catch some nice walleyes with your favorite crank baits. The following are my picks for gear and tackle. • 2 or 3 trolling rods with line counter reels: The Vendetta Line Counter Series 8’6” by Abu Garcia and the Alphamar LC line counter by Abu Garcia. • 10 lb. Monofilament line: Berkley’s Trilene Big Game 10 lb. test monofilament green in color. • Dura snaps or true lock snaps: Mini Planner Boards: Off Shore Tackle Mini Boards (OR34).This board comes with one OR10 (yellow) clip. I suggest adding one OR16 (red) clip. • Crank Baits: Matzuo Kinchou Minnow size 7,9,11 with colors choices being Chromatic Sunrise, Natural Perch, Tiger Perch, Churple and Glass Cosmo. When you are making a selection for your crank bait make sure that you are familiar with the water depths in the river you are fishing. If the depths range from 5’ to 7’ you will want to choose smaller crank bait or one that will have less of a dive curve such as the Kinchou #7. If you are fishing a river that has a nice drop from the bank with depths ranging from 10’ to 15’ you may want to use the Kinchou 9 or 11. Continued on Page 13 12 Lake Winnibigoshish Resort Area LODGING DIRECTORY 1. Becker’s Resort Dixon Lake "Secluded Location, Open For Great Fishing Winter & Summer" 218-665-2268 www.beckersresort.com 3 2. Bowen Lodge "Great Family Resort? Or Fishing Paradise?" 800-331-8925 www.bowenlodge.com To Squaw Lake 3. Dixon Lake Resort "Quality air-conditioned theme cabins on a secluded, great fishing lake." To Sand Lake 4 800-362-7298 www.dixonlakeresort.net 46 Cut Foot Sioux 4. Eagle Nest Lodge 2 "Warning! May Be Habit Forming" 800-356-3775 www.eaglenestlodge.net 5. Four Seasons Resort Lake Winnibigoshish "Ultra Deluxe Cabins Overlook Mississippi River and Big Winnie" 800-525-0457 www.fishingwinnie.com 6. High Banks Resort 1 7. Denny’s Resort "Year Around Fishing on Lake Winnibigoshish, Where Guests Become Lifelong Friends." 5 13 11 8 46 9 9 Wi nn ie 800-365-2560 www.highbanks.com 12 Mississippi River We st "Spacious Lodge, Bar/Dining Area, Open Year Round" 6 Little Winnie Ro ad 2 Bemidji 30 miles 2 10 7 Bena 218-665-2222 or 218-256-2196 www.dennysresort.com 46 Grand Ra pids 30 m iles 2 Deer River 8. Little Winnie Resort & Campground 10. Nodak Lodge 12. Tamarack Lodge "Pool, Seasonal Campground, Cabins" "Lots of Space, Great View and Year Around Fishing" "Excellent Fishing, Winter Sports and Lifelong Memories." 9. McArdle’s Resort 11. Northland Lodge 13. Winni-B-Gosh Dam Place "Cabins, Harbor, Food, Launch Service & Guides" "Your Favorite Family Resort On The Fishermen's Favorite Lake." “Friendly Atmosphere, Great Food" 218-246-8202 www.goshdamplace.com 800-346-8501 www.littlewinnie.com 800-535-2398 www.mcardlesresort.com 800-752-2758 www.nodaklodge.com 800-272-2338 www.northlandlodge.com 866-494-7325 www.tamarack-lodge.com World Class Fishing! Summer Sports! Family Recreation! Visit our new website at www.lakewinnie.net 13 A New Spin On Old Techniques By Brewer-Agre Outdoors The slip sinker live bait rig, commonly referred to as a Lindy Rig, has been around for many, many years. This time tested technique for presenting live bait to hungry walleye has accounted for millions of smiling anglers and live wells filled with fish bound for the frying pan. It allows the angler to present any type of live bait in a very precise and natural manner in front of the walleye. The rig itself is very simple, consisting of some type of sliding weight on the main line, which is then attached to a swivel. On the other end of the swivel, a monofilament leader of 2-10 feet with a plain hook is attached. Most walleye anglers seem to prefer Octopus hooks in sizes #2 or#4 for minnows, #4 or #6 for night crawlers, and #6 or #8 for leeches. Rod choice is generally a 6’ 6” or 7’ medium or medium light, quality spinning rod which provides plenty of sensitivity for those light bites. this system. The Quick Swap slip weight system is very simple. A plastic connector slides into the top of a piece of tubing and the top of a bowling pin shaped weight slides into the bottom of the tubing. The connector has a large slot that allows the weight to flow freely through it, and since it is manufactured from plastic, it won’t damage your line like many of the standard slip weight that have either steel or lead rubbing directly on the line. To install the connector on the line, gently pull the connector out of the tubing until a slit appears on the connector. Slid the connector on the line and then push it back in the tube, covering the slit and preventing it from coming off. Another application would be to push the connector all the way in the tube which will “peg” the sinker allowing use as a fixed weight. To change weight sizes, which range from 1/8 ounce to large 2 ounce, all you need to do is pull off the old size from the bottom of the connector and slide on the new size. Quick and easy. Besides the ability to change sizes quickly, you can install the entire system without retying. This is the only dual exchange sinker system on the market today. As Wing-it creator E.B. Christensen likes to put it, “Less time rigging means more time fishing”. Another advantage is the ability to “un-plug” the weights while traveling from spot to spot, preventing damage to your valuable fishing rods from the weight banging into the shaft. Before using this product, I had 3 rigging rods tied up at all times with 3 different weights, not anymore. I can now use the same rod for all weight sizes. That is until recently, when a revolutionary new product hit the market. The Wing-It “Quick Swap” sinkers open a new door to the versatility of a slip sinker rig with interchangeable weights that can be “Quick Swapped” in mere seconds. The first time I was introduced to the Quick Swap weight system was during a FLW Tour event on Leech Destiny Brewer with a few Wing-It Bobber crappies Lake. Many of the Pro’s were With most new fishing attachment device as the utilizing these weights during innovations, the pricing almost sinkers, adding yet another pre-fishing due to their quick always is higher than the component to this versatile change capability. With the competing products. This is system. DNR regulated slot limit on not the case with the “Quick Whether you’re a casual Leech, all walleyes between Swap” weight system. While weekend angler or a full time 18” and 26” must be released. being very reasonably priced, Walleye Pro like those on the This created a situation where (nearly 50% as much as FLW Tour, anytime you can most of the tournament other weight systems in some gain a competitive advantage contestants spent a large cases), there is nothing on the over the other fisherman, part of each day looking for market that is more versatile. or better yet the fish, it will “over’s”, walleyes over 26”, on More features at a lower cost, translate to more fish in the the steep drop-offs in Walker it is unquestionably a win-win boat. I better call my wife and Bay. The technique of choice situation. The Wing-It “Quick have her turn on the frying was using an old fashioned Swap” products can be ordered pan; I’m going to be bringing slip sinker rig-sliding weight, on line at www.wingitfishing. home fresh walleye for dinner. 3-6 foot leader, a large octopus com or purchased at many hook, and a very large chub. The Quick Swap slip-weights really shined in this type of application. Depending on the spot, anglers were fishing in 20’, 30’ 40’ of water or even deeper. These weights made changing depths painless, not only helping the Pro’s maximize their time, but by helping them make the right decisions on the water. The Quick Swap system contributed greatly to their success, giving many who used them a place in the top 20. Since that tournament, I have experienced 144 SE 17th Street, Grand Rapids MN www.timberlakelodgehotel.com the same results 218.326.2600 [email protected] many times using Timberlake Lodge There are as many variations in this technique as there are lakes in walleye country. Many of these variations come from innovative manufacturers developing components, which improve the performance of the rig. For an ultra finesse presentation, using a fluorocarbon leader such as Berkley Vanish and the neutrally buoyant Aquateko Invisa-Swivel can greatly improve your presentation. The walking sinker and egg sinkers have long been the standard for slip sinkers. sporting goods stores and bait shops. “Quick Swap” weights come in 50 piece kits, 2 piece carded packs and some bait shops have them in bulk allowing purchase of individual components. The revolutionary Wing-it “Quick Swap” slip bobbers and bottom bouncers are also available through these same outlets and utilize the same 14 L A K E *Family Friendly! *Guided Launch Trips *Nightly Bonfire and S’more’s Bar *Live Entertainment *Full Dining and Bar *We can host/cater your big event! 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Early season smallmouth fishing is something I dream about all winter long and it’s the first species I chase after the Ice goes off the lakes sometime in mid April. 7-10 days after ice out I head out to a lake near Fergus Falls, MN that has a 21” slot on smallmouth. This means it’s all catch and release with the exception of one fish over 21 inches or bigger. The rest have to be released. That’s a good thing for a serious bass fisherman like myself because I believe bass are a sport fish and should be released regardless of size. I usually start my efforts on sharp inside corners where these fish wintered at. Current is a big key if it exists, fist sized rocks on hard bottom shorelines are a plus for the smallmouth’s cruising the shallow rock flats. Saddles that connect with another type of structure are also great areas to search for early season smallmouth. It could be a rock spine that connects to a weed line or scattered boulders with sand. Hey it’s always something just a little bit different. I comb the water with my 798 Humminbird with side imaging and zig zag depths anywhere from 2-12 feet of water. I do this until I find flats that have scattered boulders with some scattered patches of weeds and little contour changes like inside corners or a sharp drop off. From experience it seems like the best flats have scattered rocks instead of rock on top of rock. Once I locate these bronze backs I like to power fish and see what the fish are willing to bite. If it’s windy Rapala Shad Raps are a known secret in the bass world and produce fish all season long. The absolute best water temps range from 43-53 degrees. That’s where they shine. The number 5 and 7 Shad Raps are my first choice with their slow wide wobble and turn much like the Rapala original floating minnow. I will throw these baits on spinning reels versus bait casting reel. I believe you have a lot more control over the bait especially if it’s windy and you get a longer cast versus a bait casting combination. My rod of choice for this presentation is a 7 ft med with a soft tip. A longer rod and soft tip is key when setting the hook at long distances and it also gives you the ability to make a longer cast. Most important, you won’t throw the hooks nearly as much if you were you using a shorter rod with a stout tip. Line of choice is simple; I prefer suffix 832 braid 10 lb test with a fluorocarbon leader. What that gives you with the braid is sensitivity and longer casts. The fluorocarbon gives you a little bit of stretch so you can still get a good hook set on those fish. Shallow diving crank baits like a Rapala DT 4 and DT 6’s are also good options for covering water. If you’re dealing with windy conditions that Minnesota is known for, jerk baits and spinner baits are at the top of list. Flash and vibration over rock flats and windswept points are sure to get their attention when other presentations simply won’t. As we switch gears if you find yourself in calm conditions you’re in luck. I’ve had the best luck catching big brown bass in calm conditions vs. windy. On calm spring days for some reason they seem to bite much better. You will hear anglers say get on the windy structures like I stated earlier and that’s fine if you want to throw spinner baits and jerk baits. But for soft plastics and jigs find the calm structures they are on. After I’m done with my initial search using power fishing techniques I will slow down and work these structures thoroughly with jigs and soft plastics. My favorite delivery system is a vmc 1/8 to a 1/2 ounce half moon jig head with a trigger x flapping grub. The most subtle would be the tube and a curly tail grub would be at the other end of the spectrum. This bait seems to fit somewhere in between and it’s an action they haven’t seen much of and they absolutely love it. Sometimes I will cut the tail and you will get more tail action and it’s not only for small mouths, largemouths love them too. A simple 6’6 med rod with a fast tip is my rod of choice spooled with 10lb siege mono with a 10lb fluorocarbon leader about 12-15 inches in length. Last but not least when all else seems to fail a hair jig is my go to weapon. A lot of bass anglers don’t think of a hair jig for bass but I’ve personally have seen when hair jigs will out fish crank baits, spinner baits, etc… Smallmouth are almost like walleyes in the sense they can be very moody. You can fish a structure and you would swear there is no fish there. Throw a hair jig and really slow it down, change you’re casting angles and bingo it’s one after another. It’s an amazing tool that that should be kept in your tackle box. If the water is clear I stick with black and white and when the water is stained brighter gaudy colors seem to be the ticket. Hey I hope this will help you put a few more smallmouth in the boat this year. Just remember in spring a water temperature gauge and being mobile is key. Try different spots and new lures, it will improve your fishing big time! I hope to see you on the water this season, Stay safe! A New Concept for Spring Walleye’s Continued from Page 11 Color options are important in the spring. Pay close attention to the water color and clarity. With warmer temperatures the snow will create water to run off into the rivers and will muddy up or create less visibility. Under these muddy water conditions you want to stick to brighter colored crank baits with a rattle. Don’t underestimate the black colored crank bait. It is easier to see underwater than you would think. After you have chosen your crank bait you can use your line counter reel letting the appropriate amount of line out to allow your bait to dive close to the bottom. Most spring time river walleyes are in the bottom 3’ of the water column. Once you determine the amount of line to let out you can clip on the Off Shore Mini Planner board using the red clip in front and the yellow clip in back and let the current do the rest. Make sure to slowly let line out so that the board can work against the current. Once you have established your distance from shore you can set up another rod if your local regulations allow more than one fishing rod. When a fish takes the bait the Mini Board will swing out deeper, swing towards shore or dip under the water. So be sure to keep a close eye on your Off Shore Boards. Reel in the line and take the board off first then the fish. This technique works for other species such as trout, salmon and crappie. For those of us who have spent time shore fishing you know that on many occasions you cannot cast far enough or can see the sweet spot but just can’t get your bait to it. Try “Shore Trolling” For more information on the products that I use visit the following web sites. www.matzuo.com www.OffShoreTackle.com www.abugarcia.com www.berkley-fishing.com 16 90% 2:41 PM 90% 2:41 PM Demo the RARE PRIVATE LAKESHORE LOT ON BIG WINNIE With most of the lake shore on "Big Winnie" government owned, privately owned vacant building lots with lake frontage on Winnie are exceptionally rare. Located in the upscale neighborhood of Judd's West Winnie, this lot is mostly level with gorgeous views, excellent sandy bottom frontage, towering pines and paved roads. You will also enjoy the convenience of owning your own deeded boat slip in the nearby protected harbor. app right now. Everything needed for a successful fishing outing is provided at the harbor, including boat ramp, lights, 24/7 gas pumps,electrical outlets, fish cleaning facilities and lockers. Owner financing is available to a well qualified buyer. .com CONTACT: Tom B. Johnson, CRS, GRI Owner/Agent 218-820-0234 17 FAMILY FISHING TOURNAMENT The Itasca County, Minnesota Chapter of Lets Go Fishing With Seniors (LGFWS), and the Boiler Makers Union – Local 647 –have banded together to put on the 1st Annual Family Fishing Tournament on July 19th, 2014. This is a Family Team Fishing Tournament. Each Team will consist of 1 Adult (over 18), and 1 or 2 Youth (under 18). This Family Event will be held on Pokegama Lake at the Tioga Beach Park and Access out of Grand Rapids, MN. There will be 4 Divisions of Species of Fish for the Tourney. There will be 3 prizes awarded in each of the 4 Divisions. There will be a Northern Pike Division, a Bass Division, a Crappie Division, and a Sunfish Division. The prizes in each of the 4 Divisions will be as follows: 1st Place: Trolling Motor. 2nd Place: $300 Rod and Reel Package. 3rd Place: $50 Tackle Package All contestants will receive a Logo T-Shirt for the Tournament. If this Tournament has to be cancelled on the 19th due to weather, the backup date is Sunday, July 20th. There will be an Inspection of Participants Boats prior to the Tournament. Please have your livewell lids open, a throwable flotation device, proper lifejackets, and your fire extinguisher visible. Preregistration is encouraged due to limited space. The entry fee is $30.00 per boat. LGFWS is a non-profit organization which provides free pontoon cruises and fishing trips for Senior’s, Handicapped, Veterans, and Youth. LGFWS will be using the monies from this event to help in purchasing a new pontoon in the spring of 2015. Their current pontoon will have logged over 670 trips and more than 2000 hours by the end of its 7th year (2014). Anyone interested in being involved in our sponsor program for this Tourney can contact the folks below. Any questions regarding this Family Tournament can be addressed to Barb at [email protected] Bev at [email protected] Or 218-256-7958 Contributed by Stephen & Brenda Picht NPAA #’s 514 & 513 LET’S GO FISHING AND BOILERMAKERS LOCAL #647 1ST ANNUAL FISHING TOURNAMENT SATURDAY, JULY 19TH, 2014 POKEGAMA LAKE TIOGA BEACH RULES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Max 3 person team. A team consists of 1- Adult 18 years+ and 1-2 youth under 18. Proof of age may be required. All Minnesota and United States Coast Guard regulations apply, anyone caught breaking these regulations may be disqualified. Registration and rules review will take place at Tioga Beach Pokegama Lake registration- 7:00-7:45 rules review-7:45-8:15 Livewell and boat inspection will take place from 8:15-8:45 at the main dock and every team’s boat must be operational. Fishing hours will be from 9am-3pm starting by a trickle start any team arriving late may be disqualified Fishing areas on Pokegama Lake are as follows west of HWY 169 bridge and not beyond Jay Gould buoy There will be 4 categories of fish northern, crappie, bass, and sunfish and 3 places in each category. Each team to submit one fish in each category for placement. Prizes will be awarded in order of the heaviest fish per category. In case of tie a drawing will determine placement. In order to be eligible for prizes each team must return and report to dock at Tioga beach no later the 3pm. The judges will determine all penalties Everyone MUST wear their life jackets at all times. A group photo will be taken at the end of the championship. The judges decision will be final. All entries not necessarily accepted and a 20% overbook may be accepted. If contest needs to be rescheduled due to weather rescheduling date is the next day Sunday, July 20th, 2014. all proceeds go to Itasca Chapter of Let’s Go Fishing Limited space available to ensure your spot register early 18 The Walleye Inn Motel is a guest-friendly motel located in Baudette, MN, Gateway to Lake of the Woods, known for it's superb fishing all year round. The Rainy River offers the best spring and fall open water walleye fishing in the state. "Fish where the pro's fish!" The Walleye Inn Motel is located on the west edge of town, right on the main Highway 11 that runs through town. Miles of groomed snowmobile trails and paved walking track are nearby. 18 hole, golf course, par 72 is only 6 miles away. There is also shopping, restaurants and a movie theater nearby. Our rooms are clean, comfortable and we offer a continental breakfast. In Baudette for business, visiting family, fishing, or just to getaway? Let the Walleye Inn Motel provide and inviting, relaxing atmosphere to stay. Relax and enjoy our beautiful area! www.walleyeinn.com Toll Free: 1-888-634-5944 Email: [email protected] Walleye Inn Motel Highway 11 West Baudette, Minnesota 56623 19 Getting Nowhere Fast! By Ron Anlauf There comes a time when you just have to stay put, especially if you’re trying to put a hurt on a boat full of walleyes, work a bedded bass, or maybe keep chucking a bait at a monster musky. In this fast paced world of run and gun techniques and chasing down active fish; there are times when you might fly right on by the best thing going which might not be going anywhere all! Anchoring up or dropping the hook is what we’re really talking about which can be the perfect method for extracting fish when you’ve got them pinned down. Likely “pinned down” hop spots include rocky reefs and weed flats in natural lakes, timber and weed flats in freaks of nature like Devil’s Lake in North Dakota, and wing dams in bigger rivers. The common denominator in all of the above is that you’re likely to find smaller specific spots where most of the biters are holed up. When it happens you can really cash in if you concentrate your time and effort on the “spot on the spot”. It’s also where anchoring up comes in to play which allows you to give a spot your undivided attention. Conventional anchoring methods include dropping an anchor upwind and then letting out rope and drifting back until you end up where you had hoped to be. It works but takes a little time (maybe a lot) to get proficient at it and there is still the matter of “swing”. Swing happens when the wind moves your boat back and forth and could be thirty feet or more in total when you have a lot of rope out. The answer might be dropping another anchor on a short rope but that can be a hassle and you run the risk of spooking fish if you have to drop it in the middle of your hotspot. Unconventional anchoring comes in the form of high tech electric trolling motors like the Minn Kota Terrova with Spot Lock that uses Global Positioning to stay put as well as the latest and hottest equipment like the Minn Kota Talon which is simply a pole that is deployed with the push of a button and stays in contact with the bottom. Pole type anchors were originally developed for salt water anglers fishing shallow flats who wanted to stay put and cast to their quarry. Bass anglers picked up on it and starting using it with much success and the “bottom stickers” have become the norm for the best equipped boats. In fact; many are now using two pole type anchors to keep them positioned exactly where they want to be. Even walleye anglers have seen the need and why professional angler Mark Courts of Harris, Minnesota has at least one Talon mounted on his big twenty-one foot Ranger at any given time. Mark on staying put: “Early in the season there are many times when we find walleyes stacked up in the weeds and the spot where the fish come from might be as big as a bread box. By dropping the Talon I can stay right on the spot and really work it over and make the most of the situation. I’ll even pull my kicker off the boat and mount up another Talon in its place when the shallow fish are really going. Even with a pole type anchor on the transom you can still get a small amount of swing and the extra Talon really pins it down. The two pole setup is perfect for the working the front of wingdams especially if there’s a blowout where walleyes can really stack up. And with the new three-stage twelve foot Talon you can now effectively fish in even deeper water and really opens up the opportunities for use. I’ll use the Talon to hold me in perfect position while casting out of the front of the boat. Up front there’s no engine to worry about getting into when you do hook up with a big fish. Same thing goes for musky anglers who want to stay put and work out of the front of the boat. You can hook up, hang on, and have fewer obstructions to worry about. When I do get into water too deep for the Talon I’ll switch over to the Terrova and use the “Spot Lock” feature to take over the boat control.” You wouldn’t think a pole that sticks straight up down would be that effective and be durable enough to take the strain and abuse of holding a big boat like Mark’s in place but according to him the Talon is definitely up to the task. Mark on taking a beating: “The Talon is virtually indestructible and has a lifetime warranty on the fiberglass pole. It also has modes that react differently to bottom content and conditions. In the soft bottom mode it can sense contact and will only go so deep before stopping. In the rough water mode pressure is monitored and reacted to so it can stay in constant contact with the bottom.” See you on the water. spinnerbaits, small panfish jigs and an assortment of plastics. Like I said you never know what you will catch. For bait you can bring frozen minnows and worms. As anything you bring will probably be tipped over at some point so there is no reason to bring live bait. Another thing that can be very valuable is a 100’ chunk of rope for pulling the boat up the bank with the truck or ATV; it sure beats pulling it by hand. Most of these are more like ponds than lakes so don’t waste your time looking on lake maps or trying to find survey reports on them. Most of the time I will make a lap around the lake checking the depth and figuring out where the weed lines are. Then usually fish for an hour or two depending on the size of lake and move on to the next lake. Well I hope you get out on an adventure and have some great memories at the end of it with some pictures to look back on. And if people ask where you caught all the fish tell them Lake Wishuwerehere.... Back in the Sticks By Jamie Dietman Yes we live in Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes but so many people keep fishing the same old water day after day. Maybe we just get stuck in a rut or just do not want to waste precious time scouting new water. There are so many pristine lakes out there that don’t get fished it would be sad if you don’t see one of these in your lifetime. The only thing that is better than the view is the fishing on many of these hidden gems. Usually when fisherman head north they go to the big main lakes like Red Lake, Mille Lacs or Winnie. Meanwhile they are driving by hundreds of great bodies of water. Just because there is no concrete landing or waiting line doesn’t mean it isn’t loaded with fish. Some of these lakes are walk in only and some are accessible by 4wd truck. You might go to a few before finding one but when you do it is your new “secret spot”. Whatever species you like to fish for, there is a back in the sticks lake waiting for you. If you spend a little time with an atlas and a little searching on Google earth with in no time you will be on your way. Some of these lakes are loaded with eater Walleye and some have trophy potential. I have caught over 50 Walleyes one day and then next hooked 40” Northerns and 10” bluegills. The best part is maybe once have I seen another angler on the lake. If you can keep your lips sealed you will have great fishing for years but there are a few things you should do to improve your odds of keeping your secret. Try to fish during the week when there are not as many people roaming around and try to tread lightly. Nothing gives away a spot like tire ruts and broken branches on a shoreline. Being that sometimes you will be way back off the beating path and have no cell phone reception you will have to depend on yourself to get out of the woods. Be prepared to work cutting deadfalls out of the road or filling mud holes with logs and rocks. You should have a chainsaw or at least an axe, Hi-lift jack, tool kit and lots of bug spray and maybe some more bug spray. For equipment I like to have a lightweight 12’ aluminum boat and trolling motor, I am not much of a canoe guy. Also your winter electronics are very portable so they are perfect for these trips. Put together a small tackle assortment with spoons, 20 Relax, we take care of it all! *per person plus tax based on dbl occ 866-270-8655 www.fishing.sportsmanslodges.com Location and Lures for Largemouth and Smallmouth 21 By Travis Peterson Minnesota, like much of the Midwest, abounds with bass fishing opportunities. While largemouth are more plentiful and inhabit more bodies of water, smallmouth bass are present in increasing numbers. Habitats overlap to some degree and certain presentations will produce both. However, anglers targeting one or the other will increase their odds of success by considering the preferred habitat and diet of each. Lush Locations for Largemouth Largemouth bass are more comfortable in warmer water than smallmouth. As water temps increase each spring, largemouth will move to extreme shallows, eutrophic bays with soft bottom and abundant vegetation. There, sun and warming water sparks their metabolism after a long winter. Feeding is on the agenda initially, followed by the spawning ritual. Many will reside in those locals until fall, living amongst the lily pads, dollar pads, duck wart, cattails, wild rice, and other vegetation types that develop there. Bays are bass magnets for two reasons. Water temperature within them is almost always warmer than the main body of water, and the soft, fertile bottom produces abundant vegetation. In lakes that lack these shallow eutrophic sub-ecosystems, largemouth generally have a couple of shallow housing options. They can park next to or under hard cover such as boat docks or fallen trees, or they can reside within stands of bulrushes or reeds. In lakes that do not feature vegetated bays, largemouth will move deeper and typically spend the summer living amongst the most substantial weed-growth available. Flats that feature coontail and cabbage weeds are popular summer haunts. Largemouth will seldom roam beyond the deep weed-line, which in the clear lakes of the Minnesota, commonly runs in the 15-20’ range. Anglers looking for largemouth should investigate shallow bays first and work their way deeper, targeting the greenest pastures they can find. Firm Floor for Smallmouth While smallmouth also have a movement toward shallow water, their migration is typically triggered later, when water temps are optimal for spawning. Smallmouth tend to bed deeper than largemouth and on hard bottom areas. A male will often make its bed next to and on the south side of a boulder in 3-6’ of water. It will fan the sand away, exposing gravel. Like largemouth, male smallmouth will defend the spawning bed from predators until the fry hatch and move out of the nest. Smallmouth tend to retreat to deeper water shortly after the spawn. They will hang near sandy break-lines and on sunken humps, especially those that feature irregularities such as scattered boulders. Weeds will hold summer smallmouth as well, especially in hard bottom areas and on hot calm days. Anglers in search of smallmouth should target hard bottom areas. Largemouth Lunch Largemouth bass are opportunists and tend to remain within cover and ambush their prey. They strike quickly and avoid chasing prey for long distances. Forage commonly includes crawfish, bluegills, minnows, bugs, worms, leeches, frogs, and anything else if can fit in its big mouth, even baby ducks. Because largemouth live in vegetated areas, weedless lures that imitate forage that also lives among the underwater jungle, will produce. To replicate a frog or wounded baitfish skittering across the surface, I cast and retrieve a weed-less spoon like the Jaw-Breaker. To emulate a swimming baitfish, I cast and retrieve spinnerbaits. When mimicking a crawfish, I pitch a flipping jig and chunk. My favorite is the Jungle Jig with an Impulse Chunk. A Texas-rigged beaver-style bait like the Impulse Brush Beaver is also a popular choice and replicates a crawfish. These are proven largemouth tactics and I always have one of each rigged up when chasing largemouth. If I had one bait choice however, my pick would be an Impulse DipStick rigged un-weighted and weed-less on a 4/0 wide gap hook. Smallmouth Snacks Smallmouth love crawfish and will root them out of rocky terrain. However, they are also built more stream-lined than largemouth and can chase down their prey in open water. Their preferred forage of smelt, where present, hangs in deep, cool water, often suspended. Smallmouth will regularly feed in schools on these high energy morsels with disregard to the bottom. They will feed from below and chase baitfish upward, often pushing them right to the surface. Faster moving baits that represent a crawfish are good choices for smallmouth. I like crawfish colored crankbaits like Rapala’s DT6 and Storm’s new Arashi Square 5 and Flat 7. The trick with these is to bang them into the rocks where smallmouth live, as the deflecting baits trigger strikes. Minnow imitators that fool smallmouth include grubs and soft and hard jerk-baits. I’ve caught more smallmouth steadily swimming a 4” grub than with any other presentation. An Impulse Grub rigged on a ¼ ounce Northland Gami-Jig is simple but deadly. Finally, topwater lures are smallmouth magnets. I employ a number of Rapala baits that pop, walk, and propel across the surface and entice “through the roof” strikes from deeper water where smallmouth roam in search of smelt. Cranks, plastic grubs, and top-waters get the call when chasing smallmouth. While habitat and forage preferences overlap, largemouth and smallmouth generally prefer different living quarters and have unique appetites. If you are like me, you like to catch anything that pulls back. Generally though, I have a target species in mind. Considering habitat and diet differences of each will increase the chances of connecting with mossback largemouth or bronze-back smallmouth. Good luck bassin’ this season. 22 ABOVE ALL AUTO & TOWING 31630 Wille Road Hwy 2 East Deer River, MN 56636 218-246-9437 Hours: 7:00 – 7:00 M-F 7:00 – 1:00 p.m. Sat Closed Sunday Except for Towing We are a full service automotive & towing company Some of our services included are: FULL MECHANICAL SERVICE TIRE SALES & SERVICE WHEEL ALIGNMENT CUSTOM EXHAUST FLASH REPROGRAMMING AIR CONDITIONING 24 HOUR TOWING Whether you’re in your boat or on the ice, let us take care of your automotive needs while you try for the big one!!!!! ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED Lake of the Woods is a healthy, multi-species fishery with endless charter fishing opportunities. Walleye, sauger, crappies, small mouth bass, northern and more can be caught on Lake of the Woods. The continuous bite is sure to keep everyone engaged and entertained, so bring the whole family and let River Bend Resort help you create memories that will last a lifetime! People from all over the U.S. and Canada come to River Bend Resort not only for great fishing, but also for their famous Saturday night “all you can eat” fish fry. With our secret seasoning and the chef’s expertise at the grill, it is a tastebud’s delight. Enjoy all the walleye and fixins you can eat out at the picnic tables or inside the rustic dining room overlooking the Rainy River. www.riverbendresortlow.com Toll Free: 1-800-292-3084 Email: [email protected] River Bend Resort 3343 Red Oak Road NW Baudette, Minnesota 56623 23 Digging Walleyes From the Weeds By Matthew J. Breuer “How do you do that without getting snagged in the weeds?” I hear it all of the time. People assume that because I’m fishing deep in the middle of a weed-flat that I must be getting tangled up in masses of cabbage or coon-tail. I admit, sometimes it gets frustrating, and sometimes I reel in more green leaves than I do fish. However, it never fails, if I tinker around with enough techniques, eventually I find something seamless, and the fish seem to turn on. Below are a few techniques to try when the walleyes inhabit the thick weeds. Pitching Jigs Casting jigs is probably the most common way to cover weed beds. When using minnows, go with the lightest jig you can get away with. On a calm day, a 1/8oz. jig and minnow works great. If you’re dealing with some waves, or moving quickly across a vast weed bed, you may want to upsize to something like a 1/4oz. Another great tip is to use a standup style jig, like a Phelps Half-Faced Jig. Stand up jigs present your minnow and hook at a 45 degree angle. With the hook semi-upright, your chances of getting caught up in the weeds are much less likely. With the shank of the hook so upright, the minnow sits higher in the strike zone, much more visible than if it were buried in the forest floor. Cast the jig out, let it settle, and then jig the bait back to the boat, letting your bait hit bottom on occasion. Quick snaps of the rod tip can often trigger strikes. Getting Pushy There are times when you get so upset with the weeds, that you just want to ask something to swim through them, making a path for your bait to slide through… then you remember that you’ve got bottom bouncers in your tackle bag! Running a bottom bouncer in front of a crawler harness is a surefire way to get fewer messes and catch more fish. The 7” long bouncers work great for keeping your bait up off the bottom and for pushing enough water to separate the plants, allowing your crawler harness to burn through without getting caught up. Try to use as little weight as possible. Since you’re fishing the weed-beds, you’re likely going to be in less than 15’ of water, so lighter bouncers are needed. 3/8oz. seems to work well. Instead of a 6’ lead on your harnesses you can shorten them up by 1824”. Troll at higher speeds through the weeds, up to 3mph, this will allow your harness to get through the gap created by your bouncer before it closes, and will also trigger reaction bites from cruising walleyes. Slipping Past Them Slip-shot or shooter rigs work well in the weeds when casted. Thread on a bullet sinker above a swivel, and then attach a crawler harness or a short leader with a floating jighead. Be sure to put some air into your crawlers with a blower or needle allowing it to float when using a harness. When using a floater, you won’t need air as the floater will lift your bait for you. Leeches often work best with a floater. The bullet sinker will hit the weeds while retrieving the bait, allowing your spinner rig or floater to move through the weeds with ease. Lengthy casts allow you to cover large weed beds without spooking those shallow fish. Let your bait hit bottom, then start a steady retrieve back to the boat. Cranky Weeds If you find a large weed flat where the cabbage thins out toward the top, or the weeds only come up about ½ to ¾ of the way to the top, cranks will excel. Pulling or casting small baits with a tight wobble like the Salmo Hornet allow you to keep the bait up above the weeds, just tickling the tops. The size 4 Hornet’s run between 5 and 9 feet down; the perfect depth to be casted or trolled over large beds of cabbage weeds. If you’re dealing with fish that spook easily, you can even pull cranks on planer boards, to be sure you’re not running over the schools of fish. Floats or Corks Slip-bobbers are timetested, and they rarely fail. If you find walleyes in shallow and they’re buried in the thickest weeds you can find, a leech under a float will often times dig them out! A simple size 4 octopus hook with a leech is irresistible to walleyes during most of the summer. Add a split-shot about 12” above the hook, and hang it all under a cork and you’re in business. Try to keep the bait hanging within the bottom 3’ of the water column. Being in contact with the bottom isn’t necessary, as walleyes often suspend while chasing bait in the weeds. Go In After ‘Em Hopefully these methods make you more comfortable when chasing walleyes deep in the cabbage. Don’t get frustrated when you’re pulling weeds off your hooks. When you’re dealing with weeds, you’re dealing with baitfish, and if you’re dealing with baitfish, you’re dealing with walleyes! True North Reflections By Phill Hall Although it has been a particularly harsh winter, it has not stopped many of you from getting out on the ice and enjoying some cold water northern, perch, walleyes, or blue gills. While the winter fishing report has been good, I am looking forward to the open water with warmer temperatures. This time of year always makes me think back to the relationship that Jesus had with fishermen. A few thousand years after creation (Genesis 1 and 2) Jesus is on the scene and His ministry has begun. To whom does he call first to follow Him? He is walking by the Sea of Galilee and the first men that he invites to follow Him are Simon, also called Peter, and Peter’s brother Andrew. Both of these men are fishermen. One might have thought that the Messiah and coming King of kings would have started with the most affluent man in Israel or the most popular religious man in Israel but the Lord did not. He started by gathering fisherman. Why? I do not know for sure but a few things have come to mind. First, the most avid of fishermen I know have some kind of personal connection to their gear. Whether it is their boat (regardless of its age and condition), or their rods and reels, or their tackle, as fisherman we tend to build a bond with our gear. We talk to our boats, the lures or bait, and most frequently the fish. There is a deep respect of the sport amongst us and the thought of walking away from it is, for many of us, inconceivable. I have no reason to believe that this bond that we share with our gear was no different from the bond that Peter and Andrew shared with theirs. So what was so compelling about Jesus that would make them simply walk away? Matthew 4:18-22 gives us the account of their calling. “And walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And they immediately left the nets, and followed Him. And going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. And they immediately left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” One might think that they interpreted the invitation to mean that they would become renown in the fishing world and have sponsors and become famous. Now, while they were fishermen by trade, they were first Jews. As Jews, they were raised to know the Scriptures. They maybe could not put their finger on it but they knew that there was something special about Jesus. They dropped their gear, left their father and followed Him. The invitation of Christ is so compelling that it is hard to resist. While we sometimes cannot imagine leaving our gear for a higher calling, it would argue that maybe God is not asking us to. Is it possible that God has a call on your life and that call is to use your passion and knowledge of fishing to introduce others to Jesus; making you fishers of men (and women)? The call is to follow Continued on Page 27 24 90% 2:41 PM 90% 2:41 PM Demo the app right now. .com Walleye Fishing Goes High Tech, But Don’t Forget the Live Bait 25 By Brian ‘Bro’ Brosdahl There are a lot of high tech advantages for today’s walleye angler when compared to walleye anglers of the past. The boat, the outboard motor, the electronics, the rods, the trolling motors and even the bait containers are all critical components in helping Touring Pros and Professional Fishing Guides catch more walleyes. My 2014 621 Ranger with a 300 hp ETEC Evinrude is loaded to the gills with things that help me in all phases of walleye fishing. I have to be able to find the ‘’right fish”, then I have to stay on the fish while I figure out the most efficient way to catch them. It all starts out with my Humminbird 1198csi with Side-Imaging and front 360 Imaging. The LakeMaster map chips give me an accurate look at the topography of the lake, with depth highlighting features that help me refine my search for various types of fish holding areas. The side imaging and front 360 imaging features on my Humminbird give me a detailed look at the bottom, where I can see fish, weeds, rocks and all types of structures before I drive over them and potentially spook the fish. The MinnKota I-Pilot trolling motor gives me 101 pounds of thrust to hold my 21 foot Ranger in the roughest conditions. I can automatically follow any depth contour on my LakeMaster map or I can follow my pre-set trail to repeat trolling patterns. I can also hold my boat like an anchor on any fishy looking spot with “Spot-Lock”, simply by pushing a button on my remote control that hangs from a lanyard around my neck. I can control my boat from any position in the boat. I am free to stroll around the boat and land fish with my Frabill Conservation Series net or just stretch my legs and grab a sandwich without losing control of the boat. When most other anglers are blown off the lake, I am able to continue fishing in comfort, without struggling with boat control. Once I locate the fish, my St. Croix Legend Xtreme rods give me all the specific rod actions I need to do whatever presentation I want to use to catch walleyes or whatever species I am pursuing. The slim profiles and tangle-free guides let me fish all day long, with all the sensitivity I need to feel the lightest bites and all the strength I need to land the biggest fish. Even with all of the most modern equipment in the world, the bottom line is I have to be able to catch the fish I locate the winning fish. Many tournaments boil down to not only who finds the biggest fish, but also who has the best bait, to be able to get the most bites, even when fishing in a crowd. All the technology in the world won’t help me if I don’t have enough lively bait to get me through a long day of fishing. Time and time again, the most successful walleye anglers are the ones that are able to locate the best bait and keep it alive for several days of tournament fishing. Regardless of whether it is Spot Tail Shiners, Creek Chubs, Red Tail Chubs, Big Fatheads, Golden Shiners or Jumbo leeches, they all need to be kept cold and well oxygenated to be jumping out of the bucket and ready to go. The best bait sells out fast when the Pro walleye anglers come to town. The best bait is usually in limited supply and sold ahead of time to the anglers that are able to find the right bait dealers to get them their bait. I have often said to clients and co-anglers that “a good minnow is as close to a guaranteed bite as you will ever get.” The Frabill 1469 Aqua-Life Bait Station is my “go-to” bait container, whether I have several dozen fatheads for a perch guide trip or a full bucket of the biggest Chubs for a big money walleye tournament. The super quiet bubblers on the 1469 Frabill Bait Station run on D-Batteries or by plugging the adapter into the accessory panel in my boat. Invasive species regulations prevent anglers from using any lake water on their bait. Anglers have to bring well water and ice cubes with them in the boat, to be able to manage their bait properly. Only keep enough bait in the Frabill Bait Station that you are sure you can use and keep any extra bait packed in separate oxygen bags in a cooler that you don’t open until you need fresh bait. Please know the rules on transporting bait where you fish, a few dollars worth of minnows are not worth the risk infecting a lake or river. According to the Minnesota department of natural resources, 1999 through the present year class of walleyes is abundant and should provide quality fishing well into the future. Pelican is no small body of water. It weighs in at just over 8,253 acres with 22.7 miles of shoreline. Anglers will find no shortage of structure on Pelican. Reefs, sand bars, steep drops, or rock humps, pelican has it all. This is defiantly the “meat and potatoes” lake in the Brainerd area. Red tail chubs on jigs or rigs usually are found at the end of many lines for opener or all summer for that matter. Winnibigoshish Winnibigoshish Anglers who venture north to “Winnie” this year should be rewarded with plenty of walleyes in the harvest slot as well as a shot at some large female Walleyes. Slot limits set in place by the DNR and fast growth rates have kept the lake in prime condition over the past few seasons. With 58,544,00 acres of fishable water, opening day anglers should have no problem finding a spot away from the crowds. Winnie is full of typical walleye structure. She is full of rock piles, main lake flats, sandy tapering shorelines, and weed beds. When it comes to rigging my live bait to catch walleyes, I rely on Northland Tackle to provide all the tackle I need. I simply love the Gami Jigs with their ultra sharp Gamakatsu hooks and the UV paintjobs on the jig heads. Sometimes a simple Roach Rig is the presentation of choice for live bait, whether I am using a big lively minnow or a huge leech. Other times I rely on one of Northland’s spinner rigs and a night crawler to catch all the walleyes I need. If you are looking for a guided trip for walleyes in the Grand Rapids, Cass Lake, Walker or Bemidji area please check me out at www.brosguideservice.com. Lots of Options By Brad Hawthorne Here we are again, at the threshold of another Minnesota Fishing opener. Some anglers call this “amateur day” with a smirk, and opt to throw in the towel and stay home. Others, however, smile at the challenge while thinking about battling traffic and crowded lake accesses. We hook up the trailer with boat loads of determination, never looking back....unless for some chance a net or life jacket flies out of the boat. Such sacrifices are necessary. We know it, and we would never change a thing about it. We are, after it’s all said and done, fanatical hard core fisherman who will brave crowded landings, congested community fishing holes, swarming bait shops, and long lines of traffic just for the shot at Minnesota gold; the walleye. We are the reason Opening Fishing was created in this great state. A long standing tradition for family and friends alike, this is, for some, “the best day of the year,” and will kick off 5-6 months of the best Minnesota has to offer. Choosing the “go to” lake can be tough. With all of the choices, it’s no wonder a few anglers are left thumbing though paper maps, “googling” certain bodies of water, and for the internet savvy crowd (that’s you), searching fishing forums for the slightest hint of where to go. So lets take a look at a few great opener lakes in Minnesota Brainerd MN, Pelican Lake Pelican lake has received walleye stocking for a number of years. Continued on Page 25 26 (218) 246-9630 Open 7 Days A Week 38499 State Hwy 46 Deer River, MN 56636 Winnie One Stop is under new ownership . . . Winnie Trading Post "New Owners" Ryan & Salli Fox Licenses Fishing Tackle Convenience Store Fresh Live Bait Groceries Lottery Tickets Gas Propane Full Line Off Sale Liquor Store Best Selection of Bait & Tackle on Winnie Get out of the Cold, Utilize a Jigging Rap Year Round 27 By Jim Ernster Have we exhausted every feasible place to catch crappies in the spring? I doubt it! There are always places crappies hang out that anglers seemingly fail to think about. Time on the water, and being a geek about chasing big crappies in the spring, has driven me to adapt and react to situations that are beneficial in different conditions. When winter’s lock begins to disappear I’m already plotting my crappie directions and going over maps of potential locations. Depending on the weather I always need to define my potentials and not wanting to sit at the landing on an ugly day and say” They won’t bite today!” Crappies, I’m talking those slabs that people wonder if they actually exist. Like all species, crappies need to eat and when the ice goes out some of the biggest slabs of the season go on the hunt, like when your nose is dripping from the cold type conditions. Many anglers get the notion immediately that if they catch a crappie shallow after the ice goes out they are beginning the spawning ritual. Wrong! All species need nourishment before the spawn and crappies are no different. Attacking certain bodies of water in search of big crappies is dependent on when the ice went out, the existence of the monstro types we are looking for, and the habitat that may warrant certain locations. Several veteran crappie anglers that I know want some type of deeper w a t e r available early after ice out for the sole reason of a deferment from the shallows due to inclement weather, cold fronts, and windy conditions that may drive crappies from the shallows. Every early season crappie article I have read always defines the north end of a lake the most identifiable location and sometimes tastelessly the only spot to catch early season crappies. Another false impression that can be turned upside down, if the proper habitat of mud, gravel, scattered hard bottom, and old pencil reeds to signal you are in the game are not present, then keep looking; otherwise fold your tent and go home. Right!! Absolutely not! Talk to panfish extraordinaire Brian “Bro” Brosdahl and he will share countless mega hours on the water chasing ice out crappies and the nature of what Lots of Options Oh, and let’s not forget about the mud. Winnie has some very productive mud areas. You don’t hear about them very much, but trust me, the Winnie mud can be great at times. Winnie is always accommodating many different styles of fishing and remained on top fishing lists for years. Lake Mille Lacs Ah.....Mille Lacs, which seemingly is always surrounded by controversy. From gill nets to slot makes them tick. Every situation is different and he makes a living trying and succeeding to out think early season crappies. With all said and done, I still like a depth deeper than the flats to corner fish that are affected by weather changes. I have taken some giants on 12-15 foot ledges near these intriguing flats by trial and error and using my 998 SI Humminbird and Lakemaster chip to track and find their locale when the shallows are void. Many times I will adjust my Bird to Switchfire mode that increases the sensitivity and I can pick out small particles of minute organisms that crappies are searching for. This assists me in acquiring increased knowledge in positive locations while understanding where crappies are probably going to show up. Just keep in mind crappies after ice out are looking for groceries and will adapt to several different sources to nourish their systems before spawning. Small jigs and other favorites are just the answer for crappies that are in search of something that is lesser in size and easy prey. VMC Tinsel jigs of the Hot Skirt variety can make quick work of roaming crappies just after ice out. Dress them with a small minnow or chunk of Trigger X and you’ll have em droolin all over. When pitching shallow I do prefer a small bobber(strike indicator) and never let it sit too long in one place. I many times will target a stalk of last season’s pencil reed or the edges of an exposed brush pile. These areas are good sources of food for ice out crappies and I can fish them quickly and efficiently. Many times big slabs are loners, but you may pluck a couple off each small stickup. I keep on the move until I contact fish. My MinnKota 101 Vantage and Terrova Bow Mount with I-Pilot gives me the edge when it comes to slow methodical approaches to these very spooky fish and gives me a distinct advantage. My I-Pilot allows me to coordinate with my Humminbird 998 and systematically dissect every inch of water that I made my mind feel a crappie was living waiting for my bait to arrive. When the weather alters my plans by a cold front, increased wind, or a sudden drop in the barometer then you need to seek the closet drop in depth and many times these same crappies will push out deep. Then I like to cast a jig and minnow and let it sink on a 5 count and start a slow swimming retrieve. These negative crappies will bite on a slow soft step and will amaze you at the aggressiveness of the strike. I prefer a soft action 7 foot UL rod like the Tuff-Lite or Spinmatic Series or DXW 7 foot light action from Daiwa that gives me extreme sensitivity and capability of casting small baits the distances I need. Combine these stealth rods with the new Daiwa Aird 1000 or the Daiwa Laguna 500 spinning reels with four pound Sufix Elite and the crappies will tremble. Sometimes the bite is so subtle it’s hard to react quickly and other times a big crappie will blister you. Most often when not using a small bobber I will let the rod tip load up gently and firmly set the hook. Another little trick is adjustment in the line and certain situations that tend to alter what I do. I will at times switch to Sufix HiVis Yellow to detect the slightest of bites by watching the line twitch then set the hook quickly. This often times will increase my numbers by putting the odds in my favor. Ice out crappies can be easy to find with some of the tips and tricks that we have mentioned. Just remember that staying on shore doesn’t put fish in the boat. We all have to face several different conditions when fishing and learn how to fish all of them to be successful. Continued from Page 23 changes, this walleye fishery has its ups and down. That’s no secret. Looking back during the winter of 2007-2008, small perch dominated the catch. Not unlike the 2013-2014 winter season, most walleyes that made it to the frying pan were absolutely stuffed with 1-4 inch perch. This had a few anglers frustrated with the big lake, and for good reason. The 2007-2008 and 2013-2014 winter seasons were like “fishing in a bait bucket.” This is not all bad, however. Mille Lacs is full of 22-27 inch walleyes and hopefully this bait hatch of monstrous proportions will help push some of those 6-7 lb Walleyes into the 8-10 lb trophy category. I have to admit, Mille lacs is my favorite lake in Minnesota. It has everything: jumbo perch, huge walleye, 50+ inch musky, piggish brown bass and some very large northern pike. Whatever you’re after, Mille Lacs has it. There’s a good chance at catching a true trophy for every species this year and for years to come. Leech Lake, Walker MN Leech lake is in great shape. Stocking efforts, cormorant control and slot limits have brought this lake back to it’s once great condition. Anglers who fish Leech this year will find slot walleyes in good numbers and perch in the “Jumbo” category. If I had to put money on the best opening lake this year, Leech Lake in Walker, MN would be it. The year classes are abundant and doing very well under the current lake management. Take a trip to Leech this year and you won’t be sorry. Whatever lake you choose this year, remember to be safe, have fun and help the guy who just can’t seem to get his boat on or off the trailer. What goes around comes around; always has and always will. 28 NEED A FURNACE Forced Air Hot Water 20 YEAR WARRANTY Wood Only Wood-Oil Wood-Gas CHARMASTER America’s Finest Since 1972 Grand Rapids, MN 1-888-642-9953 www.charmaster.com Hunting for Minnesota’s Homegrown Gators 29 By Ron C Hustvedt Jr Hunting Minnesota’s version of the gator is just a cool way of saying fishing for big pike. The use of the word “hunting” is more than just a clever play on words—it describes how anglers need to approach this elusive predator. Northern pike are the most widespread game fish in the state but almost all of them are two-feet or shorter. Not that there’s anything wrong with a two-foot pike, but Minnesota’s waters used to be loaded with 30 to 40-inch pike with some monsters approaching the mystical 50-inch mark. Years and years of catch and kill angling has made a big pike a rarity. Pike are a very eager species to bite but most Minnesotans who spend a lot of time on the water have yet to catch one over 30 inches. The reason for this is because pike in the 20 to 24 inch range are the highest proportion of fish caught versus those released. A DNR fisheries biologist once told me that for most anglers, the rule of thumb seems to be that if it’s over 24 inches it’s coming out of the lake and that makes it tough to grow big fish. The way to grow big pike is to have plenty of habitat and high-protein forage base such as tulibee. Lakes with a large basin and cool water forage base are the best for growing big pike and all the lakes listed in this article fit that description. They are also all located in the northern half of the state which is where Minnesota’s native pike population originated. Managing Minnesota’s pike is difficult because a lot of anglers consider it to be a second-class fish. The difficulty in managing pike populations is dealing with the diverse ways people view the pike. Some see it as a fishery meant for catching mostly for consumption while others see it as a fishery that should be totally protected once the fish reaches a length of 24 inches. Still others feel that protected slots are critical, but are willing to yield a trophy fish for the wall over a set length. Either way, there are still a ton of lakes UPNORTH where a healthy population of trophy pike can be found. They are tough to catch, but these are a few of the finest around. Upper Red Lake The two massive bodies of water that make up Red Lake are home to a ton of pike. Minnesota anglers are only allowed to fish a small portion of Upper Red Lake, but thankfully big pike like to roam. Fishing guides on Upper Red who target big pike report averages between 36 and 43 inches. One fishing guide I spoke with said he’d like to see that average stay that way, and possibly even grow. Catch and release fishing with big pike is the only way that will happen. When chasing bruiser pike on Upper Red you can go True North Reflections Jesus. Use what God has given you to show others what a real relationship with God looks like. Consider the tactics and strategies of fishing and how they become illustrations of Biblical teaching. One example of how Satan traps us in sin after them much like muskie anglers—with a combination of casting and trolling. Most anglers on the lake can be found trolling, but casting can be a great way to really work a weed bed you know is holding a fish that won’t bite on a trolling pass. The basin of the lake is so large and the northern are usually scattered. Begin on either end of the Tamarack River or the little river by Rogers. Big Northland Tackle spoons, both trolling and casting, are a favorite lure with a special emphasis on fire tiger. Mille Lacs Lake Even though everybody is talking about tough times on Mille Lacs, the fish aren’t doing much talking on the subject. The big pike that roam this popular fishery keep on getting bigger and won’t be able to bite on your line if you don’t make a trip there this summer. One of the factors leading to Mille Lacs’ high quality pike fishery is the presence of a healthy forage base and lots of habitat. Northern pike like the northern break line quite a bit myself and had some tremendous pike catches over the years including my first and second ever pike over 40 inches. On a recent outing to Mille Lacs, my group caught and released eight pike between 37 and 40 inches.. Crankbaits and spoons were the most productive though it’s difficult to judge which one will work better on any given day. Use both and try to figure out the pattern. Other good big pike locations include Big Point and the South Twin Bay area. Lake of the Woods Bryan “Beef” Sathre is a fishing guide in the Cass Lake-Bemidji area but he makes pilgrimages up to Lake of the Woods throughout the winter to catch pike in the 40-inch range. “Those big pike don’t leave the lake in the summer, most anglers are too busy catching walleye to go after them. Of all the lakes in the state, this is the one most likely to produce a 50-inch fish. In the spring, some of the bays like Baudette Bay and Four Mile Bay are the best locations around and into the creeks. The area by North Point where the Rainy River flows is another good spring location as is the Angle Inlet area. Anywhere up along the river along any of the weedbeds is a good location but once the water warms up try to get up on the rock reefs but be prepared to catch them in a variety of depths, Sathre said. Big pike have been pulled out of 30 feet of water though most tend to stick between 10 to 18 feet along the deeper weedlines. In the summer try trolling up and down the river along the ends of the docks which is in 18 to 20 of water and provides a great hideout for some big ones. Lake Winnibigoshish Lake Winnibigoshish is a tough lake to fish for big pike but it’s worth an attempt because there are still some giants lurking the depths. Guides on Winnibigoshish will tell you that a 30-inch plus pike on Winnie is a big fish these days, but there are bigger ones around. Targeting big pike in the spring can be tough because they are mixed in with the walleye and perch on the flats chasing shiners. Once the seasons change and the mid-summer is in high gear, the weedbeds and the deep humps in the middle of the lake are great locations. The best time to target the big pike is when the tulibee move into the weeds around late July and early August. These areas are very accessible to casting with spoons and large crankbaits. Pokegama Lake Pokegama is a sleeper lake for big pike and with a 30-inch pike being almost guaranteed, sleeping is the last thing a pike angler would be caught doing. The pike on Pokegama are most commonly found in the 19 to 20 foot range on the deep weedlines, deep rocky points, and along the long breaks. A quarterounce jig tipped with a large minnow is best when fishing these locations. To prevent being bitten off, try using a 20-pound test monofilament leader on a quarter ounce jig. Another presentation that works in the mid-summer is lead core trolling along the thermocline which tends to be found 50 to 60 feet down. Smelt are the major prey source on Pokegama and if you get a 8 to 10 inch, slimbodied crankbait down that far you’ll catch some huge northern. Continued from Page 21 is found in a technique that I use walleye fishing. On opening day in northern Minnesota I throw a shiner on a jig head (usually green) and drop it to the bottom of the lake. I drift along, I am waiting for that first tug on the line with my bail open and my finger holding the line in place. When I feel the tug I release the line and let the walleye believe that he is getting away with something without consequences. When I know that the walleye has fully committed to taking the bait, I close the bail and set the hook. I think Satan works in the same way. He dangles sin in front of us. It looks so appealing. We play with it awhile and he lets us run with it until he knows that we have fully committed to the sin and he sets the hook hard. We must be aware of what is from God and what is from Satan and choose wisely. Take some time to think about the parallels to fishing and the truth that we read in the Bible and you will be amazed at how much you can teach someone with the sport that you love. 30