Walleye opener this weekend!

Opening day of the walleye season is right around the corner this Saturday, May 11 and from the sounds of it, it should be worth the wait. After a very successful ice fishing season (fishing wise) anticipation of a good opener is running high. This year is the first year since 2020 that Mille Lacs is back to the catch and release regulation. This will stay in effect until Friday, Aug. 16 when a harvest season is scheduled to open with one fish 21-23 inches or one over 28 inches will be allowed.

Mille Lacs Lake has always been a popular destination for opening weekend, and according to the DNR, this year’s bite should not disappoint, as the winter bite in their words was “off the charts.” The winter bite is generally a good indicator as to how the following summer bite will be, so if that’s the case - it should be good. For many anglers, the tradition of opening day may be the only time they fish all season, but that’s how important this annual get together is.

Public accesses will undoubtedly be busy this weekend, so be prepared for the ensuing traffic. Practice good etiquette and be ready when it’s your turn to use the ramp. Don’t use that opportunity to take the cover and the straps off - holding up everyone else. Another good thing to do prior to opener, is make sure the batteries are charged, and the motor will start. With the heavy traffic at the accesses, don’t make this the first time to try out your rig. And if someone is struggling, offer to help to speed up the process.

So, where will the fish be? With the record early ice out, many thought the lake would be ahead of schedule by now. But with the cold weather we’ve had since then, including a foot of snow at the end of March, things are looking more like an average ice out instead. As of this writing the water temps are still only in the upper 40s, and some believe the spawn is not quite finished yet. But let’s see what the pro’s have to say about their opening day tactics and predictions.

Let’s hear from the local guides

Tony Roach from Roach’s Guide Service says: “I thought with the mild winter and early ice out that spring would come early this year. However, that has not been the case. Cooler than average temperatures and recent rainfall have kept the surface temps cool. Which is good if you like chasing walleyes in the shallows on Mille lacs. In recent years my favorite opening day techniques, hands down are pitching jigs. I like to use an 1/8 or 1/4 oz. VMC Mooneye jig tipped with a shiner minnow or a plastic. If the morning is cooler I generally start with live bait. As the water warms, I switch to plastics, in the spring I like to use three inch paddle tails.

My two go to plastics are Largo Shad and Crushcity. What I like about plastics is you can fish much more aggressively snapping the baits and covering water faster. I like to target 9-16 feet of water both rock and sand. The water is typically at peak clarity, so I try and keep my boat away from the fish and making long casts. The walleyes are incredibly spooky this time of year, try and avoid getting too close. I am predicting an incredible bite this spring. The lake is really healthy and loaded with several different year classes. I think anglers going to Mille lacs this opener are in for a real treat. Good luck!” Tony can be found at www.roachsguideservice.com or 763-226-6656.

Brad Hawthorne of Hawthorne’s Guide Service says: “I’m anticipating warmer temps for the 2024 opener. As we know we have a little bit of a bait shortage in the lake and the fish are going to be snapping. The only difference this year is I’m going to be looking a little different. I was out last week and I saw several Walleye spawning in the 42 degree water temps. By opener I’m guessing we are going to be pushing mid to upper 50s. That means 8-16 feet of water and jig and shiner. Or pitching plastics.

I’m actually looking forward to the opener this year because I don’t think we’re going to have that post spawn lull that we usually have (with a later ice out). I expect the bite to be completely off the chain for 2024. Remember to work those jigs really slow back to the boat until you find the cadence that works with your 1/8 to 1/4 oz. jig and minnow. Also remember to keep that boat speed under 0.8 miles an hour.” Brad can be found at: www.millelacslakeguide.com or 652-271-8600.

Dustin Monson of Hawg Hunterz Guide Service says: “We are excited for the 2024 fishing opener! Our focus for walleyes will be searching 4-16 feet of water on large sand or gravel flats, current areas and first breaks near spawning areas. The first lure of choice will be trolling the Smithwick Rattlin’ Floating Rogue or Perfect 10 Rogue depending on the depth we’re seeing fish. We’ll longline troll slowly through these areas with our eyes on the Garmin Sidevu for schools of fish.

A great 1-2 punch from there includes casting a jig/minnow combo (1/8 oz.), jig/plastic combo (1/4 oz. Mister Twister Sassy Swimmer) or twitching stickbaits (Smithwick Rogues). We are starting our traditional adventure at midnight with trolling, then transitioning to those casting locations during the day. Also worth mentioning is pitching a lipless crankbait such as a Booyah One Knocker or ripping a hair jig with a rip/pause/lift/slow drop retrieve. Good luck, stay safe and Happy Hawg Hunting!” Dustin can be found at www.hawghunterzguideservice.com or 320-293-2442.

Sounds like the common denominator is a jig and minnow or plastic fished in fairly shallow to mid-depth water. The jig has always been a mainstay in the early season since it was invented, and it doesn’t look like that is going to change anytime soon. Lindy rigs and bobber set-ups are another great option as well as trolling crankbaits in the low light hours.

How about smallmouth bass? The season opens on the 11th along with the other game fish, but is strictly catch and release until the actual bass opener on Saturday, May 25. So here’s some opening day bass advice:

Matt Treno from Matt’s Fishing says: “Water temperatures on Mille Lacs Lake are not normally what one would expect with a record breaking early ice out. With our cooler than expected temperatures leading up to the fishing opener, lake water temps have remained in the mid to upper 40 degree range. I expect water temps to be near the 50 degree mark for opener which should give us fantastic pre-spawn smallmouth fishing! I expect to be fishing the shallow sand flats and shallow sand/gravel transition area concentrated on depths of 4-8 feet. With fish on the chew in preparation for spawn, I foresee a wide variety of baits and presentations being effective.

In my boat, anglers can expect a wide variety of jerk baits, shallow running square bill crank baits, soft swimbaits, and of course my favorite, small light hair jigs! I expect a fantastic bite with many different presentations, so don’t be afraid to try something new. With these fish starting their bedding/spawn period soon, be mindful to return them to the water quickly and unharmed. Don’t be surprised to tangle with a few large walleyes while chasing smallmouth bass opening weekend as well! Good luck and have fun fishing!“ Matt can be found at www.mattsfishing.com or 612-619-5690

Night fishing

Some anglers will choose to start the season at midnight on Friday, and take advantage of the all night angling opportunity the first weekend. The 10 p.m. night ban goes into effect on Monday, May 13, so there are three nights available to anglers that are night owls. Lighted bobbers and trolling crankbaits are going to be the two most popular techniques after dark.

This is generally done in shallower water and usually in the rocks and sand. Walleyes are naturally in a nocturnal mode in the spring as that’s when they do their spawning. So fishing can be fantastic – if there is enough caffeine in the boat to keep everyone awake for it.

Day fishing

With the water temps still on the chilly side, fish should be generally found in relatively shallow water. Mille Lacs is classic for groups of boats all fishing in the same location. As they say - nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd. But at one point, it has to start with the first boat, then someone else joins, and suddenly there’s quite a few other boats all looking at each other, and may or may not be catching fish.

That is one way to do it – especially if you’re not very familiar with the lake – strength in numbers. On the other hand, more experienced anglers tend to want to find fish away from the crowds – after all, it is a big lake. And with the mapping technology available at the touch of a button on the GPS screen, it’s relatively easy to find an area of the lake that does not have a lot of angling pressure.

Electronics

With today’s electronics (and even yesterday’s) it makes it pretty easy to spot fish. Whether side imaging, traditional down viewing with 2D sonar, or now the amazing forward facing live sonar, some anglers won’t even put a line in the water without first seeing fish on their electronics. This is more important when the fish are really scattered – like later in the year, but early in the season – and with the cooler water, walleyes are usually packed up and are pretty predictable in their shallow water locations.

Catch and release tips

With the tight regulation of catch and release to start the season, be careful with how long you give the fish any sort of live bait – quicker is better when it comes to setting the hook. If you feel a tapping, that’s generally the fish grabbing it and biting it, if you feel a steady pull - the fish more than likely has the bait in its mouth and it’s time to set the hook.

Remember, all the fish that are caught will have to be released, so a gut-hooked fish is bad news. If that’s the case, it’s better to set the hook too soon and miss it, then wait too long and gut hook it. If a fish is gut hooked, simply cut the line close to the mouth and release the fish. DO NOT try to remove the hook – that is a certain death sentence.

Also, don’t let a fish to be released flop around on the carpet or the floor, that removes their protective slime, it’s better to leave them in the net, over the side, until ready to handle. Be ready with the camera in advance if taking a picture. And always remember - the released fish are the future. And hopefully these fish will be available when the harvest starts on Aug.16.

Be safe

Make sure all the necessary safety equipment is on board. The water will still be chilly this weekend, so wearing a personal floatation device (PFD) is a good idea as well as having a throw device handy. And be aware of all the aquatic invasive species (AIS) laws as well regarding weeds and zebra mussels, and also left over water in your boat or bait containers, as there will more than likely be inspectors at the ramps checking for compliance.

With the opener just days away, there is not much time left to get ready. But taking the time up front to ready the rig, and the rods and reels, will lead to a much more pleasurable time on the water, and hopefully everything will work, and the big one won’t get away.