2007 Minnesota Fishing Opener

Another Minnesota fishing opener is in the books!

I don't know exactly where I would rate this years opener for team Trophy Encounters.  We had an interesting weekend, and a definite lack of serious fishing.  The only hours that we really logged this weekend were from Midnight to about 11:00 on Saturday.  We ran up to Mille Lacs at the last minute on Friday, and figured we would just go wherever the wind blew us for the weekend. 

Our annual midnight trip remains in tact, and we hit the south end of Mille Lacs for the early start.  We put a few in the box, and Mike threw back a dandy.  We trolled crankbaits over the 4 - 6 ft gravel areas that had produced in the past, and found our fish.  Our battery died on us and cut the outing short, which took us back into town.  We drove to the north end to meet up with some buddies for the daybreak bite.  This is where our weekend gets a little bit more interesting.  THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT FISH THE NORTH END OF MILLE LACS ON OPENER IS RIDICULOUS!!!!  The lines at the accesses run for miles at times, and waiting for multiple hours to launch your boat is not out of the question.  Not exactly what gets me excited, but that's how it goes.  We fished the typical north end sand, and yes the fish were biting, but it just doesn't have quite the same spark or excitement when you land the walleyes.  There is something about working and finding out a pattern, and then pulling in the walleyes and feeling like you accomplished something cool that gets me going.  I may sound weird for saying this, but I found little enjoyment drifting aimlessly across a sand break with little bottom feature, catching walleyes at random with the other 2,000 boats that were doing the same thing.  It just isn't very rewarding.  Yes it is awesome for the folks that only get out once in a while, but if you are looking for a fun and rewarding challenge, this is not it.  Sure some areas may have been better, but for the most part everything that everyone was doing was working, and if you drifted between 12 - 25 feet of water for more than 30 minutes, you would have a fish in the boat.  I don't care if you have never fished walleyes before.  The next person who rants and raves about their kick butt excursion on Mille lacs north end sand on opener, you can just nod your head and say congrats, cuz it wasn't tough. 

We stayed until about 11:00 until we got bored and decided to try elsewhere.  We didn't stay until we had our 12 keepers, but left with 8 in the jar and a few picture takers.  We had a nice fish fry in the afternoon, and headed further north to catch up with some buddies and fish a smaller lake for the first time.  This was more to enjoy the evening and have a few laughs.  We definitely had that, cuz while we were putting our boat in the water, Mikey and Jeremy pulled up in their boat, both excited to give us a hand and neither of them thought to tie up their boat.  Good thing Jeremy had his waders to get the floating boat back.

We cruised the lake looking for areas that we will be trying on our annual Memorial Weekend trip.  I do believe that this lake may have some lunker Smallies for our Flukes.  The Gesinger's had 8 walleyes in 2 days of fishing, and didn't start hauling them in until they put the bobbers out and the other gear away.  Nice work guys, and thanks for the laughs.  We came back to the cities and passed on another day on Mille Lacs.  I'll be heading back up there soon to get back on a serious man's walleye bite, and away from all the traffic, SHeeSh, I forgot what that big lake can be like on opener, and I don't think I'll be going back next year.  No offense, but It just isn't my cup of tea!  Heading out to the local lakes this week, and I'll be giving some pics and stories soon, Let me know if you want to hit the water. Fish On!