Adjustments For MN Opener Due To Cold Front?

How do you guys plan to combat the cold front sweeping through this weekend? We’re heading way up north to the border, so we’re hoping it won’t be as drastic of a difference to those fish.

I’m cutting more wood for the campfire. Not the answer you were looking for but’s it’s gonna be COLD up here (Kabetogama)

Reschedule for next weekend if possible…

Cold is just a state of mind – Bud Grant

I’m not sure if he conversed with any fish before making that statement though.

Probably a minnow vs a worm or leech. Match the systems forage. Start deep and work your way shallow or vice versa. CATCH FISH

I can’t believe a bunch of men from MN are complaining it’s going to be too cold to fish opener, heck even my woman is excited to get up WAY up north for opener. Like nobody owns long undies or anything…geesh

Jesse, us old guys (ask BK) don’t like scrapping frost off the boat seats. 28 degrees is in the forecast. I’ll get out there, but it might be 10 o’clock or so before it happens. You kids get out there and warm the fish up for us.

i would think slower and deeper but what do I know.

More cocktails Friday night and starting later on Saturday. This weekend is much more of a social occasion than a serious fishing effort.

Less Woosies at the boat launches! Ya baby! RR

roosterrouster wrote:

Less Woosies at the boat launches! Ya baby! RR

Might be the first time I’ve agreed with you in 10 years RR!

An extra two hours in bed with my wife is my plan.

Maybe we should petition the legislature and the DNR to move the opener back a week due to the cold weather?

Grouse

It’s going to be similar weather to last year, the fish bit. I can’t wait!

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

Maybe we should petition the legislature and the DNR to move the opener back a week due to the cold weather?

Grouse

That sounds familiar??

crappie55369 wrote:

i would think slower and deeper but what do I know.

OHHHH man, you put that one on a tee, but I will keep it as mature as possible around here

Brian Klawitter wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>TheFamousGrouse wrote:</div>
Maybe we should petition the legislature and the DNR to move the opener back a week due to the cold weather?

Grouse

That sounds familiar??

Yeah, it did to me too. It’s like deja vu all over again…

Grouse

Evan Pheneger wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>crappie55369 wrote:</div>
i would think slower and deeper but what do I know.

OHHHH man, you put that one on a tee, but I will keep it as mature as possible around here

Now stop that. You’ll get Suzuki all lathered up.

Grouse

I bringing more beer… and a sober driver… lol… The weather always sucks on opener.

I am of the same mindset as Jesse, a minnow on a Jig or Lindy rig.
I plan on going slow as mentioned, and if that doesn’t work I may try a little snap jigging to get a reaction bite. And if that doesn’t work i’ll try a leech or crawler.

crappie55369 wrote:

i would think slower and deeper but what do I know.

You are talking about fish here, right? Lotta guys mentioning women an fishing later so I wanted to confirm your comment.

Well I am going to be in the grand rapids area, so I thinking maybe..

Deeper, dragging a northland tackle swivel head with pork leech or try some minnows.

Maybe in the mid morning toss out something for a reaction bite.. Not sure yet.

Heading up to Vermilion tomorrow, I will likely be wearing my ice fishing suit all weekend but I can’t wait!

Like Dutchy said, more campfire wood, less ice for drinks

I’ll be South of the Metro area fishing in my Strikemaster suit.

TMF89 wrote:

How do you guys plan to combat the cold front sweeping through this weekend? We’re heading way up north to the border, so we’re hoping it won’t be as drastic of a difference to those fish.

In my experience it can be a huge mistake to assume the fish will be in a funk and fish accordingly. If the wind is blowing I’ll seek out shallow structure and I’ll always start out aggressive and assume the fish will be in a feeding mood versus slowing way down with live bait presentations which almost always seems to cost me fish.

So if it was me, to start I’d be up shallow throwing a #10 flat rap in Yellow Perch or similar stickbait alternated with a BFT 3.25″ Moxi tailored to the water clarity rigged on a 1/8 – 1/4 oz head and let the fish tell me what to do next.

Again, this approach assumes the wind is blowing. If the wind is blowing in my experience the fish are almost always up shallow and willing to eat. If the lake lays flat… now that’s when I get worked up over a cold front.

Luckily for you the wind looks like it will cooperate out of the NW both Saturday and Sunday.

The fish are fresh off the spawn and hungry, I am going aggressive. Cranks up shallow and work from there.

Opener? Seen more than a few boats pitching worms and jigpig combos to docks here on Tonka.

James Holst wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>TMF89 wrote:</div>
How do you guys plan to combat the cold front sweeping through this weekend? We’re heading way up north to the border, so we’re hoping it won’t be as drastic of a difference to those fish.

In my experience it can be a huge mistake to assume the fish will be in a funk and fish accordingly. If the wind is blowing I’ll seek out shallow structure and I’ll always start out aggressive and assume the fish will be in a feeding mood versus slowing way down with live bait presentations which almost always seems to cost me fish.

So if it was me, to start I’d be up shallow throwing a #10 flat rap in Yellow Perch or similar stickbait alternated with a BFT 3.25″ Moxi tailored to the water clarity rigged on a 1/8 – 1/4 oz head and let the fish tell me what to do next.

Again, this approach assumes the wind is blowing. If the wind is blowing in my experience the fish are almost always up shallow and willing to eat. If the lake lays flat… now that’s when I get worked up over a cold front.

Luckily for you the wind looks like it will cooperate out of the NW both Saturday and Sunday.

What color would you recommend for clear water? im going to pick up some moxi tails…have never used them but why not try

sticker wrote:

The fish are fresh off the spawn and hungry, I am going aggressive. Cranks up shallow and work from there.

Yup.

Walleye Hungry wrote:

What color would you recommend for clear water? im going to pick up some moxi tails…have never used them but why not try

Pro Blue, Oystershell, Firecracker, Firecracker Chart Tail, & Peanut Butter Jelly would be my favorite clear water colors.

Going to get sea legs quick this year. Cold isn’t the issue but the 20+ MPH wind out of the NW will be on the south shore of LOW tomorrow. Might tuck into the river.

Good luck and be save.