When is the River opener this year?

  • kraigklund
    Hudson, WI
    Posts: 37
    January 27, 2005 at 4:24 pm #1227596

    Is it the last Saturday in April or the first one in May?

    john23
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts: 2578
    January 27, 2005 at 4:33 pm #339047

    The Mississippi River is open year-round … if you’re talking about the St. Croix, that opens with the WI walleye opener on May 7th.

    sandbar
    Woodbury, MN
    Posts: 1027
    January 27, 2005 at 4:33 pm #339049

    Earl,
    The Croix opens May 7th. Only 3 months and 10 days!!! Man……I am getting boating and fishing fever!

    Sandbar

    sandbar
    Woodbury, MN
    Posts: 1027
    February 3, 2005 at 12:20 pm #340547

    FishingScout,

    You’re right. Minnesota regulations say April 30th but Wisconsin regulations say “the first Saturday in May”. I’ll email the Wisc. and MN DNR for clarification.

    Sandbar

    kraigklund
    Hudson, WI
    Posts: 37
    February 3, 2005 at 1:20 pm #340567

    I had a feeling this might be the case. However, it is both a blessing and a curse. You get to get out a week earlier, but you have too put up with all the other yahoos who are chomping at the bit to get out also and the Croix is the only place for them to go. But then again, at this point I think I will focus on the postive.

    Earl of “Eye”

    sandbar
    Woodbury, MN
    Posts: 1027
    February 4, 2005 at 4:20 pm #340883

    I sent emails to the Minnesota and Wisconsin DNR regarding Walleye opener dates for the Croix. Minnesota is opening the river on April 30th, Wisconsin on May 7th. The Minnesota DNR responded to my email stating April 30th is in fact is the opener for Minnesota fisherman. So, I called the Minnesota DNR and was told that only a Minnesota residence with a Minnesota fishing liscence will be able to fish Walleye on April 30th, Wisconsin residence must follow their states regulations and can not fish Walleye on the Croix until May 7th.

    You would think the DNR offices in our bordering states might pick the phone up and talk with each other regarding the border water openers.

    Sandbar

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    February 4, 2005 at 5:33 pm #340903

    Quote:

    pick the phone up

    What!?

    But that’s the way it’s always been hasn’t it. One opens before the other?

    buschman
    Pool 2
    Posts: 1752
    February 4, 2005 at 7:15 pm #340923

    About time we get an advantage over the cheeseheads fishing the croix

    bzzsaw
    Hudson, Wi
    Posts: 3478
    February 5, 2005 at 3:44 am #341025

    I grew up in Hudson and lived several years in Burnsville. I did all my fishing on inland waters in Wisconsin with the exception of the St. Croix river, so I was buying non-resident Wisconsin licenses while living in Minnesota. I was surprised as hell when I got checked while fishing in the Hamm Room on the river a few years ago and couldn’t believe when the warden told me I was fishing illegally since I didn’t have a Minnesota license. Luckily the guy was decent enough not to give me a ticket, but I can’t believe how stupid of a rule that is. My guess is I could live in any other state in this country and buy a non-resident license in either Wisconsin or Minnesota and be able to fish the opener on the river. Based on the information I am seeing on this post so far, even if I live in Wisconsin now, and buy a Minnesota non-resident license, I wouldn’t LEGALLY be able to begin fishing the weekend of April 30th. You know what they say, ‘WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH WILL MAKE YOU CRY’!!!!

    kraigklund
    Hudson, WI
    Posts: 37
    February 5, 2005 at 5:57 pm #341112

    Hey Buzzsaw, don’t worry if you can’t fish until the 7th. I will be glad to email you pictures of the fish I catch out there the first week.

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