Sorry to hear that the pike and walleye are soon closing back in Minnesota (with the exception of the big river). Things are just getting going here.
Have you ever considered an ice out-open water fishing trip to Devils Lake prior to the Minnesota opener? No traffic jams on the way here. (except on 494 and 35 during rush hour. It’s four lane all the way from Rochester, Albert Lea, Mankato, Sioux Falls, St Cloud, Red Wing…
With good luck we could be open water fishing by mid-April.