How did everyone do out on the water over the weekend? Personally I ended up with a bunch of bass the best being 3-4 pounds and of course I ended up getting a 45inch musky to the boat (not on purpose). was a pretty great weekend weather wise as well! 
IMG_2630.jpg
Red lake looked like mille lacs on typical opener morning. Mille lacs looked like a typical weekend before opener, ghost town. Manged a 3 man limit on Red Saturday trolling #12 husky jerks. Caught about 30 pike and 15 nice crappies sunday near Cass lake. Lots of fish catching for us over the weekend on waters we had never fished before. Pretty good opener.
Red lake looked like mille lacs on typical opener morning. Mille lacs looked like a typical weekend before opener, ghost town. Manged a 3 man limit on Red Saturday trolling #12 husky jerks. Caught about 30 pike and 15 nice crappies sunday near Cass lake. Lots of fish catching for us over the weekend on waters we had never fished before. Pretty good opener.
Boats were thick along the whole north side sand on mille lacs with good numbers of fish being caught.
Leech was good for most, and there were a lot of people out there. Most accesses we drove by were overflowing. A wide size range of eye’s from 15-25″ crossed our gunnel.
Was slow for us in the Perham area – crappies were good Thur/Fri but really had to work all day Sat to get 8-10 eyes for 3 boats in scattered locations/depths, even the small pike were slower compared to years past.
My buddy who lives there was talking to lots of people on the phone on 4-5 different area lakes and heard the same story from everyone.
I went to Mille Lacs Sat. about noon. There was still parking in the Cove bay launch. That evening, fishing out in front I did a 360 deg count and I could only count 12 boats within sight on calm water. Every launch I want to had parking.
Got the lawn mowed, edging done, trimmed some trees and marinated a pork loin for mom.
Hit Mille Lacs at about noon till 6pm saturday. Caught a couple, spent most the day trolling the flats to avoid the crowds. Headed back out at 7:30pm Parked on the outside edge of a rock reef on the North end for the night bobber fishing and could not keep the walleyes off the hooks. Caught all sizes from 9″ all the way to 27″. Lots of 18″-23″. Was fun can’t wait to head back up. GF finally quite fishing because it became to “stressful” 
Derrick 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>DaveB wrote:</div>
Got the lawn mowed, edging done, trimmed some trees and marinated a pork loin for mom.Thanks for the valuable information…
I worked 8.5 hours and then took a 5 hour motorcycle class. Got a sunburn just like if I was fishing.
DT
Well we went up to gunlint lake this year for opener and caught some very nice fish and a lot of species we caught nice pike, walleye, and lake trout. Lakers were down 30 feet over a steep break the topped out at 35 to 45. One we fished on Friday ( Canada Border Water) so it’s open all year round for pike caught two that were around 35 inches and pre spawn. We were fishing a number 5 mepps spinner. Now one thing I’m bitter about is the lure that I was catching a lot of walleyes on is a discontinued rapala it’s an f9 hot tiger so an orange fire tiger pattern that has caught literally hundreds of fish for me and I lost it and don’t have another one. Why can’t you get any rapala in any model? Ugh well o well. I had my fun with it.
Hit the Mississippi North of Sartell about 5-6 miles and put together a pretty good day with descent numbers of walleye although the size was not the greatest and throw in the numerous smallmouth and northern caught made it a fun and successful day on the water. I think all fish came trolling cranks except for one northern. Jigging just did not produce with live bait or plastic. As soon as we found where they were we hit the same spot all day pretty much. Shallow, all between 5-8ft was the ticket and out of the current.
got to the landing at 6am was already jamming. had really good action on the sunfish all weekend and 10 bass 2 good sized ones. no crappies but talked to the neighbor guy and he was getting them on minnows. I was throwing leeches and crawlers caught 1 walleye among the sunnies.
all my action was right on the edge of the weeds and by the secret not so secret tree.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>roosterrouster wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>DaveB wrote:</div>
Got the lawn mowed, edging done, trimmed some trees and marinated a pork loin for mom.Thanks for the valuable information…
I worked 8.5 hours and then took a 5 hour motorcycle class. Got a sunburn just like if I was fishing.
DT
Thrilling 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>deertracker wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>roosterrouster wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>DaveB wrote:</div>
Got the lawn mowed, edging done, trimmed some trees and marinated a pork loin for mom.Thanks for the valuable information…
I worked 8.5 hours and then took a 5 hour motorcycle class. Got a sunburn just like if I was fishing.
DTThrilling
Being divorced, nobody checks up on me anymore. I just figured I needed to tell someone.
You have friends here Dave…Sorry for being shmarmy 
Oh fishing…Leech on Sat AM. Showed up at the Fed Dam launch at 6:35. 40 (yes 40…) rigs ahead of me to launch. Ug. Well after getting on to the lake there were at least 200-250 boats on the first break. Headed across the lake to try and find some tranquility and found a sand hump in 8.5fow that topped out at 6fow. Loaded with fish! An old timer had anchored on it and was fishing it with bobber and leech. He hammered them! Bobber wouldn’t stay up. I was drifting it with jig n minnows and also catching them. Caught 12 there (7 released/too big and 5 keepers…) between 3 of us. Tried a few other spots to no avail. Great to be back on the water! RR
We spent 4 hrs on Mille Lacs Saturday night, and did very well on the North End
launching at the Red Door. There were boats lined up along the first break from Knox Point and far to the East of the Red Door.
We caught many walleyes from 12″-26″ pretty much non-stop action from the start.
IMHO; probably the best opening fishing day on record for our crew. My thoughts as we were loading the boat to head home were, how the Heck is this lake going to survive. Not because of the lack of walleyes, but the lack of wisdom that surrounds it.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>roosterrouster wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>deertracker wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>roosterrouster wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>DaveB wrote:</div>
Got the lawn mowed, edging done, trimmed some trees and marinated a pork loin for mom.Thanks for the valuable information…
I worked 8.5 hours and then took a 5 hour motorcycle class. Got a sunburn just like if I was fishing.
DTThrilling
Being divorced, nobody checks up on me anymore. I just figured I needed to tell someone.
You have friends here Dave…Sorry for being shmarmy
Next time just PM me Dave.
I was going to say something too, but I refrained. As I was writing it I could feel the collective eyerolls of people who would read it. 
Truth be told, I was a wee bit jealous of missing out on the opener with my brothers.
Fished the Alexandria area for walleye opener. With water temps nearing 60 deg there were quite a few lakes kicking out some very nice fish. Lots of eater sized fish 15″-18″ with a decent number of 21″-27″ walleye as well. We had plenty to eat and threw back a lot of fish.
The best depths really varied from lake to lake and even on the same lake. We caught fish from 3′ to 33′. A jig and a minnow or a lindy rig and a minnow produced the most fish. It was a great opener once again!
123951_7.jpg
123951_2.jpg
Nice guys! its interesting to see where everyone went and how they did.
Fished the Alexandria area for <em class=”ido-tag-em”>walleye opener. With water temps nearing 60 deg there were quite a few lakes kicking out some very nice fish. Lots of eater sized fish 15″-18″ with a decent number of 21″-27″ walleye as well. We had plenty to eat and threw back a lot of fish.
The best depths really varied from lake to lake and even on the same lake. We caught fish from 3′ to 33′. A jig and a minnow or a lindy rig and a minnow produced the most fish. It was a great opener once again!
Wow, very nice Joe. Looks like you had some very satisfied clients. Your area is one I have not visited yet. Just doesn’t seem to get the “headlines” that other places seem to get. Perhaps someday I can get up around Alex area. I would look you up for an outing.
Meanwhile, I was looking for any reports on how “the guv” did for his big deal opener in St Cloud. Couldn’t find any reports?
We headed over to central Wisconsin and chased Panfish. The water temps were in the low 60’s and the Crappies were on a tear. They were just under the surface making them an easy target for a small nymph and my 6 weight. Sharon and her husband did well with small plastics fished under a bobber. The weather was beautiful and we had a lot of fun.
20170513_182559.jpg
20170514_180611.jpg
http://www.kare11.com/news/women-outfish-the-men-at-2017-governors-fishing-opener/439458174
The “guv” is struggling to stay relevant. As far as the fishing! 
Suppose he won’t go away without stonewalling everything on the legislative side. Oops, sorry to take this political. 
Back on topic, my opener as it always seems will be later than this traditional opener. Other priorities take precedence. That’s fine. Looking at some midweek opportunities to have an entire Mille Lacs flat to myself. Probably kick it all off with a launch outing with my grandson. Happy to get what I can whenever I can get it.
What do you guys think of the “Gov Opener”? Alexandria is looking at hosting it. How many of you want to visit St. Cloud because the Governor fished there Saturday? How many of you watched coverage of the event? Do you think it helps an area get on the map? Or in this case with virtually no walleye caught does it hurt your opinion of the St. Cloud area as a fishing destination?
What do you guys think of the “Gov Opener”? Alexandria is looking at hosting it. How many of you want to visit St. Cloud because the Governor fished there Saturday? How many of you watched coverage of the event? Do you think it helps an area get on the map? Or in this case with virtually no walleye caught does it hurt your opinion of the St. Cloud area as a fishing destination?
I am constantly amazed at the profound incompetence demonstrated by our politicians when they try and catch a few fish. It’s like they need a guide to tell them to pick up the fat end of the rod. A group of IDO regulars will tell you if the Walleye fishing around St. Cloud is good or not, not our Governor.
SR
I kind of derailed this thread. I’ll repost my question in the Alexandria forum. Carry on with the Opener Reports!
Got the lawn mowed, edging done, trimmed some trees and marinated a pork loin for mom.
dont feel bad……….i did the same thing….well except the pork loin thing!!!!!! 
just not into all the crowded lakes and accesses. and i got my garden all planted.
What do you guys think of the “Gov Opener”? Alexandria is looking at hosting it. How many of you want to visit St. Cloud because the Governor fished there Saturday? How many of you watched coverage of the event? Do you think it helps an area get on the map? Or in this case with virtually no walleye caught does it hurt your opinion of the St. Cloud area as a fishing destination?
heard its in willmar next year!!!!!!!!!
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Joe Scegura wrote:</div>
What do you guys think of the “Gov Opener”? Alexandria is looking at hosting it. How many of you want to visit St. Cloud because the Governor fished there Saturday? How many of you watched coverage of the event? Do you think it helps an area get on the map? Or in this case with virtually no walleye caught does it hurt your opinion of the St. Cloud area as a fishing destination?I am constantly amazed at the profound incompetence demonstrated by our politicians when they try and catch a few fish. It’s like they need a guide to tell them to pick up the fat end of the rod. A group of IDO regulars will tell you if the Walleye fishing around St. Cloud is good or not, not our Governor.
SR
The whole “Governor’s Fishing Opener” campaign/event is all about PR for the particular area he is fishing along with promoting this great States outdoors. It’s all good pub so at the end of the day it doesn’t matter what end of the rod the Gov picks up. The event is all a big commercial for what our State has to offer which I think is a good thing…RR
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
