Gather up your rods and reels: The walleye, sauger and pike fishing opener is May 14. “Usually there are three openers each year, but the one that’s most crazed is the walleye opener,” says Doug Warren, owner of Lake Minnetonka Guides. “One of the things that gets overlooked for the walleye opener that is an absolute ball is fishing for northern pike,” says Warren. “Traditionally, the best time to fish for walleye is early in the morning and evening. During midday, the northern pike action is awesome.” Warren says that the easiest place to target pike is in warm, shallow bays.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers a lot of great resources, from information on boat launches to pier fishing and safety regulations. Mike Kurre, the mentoring and record fish program coordinator at the DNR, explains that the DNR’s Fish Minnesota web page at dnr.state.mn.us/fishmn is great for, ahem, catching the basics. “Fish Minnesota really lays out everything,” he says. “Do I need a license? Where do I fish? What do I do if I catch a fish?”
The DNR also plans a special Mother’s Day event on May 7 and 8. During Take-a-Mom Fishing Weekend, all moms living in Minnesota can fish for pan fish without a license. “Grab friends and family and make it an outing,” says Kurre. “It’s not just about feeling that tug on the other end of the line, but being with friends and family is what it’s all about.” Just don’t forget your sunscreen!
