WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
May 15, 2008

With my two daughters getting to the age where they want me to bring them fishing, I have taken opening weekend the last two years and brought them fishing. This year with the opening day cold weather, they were not able to get out, but Mothers' day Sunday was a different story. Both of them took a rod and found the first walleyes of the year with both of them getting walleyes over the 20 inch mark. Here is a picture with both of them.

Jordyn and Jerzie Colter age 3 and 5.

Cold water, sun, rain, snow, wind, and finally a few warm days equals big fish and lots of them for most anglers taking the time to hit the water on this first week of open water 2008.

With water temperatures in the low 40s to start the season on most area lakes, the fishing on Winnie showed how critical the slot limit has been with more big fished produced for nearly all anglers and the key is all of them are put back to reproduce and catch again in the future.

As the water has warmed up this week nearly 4-5 degrees, it is now pushing the upper 40s and this is the water temperature that triggers an active jig and minnow bite for nearly all Northland lakes.

Most of the typical early season spots on Winnie are full of fish, yet the fish remain somewhat inactive, but its only a matter of time before the bite breaks open. And all those that think the little fish have disappeared, hang on because many of the lakes, including Winnie are full of small fish ranging from 10-15 inches.

Look for the jig bite to remain on top of most anglers presentations list, yet don't forget about those Salmo Hornets. One can troll the hornets at 1.0 to 1.6 MPH and find pole bending activity. As for the jigs, look to keep that jig in the 1/16 to 1/8 oz. range and tip it with a silver shiner or large chub. We should have very little problem finding shiners at most of the bait shops in the next few days as the predicted sunshine will funnel those shiners to the shallow waters.

Red Lake is producing very good action if one is looking to make the trip North. In fact, a number of anglers are reporting very good action not only on the walleyes but the crappies and northerns as well. Look for the Tamarack river area on Red to hold the better number of crappies along with the area near Roger's campground.

So if opening weekend showed little results for keepers, don't get frustrated as the little keeper fish are about to break lose and the bite is going to be very good. Keep your eye and boat in the 6-10 foot of water as those areas should produce good numbers any day.

See you on the water,

Sean Colter
member of NMGL
seancolter@seancolter.com