Minnesota 2020 Fishing Season

[MN Fisher]

For my MN crib

 

"Governor Tim Walz announced a two week stay at home order for Minnesota during his 2 pm conference call today.

The order begins midnight on Friday and runs through April 10."

"We must take bold action to save the lives of Minnesotans. As a former Command Sergeant Major in the Army National Guard, I believe in having a plan – which is why I’m directing Minnesotans to stay at home and limit their movements to essential services. #StayHomeMN pic.twitter.com/W2TAejwnBs

— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) March 25, 2020"

 

Yep - now it's us

[Ogandrews]

Just got home from my first trip to the backwaters of the year. Fished a big flat way on the bottom end of pool 4 called Peterson lake. I had to break through about 20 yards of ice to get my kayak into the open water. Water temp was 35-37 and about 1foot of vis. Got one little bite and saw some shad schooled up so I know fish are moving in there. Hoping to get out this Sunday and again next Wednesday in the winona area, been hearing reports that they are a lot farther along in that area. Should be getting into some pike in the next week or two hopefully, wouldn’t expect a good bass bite until the water has gone up another 8-10 degrees. I’ll give a report next time I get out

[ThatOneBigKid]

20 hours ago, Ogandrews said:

Just got home from my first trip to the backwaters of the year. Fished a big flat way on the bottom end of pool 4 called Peterson lake. I had to break through about 20 yards of ice to get my kayak into the open water. Water temp was 35-37 and about 1foot of vis. Got one little bite and saw some shad schooled up so I know fish are moving in there. Hoping to get out this Sunday and again next Wednesday in the winona area, been hearing reports that they are a lot farther along in that area. Should be getting into some pike in the next week or two hopefully, wouldn’t expect a good bass bite until the water has gone up another 8-10 degrees. I’ll give a report next time I get out

Thanks for this report man. I have been fishing the Pool 4 backwaters in that area for years now and I am always guessing each year when the ice is off down there as I don't have a reliable source in the area to reach out to. I am thinking after next weeks warm up, wind, and some rain, those back waters should be sitting pretty to start getting a boat into from the main channel. Thoughts? 

[Ogandrews]

8 hours ago, ThatOneBigKid said:

Thanks for this report man. I have been fishing the Pool 4 backwaters in that area for years now and I am always guessing each year when the ice is off down there as I don't have a reliable source in the area to reach out to. I am thinking after next weeks warm up, wind, and some rain, those back waters should be sitting pretty to start getting a boat into from the main channel. Thoughts? 

I know some of the backwaters that are closer to the main river are already open and some guys I know have been getting into fish already. I’m going to try to head down to some of the winona backwaters on Sunday and see how those are, id assume that they are a little farther along with it being farther south. I’ll let you know how it is

[ThatOneBigKid]

 

14 hours ago, Ogandrews said:

I know some of the backwaters that are closer to the main river are already open and some guys I know have been getting into fish already. I’m going to try to head down to some of the winona backwaters on Sunday and see how those are, id assume that they are a little farther along with it being farther south. I’ll let you know how it is

Please do. I am itching to get out on the water. Thanks man! 

[JackKlassen]

Not sure if this has been answered in past posts or not but my old highschool derby partner and I are looking for a team trail wednesday night type deal to fish this summer (assuming coronavirus doesn't put a halt on tournaments). Those of you who fish the greenhorn tour, do they offer partner tournaments or only angler/coangler ones? 

Thanks and stay healthy.

[Tlauz]

 

This guy has fantastic bass fishing videos.  Mostly in Minnesota. This isn't bass, but he got out to do a little pike/muskie fishing.  Makes my cabin fever even worse. 

[Ogandrews]

Got out on the backwaters in Winona today with a buddy. Terrible weather, 37-41 with 15-25 mph winds and rain. Water temp was 40-41 so it’s getting close to prime time for pike. Fished a number of different spots close to prairie island. Got one bite in 6 hours but nothing else. Saw a good amount of Shad in a few spots so I know there have to be fish in there, with the terrible conditions I think the fish had a little lockjaw. Water was a lot higher, a lot of flooded woods which sounds great on paper but I’m reality makes it super hard to pinpoint where the fish are because there is so much good looking water. I’m going to get back out to pool 4 on Wednesday, hopefully with the weather in the 50’s we can get some water into the mid 40s and get some pike at least moving. I’ll let you guys know how I do, I always try to be one of the first guys on the water in the backwaters and it usually pays off when I find a good bite when nobody else is there.

[ThatOneBigKid]

21 hours ago, JackKlassen said:

Not sure if this has been answered in past posts or not but my old highschool derby partner and I are looking for a team trail wednesday night type deal to fish this summer (assuming coronavirus doesn't put a halt on tournaments). Those of you who fish the greenhorn tour, do they offer partner tournaments or only angler/coangler ones? 

Thanks and stay healthy.

All of the GH tournaments are team tournament, but you can elect to fish solo if you like. The GH catches flack from the Facebook warriors but I have been fishing it for 6+ years now and it is a very well run league and there is a great group of guys in all the different series I have fished. I highly doubt you would be disappointed if you fished the any of the Wed night series.  

[ThatOneBigKid]

15 hours ago, Ogandrews said:

Got out on the backwaters in Winona today with a buddy. Terrible weather, 37-41 with 15-25 mph winds and rain. Water temp was 40-41 so it’s getting close to prime time for pike. Fished a number of different spots close to prairie island. Got one bite in 6 hours but nothing else. Saw a good amount of Shad in a few spots so I know there have to be fish in there, with the terrible conditions I think the fish had a little lockjaw. Water was a lot higher, a lot of flooded woods which sounds great on paper but I’m reality makes it super hard to pinpoint where the fish are because there is so much good looking water. I’m going to get back out to pool 4 on Wednesday, hopefully with the weather in the 50’s we can get some water into the mid 40s and get some pike at least moving. I’ll let you guys know how I do, I always try to be one of the first guys on the water in the backwaters and it usually pays off when I find a good bite when nobody else is there.

Nice report man. I have never fished the Winona area, but it sounds interesting. I know what your saying with the flooded forest. Wabasha has areas that are just like that and I makes it so difficult to pinpoint anything.

 

I am planning to head down to Pool 4 next Saturday to snoop around. Good to hear the water is warming. This weeks warming trend should help that to but the water is likely to keep rising with this weeks rain incoming. Regardless, excited to be hitting open water in less than a week. 

 

My yearly trip to Lake Fork, TX is still on for the week after Easter for now. I am hoping TX doesn't close down the state to all incoming road traffic. I know they have closed it to Louisiana residents road traffic (not completely closed, but incoming LA residents need to quarantine upon arrival), but all other road traffic seems to be okay as of now. Fingers crossed.

 

[gim]

18 hours ago, Tlauz said:

This guy has fantastic bass fishing videos.  Mostly in Minnesota. This isn't bass, but he got out to do a little pike/muskie fishing.  Makes my cabin fever even worse.

 

Cool video, looks a lot like the Rum River.  Wonder what river in North Dakota it was.  Those are some big esox for such a small river. 

 

I couldn't tell when he was fishing, but he definitely launched his kayak at the beginning without a PFD on.  Not a smart move especially in a kayak, in that bitter cold water.  He's toast if he flips.

[umdivx]

On 3/29/2020 at 3:07 PM, JackKlassen said:

Not sure if this has been answered in past posts or not but my old highschool derby partner and I are looking for a team trail wednesday night type deal to fish this summer (assuming coronavirus doesn't put a halt on tournaments). Those of you who fish the greenhorn tour, do they offer partner tournaments or only angler/coangler ones? 

Thanks and stay healthy.

I'm one of the GH directors, my buddy and I co-direct the Wednesday GH series. As already pointed out, you can fish as a team or solo if you want. 

It's a great league, great group, super friendly and we make sure all are welcome and don't feel intimidated at all.

I'm not sure if the Wednesday night is full yet or not, I'll PM you with more details.

[umdivx]

19 hours ago, gimruis said:

 

I couldn't tell when he was fishing, but he definitely launched his kayak at the beginning without a PFD on.  Not a smart move especially in a kayak, in that bitter cold water.  He's toast if he flips.

yea, he doesn't wear a PFD at all in any of his videos. He was out on Mille Lacs last fall, again no PFD.

20 hours ago, ThatOneBigKid said:

My yearly trip to Lake Fork, TX is still on for the week after Easter for now. I am hoping TX doesn't close down the state to all incoming road traffic. I know they have closed it to Louisiana residents road traffic (not completely closed, but incoming LA residents need to quarantine upon arrival), but all other road traffic seems to be okay as of now. Fingers crossed.

 

Maybe not this year, but next year if you're looking for someone to split the costs with, I would love to make that trip some time.

[ThatOneBigKid]

On 3/31/2020 at 9:16 AM, umdivx said:

Maybe not this year, but next year if you're looking for someone to split the costs with, I would love to make that trip some time.

Sorry man, this is a trip we do every year with my uncle's and Bro-in-law so we have a full boat(s) and cabin. I might be looking to do a fall trip somewhere so I'll keep you in mind for that if it every comes to fruition. 

 

Will be going to Wabasha(pool 4) for sure on Saturday for a boat test and some fishing. Will post a full report Monday. 

[umdivx]

1 hour ago, ThatOneBigKid said:

Sorry man, this is a trip we do every year with my uncle's and Bro-in-law so we have a full boat(s) and cabin. I might be looking to do a fall trip somewhere so I'll keep you in mind for that if it every comes to fruition. 

ahh, yes I can appreciate an annual family trip like that. Maybe can help Brian and I plan a trip ourselves some time? Pointers on where to go/stay?

[ThatOneBigKid]

50 minutes ago, umdivx said:

ahh, yes I can appreciate an annual family trip like that. Maybe can help Brian and I plan a trip ourselves some time? Pointers on where to go/stay?

If it is just you and Brian going, stay at Lake Fork Marina. Good place, good tackle store and an okay restaurant for breakfast all on campus. If your looking at more than 2 guys going, look at either the larger villas at LFM, or look at the cabin rentals at Popes Landing. We used to stay at LFM, but now with it being a 4 man group the cabins at Popes are awesome. Right on the lake with good access to the boat lanes right from their boat launch. 

 

Plenty of good restaurants around the lake to eat. Emory, TX and Quitman, TX are both only a 10 min drive from the lake and offer even more good food options. There is a Walmart in Sulphur Springs, TX about 20min north of the lake for essentials, fishing license, batteries, etc if need be. Also more restaurants available in SS too. 

 

Lake Fork is a great trip that I would recommend to anyone. The drive isn't bad at all. We leave at 4am, stop at BPS in KC, Stop at Academy in Joplin, and Tulsa for dinner and we typically pull into Lake Fork around 10-11pm. The lake can be intimidating to break down when you are first starting out, but with the pros being their quite a bit in the last few year it at least gives you something to start on. 

 

If you ever plan a trip down there let me know. I have a ton more info, just don't have the time to write a novel right now. 

[umdivx]

2 minutes ago, ThatOneBigKid said:

If you ever plan a trip down there let me know. I have a ton more info, just don't have the time to write a novel right now. 

Thanks for all that. When this all blows over and we can start socializing again will definitely have to meet up and shoot the **** and figure things out. 

[ThatOneBigKid]

1 minute ago, umdivx said:

Thanks for all that. When this all blows over and we can start socializing again will definitely have to meet up and shoot the **** and figure things out. 

For sure man. I am game. 

[gim]

Ice out declared on Lake Minnetonka today (April 2) by the Hennepin County Water Patrol at 10am.  Looks like most of the lakes from the Twin Cities and south are open now according to this ice out map by the DNR.

 

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ice_out/index.html

 

Darn, I was 13 days off.  Predicted April 15 last fall.

[MN Fisher]

9 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Ice out declared on Lake Minnetonka today (April 2) by the Hennepin County Water Patrol at 10am.  Looks like most of the lakes from the Twin Cities and south are open now according to this ice out map by the DNR.

 

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ice_out/index.html

 

Darn, I was 13 days off.  Predicted April 15 last fall.

Closer than me - I predicted the 20th...I think.

[ThatOneBigKid]

Had to call off the trip to Pool 4 tomorrow. Bummer cause I was looking to jerk on a few. 

 

Oh well, I will be out on White Bear Lake Sunday after church doing a boat check. White bass boat with one Talon. Say hi if you see me out there. 

[ThatOneBigKid]

Got out to WBL for a boat test and Side Imaging session. Was a productive day and short of the wind blowing like it always does when I am on WBL, it was a good day. 

 

In other news, my trip to Lake Fork is officially canceled with Texas ordering a similar "Stay at Home" order through April 30th. Oh well, I guess it is for the best. Will be looking to hit Pool 4 and Western WI instead next week. 

[Tlauz]

Anyone have a feeling on the opener.  Is governor going to close any accesses or restrict where people can go?   

[Pogues2300]

If things get closed I feel it will be due to the non boaters hanging out in parks like nothing is going on. Personally observed this at two metro lakes as well as hidden falls park and it concerns me. Boaters and kayakers I've seen load up and go giving the next person plenty of room. I read that he thought people were doing a good job distancing except at parks/ trails so i imagine access points would just get lumped in there. 

[gim]

12 hours ago, Tlauz said:

Anyone have a feeling on the opener.  Is governor going to close any accesses or restrict where people can go?   

I don't think it will be affected in terms of the existing laws.  He's already stated that fishing and hunting seasons will continue as planned - although it may look a lot different at some of the lakes/landings.  They recommend fishing "close to home" but they really haven't indicated what that means and its quite apparent just about everyone sees that differently.  I personally think that anywhere within about an hour of my house is acceptable as long as I do what I can to avoid other people.  I don't think people will be driving hours north to their traditional opener locations with family/friends.  They already closed off several popular early season locations (Rainy River, Green Bay) because people didn't follow the guidelines.  If people start to abuse that at places around here, they'll close them too.  It only takes a few people to ruin it for everyone.