Park Rapids Area Fishing Report April 20, 2009
Fishing in the Park Rapids area has been slow as of late, simply because the lakes are transitioning from ice to open water. A few anglers have been testing their fishing success around open water flowages, where a few early season panfish have been caught. However, the fishing has been pretty slow.
Many lakes should open up this week or next and anglers are sure to be out in droves, making sure their boats are operating correctly as the 2009 Minnesota Fishing Opener approaches.
Stream trout fishing opened last weekend and anglers had varied success. The Straight River had some activity with anglers doing best with live bait for the trout.
It won’t be long and the walleye will begin to spawn, beginning first in areas with current and then natural lakes. Please remember to leave those fish alone since they are not in season and can earn you a stiff fine from a conservation officer.
Northern pike have been spawning in back bays and grassy backwaters. It’s interesting that such a large fish will travel into some of the shallowest, weedy areas to reproduce. Again, be sure to let those fish reproduce in peace to ensure a bumper crop of future pike.