The Park Rapids area is ripe for great fishing during this weekend’s MN walleye opener!
Most area lakes were ice free as of last weekend and with several days of warm weather, anglers should expect a very successful opener. Access docks are in place at all major public accesses, though a few remote small lakes may not have docks available quite yet. Expect walleyes to be shallow and foraging on native minnows, so a jig and minnow, soft swimbaits and hard bodied, shallow diving crank baits should all produce in 3-10 feet of water. Look for gravel or sand flats and areas with current entering the lake to locate post-spawn walleye. Northern pike will be aggressively feeding in shallow water as well, but concentrate on areas with emerging or standing, leftover vegetation from last season. If the predator fish aren’t biting so well for you, the panfish are on the prowl! Shallow, soft bottomed bays with old pencil reeds or sticks have already been entertaining anglers with aggressive panfish. And for those looking to scratch their itch for catching bass, anglers may legally target bass starting Saturday, but must immediately release all largemouth and smallmouth until Memorial Day weekend. For additional information on specific lakes or general information, contact Jason Durham of Go Fish! Guide Service at 218-252-2278 or visit his website, www.go-fish-guides.com
Go Fish! Guide Service http://go-fish-guides.com
Jason Durham 218-252-2278