The week leading up to the 2016 had some of the best weather we had seen this spring and that had our hopes high for opener. As Saturday crept closer the weather began to take a turn, and in the direction most people don’t like. Opening morning greeted us with temperatures in the low to mid 20’s, yes, 20’s in May, what a world we live in. To accompany the frost and near record lows were winds from the northwest that would have been more fitting in the Wizard of Oz. Despite of the unsavory conditions anglers were up early and dressed like they were going ice fishing, and for those who stuck it out, they were rewarded.
Early spring fishing is usually a pretty straight forward endeavor – fish wind-blown structure, shorelines and points. This year had much of the norm, and peppering of the unusual. From Stoney Point into Sucker Bay was were a majority of the opening morning action took place, anglers fought 4 foot waves and made their way to First and Second Duck Points, Goose Island and Little and Big Hardwood Points. With jigs and spot-tail shiners in tow the bite was often fast and furious and for others that didn’t want to fight with the 20-30 mph North West wind gusts their luck was of a different sort.
Pictured Above from L to R: Wayne VanGorp from Cedar Rapids, Ia – The Cedar Rapids crew Russ Havlik, Mike Burnside, Wayne VanGorp, Dan Becker and Loren Becker with a days work from Annex Reef, Ryan Thompson from Eden Prairie, Mn. and another shot of father-son fishing duo Dan and Loren Becker.
Here at the resort our guests really had a mix of each end of the spectrum, anglers getting limits of keeper walleye and others that left early without a single bite. Fishing in the wind can be tedious and downright not fun, but wind makes a walleye tick and often in the nastiest weather walleye are biting the best.
Sunday morning was a different animal all together, northwest winds died down and became about the perfect chop for walleye fishing our remaining guests took advantage of this change and continued hauling in limits of walleye and northern pike. As the week progressed temperatures rose back into familiar territory and winds calmed down, making for very pleasant fishing.
Pictured above from L to R: Mike Burnside with a 26.5 inch walleye, Carmon Titus and his fishing partner from Belle Plaine, Mn with 2 limits worth of eaters. and Cory Nelson from Rochester, Mn with a 27 incher.
With a few days respite before the busy Memorial Day weekend arrives my advice for anglers is pretty simple – Jig and shiner minnows is the only way to go, some walleye were caught with leeches over the week, but I’ve always said if spot-tail shiners are available, use them. Look for rocks and boulders, walleye are hanging tight to structure right now, and especially wind-blown structure. Focus on points and shorelines and don’t be afraid to get shallow (4-6ft) be quick with a waypoint on your GPS or a marker bouy, if you catch one, there is likely more close by. Stoney Point, Grassy Point, Marshal Point are a few spots within a stones throw from the resort that are holding fish, if you’re a little more adventurous head up into Sucker Bay to Duck Points or over to the Hardwoods, Two Points in Portage Bay is also giving up bounty.
For those of you coming to Big Rock this weekend, we can’t wait to see you! drive safe, I have my fillet knife sharp and ready.
Thanks for reading
Come see us at Big Rock Resort
(800)827-7106
Ray
