MN Spring Fishing Tips

The Twins have started, the Wild are in the playoffs, The Masters is next weekend... It can only mean one thing: The Minnesota Walleye/Pike opener is just a month away! Here's a couple tips on what's helped me land some nice keepers during the spring fishing season in MN.

For bait: I typically find success with jigs tipped with shiners or leaches. (I've also had some good early season success with a Lindy Rig.) When fishing with a jig, I tend to favor green over any other color for the first few weeks of the season. White and orange can be pretty successful as well. The weight pretty much depends on what the conditions are on the lake. I try to keep my line a vertical as possible... which brings us to our next tip:

SLOW DOWN! Don't be in a rush to fish the whole lake in one day... They make the fishing opener a whole weekend for a reason!

Water temperatures are cooler, and fish are not as active as they will be a few weeks later. Give them a chance to bite (unless you're content with a small, aggressive walleye or a two-pound pike).

If you find a good spot, make use of your anchor. If you'd rather move about, do so at a slow pace. Drift bags are good for slowing your movement. Back trolling is another good way to keep from drifting too fast.

Keep these things in mind as you're working those weed beds and drop offs this on May 10th, and you should find at least some success!