A Recent Warm Up Should Help Anglers During the Fishing Opener

(KNSI) – A cold spring should be a thing of the past for anglers getting out on the water for the Minnesota Fishing Opener. Walleye season begins at 12 a.m. on Saturday. Minnesota Department of Natural Resouces Fisheries Manager Eric Altena says recent weather has warmed up area lakes.

“Until this past week, I would have told you that water temperatures are going to be really cold. But we’re warming up very fast with some of this 80 degree weather. So, certainly within the central part of the state, you’re going to have average conditions for getting out after walleye. They’re all done spawning and should be readily available for catching.”

He says most anglers around the St. Cloud area could succeed more because the water is a little warmer.

“Certainly covering some water and you know checking things out I think is a good idea regardless of which lake you end up going to but you know if you’re in the central the southern part of the state fish are probably going to be a little bit more active.”

Altena says most lakes are between 50 and 60 degrees right now, which is almost perfect for walleye fishing. If you’re looking for a good walleye lake in the St. Cloud area, try Big Birch, Big Swan, Little Rock Lake, the Mississippi River or Sauk Lake.

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