OutdoorsWeekly.com Reader Pics

Minnesota Opener Recap

By PJ Maguire

Special to Outdoors Weekly
Photos by JD Westerholm
Fishing during my traditional Mille Lacs opener was good. I would say that our boat over the weekend experienced a similar catch rate as 2008 with more fish being boated this year due do be able to spend more time on the water. Our group found fish in 12 to 8 feet of water and caught all of the fish using leeches with slip-bobbers. The half an hour before and after sunset seemed to be the best time to catch fish, which is pretty standard. It was good to get out on the big water and hook-up with a few walleyes. The icing on the cake was Phil Bettenburg catching a tagged walleye in the same area he caught a tagged walleye on opening weekend seven years ago!