May 13th Fishing Opener ~Courtesy of MVTV Wireless’ Marketing Intern and Guest Blogger, Wyatt Hatch.

MVTV Wireless’ Marketing Intern and Guest Blogger, Wyatt Hatch.
The ice has been off the lakes for a couple of months, the temperature is beginning to be more consistent, and the 2017 fishing opener is here. If you are hitting the waters this weekend, here are some helpful tips and things to keep in mind.
First, stay safe. Be sure to check your trailer lights before hauling your boat. Accidents may occur if following vehicles can’t see your turning signals and break lights. Also, make sure you have proper safety equipment in your boat like a fire extinguisher, a whistle, and adequate life jackets.
This weekend fisherman will be able to start targeting three different species of fish. Northern pike, walleye, and bass. For the first time, this season, Minnesota is offering a catch and release season for bass starting the same weekend as northern pike and walleye. You will not be able to keep bass for another two weeks except for the northeast part of the state.
With ideal spawning temperatures at 60-70 degrees look for bass spawning shallow. Since bass will be sitting on nest they will be aggressive trying to protect their nests. Try pitching soft plastics and spinners to trigger a bite.
Northern pike are often the first species to spawn because their ideal spawning temperature is around 40-45 degrees. They should be done spawning by now, so look for them trolling the edges of weed lines in the mid shallows looking for small game fish. Trolling these weed lines with spoons or shallowing running crankbaits is an effective and efficient way to pick up fish.

Where to find the big ones!
Walleyes will be just getting done spawning since there ideal spawning temperature is around 45-50 degrees. You will expect to find walleyes in mid depths off points and rock beds. A couple simple and go to techniques to pick up these fish are pitching jig heads tipped with crawlers, fatheads, or leeches and trolling or drifting with lindy rigs tipped with the same type of bait.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and picked up a tip or two to help put some fish in your boat. Have fun and be safe this weekend everyone.
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