What a great way to start the season! Lots of big fish being caught. Walleyes up to 8 lbs and many northern pike pushing the 15 lb mark with a ton of perfect eater sized fish mixed in. Even the small mouth bass have been on a tear which is not generally typical this early. The only downside is that keeper walleyes have been tough to find but on the flip side the 14-17 inch sauger are making up for it. It has been a great opening week to say the least. As far as depth and presentation goes, it is somewhat of a mixed bag. Shallow shoreline points and then deep water (30-40 ft and sometimes deeper) seem to be the ticket. Can't stress enough that a VERY SLOW presentation is working best with anchoring boats producing most fish. The smallest jig possible or even just a plain hook with a small split shot 12 inches up and tipped with a minnow is producing. Staying close to the bottom is key and the bite is light. Just a small "tick" on your line might indicate a fish has taken the bait. Give some time before setting the hook. As for shorelines and dock fishing a simple slip bobber rig is the way to go. Again, staying close the bottom is key. No more than 6-12 inches off. Water temps still hovering around 50 degrees.
It's not just the fishing that has been good. Almost all wildlife are in breeding mode with some already having young ones. Please keep your distance when viewing so as not disturb one of natures true miracles. A couple of our guests spotted moose on Locator Lake while on a short camping trip and many deer have been seen along the shorelines. Taking a hike this afternoon found another guest in quite the predicament as their curious pooch tangled with a porcupine. A trip to the vet and 40 quills later and all was good again. Just a reminder that you never know what you will see when exploring the park!
The hummingbirds and pelicans are back and usually the last migrating birds no make the journey north. The loons have been back for quite some time and are on the nest. It is nice to see the population rebounding after the 2010 gulf oil spill took its toll on our state bird where they spend their winters. I would say we have definitely noticed the numbers increase the last couple years. Hopefully MN will see some of the money from the almost 19 billion dollar settlement with BP. Minnesota and Wisconsin would be the only non-coastal states to receive money.
All in all a great kick off to the 2017 season! Get out there and enjoy!
It's not just the fishing that has been good. Almost all wildlife are in breeding mode with some already having young ones. Please keep your distance when viewing so as not disturb one of natures true miracles. A couple of our guests spotted moose on Locator Lake while on a short camping trip and many deer have been seen along the shorelines. Taking a hike this afternoon found another guest in quite the predicament as their curious pooch tangled with a porcupine. A trip to the vet and 40 quills later and all was good again. Just a reminder that you never know what you will see when exploring the park!
The hummingbirds and pelicans are back and usually the last migrating birds no make the journey north. The loons have been back for quite some time and are on the nest. It is nice to see the population rebounding after the 2010 gulf oil spill took its toll on our state bird where they spend their winters. I would say we have definitely noticed the numbers increase the last couple years. Hopefully MN will see some of the money from the almost 19 billion dollar settlement with BP. Minnesota and Wisconsin would be the only non-coastal states to receive money.
All in all a great kick off to the 2017 season! Get out there and enjoy!
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