Minnesota Fishing Opener Reels in Mixed Results

This weekend was the official fishing opener in Minnesota and while the bait shops were busy, the fish weren't biting

DULUTH, Minn. — Fishers at Island Lake Reservoir, Wild Rice Lake Reservoir, Pike Lake, and the St. Louis River told Fox21 Local News they weren’t catching much. One fisherman even said this was the worst he’d done on opening weekend in recent history.

It depends who you talk to,” said Fredenberg Minno-ette owner Jason Manning. “The nice weather will get more people out fishing, but for the hardcore fishermen that want to catch walleye, blue bird skies and sunshine in the middle of the day isn’t exactly the best recipe. But, we’re able to get out on the water and that’s what most important.”

Manning said he’s already lost count of how many fishing licenses his shop has sold. He added they’ve been selling a lot of everything they have, from bait to bobbers and beyond. While its slowed down a little from Saturday to Sunday, Manning said he wouldn’t be surprised if they stayed busy.

“If Mother Nature cooperates, then we stay pretty busy,” Manning said. “You know, Memorial Day Weekend and the Fourth of July, those are probably our biggest weekends of the year. Opening weekend is a big one, but when people are coming up and opening their cabins and then of course the Fourth of July, if we have nice weather during those weekends, it’s bonkers around here and we’re thrilled about that.”

Although some fishers are already discouraged, Manning has seen some success this weekend. A mother and son came by earlier on Sunday to get ice and take pictures with a big Northern Pike they caught. According to another fisher, it’s those who leave their line in longest who are having all the luck.