Walleye opener update

Just wanted to give everyone who is checking in a fishing update now that opening weekend for walleye has arrived.
I was out the past two days myself and overall did quite well. Saturday seemed a little slow, we ended up with 7 nice eating size walleye, about a dozen smaller ones we through back, half a dozen big smallies, and about 15 very aggressive pike in a little over half a day of fishing. The fish were scattered a bit, but we found a few almost everywhere we stopped.
One of our cabin groups was out lake trout fishing on Friday, and did very well, caught about 8 of them over 7 pounds, some being 9-10, and one approaching 15 lbs they released. They were relatively shallow yet, about 15-30 feet of water.
Sunday, the walleye picked up quite a bit. We were up on the floodwaters and landed approximately 25 walleye in about 3 hours of fishing, most of them being around the 15 inch range. We found that gold or brass spinner rigs with bottom bouncers, about 3/4 ounce were catching the most fish, sticking in a about 12-15 foot of water near spawning areas. The big females are just off spawn, and are a little dormant yet, but anticipate them starting to feed within the next 1-2 weeks. June should be quite good as the weather has been quite stable for most of May.
One of our other groups on the floods did quite well too, once they found the fish. They landed about 30 nice walleye in a few hours time.
The big smallmouth seem to be moving in to the shallows in most of the lakes feeding for prespawn. All of June should be very good for the smallies.
The water levels are normal or just a bit higher than normal.
I will post again towards mid June for another update.
Good Fishing until then!

ICE OUT 2011!!!

Officially the ice went out on Crystal on the evening of May 7, totally all out on May 8. That is quite a bit later , actually one full month, over last year, but it is the start of a normal spring anyway.
Not a lot of fisherman coming through yet, but a few early anglers were out this past weekend, catching some lake trout on our lake, along with some huge smallies, and another group did good on another local lake just 10 minutes down the road. The lake trout should bite good until late June in fairly shallow water.
We are planning to put the docks in this week sometime, and get the camp officially opened all the way up for the season within a week. We look forward to all guests arriving for the upcoming season. I will try to keep posting fishing updates for the less fortunate who can't take off all summer to be here, but don't worry, I will do my best to catch a few extra walleye to cover for all who are missing out!!!
Good fishing,
Jody

Early May update 2011

Just wanted to put in a quick early May update for all who are checking in periodically. It is the 2nd of May and Crystal is still totally covered with ice, however, some small pockets just started opening up today. I am guessing the ice should be out by the end of this week, or mostly out anyway. That is pretty close to a normal year, as last year was an exception with it being out by April 6 on our lake. Some of the smaller nearby lakes just went out today, or nearly out.
We do have a couple guys staying in a cabin and were on a local lake where they could cast to the edge of the ice and did manage to land a 7 lb laker, in less than 5 foot of water. Also, they landed two nice pike, one just over the slot and one in it. Not bad considering the wind was blowing about 25 mph today and it snowed a good portion of the day with highs in the low 40's! This week we are supposed to see the sun come out though, so that should dissipate the ice quickly. At least the snow has all gone away now with the exception of a few small piles where we plowed.
Water levels are looking good going into the spring season, and with good luck the walleye should bite as good as they did last year. I will put another update in toward the end of the month for all the June guests coming up, hopefully it should be filled with walleye stories!
good fishing
Jody