KANDIYOHI COUNTY — Heavy rains definitely kept most of the fair-weather fishermen out of area waters at sunrise early Saturday morning as the Minnesota fishing opener kicked off for anglers looking to net popular fish species including walleye, bass and northern pike.
Pat Kochlin, of Jordan, kept busy during the morning as he fished off a small wooden dock along the Middle Fork Crow River.
"I'm looking to catch anything that will move," Kochlin said with a laugh.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Upstream on Nest Lake, Kelly Morrell and fishing friend Scott Van Buren were on the hunt for northern pike, although Morrell said they weren't fishing for keeps this day, just for the fun of catching and releasing.
Over on Foot Lake in Willmar, Lake Lillian resident Bob Epema couldn't believe he was the first boat to launch bright and early just before 7 a.m. as a steady rain fell.
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Overall, anglers throughout Kandiyohi County had a plethora of options for local lakes to hit up this weekend. Popular spots included Green Lake, Norway Lake, Lake Wakanda, Ringo Lake, Nest Lake and Foot Lake.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
More Photo Galleries by Macy Moore on Wctrib.com from across west central Minnesota. For quick access, bookmark: wctrib.com/photo-galleries
Novice and advanced spoon carvers converge in the small town of Milan for the 17th annual Spoon Gathering this weekend.
More than two dozen Memorial Day ceremonies took place throughout west central Minnesota on Monday, May 29, as residents paid respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Sibley State Park teaches children fishing basics on Lake Andrew over Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 27, 2023.
Graduation ceremony sees 23 students walk across the stage to receive their diplomas on Saturday, May 27.
Veterans and community members come together to place American flags on veteran graves, raise 100 flags at memorial the morning of Friday, May 26, 2023.
Willmar students won the Minnesota Technology and Engineering Educators Association Supermileage Challenge at Brainerd International Raceway with a car that recorded a top performance single run of 532.55 miles per gallon.
Red fox kits are visible from a home den in Chippewa County on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Section 5A golf at Eagle Creek Golf Club on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Willmar.
Norwegian celebration fills Milan's downtown streets as residents celebrate their heritage Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Twin Cities magician Justin Alan brings, laughs, curiosity and fun to Willmar during his magic show at the Willmar Community Center on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
PHOTOS: Flowers, trees and green grass make a resurgence in west central Minnesota after sunny skies
Area trees, foliage burst back to life as temperatures and long, sunny days mark their return this spring season.
Proud parents, family and friends fill sidewalks and theatre to watch students in prom grand march on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Willmar Senior High School hosted grand march and prom festivities on Friday, May 5, 2023.
On May 4, 2023, the day before this year's Willmar Senior High School prom, school staff dress up for staff prom.
Children bike, roll and ride scooters to school during National Bike & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Vendors, games and a color run for kiddos highlight annual Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Willmar.
New ambulance exhibit donated by CentraCare revealed at museum's five-year celebration on Friday, April 28, 2023.
As area lakes and streams thaw, waterfowl moving north inundate open waters throughout Kandiyohi County.
Members of the Ridgewater Welding program constructed a life-size stainless steel German shepherd sculpture, which will be displayed at the Law Enforcement Center.
A weekly drum circle on Wednesdays at the Willmar Community Center focuses on community, engagement and a way to decompress while having a little fun.
First-ever Daddy Daughter Formal is a smashing success as hundreds register for night of dancing.
Law enforcement and community members pay their respects to slain Pope County Sheriff's Deputy Josh Owen during his funeral at Minnewaska Area High School on Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Glenwood, Minnesota.
Folks gathered for music, guest speakers and more at the Willmar Civic Center during the annual Life Connections event on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Karen Aakre passes along Norwegian skinfeller teachings during a two-day course at Milan Village Arts School.
Photographer Macy Moore captured some of the scenes along the Minnnesota and Chippewa rivers, which were near major flood levels on Saturday, April 15, 2023.
Folks learn how to turn junk into journals at the Willmar Public Library on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
Hilarity ensues as The Barn Theatre invites folks to travel back in time to the middle of World War II in "The Andrews Brothers."
Following a 22-car BNSF train derailment during the early-morning hours of Thursday, March 30, 2023, workers continue cleaning up the site this week.
The president brought his "Investing in America" tour on April 3, 2023, to Cummins Power Generation plant in Fridley, Minnesota.
Residents evacuated from their homes after a BNSF train derailed at 1 a.m. in Raymond on Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Willmar’s Sam Etterman strikes out 15 and tosses a 4-hitter to beat Sacred Heart, 4-0
The Minnesota Department of Education issued its graduation report for 2022 recently. The report comes out a year after those students graduated but is still worth studying, school officials say.
Of 251 graduates of the Willmar Senior High class of 2023, 175 of them plan to continue their educations at community/technical colleges, colleges and universities.
Marriage licenses issued in Kandiyohi County from May 26 to June 1.
Governor Tim Walz signed legislation allowing two lines during open water season on Minnesota River downstream of the Granite Falls dam to Pool 2 in the Mississippi River.
DeBlieck was honored during the Missouri River Energy Services 58th Annual meeting May 10, 2023.
Here are some of the more significant changes to the state's crime and criminal justice code this year.
Ryan Engdahl was promoted to vice president of ambulatory care and Rachael Lesch was promoted to vice president of population health and performance excellence.
Robert Joel Vangstad, 71, of Osakis, suffered non-life-threatening injuries after his vehicle collided with a semi Thursday afternoon on U.S. Highway 71 in Kandiyohi County. The driver of the semi was uninjured in the crash.
Durham, 46, of Park Rapids, Minnesota, just wrapped up his 22nd year as a kindergarten teacher in his hometown of Nevis, Minnesota. This is his 32nd year of guiding.
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