Perfect stage for walleye opener, but star actor reluctant

WILLMAR - The stage was set for one of the best fishing openers ever, but the star actor was not ready for the role.
“Everybody I talked to on Saturday said it was a struggle,’’ said Brad Foshaug, Brad’s ’71 Bait and Sports, Willmar. “It was not as good as I thought it would be.’’
“Disappointing,’’ said Larry Jensen, Minnewaska Bait and Sports, Starbuck.
The walleye were hard to find and very unpredictable on the 2015 opener in west central Minnesota. Anglers were looking in waters anywhere from 6 feet to 28 feet deep on Lake Minnewaska, mostly with little success. “There was no certain pattern,’’ Jensen said.
There were fish caught to be sure, and plenty of anglers in pursuit. Saturday opened with blue skies, temperatures in the upper 30s, and a morning walleye chop that would seem to give all the advantage to anglers. Unlike the last two years when late and cold springs had anglers wondering if their favorite waters would be ice free, this year was a dream. Water temperatures ranged between 55 and 60 degrees, ideal for a walleye bite.
But where? “I know there had to be guys catching fish,’’ Foshaug said. He heard “rumors’’ of successful anglers opening on Willmar, Foot, Diamond and Green lakes.
Bait shops saw lots of activity Saturday thanks to the high expectations for this year’s opener. Pete’s Surplus, New London, was busy through the day, but the anglers who returned said only the sheepshead were biting. The panfishing was OK, but even that had quieted down after a hot bite only one week earlier.
Things were no better to the west. At D.J.’s Sporting Goods in Montevideo, Kyle Boike said that most anglers reported the action was not very good on Lac qui Parle Lake.
Like others, Boike said the weather front that moved into the area Friday night and pushed through during the day Saturday seems to be to blame for shutting down the walleye. “I’m sure that had a lot to do with it,’’ he said.
Yet there really is no reason to be down about it. “The real opener is next weekend,’’ said Foshaug. A much needed shot of rain and cooler temperatures this week are forecast to be followed by warmer temps next weekend. That could be the casting call needed.