4/29/14 Rice Lake Report
It's somewhat hard to imagine, that after such a cold and hard winter that we will have a fishing opener this weekend. Lakes are starting to open up more by the day. We can thank the wind and rain, because without that we would be fishing hard water again this opener.
That won't be the case this year on many lakes though as open water is more prevalent, and by Saturdays opener we will see most if not all lakes ice free in the local area. The water is going to be extremely cold, most likely ranging from low to mid thirty degree mark. This means one thing, fish will be very lethargic, so fish SLOW! Finding any areas of warmer water can be key. I'm talking a degree or two can make a huge difference in finding fish.
Target bass on main lake points. A jig fished slowly seems like the best option right now. If you want to try the cranks or stick baits, make sure to use a slow retrieval. The lakes will be very clear, so natural or light colored baits will be your best bet.
The walleyes will be in the shallows getting ready to spawn. Some fish may even be spawning, as Mother Nature has a time table, and they may need to just drop their eggs rather than absorb them. Concentrate on hard bottom areas with small rock and rubble, or even on sand flats. A jig and minnow are my go to favorite this time of year. Use the lightest jig you can get away with when fan casting the shorelines in 2-10 feet of water. The light jig will let your bait fall slower, and trigger more bites. As the morning progresses, and fish feel the pressure of fisherman and boat traffic, drop into 12-20 feet of water casting slip bobbers or vertical jigging a minnow. These fish will still move into the shallows as the evening progresses.
We are all looking forward to another open water season. Have fun and be safe out there. Good luck fishing and remember, introduce someone new into the outdoors. They will appreciate it for a lifetime.
Jordan Marsh
Marsh Outdoors
715-296-2655
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