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An optimistic opener

Area anglers looking forward to ‘one of the best openers’ this weekend

Photo by Sam Thiel Marshall resident Jim Pingeon looks at bobbers in the fishing department of Borch’s Sporting Goods on Thursday afternoon. Anglers in Minnesota will be hitting the lakes this weekend with fishing season kicking off on Saturday.

MARSHALL — If you’re planning on fishing this weekend, you may want to bring something else besides a rod, a tackle box and some bait. The weather could be as unpredictable as the success levels on the lakes and rivers, with temperatures on track for a brisk mid 30s Saturday morning before ultimately climbing to as high as 62. There is also a chance of a scattered shower or two throughout the day, so maybe pack the rain jacket and a waterproof hat as well.

But Mother Nature might not have as big of an effect on anglers as it thinks this weekend, as Saturday’s opener for walleye, northern and Sauger could be one of the most successful ones in recent memory.

“I have a feeling it’ll be really good this season. I think it’s probably going to be one of the best openers I’ve seen,” said Ryan Michelson, the hunting and fishing department manager at Borch’s Sporting Goods.

Michelson said fishing has become more and more popular of an activity in southwest Minnesota over the years.

“It’s been steadily increasing for the past 10-15 years,” Michelson said. “I’ve grown up here and I’ve watched fishing become even more popular.”

As expected, there will be guidelines put in place heading into the opener. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), anglers are urged to only have people from the same household in the same boat, continue to maintain six feet of social distancing and stay close to home. They also encourage to bring all supplies that are necessary with them and go out as far as they can and still be able to return back on a single tank of fuel or electric charge.

The Minnesota DNR also reported that healthy walleye populations have been seen in lakes such as Cottonwood, Tyson and Wood for the opener. Another selection of hotspots include Lake Benton in Lincoln County and Shetek and Sarah in Murray County. According to the DNR, the gill net catch rate in a 2018 survey at Shetek was 24.8 per gill net, which has been the highest rate seen in the past two decades there. Benton saw a per gill net rate of 27.6 in 2019’s survey with lengths spanning from 12 to 27 inches. Sarah also had a strong catch rate in 2018’s survey at 21.0 per gill net and also saw several walleye measure at 25 inches or more and weigh up to 14 pounds.

The river outlook shows promising signs as well, as the DNR says Channel and Flathead catfish, Sauger, walleye and White Bass are providing the best options in the Minnesota River. Fewer-caught species including Buffalo, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum (sheepshead), Gar, Redhorse and Shovelnose Sturgeon are also known to be potential options. For more information on outlooks of various lakes, please visit https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/outlooks.

Area sporting goods stores are ready to go as well. Runnings Director of Marketing Dennis Jensen said when Minnesota governor Tim Walz announced the reopening of various outdoor activities, including fishing, on April 17, they shared a similar level of excitement as their customers.

“We’re very excited,” Jensen said. “We obviously share our customers excitement towards getting back to normal and the more activities the better.”

Both Jensen and Michelson said shelves are equipped with what anglers will need for a successful day on the lake or at the river.

“We offer everything that an angler needs, from rods and reels to tackle boxes, lures and apparel,” Jensen said. “We also sell bait and licenses as well.”

Michelson said whatever the forecast brings this weekend, he knows that people will be happy to be out on the open water again.

“Fishing is one of the biggest pastimes and you can just go out and enjoy Mother Nature and it can brighten your spirits,” Michelson said.

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