By Steve Weisman

(photo by Steve Weisman) Current coming from the spillway on Big Spirit to the north end of East Okoboji attracted by walleyes and anglers the Saturday evening of Walleye Opener.

What a spring or non-spring this has been. Everyone has kind of been held hostage by Mother Nature. Farmers, high school athletes, dock and hoist businesses, lawn and landscape businesses, fisheries biologists…basically everybody in northwest Iowa has had to work through this late spring.

There was even concern about the Walleye Opener, and if we would need ice augers! It was definitely unusual because hardly any docks and hoists were in on West Okoboji, East Okoboji and Big Spirit Lake. The smaller lakes in the chain, however, had their docks and hoists in. Still, Walleye Opener came and the weather was perfect. Nice temperatures, manageable wind and no storms. Yes!

This year the optional Largest Walleye category was brought back. Although it had to be a catch, measure, photo and release, it got off the ground. According to Travis Harmon, owner of Stan’s Bait and Tackle and one of the organizers of the option Largest Walleye category, 136 anglers entered the category. The largest walleye was taken at about 20 minutes after the opener. It measured 28 ¼ inches in length.

My hat goes off to the organizers of the optional Largest Walleye category. It takes some guts to organize something like this and work through the little glitches that always come with something new.

Harman says they are already making a list of things they will do next year. Although I did not enter this category, that was my choice. I still thought it was a great idea and one that should be included again next year. For those that don’t like it, remember it is optional. No one is required to participate. Plus, with our drain the plug law before we leave our local waters, this is the easiest way that I can see to recognize the big fish caught during the Walleye Opener.

The Walleye Opener offers something for everyone

It’s really true. Contests, prizes in all kinds of categories, lots of Friday and Saturday meals, entertainment and fishing seminars. Plus, the Opener is a happening. It’s the annual entrance into the open water season at the Iowa Great Lakes. At the same time, people come from all over just to be here, often to see old friends and family.

For me, it’s about five old cronies getting together from Friday through Sunday at a friend’s cabin on the east shore just north of Sandbar Beach on Big Spirit Lake. Our ages kind of tell it all with Denny Harms of Lawton Bronson, the youngest at 65; then Steve Schroeder of Estherville at 69; myself at 70; Bill Elling, cabin owner at 72; and Tom Brainerd from Ft. Dodge at 82 years of age. We all at one time taught together in Estherville, except for Tom, but his brother taught with us, so Tom has always been part of the crew. We’ve been doing this for over 20 years, and it is true that the spirit is still there. However, the step might be a little slower!

Friday: preparation day

At least, that is what we like to say, by meeting at McKean’s for lunch and then heading to Elling’s cabin. Luckily, we were able to get the dock and hoist in by Thursday, so Bill’s pontoon was safely situated on the water. We would have to trailer Denny’s Lund, but we thought Hale’s Slough would be ok, although we might have to wait.

Friday evening was a time to make sure all of our equipment was ready and to get bait. Luckily, we were able to get some spottail shiners from Kabele’s Trading Post. Then it was kick back and entertain the “old friends” that stopped by throughout the evening.

As 10 p.m. rolled around, we looked at each other, contemplated staying up until midnight and abruptly headed to bed. We did find out on Saturday that anglers did catch some decent keeper walleyes on a dock about 400 yards to the north.

Saturday fishing

There were three boats of us that networked together throughout the day. Denny and I were fortunate that there wasn’t a line waiting to launch in Hale’s Slough, and by 8:30, we were all on the water. Seven hours later our total was one two-pound northern pike, one three-pound musky, three walleyes between 15-16 inches, two slot fish and one 22 ½ incher. The word around the lake was pretty much the same story.

Late afternoon Denny and I switched gears and headed to Sandbar Slough, where we caught 15 bluegills. We also witnessed largemouth bass taken up to five pounds-no I am not kidding.

Toward dusk, we headed to the north end of East Okoboji to see if there were many people fishing the fast water behind the Spirit Lake Hatchery. Word was walleye fishing had been good there during the day on Saturday. We witnessed at least a dozen wader fishermen, at least 15 boats and another 15-20 anglers fishing from the bank.

We did try off the dock Saturday evening, but that only lasted from around 9-10. There was a lot of floating weeds and reeds from iceout, which made it difficult for our slip bobbers to not get caught up as they moved in the current.

Sunday fishing

While the other two boats went back for walleyes, Sunday was decision time for Denny and me. Fish walleyes again or go fish for panfish? I’d rather have fun catching than fishing, so we decided to head to Triboji. Lots of people fishing, which is great to see, but luckily we each found a dock to fish. After casting out into the lagoon and catching very few fish, we took off our bobbers and straight-line jigged around our dock and hoist. We took home 37 nice bluegills and crappies.

Unfortunately, the boat fishing on Big Spirit was just as tough as Saturday. At least, Denny and Tom were able to take home a nice mess of panfish.

Still, the stories continued, the breeze was just right, the grilled hamburgers and brats to go with the potato salad and baked beans hit the spot. Plus, the view of Big Spirit was, as always priceless.

As I headed home Sunday evening, I saw a familiar blue Chevrolet pickup at Sandbar Slough. There was my grandson fishing for largemouth bass. I just sat there on the railing and chatted with Hunter as he fancast with his spinnerbait every once hooking a nice largemouth.

That was the end to what I considered to be the perfect Walleye Opener weekend.