By Steve Weisman
So, you’ve done your “health homework” and are ready to fish the 2020 walleye opener. Well, let’s check out what the fishing might be like. Since it is called the Walleye Opener, we’ll start with the walleye fishing. If the gill netting results are any indicator, walleye numbers on both Big Spirit and East Okoboji are good. With only According the Mike Hawkins, DNR Fisheries Biologist, in three nights, 771 females and 226 males were brought into the Spirit Lake Hatchery. That’s just using one boat on each lake and some electro shocking in the raceway (overflow area between the spillway on Big Spirit and the north end of East Okoboji.
Hawkins says, “The walleye fishery in the Iowa Great Lakes is in excellent condition. There are abundant year classes throughout the system, and anglers can expect to see plenty of walleyes in the sub-14” range, the 14-17” range, the slot from 17-21” and then the trophy fish over 21”.”
Much of this is because of the intensive stocking done each year with 21 million walleye fry stocked in Big Spirit, another nearly 7 million stocked in East Okoboji. In addition, over 28,000 fingerlings ranging from 7-10” in length are stocked into the East/West Okoboji fishery. “We have been doing the fingerling stocking pretty consistently since 2009, which has helped with recruitment and to fill in any voids in year classes.”
While some anglers become frustrated having to release those slot walleyes, the slot has done what it was meant to do: continue to provide a high yield to the angler and to protect the broodstock population. It is the reason for the strength of the walleye fishery. Hawkins notes, “It takes walleyes four years to grow from a fry to a 14” fish. It takes six years for females to become mature broodstock.”
Walleye fishing
If the weather is decent, expect all three lakes to light up with the boats trolling when the season opens at 12:01 a.m. Most will be working the shorelines, pulling different crankbaits. At the same time, wader fishermen will be fishing where there is current or water coming into the lakes. They will be casting jigs and stickbaits. Another great fishing opportunity takes place on the docks surrounding the shoreline. Lights will be on off the end of docks and lighted bobbers will be bouncing on the water’s surface.
By Saturday at daylight, expect to see boats working all three lakes. However, Big Spirit will be the most crowded. Water clarity, sunshine and wind will determine how shallow or deep anglers will be able to fish. Some anglers will be casting rock piles and out in front of running water, others will be trolling plain hooks and snells tipped with minnows or leeches. If they can be found, spot tailed shiners can be a hot bait on Big Spirit. Others will be pulling crankbaits.
Other species
Not everybody is going to fish walleyes. The Grade will be lined with those seeking those big bullheads, the canals will find bluegill and crappie anglers, while largemouth bass fishermen will be targeting the shallows and docks in the bays (and in lakes like Minnewashta and Upper Gar. Smallmouth bass anglers will be searching the deep rock piles and rock drop-offs.
Yes, we’ll have an opener, and the fish don’t really care about COVID-19. Fish responsibly and safely…and have fun!
