Friday, May 8, 2009

The Opener


The 2009 Minnesota Fishing Opener is almost here. I see that the Governor has decided to stay close to home this year and spend the Opener on White Bear Lake which is just a hop, skip and a jump from the Capitol.


So I guess their will be no big kick off in Northern Minnesota for the governor to push the great fishing and pristine lakes up there.


Nor will the Governor be coming to Southern Minnesota to the Shallow fetal lake to push a fishery that is really coming into it own.


So I would like to make a suggestion to the Governor for the 2010 Fishing Opener.

How about coming down to Albert Lea and try fishing Albert Lea Lake?

Here is a little info on this soon to be Walleye destination



According to Hugh Valiant, the Department of Natural Resources' fisheries supervisor for the southern region that includes this lake, there have been some water-quality issues that have been addressed, and now Albert Lea Lake is drastically improving in that regard. While anglers do like to fish lakes where there is some decent visibility and deeper weed growth, their top priority is whether there are fish to be caught.
"We have been stocking walleyes in Albert Lea, and the numbers couldn't be better," Valiant said. "In our last survey, there were 85 walleyes per gill net. And the fish are in great shape."
Valiant explained that growth rates in the southern Minnesota lakes result in quality fishing.


"The walleyes in these highly fertile lakes grow fast, and they get big," he said. "This lake has never received the fishing pressure it deserves, but once anglers discover there are a lot of walleyes, that will change."
Albert Lea fits the definition of pothole lake. In its 2,600 acres you'll be hard-pressed to find water over 6 feet deep. With no structure to key on, anglers must use search techniques like trolling crankbaits and casting jigs until they connect with a pod of walleyes, then they drop anchor and pitch out the slip-bobbers.


Just think about it,

The Governor could come here and fish for Walleyes and give Albert Lea a little shot in the arm economically speaking. While he's here he could be taken to the site of the Shell Rock River Dam and get a first hand look at just how bad this dam really is.


Do you think something might get done with replacing the Shell Rock Riber Dam if T-Paw were to get involved?
Do you think T-Paw will come and fish Albert Lea Lake?


I doubt it.









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