Watch CBS News

Anglers Hit Minnesota Lakes For Fishing Opener

By James Schugel, WCCO-TV

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The rain that came down across Minnesota Saturday might not have been ideal for most, but anglers were happy about it.

The rain, along with the clouds, helped anglers who ventured out for the fishing opener, a Minnesota tradition that started in 1948.

"I've been looking forward to it," said Zach Rydel, who goes fishing on this day every year.

He usually heads to a lake north of the Twin Cities, but this year he settled for Bald Eagle Lake, which is one of the best places to catch walleye in the metro area.

Many of those who fished on Bald Eagle Lake were hoping to catch walleye, which the lake has in abundance. The average size of the walleye in Bald Eagle Lake is two to three pounds.

Although he caught no walleye, Rydel did go home with two Northern Pikes.

"All and all, it was a fun day for fishing," he said.

Many fishermen and women dropped their first lines Saturday at 12:01 a.m., during the first moments of the fishing opener.

Gov. Dayton did so near Grand Rapids, Minn, and he also caught a Northern Pike, which he released, on Lake Pokegama.

Some fishermen, like Cody Hanson, who was also on Bald Eagle Lake, weren't so lucky.

"They weren't biting," he said. "I was disappointed. I didn't catch much fish on opener day."

Luckily, Cody and all the other anglers in Minnesota still have months of fishing ahead.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.