'That's Why It's Called Fishing And Not Catching'

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Saturday's great weather on Lake Waconia ended up creating not-so-great fishing conditions for the hundreds of anglers who took to the water.

"One day they're there, one day they're not," said Jim Kasheimer, a recreational fisherman from Watertown.

With 20-plus years of fishing openers under his belt, Jim Kasheimer should have the upper hand in his pursuit of walleye. But each time he dropped his line, no walleye, no pike, not even a sunny.

"If the fish aren't there, you can't catch them," Kasheimer said. "You have to go where they are."

Location didn't seem to matter. Many anglers had a similar fish tale on this particular lake, but they at least made a catch.

"Several perch, couple of crappies," said John Cross, fishing on Lake Waconia. "That's about it."

Many veteran anglers blamed the weather for the slow fishing conditions. They said a very windy night, combined with the sunny sky, likely drove the fish into deep water.

"That's why it's called fishing and not catching," Kasheimer said.

At the very least, the sunny weather allowed anglers to catch some rays, a welcome change compared to years past.

"The way it's been other years, we'll take it, won't we?" Cross said. "We'll take a nice day."

As for Gov. Mark Dayton, he spent four hours on the water and caught only a bluegill.