After a very snowy winter and a cool start to spring, the ice finally went off the main lake of Lac Seul on May 13. We were fortunate to have 5 – 6 days of brilliant warm sunshine to jump start water temps before our first guests arrived on May 20. Even though we were hit with a major cold front early in the week, the season opener was excellent for both size and volume of walleyes and pike.
The cold front brought lake surface temps back down to more seasonal levels by midweek. The main lake is in the mid to upper 40s and most of the productive fishing areas are ranging from the low 50s to 60. Without the minor heat wave after ice out, it would likely have been a very tough week.
Lake levels are about average for this time of year and are increasing at a steady pace. We are able to travel through the Sticks at speed.
It was a terrific week for big walleyes, with 43 over 27 in., including 13 – 28s, 4 – 29s, and 1 – 30. Volume was also very good with boats averaging 30 walleyes per day over 18 in. The highest daily total was 65.
Very few walleyes were caught from skinny water because of the falling surface temps. Most were caught on 1/8 to ¼ oz. jigs with minnows in 6 – 12 ft. in areas we would consider normal walleye spring time locations.
The big pike bite was also excellent with 50 over 37, including 11 – 40s, 2 – 41s, 3 – 42s, and 2 – 43s. Most of these fish were found in “typical” shallow warm water bays in 1 – 5 ft. The most productive presentations were medium sized spoons, 6 in. Jakes, and Husky Jerks in size 14.
The bass bite was random and most of the production was incidental catch from pike and walleye fishing. For the week, we had 31 over 17 in., including 12 – 18s, and 5 – 19s. The bass are holding in 5 – 12 ft. and are likely to wait for surface temps to reach into the upper 50s to low 60s before they move shallow in numbers.
Over all it was an excellent first week of season and it is hard to believe that the ice went off the lake just 2 weeks ago.
The Kicker:
Guest at Checkout: “This is the first time in 10 years that all 6 of our guys had their photos on the trophy board …. And 2 of them have more than one photo up.”
Mike: “It has been a phenomenal week for big fish. The rule for the guides is that we don’t take down a photo while a guest is still in camp. This week, we had to pin photos to the frame and on to the wall.”
