ST. PAUL, Minn. – Anglers looking to capitalize on the state’s fishing opener this weekend may be dealing with an unexpected consequence of the region’s late ice-out: unavailability of their favorite bait.
“Nobody has shiners. And for the Minnesota opener to not have shiners, that’s the number one thing people use for walleyes. That and leeches,” said Josh Stevenson, owner of Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle in Oakdale, Minnesota.
Stevenson said trappers have reported to him that the supply of minnows – including the minnows commonly known as “shiners” and “large suckers” – is down by as much as 60 to 80 percent of previous years, given the inability to trap the minnows in ponds that remained frozen late into the season.
“It’s the first year I’ve not had any shiners to sell for fishing opener,” Stevenson recalled, adding that most bait shop owners would prefer the state allow them to import minnows from other states.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources does not specifically track the availability of bait but does confirm the bait scarcity, noting that the trappers simply haven’t had the opportunity to catch the minnows in iced-over ponds and lakes. State experts also encourage anglers to research their options ahead of any planned fishing outing.
“I would check ahead. Call ahead to make sure minnows are available,” said Al Stevens, the Fisheries Consultant with the Minnesota DNR.
Meantime, Stevens said the late ice-out will also influence where anglers should fish. He noted that since walleye have only finished spawning a couple weeks ago, they are right now looking to feed in warmer, shallower water.
“I would look to shallow areas, areas with dark bottoms that might warm up a little bit quicker,” he said, noting that both shorelines and rivers will offer good fishing.
Stevens also expects the season’s delayed start will only extend the “good bite” – or period of good fishing.
“There is a silver lining. The ‘good bite’ might last longer into June than it normally does,” he said.
That’s good news for Stevenson. For now, he's advising his customers to consider shiner alternatives, including fatheads, rainbows or leeches. And he's predicting the real fishing season will start a little later on the calendar.
“Kind of feels like Memorial weekend will be the actual fishing opener,” he said.