Journal file photo by Travis Rosenau Children as young as age two participate in the Hooked on Fishing! Youth contest in August 2023 at Riverside Park in New Ulm. The event is sponsored by the New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen to promote youth fishing.

NEW ULM — The promise of warmer weather and favorable fishing appears to be creating interest for the Minnesota Fishing season opener on Saturday.

“I’ve sold 20 pounds of leaches already. Worms are selling well too,” said R & R Bait & Tackle owner Francis Rieger Thursday.

“Everybody wants to get outside, get away and fish. Sixty-degree temperatures Saturday and Sunday should be great,” he said. “But, with the high cost of gas, some people may fish closer to home rather than go up north this weekend.”

Rieger, New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen founder Scott Sparlin and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Southern Minnesota Fisheries Manager Craig Soupir agree Lake Hanska should continue to be a walleye destination.

“Lots of guys are getting lots of small walleyes using crappie minnows and wax worms. And the crappies at Lake Hanska are really nice right now,” said Rieger.

The DNR Southern Region outlook reported regular stocking resulted in a strong group of 10- and 11-inch long walleyes sampled last year.

“Lake Hanska hasn’t had a substantial winterkill for at least three years. It should be ideal now for anglers,” said Soupir.

“Sleepy Eye Lake has been the best for sunfish, 9 to 11 inches long, a really nice size for a sunfish,” said Rieger.

The DNR outlook urged anglers wishing to get away from crowds to check out smaller bass factories like Sleepy Eye Lake.

Sparlin predicts the Minnesota River will continue to produce walleyes.

“It’s seen an increase in anglers this winter and last year. It’s been a good walleye fishery the last three years,” he said. “A jig and a minnow are as good as anything. You could come home with a dozen kinds of fish in a day. Riverside and Minnecon Parks in New Ulm have beautiful spots to go. Take mom and the kids out and fish.”

Some of the river’s most consistent, multi-species angling includes channel catfish, flathead catfish exceeding 40 pounds, freshwater drum and walleye close to 30 inches long are possible.

The DNR outlook reported flat head catfish are most effectively targeted around log jams and current breaks, especially after dark.

The DNR outlook predicts good walleye fishing on Lake Traverse, Lake Hendricks, Big Stone Lake, Lake Koronis and Green Lake.

Soupir said Big Swan near Hutchinson and Lake Elysian near Waterville should produce fish this year.

Rieger said Lake Washington near St. Peter, German and Jefferson Lakes should be good for crappies and sunfish.

Sparlin said Clear Lake south of New Ulm has lots of crappies.

“I’d encourage anglers to fish their limit of 10 crappies on Clear Lake. It’s overloaded,” he said.

Sparlin advised anglers to fish around inlets and outlets in a boat or on shore.

In Minnesota, children under age 10 must wear a life jacket while boating unless they are in an enclosed cabin or below the top deck on a watercraft, they are on an anchored boat that is a swimming or diving platform or they are aboard a charter (passenger) craft with a licensed captain.

Youth who operate a boat must complete a safety training course if they are of a certain age and operating a motor of a certain size. For more DNR fishing information visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/index.html.