I’ll take “Big ol’ greenbacks” for $1,000, Alex!

1. This two’fer is coming from Snobear Expeditions on Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba:

> “The only thing better than one master walleye is two! But caught simultaneously in the bear? Unheard of! Now that’s a rare phenomenon! Glad to see our guide @nickstasiuk on his off day getting rewarded with this beauty 30″ and Jim with his 29″. Still availability for March Madness, this could be you next!”

I can’t even imagine!

2. Curtis McDonald and his buddy Roger also hit up ‘March Madness’ on Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba and were rewarded with the double of a lifetime:

> Curtis: “..saw these two big girls on the LiveScope. Mine chased all the way up to the hole…before inhaling my Jigging Rap…all while the other watched and waited its turn before turning around and taking my buddy’s deadstick.

> “Pandemonium and jubilation filled the tent as we pulled in the 28.5″ and a 29” monster greenbacks to end an awesome day. We caught 30-35 fish but none of that mattered after those two beauties.”

“Pandemonium and jubilation!” Man, I love that!

And if you’re wondering what mother nature’s spring alarm clock sounds like, well, Warren Fisher caught it on camera in this 1-in-a-million clip from upper Green Bay:

Um….

Warren was actually ice camping the night before and said if he would have heard that in the night he probably would have cried.

Man, I’m not judging ‘cuz I’d be balling like a baby, too…and I probably wouldn’t stop until I got a diaper change (on shore)!

Spend enough time on the water and you’re bound to see some craziness, and no doubt Warren puts in his time. Here’s a few Green Bay giants he iced this season – oh, and I’m pretty sure there’s openwater in the background of the top pic.

Turns out if you drive far enough north they actually had a winter, and still do!

We took a little jaunt up to Bakers Narrows Lodge (just outside of Flin Flon, Manitoba) where we hit the ice for 3 days. Ended up getting to the lodge with a few hours of daylight left, so we decided to hit the ice for a quick rip before dinner…and it did not disappoint. Here’s where the adventure begins!

Bunch more vids coming soon…..

I seriously can’t say enough good things about Bakers Narrows Lodge, the guides, staff, amenities – they all go completely above and beyond! It’s a bucket-list trip that I don’t cross off despite the fact that I’ve already been there.

Had no idea that’s something that could even happen until I read it here. Couple snippets:

> …too many cars with Massachusetts and Maine license plates were clogging parking and the launch.

> “This was built with town funds, so the economic development committee had people complaining that they couldn’t find parking spaces….”

> Following years of frustration caused by out-of-staters parking at the Pelissier Boat Launch along the Merrimack River in Allenstown, voters struck back on Election Day, passing a measure by a count of 286-160 that allows resident-only access to one of the most popular attractions the town has to offer.

Unreal. Imagine that coming to your favorite fishing hole(s)….

We’re back! I just posted episode 68 on our YouTube channel. Hope you dig it and thanks SO much for taking the time to watch and comment!

1. MN: DNR’s plans for the $35 mil to modernize boat accesses.

> The MN DNR has identified more than 40 public water access sites throughout the state for extensive upgrades…smaller-scale improvements to more than 75 additional accesses are also anticipated.

> $30 mil for large-scale projects, which will include accessible features, stormwater improvements, enhanced facilities for aquatic invasive species prevention, restoration to improve shoreline health and accessible ramps for non-motorized boats.

> $5 mil for small-scale projects, including longer launch ramps, wider drive lanes, wider and longer parking stalls and improved stormwater treatment.

2. MN: The 2025 World Walleye Championship is on…

…Le Homme Dieu Chain in Alexandria, MN. No idea how I’m just seeing this?! I grew up on that chain (Lake Victoria) and this is the first time I can ever remember a BIG, professional walleye derby coming to it. Will be super cool to follow along!

3. IL gets the blame if invasive carp overrun Great Lakes?

4. ON: Toronto Sportsmen’s Show is THIS WEEKEND.

76th annual show [!] happening at the International Centre.

5. MN: Northwest Sportshow happenin’ THIS WEEKEND.

At the Minneapolis Convention Center.

6. MN: “Night with the fishing pros” fundraiser Fri, Apr 5

At Rice Creek Hunting, Recreation and Event Center in Little Falls.

Limited number of tickets being sold for this rare opportunity to meet over 20 pro-anglers, guides, and sports media personalities (Gary Roach, Ray Gildow, Mark Strand, Brian “Bro” Brosdahl…just to name a few). There will be auction items provided by the pros including their favorite lures, autographed items, guided trips and more.

7. IA: $42K up for grabs in this year’s Walleye Weekend…

…in Spirit Lake. 1 of the 10 tagged walleyes is worth $42K and the 42nd-annual event that’s happening May 4-5 thru the FishDonkey app.

8. MN: Walleye Alliance Spring Banquet is happening Apr 25.

At The Woods Event Center from 5:30-9:00pm. This year’s special guest speaker is tourney-hammer Tom Huynh who I believe will be speaking at 7:30pm following the social + dinner. Can’t wait!

9. IA: Statewide CPR walleye challenge, Mar 30 – Jun 30.

> The IA DNR is partnering for a 3rd year with MyCatch by Angler’s Atlas to conduct a statewide walleye fishing challenge starting March 30 through June 30.

> This year’s walleye challenge has been expanded to other states across the Midwest and into Canada as part of a larger fisheries research project funded by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

> The Midwest Walleye Challenge uses the MyCatch mobile app to record the length of a fish. Participating anglers take a picture of the fish on a measuring device using the app. Once the fish is reviewed by the catch team and meets the rules, longest fish and most waterbodies fished entries appear on a live leaderboard.

> The mobile app maintains anonymous location data, so anglers’ secret spots stay secret. IA DNR fisheries biologists receive only generalized lake and river catch data entered to assess and manage walleye populations. Specific catch locations from anglers are not listed on public leaderboards.

> IA anglers compete only against other IA anglers for biweekly prizes, while all catches from across the Midwest qualify for the grand prize drawings at the end of the event. Grand prizes for 2024 include a week-long fishing trip to Lac Seul Evergreen Lodge in Canada, as well as equipment from companies….

> Anglers can register for the Midwest Walleye Challenge here. New this year, participants can choose the free entry option to qualify for non-cash prizes or pay a $25 fee to qualify for all prizes including cash payouts.

10. CO will have state line checkpoints for mussels.

Btw how unbelievably clueless do you have to be in order to drive around with THIS going on?!

11. IA: Hamburg-Mitchell ramp is closing Jun 30.

On the Missouri River, sounds like permanently:

> The IA DNR had been leasing the ramp and small area of land since 1985 to provide river access. The land was recently sold, and its lease terminated. The DNR said it has been exploring options to provide river access in the area – the next closest boat ramp on the IA side of the river is over 25 miles away.

12. FishUSA has Berkley ThinFishers buy 2, get 1 free.

Most everyone has heard of the Original Johnson ThinFisher, but you might not know that Berkley has made a bunch of big #NewSchool upgrades to it:

> “…the ThinFisher’s compact shad-shape profile has upgraded cosmetics, upgraded high-quality snap and custom Fusion 19 black nickel trebles. The combination of metal body, sonic rattle chamber and hooks makes the ThinFisher one of the noisiest blade baits on the market. The body and 3 original pull points were maintained to provide for a wide range of techniques and actions whether vertical jigging or cast and retrieve.”

13. WY is the next state training folks to inspect boats.

To become certified WY aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspectors.

14. MN/ON: Multiple Rainy River accesses opened…

…for big boats. The bite has been on fire the last few days, kills me that I haven’t been able to sneak up there!

Tommy Kemos’ quick stinger hook hack.

> “A stinger hook will increase your hook-ups dramatically in the spring. I tie my stingers on to the tag end of my jig [Palomar] knot. This allows me to fit the length to my minnow or plastic tail. A size 10 or 12 treble will get the job done.”

Definitely feeling this one right now – posted by Prime Time Guide Service:

All of a sudden you wake up one day and your everything hurts.

Big props to Dori Sell on punching her ticket into the “Dirty-30 Club” with this gorgeous WI 11-lber that went 30″ long x 19″ girth. Sent the inside board back when it lunchbox’d a Smithwick Perfect 10 Rogue (chrome, blue back, orange belly). Congrats!!!!

National Professional Anglers Assoc.

MN-FISH

Target Walleye LLC

422 Laurel Street

P.O. BOX 541

Brainerd, MN 56401

 (218) 824 5026