Bait shop owners warn of a shortage of bait for this weekend's Minnesota Fishing Opener.  The reason?  There's still ice on many of the lakes where bait is harvested.  (WJON.com photo by Jim Maurice)

Leeches, shiners and fatheads in short supply for fishing opener
by Jim Maurice, WJON.com

UNDATED -- You may have a hard time finding your favorite bait, as you head-out onto the lake this weekend.

Experts says the late ice on some larger lakes has created a shortage of leeches, fatheads and shiners.

The problem is most of the state's bait supply comes from Mille Lacs, Winnibigoshish, and the Upper Red Lakes.The ice just recently went out on those lakes, and now trappers are scrambling to harvest the bait, and ship it to retailers across the state by Saturday. Typically by this time of the year they're trapping about 300 to 500 fatheads a day, but this year they've only been averaging between 50 and 100.

The experts advice -- call around to your favorite bait shops, and don't wait until Saturday to buy your bait.