ST. CLOUD -- Minnesota's fishing opener starts just after midnight and the DNR is estimating as many as 500,000 anglers will wet a line. It's a good time of year for bait shops, but a cold spring has delayed the harvest for some types of bait, causing a short-term shortage.

Jim Dempsey owns The Bait Den at 3267 Roosevelt Road in south St. Cloud. He says shiner minnows and jumbo leaches are running behind because the water is still too cold.

Dempsey says they have plenty of mid-size leaches and other baits. He also says they'll stay open all night to accommodate last minute anglers.

After the weekend, you can bring in your walleye and northern pike for a Bait Den largest fish contest. They're located near Liberty Savings Bank in south St. Cloud.

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