Fishing Opener Around Bend, With Ice-Locked Lakes

ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesota's walleye, pike and lake trout opener is just around the corner, causing worry for fishing guides and others faced with ice-locked lakes.

This year's opener is May 11. And in Wisconsin, the fishing opener is a week earlier.

Weather and lake observers say there's still time, but it's cutting it close.

Northern Minnesota guide Tom Neustrom says he's worried because anglers can't rebook their trips in the near future — the rest of May and early summer months are booked solid for him.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist Scott Toshner says it might be too late for northern Wisconsin.

Gov. Scott Walker's fishing opener is in northwestern Wisconsin. Organizers haven't made other plans yet, but are preparing to, just in case.