Early Spring to Have Little Impact on Fishing Opener

AITKIN -- As anglers ready themselves for this weekend's fishing opener, many are wondering what kind of impact the early spring had on the fish spawn.

Rick Bruesewitz is the Aitkin DNR Fisheries Supervisor which includes Lake Mille Lacs.

He says the ice went out on Mille Lacs earlier than ever before, but the female walleyes just weren't ready to spawn that early.  He says the temperatures also cooled in April, slowing down the  rising water temperatures. Bruesewitz says it appears the spawn didn't start any earlier than normal.

Bruesewitz says he expects the harvest will be similar to other years.