The Opener

Less than two weeks:

A. to paint the house.

B. to lose weight.

C. to make a million dollars.

D. to fish the Walleye Opener on Lake of the Woods.

Letter “D” sounds obtainable, the band is back together, and we are ready to rock!

 

Hello Sports Fans.  Are you ready?  The most heralded date in Minnesota sports history is happening on Saturday MAY 14.  Big fish tales are told while grown weep with anticipation for the start of yet another season.

1961. That’s when it all started for Ballard’s Resort.  And YES the band is back together and YES we are ready.  Ready to provide BIG food, big fun, lodging, beverages, and some of the best darn walleye fishing that you will find anywhere in the world.

It’s been rainy, cold and miserable up here most of the spring.  Just the way we like it!  The main basin is still locked with ice.  The last time things went sideways like this, and we fished the river and bay for the opener, it was nothing but TROPHY-TIME.

Until then…  Let’s hopefully see the flow slow and the water clarity improve.  Mother nature has the reins as we boat and toot our horns behind her.

Let’s get jacked!  It’s THE OPENER!

April Update

We all know the saying, “April showers bring May flowers”… but what do April snows mean for May? 

Here at Ballard’s, the first half of May will bring: sturgeon fishing in the river, the bar open daily (serving pizzas during the week and bar baskets on the weekends), and counting down the days in preparation for walleye opener on May 14th. 

The Ballard’s crew is staying busy this offseason… Taking vacations of our own, spring cleaning around the resort, and getting the charter boats ready for another open water season.

The latter part of May will bring the start of another busy summer season! We look forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming new guests this summer. 

Until then, we’ll be here, staring out the windows at the snow fluttering in the air and the people fishing the open river.

 

March Update

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Today’s morning news on the radio stated that our MINNESOTA winter has been below average for normal temperatures.  Those of us on Lake of the Woods would concur.

MARCH 1st…  Ice fishing conditions remain extremely favorable on the south shore.  The snowpack, ice thickness, and 14-day forecast with highs in the teens and lows below zero will carry us through these next two weeks.

Recently, the walleye bite has mimicked a swinging pendulum from high to low and back to high again.  This inconsistency of action has not deterred us from having FUN!

Per the usual…  Our guides have basically just moved the entire fleet in search of the gold standard.  More shoveling and drilling than most would care to tackle.

OUR GAMEPLAN IS TO FISH THROUGH WEDNESDAY MARCH 16.  AFTER THAT WE ARE GOING TO PULL THE SHACKS AND CALL IT A SEASON.

 For the balance of March:

–offseason lodging rates become effective 03/20

–the bar will be open nightly through March (pizza’s available)

–the restaurant will be open on weekends with a limited menu

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Phi Slamma Jamma on ice…

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No, not the ’82 to ’84 Houston Cougars.  I’m talking about the star lit lineup of fishing guides at Ballard’s Resort.  Catching fish, towing huts, popping eight-inch holes in the famous pursuit of trophy walleyes.

What’s the latest and greatest?  Per Ely-Dan this morning it sounds like we have pushed ourselves 9-9.5 miles offshore near the US / Canadian border.  He’s calling it (decent) consistent reports from most houses with saugers being iced, and CJ then chirped we are now seeing more overs (trophy walleyes over 28”).  Sounds about right for late JAN.  And also mid-JUN.  It’s weird how we end up in roughly the same locations during different fishing seasons.

Also, like clockwork, a near-shore summer bite that usually drops off in mid-JUN will push us north to the deeper flats.  Same scenario in late-JAN.  We’ve given about all the chase we can close to home.  Time to roam north.

No reef fishing per se at the present.  The mud bite has been productive enough to keep most anglers active.  Will there be a push in the next week to ten days?  I can’t get the fog rubbed off the crystal ball quite yet.  When the guides start talking sideways out of their mouths, I’ll let you know.  That generally means change is coming.

Back to the big fish chatter.  YES.  We’re banging some wide shouldered fish.  Makes a person wonder.  Will the next bite be the one?!  Maybe that’s part of the hook with LOW.  You never know if the next bite is going to be a 10” sauger of a 10# walleye.  Always the teaser.

Set the hook!

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