Pickerel Opener

So where is everyone going this weekend? I’ll probably have to flip a coin, Balsam or Pigeon……Balsam usually wins, must be a two headed coin.

Great Kawartha choices....both worthwhile for sure.

Will head to a lake with more favorable slot size than the one 17.

This weekend forecast can obviously change...but this is how it reads for now. Balsam will be a cold start to the day on Friday, going up to 12 degrees in the afternoon. West wind during the day getting up to 20kph in the afternoon, gusting to 30kph. Wind starts to die down after dinner, then changes to south after sunset. Saturday the temperature will rise to 16 degrees with another 20kph wind from the south. Saturday afternoon wind gusts could reach 40kph to 50kph. The rain forecast so far is only on Saturday 4pm until midnight, with the same south wind. Sunday another cool start, getting up to 11 degrees in the afternoon. Back to a west wind but a bit stronger, 20 to 25kph most of the day, with gusts up to 35kph. My kind of windy walleye weather but won't be up there for a bit. I am sending you a PM Woodfarmer, hoping it might get you a bonus chunky 22+ walleye. Good luck to anyone out in the wind this weekend, stay safe.

I will be out on Balsam. I am not liking those wind gusts, going to make for some rough boating but will keep some people home. Good luck to all

Totally forgot to mention the Walleye and where they will be. So if anyone goes out in the wind, the Walleye will be aggressive this weekend. Aggressive meaning...the Walleye will be hungry for slower moving smaller baits or minnows. The problem might be finding them in the usual opening day spots. There is not much early weed growth on Balsam Lake so far. Water temperature is around 48 degrees, 3 degrees lower than it should be right now. 3 degrees may not sound like much but it is. Look for old weeds where the new weeds have started. Creek mouths and submerged brush will be holding minnows. Minnows would be a good choice for bait this weekend. A 3 inch minnow on a worm harness or under a bobber is just what a Walleye wants in the chilly water. Trolling is probably not the best idea this weekend, casting crankbaits and jerkbaits with a slow retrieve, is a good idea. The Walleye will be scattered so covering a lot of water is inevitable. The high water level from the spring melt and rain has definitely changed the spring fishing. Crappie and Bluegill were there one day and gone the next. Water levels constantly changing this spring, should be stable for now. Think out of the box this weekend, enjoy the Walleye opener. Balsam is the Enigma of the Kawartha Lakes and can be frustrating for many anglers. It is my favourite to fish, from ice out to ice over. Balsam Lake is a mystery of monster Crappie, Walleye, Muskie and Bass. Lots of Pike as well open all year with a limit of S-6..C-2 fish. Good luck...Stay safe...The water is cold...Wear a PFD.

Excellent advice CM. I think the wind has scared off my fishing buddies☹️

I'm gonna go to my catfish spot and see if a walleye won't not bite

Was out on Balsam today for about four hours. Was after pike. The usual casting on the weed flats didn't result in anything after the first 1.5 hrs, other than one small smb, a couple small perch and a couple of sunfish. I think the lack of wind kinda shut things down. I put on a husky jerk and then a shad rap and trolled for about 40 mins out in 10-16 FOW with no luck. Then switched to a chrome and red Ripplin Red fin, moved shallower in 7-10 fow and bang! two walleye and one nice 8lb pike within about 25 mins. One of the walleye was a big 6lb female. Was marking a lot of fish which I think were walleye as they were down low. Caught one more walleye and one smaller 4lb pike on the red fin. Didn't mark much once you went over 12 feet. The fish were in the weed beds. If you have one of these lures then maybe give it a try on opener. Walleye sure seemed to like it today.

What are my boat rental options for balsam?

Would love to get out there

great tips! thank you for your sharing!