There are several treads about fishing the opener. But the opener cab be very different depending on when the ice went out.

So how about focusing on that?

What are the tips and strategies for right after ice out?

How about 1 week later?

How another week after ice out?

What are you fishing for? At that time of year, I'd suggest chasing lake trout up shallow.

It's also very, very easy to catch fish early in the year if you are on a lake with any current running into it.

Otherwise, it's tough to generalize because water temps can vary greatly on openers. Some years there will be icebergs still floating on the big lakes; other years the water will be 10 degrees warmer (or more).

My general rule is to fish areas that have different *kinds* of lakes. Because conditions can vary so much, you want access to big, deep, cold lakes and smaller, warmer lakes. That way, you're more likely to run into active fish on one lake or the other. That early in the season, it's not often both.

Just my .02.

carmike: "What are you fishing for? At that time of year, I'd suggest chasing lake trout up shallow. ...

Just my .02. "

How exactly would you chase the lakers? Would you troll like summer but shallower water and shallow running baits? Do you cast the shore like chasing smallies in the summer?

We caught smallies one year on topwater a week after ice out. Did not think I would see something like that, but it happened.

we did Quetico a week after ice out. Trolled blue shad raps as we paddled.....about 20 yards out from shore. Caught lake trout in any/every lake that had them. Walleyes and SMB were tough to come by. Picked up a few in shallow water near water falls/rapids pools. The water was COLD.

QueticoMike: "We caught smallies one year on topwater a week after ice out. Did not think I would see something like that, but it happened."

The water we were fishing was probably the warmest water around seeing that there was a small shallow river flowing into the lake.

Re: lakers after ice out -- I usually troll to find them. Then, if I happen upon a decent concentration, I'll cast and/or jig them.

For trolling, we just use normal walleye stuff....and you'll run across smallies, pike, and 'eyes, too.

How about big Pike in early post spawn? They'd still be stacked in shallow bays or at least nearby. The best method I know of is dead sticking a suspending crankbait or swimbait. Work it slow. Lots of pauses, and the colder it is, the longer the pauses can be. I'll even let a bait just sit there for several minutes and often get a take on the next twitch.

Fishing very early in the season can be really variable by lake. I'd be looking for areas of the lake that are warming up quickest or places with current. Start shallow and work your way out from there.