Using The Web BEFORE Wetting The Line

Yesterday I mentioned that we are using this week to prepare for and to celebrate the upcoming Minnesota Fishing Opener this Saturday.   Today I’m going to explore ways you can use your computer to prepare for the big day…as well as to build excitement just a bit through increased anticipation for this much heralded annual event.

Perhaps there is no better website to go to for pure fishing information than FishingMinnesota.com.   In case you still aren’t a believer in how big the fishing industry is in Minnesota…this largely state-specific website boasts that it has over one million visitors each month.   This makes the site, as claimed by the owners, as the #1 top ranked fishing site in the world.   There’s no doubt about it…fishing on a northern Minnesota lake has a certain mystique that sooner or later should be experienced by everyone who enjoys the sport.

Another great forum to hang out with largely Minnesota fishermen is the Catch-n.com forum.   Here you can stay up-to-date on all happenings as they relate to fishing in the upper Midwest.   You can post a question and await a series of responses, or you can use some of that experience you possess to share some tips with a more novice fisherman.   Two other great sources for good fishing forum information can be found at MyFishingPals.com and WalleyeCentral.com.

If reading fishing message threads isn’t your thing you can always check out the lake by visiting the Minnesota DNR’s Lake Finder and printing out a fishing map for your destination.   In some instances, I also like to go to Google Maps and check out the satellite imagery.   If your lake is in a region where you can zoom fairly close on a satellite photo, you can sometimes see the sunken islands and reefs to get a better picture in your mind just how the underwater topography is laid out.

One of my not so fond to think about, yet all-important sites to peruse, is the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s web site listing road construction.   On Friday, I will have a five hour journey ahead pulling a trailer…so I most certainly do not want to be caught in traffic jams or road construction delays.   So, carefully plan out your journey to the lake and if you must drive near any metro area or larger cities…do so during times to avoid the typical “rush hour” traffic delays.

Of course, have you purchased your fishing license yet?   Stop procrastinating!   A recent report has shown the top ten fishing violations in Minnesota…and not having a license in possession or simply not even purchasing one tops the reasons anglers get ticketed or warned.   Why not take a moment now to purchase your license online if you haven’t already done so…and be sure to refresh yourself on the fishing regulations.   Each year the regs seem to get more complex and there are a few changes this year in which every angler needs to be aware…including a new requirement for children wearing PFDs that went into effect last Friday.

Finally, don’t overlook the obvious and fail to check out Explore Minnesota’s website for tourist information.   Although this site seems to lack in real substantive fishing information, it makes up for it in terms of travel information.   Here you can find things to do or see, events, places to shop and much more.   This can be especially important if you will be new to an area this weekend.

My recommendation is to have all the essentials mapped out – where to buy gas, food, bait and your favorite beverage of choice.   These are all quick searches completed by using the Internet.   You certainly don’t want to waste time trying to find the last bait shop in Beltrami County that still has a supply of shiners on opening day.   And by doing your homework in advance you can maximize your fishing fun and the amount of time spent on the water.

Tomorrow I will get down to more of the nuts and bolts of what specifically to pack for our big trip this weekend.   Today, however, we’ll just spend it in front of the computer doing some more searching and learning about our weekend destination.   Hmmm…I wonder how the weather is begining to shape up for my chosen lake this weekend?

Anyway, soon the cavalry of trailored boats will be heading northward and God willing, we’ll count ourselves among the masses lucky enough to be joining in on the fun.

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.