Under perfect weather conditions Johnson prefers a live-bait rig with a half-ounce sinker above a No. 2 hook to drag a shiner minnow about 70 feet away from the boat. But weather is never perfect on the opener.

"When that cold front comes barreling in," he said, "those walleyes that were on the flats head for the first steep dropoff and lie at the base of it. You can use the live-bait rig, but make sure you only have about 18 inches between the weight and the bait. You have to move a lot slower, too. You need to keep the bait in front of the walleyes for a while to get them to commit."

LAKE MARY
Douglas County
Late May is often a difficult time for walleye anglers because the fish are transitioning from the post-spawn phase to their summer profile.

"There are three open-water transitions for walleyes," Johnson said. "Pre-spawn, post-spawn and the fall transition. This post-spawn transition is when the fishing gets tough because they are spread out and moving, so feeding is not a high priority."

Johnson suggested focusing on Lake Mary's deep weedline during the low-light periods.

"It's still newly-emerging vegetation out in the deeper water," he said. "When those walleyes are moving in the morning and evening, if you get a leech or a night crawler in front of them, they will eat it."

Johnson said bait selection is very important during the transition period and recommends switching from minnows to leeches or night crawlers.

"A lively leech or a plump, juicy night crawler will outfish anything else during this tough-bite period," he said.L

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH Cass/Itasca Counties
The entire month of June and the first couple of weeks in July is what I refer to as easy pickings for walleyes. If you're a walleye angler, this is the time to schedule your vacation and go fishing every day.

"Walleyes begin relating to structure, so they aren't tough to find," Johnson said. "A reef, sandbar or sunken island -- any of this structure will hold fish."

The forage base is still developing, so walleyes appreciate that leech you dangle in front of them.

"Suspended forage hasn't developed in open-water locations yet," Johnson said. "So, walleyes search rockpiles and reefs for minnows, crayfish and small panfish.