As temperatures in Minnesota's southern waters warm, the spawn might be well underway -- or perhaps over -- before your season begins, but that doesn't mean the bite won't still be hot. Photo by Ron Sinflet.

As the walleye opener approaches, the lakes in southern Minnesota are beginning to warm. Walleyes have begun their spawn and will likely be finished with this spring ritual long before the first nightcrawler hits the water. When that day comes, where will this warm water result in a hot bite? The following is a look at several lakes that might be the answer to that question.

LAKE CRYSTAL
Found in Blue Earth County, southwest of Mankato along State Highway 60, Lake Crystal is a 380-acre body of water with a maximum depth of only 8 feet. An aeration system is used here to prevent fish kills during the winter months. The town of Lake Crystal shares the name of this prairie pothole and serves as the western shoreline for the shallow lake. A public access is located within the city in the lake's southwestern corner.

This may not be the most popular fishery in the Mankato area, but it has the potential to be a local hotspot in 2010. In addition to a limited amount of natural reproduction, Lake Crystal is regularly stocked with walleyes. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources placed more than 600,000 walleye fry in the lake in 2007 and again in 2008. This large boost to the population will be reaching desirable size in the coming year and should provide anglers with an opportunity to catch numerous fish for the frying pan. In addition, test net surveys from previous years indicate that the lake maintains a good population of fish distributed over a wide range in size. The most recent survey, performed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2006, showed a large number of walleyes in the 15- to 19-inch range. These fish have likely surpassed 24-inches and should still be fairly numerous.

Lake Crystal warms quickly in the spring and walleyes are usually well beyond the spawn by the start of the angling season. The bottom consists mainly of sand, silt and clay, with little discernible structure. Look for walleyes to be scattered throughout the lake. Trolling crankbaits has produced opening day success in the past. The fish will spook easily in the shallow water, and some anglers may prefer to use planer boards at this location. You will want to visit Lake Crystal early in the season, as algae growth becomes a problem as the water temperature continues to rise late in the summer. For more information regarding Lake Crystal, contact the Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-657-4733, or visit www.greatermankato.com.

MADISON LAKE
A southern favorite in any given year, Madison Lake is once again primed for a banner season. This popular lake is located in Blue Earth County along the southern shoulder of State Highway 60. A city-owned public access is located in the town of Madison Lake, with two additional accesses found on the lake's eastern shoreline near Bray Park. This lake is large and deep, covering nearly 1,500 acres with a maximum depth that approaches 60 feet.

Madison Lake is managed primarily as a walleye fishery and is regularly stocked accordingly. During the summer of 2006, more than 1 million walleye fry were released into the lake, along with 800 adults, 2,300 fingerlings and 1,000 yearlings. In 2008, the Minnesota DNR conducted a test net survey in Madison Lake and the results were encouraging. A large percentage of the fish recorded were in the 20- to 24-inch range, with good numbers of fish that exceeded that slot.

Madison Lake is comprised of two main basins, divided by a shallow and rocky narrowing. Early in the season, as the fish begin to filter away from their spring spawning areas, jig and minnow combinations will often produce walleyes along the steep drop on either side of the narrows. Trolling crankbaits and spinners at the outer edge of the weedlines or around any of the lake's numerous points can also be productive. Later in the year, slip bobbers and live bait may be the answer to locate walleyes in the deepest holes. For more information pertaining to Madison Lake, contact the Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-657-4733, or visit www.greatermankato.com.