Cold open; While it isn't exactly springlike out there, suddenly the fishing opener is upon us

Saturday marks another step in our slow-crawl spring this year: It's the fishing opener. While most lakes in the Carlton County area are open, don't expect them to be up north, especially in deep inland places like the Gunflint Trail, where ice remained on lakes this week. But it's always odd when we still have snow on the ground and are talking about casting those first lines for bass, walleye or northerns.

Here are some Minnesota fishing facts to ponder while on the water this weekend. They come courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

• The fishing opener refers to the start of fishing for walleye, northern pike, bass, and trout in lakes on inland waters of Minnesota. Seasons for some other species, including sunfish, crappie and channel catfish, are open all year. Seasons also vary on Minnesota waters that border other states or Canadian provinces. Muskellunge season opens June 3.

• Although not every kind of fish lives everywhere, 162 species of fish can be found in Minnesota. Walleye are the most sought-after fish in Minnesota, followed by northern pike and muskie combined, then panfish, bass, crappie and trout.

• Minnesota has 11,842 lakes that are 10 or more acres in size, 4,500 of which are considered fishing lakes. There are more than 16,000 miles of fishable rivers and streams, including 3,800 miles of trout streams.

• There are about 1.4 million licensed anglers in Minnesota.

• The DNR offers a variety of fishing license types to fit the needs of anglers. Some of the most popular licenses are an annual fishing license for $25, a married combination fishing license for $40, a sports license that allows angling and small game hunting for $41, and an annual license for Minnesota non-residents for $51

• Fishing techniques and equipment vary depending on the species anglers are trying to catch. Popular walleye fishing techniques include casting a jig-and-minnow, pulling live bait through the water slowly, casting or pulling hard plastic lures through the water, and fishing with a bobber that suspends the bait in the water. Some of the same techniques can be used for bass, crappie, perch, sunfish, or other species.

• In Minnesota, fishing supports $4.4 billion in economic output through everything from angling-related tourism to the sales of boats and fishing gear, and fishing supports 28,000 jobs, according to the American Sportfishing Association.