“It was a long hard winter for ice fishing, but the first trip of the season in the boat was one for the record books -- Top 5 fishing trips of my life,” Mason said.

A commercial airline pilot, Hirata found some time to see what spring fishing on Lake of the Woods is all about, Mason writes. “And boy did he ever. Not only did he catch his personal best, 28 inches, he caught the most fish he’s ever caught.”

Mason’s day didn’t disappoint, either, he says.

“Multiple fish for both of us in the slot,” he said. “A lot of 22- to 26-inch fish, over 20 slot fish and three over 28 inches.”

Anyway you measure it, that’s a good day. Lake of the Woods has a 19½- to 28-inch protected slot, meaning all walleyes in that size range must be released.

As a bonus, when they headed to shore for a lunch break, Mason says he decided to stop by the taxidermist shop and pick up the 31½-inch walleye he caught last summer and kept for mounting. 

They went back out to their fishing spot in Four-Mile Bay after lunch, and 20 minutes later, Mason was headed back to the taxidermist with a 30½-inch walleye.

They caught their fish jigging with frozen shiners in 11 feet of water.

“Not only did I get to catch up with a good friend that day, we also made memories,” he said. “Definitely a trip for the record books.”

To read the original article and read related outdoors reporting, follow this link to the Grand Forks Herald website.  https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/outdoors/4614466-day-lake-woods-ranks-among-top-5-fishing-tr...