Anglers were getting their bait and picking up some new hooks and rods Friday in anticipation for the opening of the fishing season.

Bait and sports shops in the Chippewa Valley say it's been a busy week especially as Saturday got closer. Some of them say their expecting most people to be hitting their store late Friday.

Anglers were looking for last minute rods, reels and bait. It was fully stocked through out the Chippewa Valley Friday as people came in looking for their last minute gear.

"Today's staying pretty steady today's one of our busier days so we'll see, of course tomorrow more people will be in early trying to get their last minute stuff," says John Surkopp from Bill's Sport Shop.

People grabbing the last minute gear say they can't wait to use it.

"I'm just picking up some last minute crank baits," says one fisherman.
"Just getting ready for fishing," says another looking for lures.

The DNR says fishing brings in about $2.75 Billion in the state and provides 30,000 jobs but it wants to remind people to have good time fishing but also to think ahead before hitting the water.

"The biggest thing we're looking for is boaters being safe. A lot of times it's the first time they've had the boat on the water so they want to make sure they have all their safety gear before they get out on the water," says DNR Conservation Warden Cody Adams.

Once they're out there, don't count on them sharing their secret fishing spots.

"I have a couple of spots, I don't know if they're secret usually when someone sees you catch fish they'll move in on you and the secret doesn't last long," another fisherman explained.

"Everybody does have their own secret places and unless you're really close to them they probably not going to share it,” says Surkopp.

The DNR says Saturday is the first day possible for the season to start. It says with the early spring fishers might have to change their normal tactics but says the fish should be biting.

Fishing starts at five am, anglers we talked to say they're hoping to hit the water as soon as possible.

Governor Jim Doyle will be out fishing Saturday on Lake Arbutus near Merrillan for the 45th Annual Governor's Fishing opener.