Whew! The big opening weekend is behind us, and although I expect to see some of the lakes to be packed to capacity for a few more weeks, things should settle down soon. It will make going out to your favorite lake a bit more pleasurable, after the initial crowds thin out. Although clear skies and fairly warm weather greeted anglers for the opener, I am getting some disappointing reports from some of the areas more popular lakes. That’s the bad news. The good news is that continued warmer weather will improve fishing for all species throughout the region. Trout fishing will get even better. Bass fishing will really take off and so will the walleye fishing on the larger reservoirs in the region. Actually, a cool spring will benefit anglers. Trout will be in better condition and lengthen the good bite period. I am eager to get into some smallmouth bass, though, and temperatures have to climb a bit before I can be confident of decent fishing. Banks Lake will be one of my first destinations. Typically, the Barker Flats area of Banks can be red hot by early to mid-May for pre-spawn smallmouth. I can cast crank baits in any direction here and catch a bunch.