Getting to the put-in and bait store

[Madd Matt]

Are there any bait stores that are open in the morning early enough to actually matter? It seems that many of them open at 6:00 am. We have been on the ice by 5:30-5:45 and people are being turned away at the entrance of Catawba by then. We have been fortunate enough to get bait the day before usually, but what happens when I can't get to town until 9:00pm the night before and want to go out the next morning?

If people are going to the bait stores at 6:00 am, where are they going out of that there is still parking that late? I have a full size truck with a 16' trailer with 4 snowmobiles... There isn't a spot available at any of the put-ins that I know of by 6:00 am.

Catawba lot is usually full and people coming in leave due to no parking by 5:30 - 5:45 am on weekends.

Crane Creek has a lot more parking, but is full and no parking available by 6:00-6:30

Camp Perry is about the same as Crane Creek.

In no way would I ever want to say or do anything against any bait store, I am just asking if there are any that open early enough that you can get bait in the morning and still go out?

-Matt

[DirtyMaxx]

Not sure if it's the norm but Rickards was open at 5am when we were there. At least Saturday morning. Took this weekend off but was down last two. As for parking only know of the three spots you listed.

[walleye2go]

Rickards opens at 5 on the weekend

[Madd Matt]

Rickards it is then... Thanks guys!