ice fishing

[ts nodak]

Here's a report from Ed's bait shop Burr.!!!



This past week the lake access committee was finally able to get out and make
some trails. Luckily we missed the heavy snows last night and that should
help them stay open for a bit. Currently there are trails in Creel Bay, the
Casino area, the Towers area to Bud Bay & the 6th tower, East Bay to the Camp
entrance and from the boat ramp to the storm sewer area, Ackerman Acres to
Foughty’s and Haybale, and East Bay Campground/Black Tiger area. Special
thanks not only to the access committee, but also Woodland Resort, the Casino,
Ackerman’s, and East Bay Campground as these folks are also doing their own
trails to help anglers. As for fishing the walleye fishing’s been quite good,
perch fishing a bit slow, and pike fishing good as well. Walleye anglers are
reporting good success in the shallower 10-20 foot zones in the am & pm hours
and a decent bite during the day out on the gravel humps and points in the 15-
24 foot zones. Buckshots, raps, and nils tipped with minnows or minnow heads;
or sonars and chubby darters have all been working. Some of the better areas
include Doc Hagens, Bud Bay, the Casino area, Mission Bay, East Bay near the
camp entrance and Stromme Addition area, Foughty’s Point, and Black Tiger
Bay. A few perch are being caught in the mouth and north end of Creel Bay,
the Casino area, Black Tiger Bay, and Jerusalem Bay. Lake Irvin has also been
really good for walleye fishing, but access is much more limited due to the
heavy snowfall. Pike fishing and spearing remain good in Jerusalem Bay,
Walfords Bay, and Sweetwater/Morrison. Irvin’s been slow for some reason this
year. While there are some trails on the lake, the snow cover is heavy and
those wishing to be more mobile may want to use snowmobiles. Four wheel drive
is essential if you plan on driving off any of the trails. Good Luck & Good
Fishing!!!

[burrhead]

Thanks for the report TS, hopefully you guys don't get alot more of the white stuff. I got my limit of Crappies last night, not real big but good enough to clean. Going to try a differnt lake on sunday, not sure where, but going somewhere. Good luck with your project, hope you get out fishing soon. Thanks again, I'll probably bug you in a couple of weeks for another report before we head up there.

[ts nodak]

No problem!!! Glad to hear you're gettin into some fish!!

[burrhead]

Went to a lake in south central SD yesterday, we caught some nice bluegills and a few 10-11 inch perch, kind of slow but still fun. Now we just have to wait out the blizzard and try to find somewhere to go next, might try Waubay for some of those big perch.

[ts nodak]

Originally Posted by burrhead

TSNodak, I'm not sure how much snow we have, but the drifts are getting out of hand, another blizzard this weekend and the roads are getting all drifted in, its going to be a long winter of moving snow, the wind just won't stop blowing. Looking forward to the Devils lake tourney, got our tickets and rooms.

Not sure when this tourney is Burr, but I heard over the weekend there is talk of cancelling due to so much snow on the ice. If I hear more I'll post it up! Might be worth a call for you if you have any contacts upthere!!
I also heard a report of Lake Winnipeg and the Winnepeg River!! Around 70 walleyes a day with 1 28" 1 29" With the majority around 24" eyes!!!
Kid close to where I work was up there over the weekend.

[burrhead]

The tournament is on the 31st of Jan. From what I have heard they say they are still going to have it, lets just hope there is no more blizzards before then, or the rest of the winter for that matter. I was up at Waubay sunday, what a mess that was, alot of snow on the ice after this last week, people getting stuck trying to get out there. I have a lift and oversized tires on my pickup, so we could get around better than most, but only caught a couple little walleyes, so we went to Pickeral lake right beside Waubay lake and caught some decent crappies, one perch, two small walleyes and my freind caught a 17.5 inch smallmouth, which he had to throw back, all bass between 12-18" have to go back. He just about cryed it was the biggest small mouth he ever caught.

[ts nodak]

Burr,
Latest update for you out of Ed's

Good Luck,
Terry


Fishing on Devils Lake continues to be fairly good for walleyes and pike, but
remains slow for perch. The biggest problem has been mobility due to the
heavy snow cover on the lake. While the local Access group and the resorts
are keeping a main trail system open, getting off the trails to do any
exploring is getting quite difficult even with a 4x4 vehicle. Those wishing
to venture around to look for fish should plan on using snowmobiles or travel
in groups with 4x4 vehicles. Some of the better walleye fishing has been
coming from Doc Hagens, Bud & Old Mill Bays, Rocky/Military Points, the north
end of Creel Bay, the trees around Swansons Point near the Casino, 57 bridge,
Mission Bay, Stromme Addition, Foughty’s Point, and Black Tiger Bay on Devils
Lake and the north and east areas of Lake Irvin. Try jigging raps, nils,
buckshots, kastmasters, and Swedish pimples with a minnow or minnow head.
Also, jigging with sonars and chubby darters has been working as well. Pike
fishing remains good in Walfords Bay and Jerusalem Bay on Devils Lake,
Morrison Lake to the north, or Lake Irvin. Smelt or herring fished with
tipups continues to be the best bet. Perch fishing remains slow with a few
people catching some fish each day, but it’s more of a hit and miss deal.
Some areas where perch are being caught is near Military Point, the Dome house
area, the Casino, Skadsens, and Black Tiger Bay. Hali’s, kastmasters, small
raps, buckshots, ratsos, and some of the new Northland grubs tipped with
waxworms, spikes, or minnows/heads all work at times. Good Luck & Good
Fishing!!!

[burrhead]

Thanks for the update, we are leaving next thursday heading that way.