DEVILS LAKE FISHING REPORT

02/05/2010

Fishing this past week has been somewhat spotty. Walleye anglers continue to do well on sunken roads and rocky points but the bite is largely in the early morning and evening hours. Some of the better spots for walleyes have been the Flats, the Doc Hagens area, Ft. Totten/Cactus Point, Knudson’s Bay, the Casino and Concrete Bay area, Mission Bay, the Stromme/Storm Sewer area, the sunken road in Black Tiger Bay, and East Devils Lake. In these areas anglers are fishing from 6-25 feet of water using buckshots, jigging raps, kastmasters, and nils tipped with minnow heads.

Perch fishing continues to really be hit and miss with some fish being caught at the mouth of Creel Bay, the north end of Creel Bay, the Casino area, Black Tiger, and Jerusalem Bay. Hali’s, genz worms, kastmasters, and hanger rigs tipped with wax worms or minnow heads have been working the best. Pike fishing remains good in the north end of Six Mile, Sweetwater/Morrison area, and Pelican Lake. Smelt or herring with tip-ups works well. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

02/02/2010

The last snow storm a week ago has made travel a little tricky but the good news is that trails have been plowed.  Most areas of the lake have plowed trails and getting off the trails isnt that bad.

     Walleye fishing continues to be the best bite on the lake.  It has been very common this year to bring in limits of walleye averaging 14-22 inches on a daily basis.  Sunken roads and flooded points filled with timber have been the key to finding fish.  Buckshot rattle spoons, jigging shad raps and forage minnows tipped with minnow heads have all been working.  The best depths have been 6-22 ft of water.

    Perch fishing continues to be a rollercoaster ride.  One day we really crush them and the next day we go back with high hopes and only catch a few.  Some of the best perch fishing we have had has come in 25 ft of water and less.  And shallow water perch are a lot more aggressive but move along a shoreline very fast making it very hard to stay on top of them.  One minute you will have 3 ft of fish underneath you and catch 5-10 real quick and then they vanish and its back to drilling holes and looking again.  Thats where mobility is the key to staying on perch.  Small buckshot rattle spoons, forage minnows, jigging raps and of course Genz worms have all been working good tipped with waxworms and at times minnow heads.

     We have spent some time this past week fishing for pike.  And of course the pike fishing is as always, excellent.  3-8 pd pike are the average but we have had a few pike big pike.  last week we had a 12 and 16 pd pike caught. Tip ups with frozen herring have been working but jigging with spoons tipped with full minnows have been working the best. 

     We do still have some openings left and we hope to hear from you.  Some of the best fishing of the season is still ahead of us.

Courtesy of Jeff Dosch, Dosch's Guide Service

01/29/2010

Welcome anglers to the Annual Devils Lake Fire Department Tournament. We wish everyone the best of luck and hope you enjoy your time in Devils Lake.

As for fishing, heavy snow on the lake really limited anglers this past week. However, the access group and the resorts have worked hard and been able to make some trails for anglers this week. The Casino, Woodland Resort and Ackerman Acres have plowed trails in their areas. The Chamber will be updating the trail list this morning at www.devilslakend.com (too long to include here). With the heavy snow anglers wishing to adventure out off the trails will find it tough going without a snowmobile. Possible, but tough.

Walleye anglers have been reporting a good morning and evening bite. The better areas have been the humps in the Flats, Doc Hagens, the Ft. Totten/Cactus Point area, the Casino area, Rocky/Military Points, East Bay near the Camp entrance, the Stromme Addition area, Foughty’s Point, and Black Tiger. Try using sonars or buckshots, nils, raps, or kastmasters tipped with minnows or minnow heads.

Perch fishing is really hit or miss. Some anglers do well each day, but it’s been tough to duplicate it the next day. Some of the better areas have been the Casino, Rocky/Military Points, and the south end of Black Tiger. Look for deeper ledges from 30-50 feet. Hali’s, kastmasters, genz worms, hanger rigs with jigs such as ratso or ratfinkies, and small raps tipped with wax worms, minnows, or minnow head all tend to work at times.

Pike fishing remains good in the north end of Six Mile, Sweetwater/Morrison area, and Pelican Lake. Smelt or herring with tip-ups works well. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

Trails are open!

Lakewood: The access point is open & cleared out.

Six Mile Bay: On the north end of Six Mile Bay, the trail loops covering the whole bay, and is in good shape. From the boat ramp, the trails runs to the Doc Hagens area.This trail has a little bit of water on it but will loop around the bad spots today.

Acorn Ridge/East Bay: The trail heads south towards Camp Grafton and back to the ramp, then towards Stromme Addition and cuts across to the 82nd Ave NE entrance (off Highway 2 East) onto the lake. The trail then heads to Foughty's Point and continues to Skadsems Bay. The trail also cuts across to Ackerman Acres. (All trails here are in good shape).

Highway 2 Access (82nd Ave NE): The trail heads to Haybale Bay and completes a large loop.

Other trails to access are at Spirit Lake Casino and Woodland Resort.

Happy Fishing & best of luck in the tournament tomorrow!

01/25/2010

Anglers are reporting fairly good fishing but it can also be hit and miss. The best walleye fishing is in the early morning and evening hours. Rocky points and other structure seem to be the key. Some of the better areas include the sunken roads and points in the Flats, the Doc Hagens area, Ft. Totten/Cactus Points and Knudson’s Bay, the Casino area, Stromme Addition and the storm sewer area, the sunken road in Black Tiger Bay, East Devils Lake, and Lake Irvin. Sonars, chubby darters, or buckshots, kastmasters, raps, and nils tipped with minnow heads have all been working well.

Perch fishing remains quite spotty with a few people getting some fish each day, but not much for numbers or consistency. Some of the areas producing perch have been the Towers area, Creel Bay, Military Point, Casino area, and Black Tiger.

Pike fishing’s been decent as well with fish being found along with walleyes in most parts of the lake. Those targeting pike have been doing best in Walfords Bay, Jerusalem Bay, Lake Irvin, and Sweetwater/Morrison. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

01/15/2010

A warmer than normal weather forecast has finally gotten fisherman out exploring the lake. Most anglers are reporting a good 18 inches of ice and are accessing the lake with their vehicles.  Recent snows have resulted in a fair amount of snow in some areas.  Those wishing to venture around will need a 4x4 vehicle.  With very little money available for lake trails this year, trails will largely be limited to the casino and Creel Bay areas as the casino and Woodland Resort have been plowing those areas.  Other areas will only have the access points opened.  As for fishing, anglers have been reporting some excellent fishing this past week.

Walleyes are being caught in most areas of the lake with the better spots being the sunken humps and points in the Flats, Doc Hagens, the Ft. Totten/Cactus Point area, the Casino area, Black Tiger, Stromme Addition, the storm sewer area, the south end of Black Tiger, East Devils Lake, and Lake Irvin.  Anglers are using lures such as sonars or chubby darters; or jigs such as buckshots, kastmasters, raps, and nils tipped with minnows or minnow heads.  Perch fisherman also reported catching some fish this past week.  The better areas have been Black Tiger Bay, East Devils Lake, Creel Bay, and the Towers area.  We’ve also had some reports of fish being caught in Pelican and the Flats.

Haleys, kastmasters, genz worms, ratfinkies, and other small panfish type jigs tipped with minnow heads or wax worms along with a plain hook and minnow set up have all been working.  Pike fishing’s been decent as well with fish being found along with walleyes in most parts of the lake.  Those targeting pike have been doing best in Walfords Bay, Jerusalem Bay, the north end of Irvin, and Sweetwater/Morrison.  Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

FISHING, it's up and down one day we will clobber them and the next day will just plain stink. Most of our walleyes are coming in that ten foot range. Tip-ups tipped with minnows and jigging spoons with rattles are working well. The key to catching big numbers of walleyes is moving allot during peak feeding times, A.M. and P.M. The mid day bite is slow and boring so if you get on the fish in the morning they should reappear in the late afternoon. Check out the fish these buddy's caught on our last guided trip. There was 14 of us and we limited out both days. WOW what a day. we still have a few opening's for the winter so quit wish'n go

fish'n!

Courtesy of Jason Feldner Perch Eyes Outfitters and Lodging

1/14/2010

New access point open on the lake! 82nd Ave NE (off of Hwy 2 east) was cleared today to allow a great access point onto the lake! Happy fishing!

Billy Hildebrand from KFAN is here this weekend promoting Devils Lake. Tune into kfan.com to listen tonight and Saturday morning or the radio if it is broadcast in your area!

1/12/2010

Extremely cold temps the past couple days have made fishing miserable, but have really helped with ice conditions. The forecast for the upcoming week looks awesome though. Most anglers are now finding from 14”-18” of ice and are driving vehicles. While finally thick enough to drive on, anglers still need to stay away from moving water areas such as bridges and coulees.

As for fishing, most anglers are reporting excellent walleye fishing, good pike fishing, but perch have been tough to find. Walleye fishermen are doing well on sunken rocky structure. The better spots have been the sunken roads and humps in the Flats, Doc Hagens, the Ft. Totten/Cactus Point area, Rocky/Military Point, the north end of Creel Bay, the Casino area, Mission Bay, East Bay near the Camp entrance, Stromme Addition, and the sunken road in Black Tiger. Buckshots, nils, raps, and kastmasters tipped with minnow heads have been working well as have sonars and chubby darters. The best fishing has been in the early morning and evening hours. The exception would be Lake Irvin were anglers are also reporting some fish throughout the day. Pike fishing’s been good in Pelican Lake, the north end of Six Mile Bay, Wolfords Bay, and East Devils Lake. Smelt or herring with tip-ups is your best bet. With perch numbers way down, perch have been tough to find. A few anglers are finding a few in the north end of Creel Bay, the mouth of Creel, the Towers area, the Casino, and in Black Tiger, but no real numbers. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

1/11/2010

The Eastbay Boat landing is temporarily shut down for lake access due to an ice ridge that has formed in front of the boat ramp.

1/08/2010

Public Access Points Open This Weekend! Three public access points will be opened up this weekend. The Eastbay Boat Landing, Lakewood Boat Landing and Six Mile Bay (North) Boat Landing will be plowed for access this weekend. Happy Fishing!

1/05/2010

Happy New Year!  Things have really picked up here in the last week.  The walleye fishing has been incredible for both numbers and size.  Nearly every group we have taken so far has limited out on walleyes.  We have been fishing lots of structure mostly humps and sunken islands but we have had some success on some larger walleyes in the shallows in 8 to 10 feet of water.  Our best luck so far has been on Northland Buckshot Rattle spoon and the Rapala jigging shad raps tipped with minnow heads.

We haven't fish perch that much yet but are hearing lots of reports of schools of perch being found in a number of places.  Only problem has been they have been very tough to get to bite so far especially with all the weather changes we have experienced this past week.

The northern pike fishing has been very good as well.  We have not done much tip up fishing yet bet plan to in the next coming days.  We have heard some pretty good stories from the folks in Woodland's spear houses.  They have seen lots of pike and some bruisers as well.

We did luck out on that last storm we had over Christmas.  We did get about 1 foot of snow but the wind really blew it around when it came so it is not like it has a blanket of 1 foot of snow everywhere.  We are driving our trucks pretty much everywhere on Devils Lake and we are finding a consistent 12 to 15 inches every where we have been so far.

I will be posting some photos shortly but am waiting to receive some from clients we guided this past weekend.

Good Luck Fishing and be safe!

Courtesy of Zippy Dahl, Perch Patrol Guide Service

Ice conditions are starting to improve with most anglers reporting 10-14" of ice. While some are starting to drive on the ice, we still recommend foot, atv, or snowmobiles. Recents snows have put some snow on the ice, so four wheel drive will more than likely be necessary.

Walleye anglers have been reporting some decent fishing in Lake Irving, the gap near the Mauvee, Doc Hagens, the north end of Six Mile, Ft. Totten area, Casino, Mission Bay, East Bay near the camp entrance, and Black Tiger. Buckshots, raps, kastmasters, and nils tipped with minnow heads all work at times. Pike fishing's been fairly good to the north at Sweetwater/Morrison as well as the north end of Six Mile and Jerusalem Bay. Perch fishing's been slow with a few fish being caught in Black Tiger Bay and the Country Club area. We hope you all have a Great New Year!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

12/31/2009

Happy new year!  We have the plows on the ice!  We just finished plowing a trail from Woodland Resort to Rocky Point, Military Point, and to the North end of Creel Bay.  We now have 14 fish houses on the ice.  Fishing in our rental houses has been spotty.  Some decent fish in some, but slow in others.  Had our first 20lb pike caught Wednesday in one of our pike houses in Wolford bay.  Look for better fishing now that we can get our trucks on the ice and improved mobility.  We are finding nothing less than 11" of ice in Creel Bay and it sounds like most other ice reports are indicating the same.  Remember to use caution on early ice. 

Nice to be back in the swing of things!  Good luck and have a great 2010!

Kyle

Woodland Resort

Ice conditions continue to improve on Devils Lake with most anglers now reporting 8-10 inches of ice. There have been a few people driving out, but we strongly recommend anglers to use atv’s or snowmobiles at the most. Also, we had a wet fall and there is still some open water in the moving water bridge, coulee, and channel areas. Use extreme caution around these areas.

As for fishing, anglers are reporting some decent walleye fishing in Mission Bay, the Casino area, East Bay near the Camp entrance, the north end of Six Mile, and the Doc Hagens area. Sonars and chubby darters, or buckshots, kastmasters, raps, and nils tipped with minnows have all been working. Anglers are also reporting some good walleye fishing along with pike at Lake Irvin. Perch fishing has been a bit slow yet with a few reports of some fish being caught near the Country Club in Creel Bay, the south end of Black Tiger Bay, and in East Bay out from the entrance of Camp Grafton. Pike fisherman and spearer’s are reporting some nice pike in Jerusalem Bay and some in Walfords Bay. Moving around a bit can help you find clearer water. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

12/21/2009

Cold temps the past couple weeks have finally put enough ice on the lake for anglers to start venturing out. Most anglers are reporting from 8-10 inches but some have found spots with as little as 5-6 inches. Those going out have been walking out or using atv’s and snowmobiles. No vehicle traffic is yet advised!!!

As for fishing, anglers are reporting a few perch in Creel Bay and in Black Tiger. Walleye anglers are finding some fish in the north end of Six Mile Bay, East Bay, Mission Bay, the Ft. Totten area, and the Casino area. Pike anglers are reporting some fish in the north end of Six Mile, Jerusalem Bay, Lake Irvin, and the Sweetwater/Morrison lakes. With the ice just becoming fishable, there haven’t been a lot of reports as of yet. This should change as warmer temps and better conditions mean a lot more fisherman will be venturing out this weekend. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

12/17/2009

Hello Everybody!  This past week we returned from the St. Paul Ice Fishing Show in St. Paul, Minnesota.  It was a great show with record crowds each day and I would like to personally thank everyone who stopped by our booth and visited with us.  I would also like to thank everyone who booked a trip with us at the show and tell you we looking forward to fishing with you very soon. 

We have ice!!!  We are very lucky to have had a perfect freeze so far.  We have had very cold temperatures and most importantly we have had very little wind and very little snow.  This next week the forecast is for even more cold temperatures and we could see some 25 to 30 below zero temperatures by mid-week. 

We have not been fishing yet but we have heard reports of 4 inches on most of the main lake and up to 6 inches on some back bays and lakes up north.  We are looking forward to getting out fishing very soon but we have been very busy getting our equipment ready and assembling our new Fish Trap Thermo X's and getting them customized for another season.

The phones and emails have really picked up the past two weeks and we are taking a lot of reservations.  If you are planning a trip with us this season and have not yet booked a trip, we encourage you to do so immediately as dates are already starting to fill up.  Especially if you have a group of 4 or more people.  Our most popular package is still the Perch Express but we want to remind you that we also do single day trips as well.  If you want to do the Perch Express Package and want to fish either more days or fewer days, we can make those adjustments and customize a package that will fit your needs.

Courtesy of Zippy Dahl, The Perch Patrol Guide Service

12/17/2009

Featured in Outdoor News

Devils Lake is poised for another spectacular ice fishing season.  The high water levels of the past two decades have created record year classes of fish and Devils Lake has matured into a multi-species destination where anglers can target walleye, jumbo perch and pike.  In the 80's, Devils Lake was put on the map because of enormous jumbo perch.  Today, jumbo perch (some topping out at more than two pounds!) are still caught by anglers each winter but perch numbers are currently down.  Walleye and pike numbers however are currently through the roof. 
 
Anglers experienced a phenomenal walleye bite this past summer and most anglers expect this bite to continue through the winter.  Several year classes are present with numbers of fifteen to twenty- two inch fish available although anglers land walleyes over ten pounds each winter.
 
Northern pike are also extremely abundant with some fish topping twenty pounds.  New for this winter, Minnesota residents will be able to spear pike on Devils Lake!  Spear fishermen do extremely well early in the season on Devils Lake.  Tip ups are another productive method that works well for catching these predators.
 
Jason Mitchell

12/14/2009

Extremely cold temps finally resulted in Devils Lake freezing over. The best part this year is that calm winds helped it freeze smoother than it has in years. A few daredevils have been venturing out and are reporting from 6-8 inches in the earlier freezing areas but only around 4 inches in other parts. This weekend we would expect a few anglers starting to venture out on foot and possibly on atvs or snowmobiles. But at this time we’d only advise travel by foot and to use extreme caution. Good Luck and we urge all angler to use common sense and extreme caution.

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

12/07/09

Cold weather has finally started to make some ice on Devils Lake. Some of the smaller bays have now frozen over as have the smaller pike lakes to the north. Ice is still quite thin and we urge anglers to not venture out yet at this point. But it’s a start and hopefully by next weekend anglers may be able to start walking out on some of the smaller early freezing bays.

11/13/2009

Anglers continue to report good walleye fishing on Devils Lake. Most anglers are now jigging the bridges of Hwy 57, 20, Six Mile & the Mauvee with minnows or jigging or trolling cranks along sunken points and roads. Some of the better areas include the Golden Highway, sunken road in Pelican, and sunken points such as Haley's Hump, Patience Point, and the Ft. Totten/Cactus Point area.

BIG BUCK & DOE CONTEST: Once again Eds will be having its big buck and doe contest. The heaviest buck will win a CVA Blackpowder rifle kit and the heaviest doe a $50 gift certificate. Good Luck and have a save and enjoyable deer season!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

11/02/2009

Welcome hunters and fisherman to the Lake Region. With waterfowl hunting in full swing very few anglers have been hitting the lake. Those going are reporting some excellent success on walleyes and pike. The most productive areas have been the bridges of Six Mile, Hwy 20, Hwy 57, and the Mauvee; the sunken road in Pelican and the Golden Highway; and sunken points such as Haleys Hump, Patience Point, Doc Hagens, Ft. Totten/Cactus Point, and Five Crows. At the bridges and on sunken rock piles anglers are vertical jigging or slip bobbering with minnows. On the sunken roads, anglers are trolling cranks such as shad raps, walleye divers, salmos, and reef runners. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

10/23/2009

Welcome hunters and fisherman to the Lake Region. Another week of cold temps and some added snow this past week once again kept most fishermen off the lake. Prior to this cold front, anglers were reporting some excellent walleye and pike action on the lake. Typical fall patterns of working moving water bridge areas, trolling sunken roads and rocky points, or jigging these areas were the most effective presentations. Some of the better areas this time of year include the sunken roads of Pelican and the Flats, the bridge areas, and sunken rocky points such as Patience Point, Doc Hagens, Ft. Totten/Cactus Point, Five Crows, and Foughy’s Point. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

10/15/2009

"Walleye reproduction in Devils Lake this year was the best on record. The lake, which has tripled in size in recent years, had between five and six times the natural walleye reproduction above the long-term average." Power said a typical test netting would average 17 walleyes per net and this year it ran about 100 per net. "It's the best we have ever seen in that lake," Power said.

Greg Power, Fisheries Chief for the ND Game and Fish Department

10/12/2009

Welcome hunters and fisherman to the Lake Region. Cold cool temps and wind kept most fisherman off the lake this past week. The few who did make it out continue to report good fishing. Typical fall patterns are working the best with anglers working sunken roads, moving water bridge areas, and rocky points. In these areas anglers are trolling cranks or bottom bouncers with spinner or jigging with minnow, leeches, or crawlers. Some of the better areas continue to be the sunken roads of Pelican and the Flats, Haley’s Hump, Patience Point, Doc Hagens, the Ft. Totten/Cactus Point area, Five Crows, Foughty’s Point, all the bridges and the area near the outlet to Stump Lake in East Devils Lake. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

Fall is certainly here!! We had such a warm and beautiful September, now we are getting into more traditional fall weather patterns. There are lots of activities to do in the Devils Lake area this time of year. Deer, grouse, goose, and duck hunting are all open. This time of year is always the craziest for me because there are so many options and so little time. Daylight is starting to fade more and more and the wildlife is preparing for winter.

We do still have some fabulous fishing. Fishing is a lot of fun this time of year. There is something about late fall fishing that is special. Maybe it is the fact that open water will soon be gone, or is it the fact that large fish are building up their fat supplies and on the bite. Whatever it is, we would be more than happy to get you on the water. We still have guides that are ready to go and this is truly getting to be your last chance before freeze up. We also have a guide going on Stump Lake, which has a fantastic fall bite.

I would like to say thanks to all of the people who fished with Bry’s Guide Service this summer. It was our busiest summer ever and we had awesome clients and fishing. It makes our job a lot of fun and we look forward to fishing with you again. Keep your lines tight!!

Courtesy of Bry's Guide Service

10/05/2009

Welcome waterfowl hunters to the Lake Region. With an excellent summer duck hatch action should be fast and furious. For those hunters looking to add some fishing to their trip, walleye and pike action has been excellent. Anglers are reporting good success at most of the bridges around the lake including the Mauvee bridge, Six Mile bridge, Hwy 57 & 20 bridges, and the Woods Rutten bridge. Other areas producing fish include the sunken roads of Pelican and the Flats, rocky points such as Haley’s Hump, Patience Point, Doc Hagens, Bird Island, the Ft. Totten/Cactus Point area, Five Crows, Foughty’s Point, and the far east part of East Devils Lake near the outlet to Stump. In these areas anglers are jigging with minnows, leeches, or crawlers; or running bottom bouncers with spinners. Some anglers are also trolling cranks such as jointed shads, wally divers, or salmo’s on the points and sunken roads as well.

Devils Lake also has some of the best shore fishing you’ll find anywhere. The bridges and the rip rapped highways near the Hwy 19/281 intersection, the bridge areas mentioned above, the north end of Creel off Hwy 19, and the area south of DL near Acorn Ridge all offer some excellent walleye fishing. Try using lindy rigs or jigs tipped with minnows, leeches, or crawlers. The best action tends to be in the morning and evening hours on the windy sides. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

The walleye fishing on Devils Lake is still tremendous and the northern pike fishing this past week has been very good as well.  We are not doing anything special or different to target the northerns, we just seem to catch them as we are walleye fishing.  Some of the nicest walleyes of the summer are being caught trolling crank baits.  Both the Rapala jointed number 5 Shad raps and the No. 5 Salmo Hornets are still the baits of choice that are most successful. 

We do have some of our guides doing very well trolling live bait with bottom bouncers along the weed beds as well.  A walleye chop going into the weeds seems to really improve the bite almost to the point of being suicidal.   

This past week it seems that summer finally arrived.  We enjoyed many days in the mid 70s to lower 80s.  Despite this summer being cooler than normal it has improved our fishing in many ways.  The main reason it kept our fish in shallow water for most of the summer and it has given us longer periods of time to figure spots out because the extended shallow water bite. 

With fall officially underway the fishing on Devils Lake is as good as it has been all summer.  In fact, it is in some ways better as the fish seem to be getting bigger.  Take a look below at some of the dandy fish that were brought in this past week.  If you are looking to take a fishing trip this fall you will not find better fishing anywhere that's going on right now on Devils Lake.   With school beginning and the summer winding down, Mitchell's Guide Service has plenty of room to take your party fishing.  We would love to have you! 

A reminder for all the hunter planning a duck or a goose hunt in October,  Mitchell's Guide Service is running the "Hunters Special"  This is a 1/2 day guiding fishing (4 hours) in the afternoon after your hunt.  The prices are $250.00 for 3 people and $225.00 for 2 people.    We started this a couple of years ago and in many cases it has been the highlight of the trip.

Courtesy of Mitchell's Guide Service

9/11/2009

I do this when I’m desperate

The dock talk is no one has been on the water for the past 3 days due to wind and rain. From the looks of Pelican plenty of rain fell north of Devils Lake during the passing storms. I’m struck by the contrast from last week when water was clear and warm looking. Today the water is 66 degrees and very dark. The kind of water that says tuff bite. We have absolutely perfect conditions otherwise. Low 80’s with sunshine and a light wind out of the south. My favorite wind when fishing walleyes on cranks.

Yesterday wind was pushing water under the bridge into Pelican with a 15 plus south wind. Today, with lighter winds, Pelican is pushing back and the contrast in water is apparent. Pelican just looks cold and dark, maybe it’s just me but I don’t like what I see.

First pull is along a ridge in 15 feet and ends in nothing. Next up is another rocky ridge that comes up as high as 12 out of deeper water, nothing. Off to a couple of sunken humps that top out in the 12 foot range. The second island gives us our first fish and Jesse, my oldest, gets his picture taken. I have two Bomber 24’s down and a mixed bag for the other two lines. Before long I even get in the action with our best fish of the day. While that may sound like good fishing it is past noon and past time for a change.

We head back under the Highway 19 bridge and make our first stop at an outside corner. Yesterday Jesse and I spent the day on the lake talking to tech support. No GPS. Geez, I had no idea I couldn’t fish without GPS. I’m not kidding, I have become so dependent on mapping I don’t know where to start. I felt lost, where do you go without a map? Thankfully by late afternoon we got the unit working and with that began to catch fish.

Outside turns are what I turn to when I’m out of places to check or just learning an area. In fact I’m certain I would catch more fish if I forgot most of my spots and simply used the map to pick my locations. This particular outside turn got us 6 fish yesterday but today only gave up one keeper. We stayed too long and then pulled the shoreline but nothing doing.

By now it’s apparent if things don’t change we are going home with a pretty light load. With no idea where to head next I decide to follow my heart and check out the north side of Grahams Island. I do this when I’m desperate. Ask for help I mean, tune in and see if I have a connection and then follow. For some this is second nature but I’m more of a do it by the book, follow what I know about fishing type. Maybe a balance of each would be better.

On the way across the lake I spot a likely looking location on the map. Yep, another outside turn. I have driven over this location 15 times and never given it a second thought. Today it catches my attention. We change depths from 12 to 15 feet and begin pulling toward the outside contour. Five hours of fishing netted four walleyes and in two minutes we jump up to six with a double. In fact we are at nine before we realize we need to count fish.

I’m sure you know the story of the last fish.  We went straight to 9 and then spent the next 30 minutes straining for the finish line. We did get there though with a short, plump, Devils Lake, shrimp gorged walleye. I saved some of the goodies for an inside look. From the looks of the picture one of today’s catch was eating little northerns for afternoon break. Don’t you love it when an underdog comes out on top?

Much of what I learn while fishing is a result of some negative experience. Ranging from coming in last in a tournament to GPS not working, there always seems to be a lesson. In fact over time I have decided it’s the negative lessons that stick with me. Maybe cause they seem to turn into a positive experience later. Certainly was the case this time.

I think next season I will try to implement two new strategies. Since I know I can’t fish without a map I will start depending more on my map to pick new locations. Not run to old locations right away, be more adventurous and use the map first. Second, I will start depending more on help from God, not run to old locations right away, be more adventurous, use His help first. You know, ask and you will receive.

To view other reports, pictures and Google Earth GPS locations please go to: www.ndlive.com

Courtesy of Greg Schoneck of ND Live, Wet and Wild

09/02/2009

Fishing remains very good on Devils Lake! Many of the same presentations and depths are the same as they were midsummer. We are catching fish along weed-lines, rock piles, timber, and flooded roads. It seems like they move a bit from day to day, but they are usually within pretty close vicinity of the structure I mentioned above. One day they might be hugging the weeds in 10-11 feet, and the next they might be out a bit deeper (13-25 feet). Jigs tipped with a third to a half crawler have been very good. Leeches are catching fish as well. We will often anchor up and vertical jig. When we do this we always set up with bobbers, there are days when they catch the majority of the fish. Fish are also being caught with live bait rigs like: bouncers and spinners and lindy-rigs. Summer is starting to wind down and fall is just around the corner. We would be more than happy to get you out on the water for some excellent late summer/early fall fishing. Good luck to all!!

Courtesy of Bry's Guide Service

Fishing on Devils Lake continues to be excellent for most anglers. Those doing well are reporting good bites working the edges of weedbeds, old sunken points, the trees, and the bridge areas. Some of the better spots have been the sunken roads in Pelican and the Flats, Haley’s Hump, Patience Point, Doc Hagens & Scooters Point area, the Ft. Totten/Cactus Point area, Five Crows, Stromme Addition, Foughty’s Point, Haybale Bay, Black Tiger Bay, and the bridges of Mauvee, Six Mile, 57, & 20. In these areas anglers are mostly jigging or trolling cranks or bottom bouncers with spinners. Both leeches and crawlers work at times. Most anglers are reporting a lot of smaller fish with some nice eating sized ones mixed in. Larger fish have been more difficult to find. A few pike are being caught along with walleyes, but pike fishing overall has been rather slow. White bass continue to be caught in most all areas of the lake with the windy shorelines and bridge areas producing better than others. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

A week of change.  This past week our methods and presentations have changed a bit going from a live bait bait either on slip bobbers or trolling with bottom bouncers to a much improved trolling crank bait bite.  Not too say that we are done using live bait but we have enjoyed some phenomenal results trolling Salmo Hornets and jointed shad raps on flooded road beds and along highway rip rap.    The depths we have been successful at are anywhere from 7 to 25 feet of water.  Some areas we are trolling with just braid but other areas we are using lead core.  The size of some of the walleyes we caught trolling have been very impressive as you can see in the photos www.fishdevilslake.net/reports.httml.  So, the troll bite is on!  It is a little behind this year compared to most but this past week we have discovered the walleyes to be relating more to the harder bottom as the weed bite began to slow up a bit.

We are not catching a lot of northern pike lately but we seem to catch one or two a day.  The size of the pike have been pretty decent but we are not catching limits of them.  We are not really targeting them but they sure can double the rod back when they hit that crank bait.

With school back in session and as we enter fall, we want to remind you that the fishing on Devils Lake with Mitchell's Guide Service is still red hot!  Now is the perfect time with the kids back in school to treat yourself to an unbelievable fishing trip to top off the summer.  We get a lot of clients in the fall that take advantage of the kids going back to school and take a well deserved vacation.  Last fall the fishing was awesome and with all the patterns running behind schedule this season due to the cooler temperatures this bite will last for many weeks to come.

Hope to see you yet this season!

Steve "Zippy" Dahl

Mitchell's Guide Service, www.fishdevilslake.net,  701-662-6560 
Woodland Resort, www.woodlandresort.com,                701-662-5996

08/27/2009

Drop, New Reef Runner Colors?

Where do you start, East Devils, Main Bay, Six Mile or maybe Grahams Island? How deep, live bait or cranks, bobbers or jigs? Devils Lake can be intimidating. If you don’t fish here every week things change and fast. I put together a list of possible presentations. Rip Rap along roads Guibber and Lemon and bridges-Main Lake rocks on sunken humps-sunken road beds-casting into timber with cranks and jigs-pulling crankbaits-bobbers in the trees-spinners along weed beds, Geez I could trip a breaker.

I normally check the weather, check with friends, guides, Fishing Buddy, anything just get me some info and a place to start. Search the data base of past experience, freshen it up with current info and I got me a plan. Not this time. Everyone says they are catching fish but each is somewhere different doing something different. I hate it when fishing is this good. What if I don’t find fish? Put together that 45 minute limit? Release the big one and have a story. Reality is, yesterday we caught two and everyone else was straining to lift their nets full of fish up on the cleaning table.

Guibber, aka Sarah, my youngest and her night time companion Lemon Drop are watching Princess Diary on TV. We are at the Holiday in Devils Lake on what is our first trip out this season for just the 3 of us. Things always look better after a good night’s sleep. I’m sort of a morning person anyway so maybe tomorrow we will just go fishing and not complicate it with too much thinking.

It’s late August and you would think deep but the road tops at 9 to 10 feet. We are being followed by two RS-4’s 75 feet behind the boat.  In close at 30 is two Reef Runner Rip Shads. First fish is on a Firetiger RS-4 and so is the next and next and so on. I make a quick change and now we have two Firetigers out the back. Not a single fish on the Reef Runners. Might as well be fishing with two lines but I’m determined to find something they want.

We run the gamut of color and style even digging into the bottom of the boxes for Thunderstick Jr’s a lure I used to pull often. After 15 minutes those two loafers get the notice and are laid off. I don’t like blue/chrome in the morning and I don’t like blue/chrome on overcast days but I’m out of colors in this box so down goes blue/chrome and up comes Guibber with a smile. Maybe I think too much and should “just go fishing” more often. We get another on blue/chrome and now we have two working for us.

Get this, the RS-4’s are as good as dead. An hour ago you could not keep ‘em in the water with all the action. Rip Shads moved in and are doing what the RS-4’s were doing early on. That just goes to show, ya got to have ’em all. You can tell your wife Schoneck said so. Tools, right tool for the right job. Ya, that makes sense.

Looking south you can see where the road comes into the water. We are on the NE corner of Grahams Island in an area locally known as Doc Hagens. The road runs north for a mile or so and tops at 10 feet. We are pulling the cranks slow. Very slow, in fact, as I don’t think we caught a fish over 2 mph. Get this, not a single crank lost, not even to a northern. Generally I tell people who want to pull cranks on DL two important facts. First buy several types and second be sure to get them in 6 packs. On the way to the lake roll down the truck window and toss out your first six pack. Kind of gets you warmed up for what’s coming.

No big fish story, not even the one that got away. Just a very good day on the water. I think I tend to minimize the quality of fishing here in ND. I have a few good days and begin taking it for granted. After all we did come in with two limits of “eaters” meaning 14-16 inch fish. Where in the upper mid-west can you pull that off in late August? Fact is our fishing is fantastic and I plan to make it a point not to diminish its value. I’ve fished other states for walleyes and my experience is ya, good fishing, but more often than not limited to a short window of opportunity. Kind of a seasonal thing. Not the case for ND, not even the dog days of August. The smile on the Guibber describes it best.

To view other reports, pictures and Google Earth GPS locations please go to: www.ndlive.com

Courtesty of Greg Schoneck of ND Live, Wet and Wild

Last week 90's this week 50-60's windy.  But thru it all the fish are still biting with limits of walleyes coming out of 9-13 feet of water.  Most fish are eaters but getting some very nice four pounders thrown in the mix once in awhile.  Trolling, some of the guys are getting some nice ones all so in 9-15' of water.  We still have some nice wether ahead this weekend.  We are open and it looks like 80's so if you have the weekend off give us a call if you want to have some good walleye action.  A reminder for you duck hunters that are still looking for a nice house to rent I still have some openings.  You all so may want to kept in mind the walleye action is good all day long.  So after hunting it would be worth the time to hire a guide and go fishing after the morning hunt and before the sunset drive.

Courtesy of McQuiod Outdoors & Lodging

Fisherman continue to report excellent fishing on most all parts of Devils Lake. Those doing the best have been trolling the edges of weedbeds or rocky points with cranks or bottom bouncers with spinners, jigging rocky points and humps, or slip bobbering in the trees. The better areas continue to be the sunken roads and humps in the Flats and Pelican Lake, Haley’s Hump, Patience Point, Doc Hagens, New Mill Bay, the Ft. Totten/Cactus Point area, the Casino area, all the bridges around the lake, Foughty’s Point and the area from there to Skadsen’s Bay, and the Black Tiger area. Try trolling cranks such as jointed shads or salmo hornets; or bottom bouncers with gold, firetiger, rainbow, or red/white spinners tipped with leeches or crawlers; or slip bobber or jig with leeches or crawlers. Anglers pitching windswept shorelines are also reporting some fish but wind is key and catching is a bit more sporadic.

Shore fisherman continue to report excellent fishing at the bridges of 57, Six Mile, and the Mauvee. Shore fisherman also continue to report a good bite near Acorn Ridge, the north end of Creel, and the Hwy 281/19 area. Lindy rigs with leeches or crawlers have been working the best. White bass are being found in these areas as well, but the windy side is key. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Eds Bait Shop

Time flies when your having fun!  Fishing on Devils Lake remains excellent on many different types of presentations.  We are still catching a lot of fish trolling along the weed beds in 8 to 14 feet of water on many parts of Devils Lake.  We are mainly live baiting using bottom bouncers 3 feet of line and a plain hook tipped with either a leech or half of a night crawler.  We are also catching a lot of fish slip bobbing the flooded timber and along the weed beds as well.  Trolling crank baits have also been very successful along the highway rip rap and the many flooded roads in the lake as well.  We have also had some success jigging rock piles on calm days.

So not much has changed since our last report.  Writing these reports seems like all we talk about is the excellent fishing on Devils Lake but honestly this season has been that outstanding.  I don't want to get into statistics here but I would be hard pressed to remember a group this season that did not take their limit of walleyes home with them.  That is a pretty darn good sign of success on any lake and it has become normal for us here on Devils Lake.

We still have plenty of summer left and the fishing is as good as ever so it is not too late to put a group together and come and fish Devils Lake with Mitchell's Guide Service.  We are still running 6 to 8 guides per day and staying plenty busy but we can always find room to fit you in.   August is "Iowa Month" and we definitely want send a special welcome to all our Iowa farmers out there who are waiting for harvest to get here.   Come on up to Devils Lake and experience some world class walleye fishing.  Who knows you may even run into your neighbors! 

Good Luck Fishing Everybody!

Courtesy of Mitchell's Guide Service

8/14/2009

Fishing is fantastic! It seems like weeds are the key. Work the edges of them with whatever presentation you are the most comfortable with. Best depths seem to be that 9-15 ft. of water. We have used jigs, bobbers, and lindy-rigs and had great luck. It is very common to catch 40-70 walleyes a day. The fish will vary from 10-18 inches with the occasional bigger one showing up from time to time. Flooded rocks have also been producing. Bass fishing has been good. The key is to locate them. They are usually in the shallow water, so cover water and you will eventually run into them. We have seen a few more northerns showing up, mainly when we are walleye fishing, but they have been a bit trickier to pattern. This is a great time of year to get out and enjoy some great fishing on Devils Lake! Good luck and keep your lines tight!!

Courtesy of Bry's Guide Service

Fishing on Devils Lake has been very good this past week despite some cooler than normal temperatures. Another cold, turbulent week has returned surface water temperatures to the mid 60's. With all of the cool weather, it feels more like early June than early August, if you're into fishing like we are, this is probably more good than bad as the cool water temperatures have helped to extend the active bite in the 10 to 15 foot range.  The walleye fishing has really picked up on the humps and bars on the main lake and in the flats and there are we are still catching plenty of fish on the edges of the weed lines and in the flooded timber. 

It is still pretty much pick your poison as to all the methods we are using to catch fish.  Some of our guides are doing really well slip bobbering and jigging, some are doing very well using bottom bouncers with spinners and lindy rigs, and some of our guides are doing very well trolling crankbaits.  We are still catching plenty of big walleyes 17 to 24 inchers and a lot of eaters in that 14 to 16 inch range.  You cannot beat the action as far as the numbers of walleyes we catch and release in a day.  It is just unreal to think of how many fish this lake must have in it not to mention the number of different size classes that we catch through out the day.  Our future walleye fishing on Devils Lake could not look brighter!

Not a whole lot has changed since the last report.  We are still bringing our lunch box to work everyday and having a great time helping our customers experience world class walleye fishing on Devils Lake.  We have enjoyed a great summer so far and it is by no means over with.  There is still plenty of good fishing ahead and it is still a great time for you to gather up your family, friends, co-workers,  who ever you can find and book a fishing adventure with Mitchell's Guide Service.  It will be the highlight of your summer.

Good Luck Fishing this week!

Courtesy of Mitchell's Guide Service

Fishing is still going strong. Best spots have been Maddock ridge, Malvee Cullee area, Howards farm, Golden Hwy and Hwy 281. Leeches on jigs and slip bobbers are working well on the humps. If the fish are not on the top slide off to the sides and you'll find'em. Trolling the golden hwy with cranks and spinners has been good as well. Same goes for the rocks along hwy 281. The only report I have heard on shore fishing is just north of JJ's bait shop on Hwy 281 and its been good.

Good luck to you all.

JJ's Bait Shop and Lodging
PO Box 7
Minnewaukan, ND 58351
701-473-5440
www.jjsbaitshop.com

8/7/2009

13 inch Jumbo Perch - 16 inch White Bass

If you come from the west like I do, living in Minot, the first big section of water is Pelican Lake to the north and to the south the Minnewaukan area. Moving east is Grahams Island followed by Six Mile Bay. Next up is Creel and Main Bay which finally gets us to the City of Devil Lake. So far we covered over 25 miles and we are only half way there. East Bay is up next and on the eastern edge is my destination, EASTBAY CAMPGROUND. Still have some lake to go, East Devils Lake, where the action is!

Let me introduce you to Bill and Valerie, owners of the campground. I’d say big, in a lot of ways, but mostly big in the sense of service, hospitality and care. We were on a drive around the camp when Bill noticed a guy coming in from fishing. After a quick yell out the truck window, “Want me to back you in?” he bailed out and helped the guy load his boat. I think he knows everyone here personally which amazes me. His wife Valerie, on top of holding two jobs, bakes a terrific cake. I know, since in my first hour here I was invited to supper. ND hospitality at its best. If you like attention you‘ll like Eastbay.

Tom and I met at the ramp just after morning radio. If you are not listening to ND Live, tune in every Thursday to KFYR am 550. With radio over till 12:55 we head out for East Devils Lake in anticipation of a repeat performance of yesterday’s walleye limit. Very light winds again today with light overcast makes seeing the weeds easy. Something that is important to me, since for the first time in my life I’m fishing weeds on purpose. I fish weeds a lot but never planned. You see I’m a crank guy and all weeds do for me is foul up a perfectly good set of crankbaits and mess with my patience.

One more first ever is Berkley Gulp. Fishing guide Mark Bry early this season introduced me to the 3 inch minnow in white and suggested I give it a try. It found a place in the bottom of a tackle locker which is where it stayed since. Don’t like the stuff even though several others have given it 5 stars for spectacular performance. I just don’t catch fish on Gulp so I don’t like it.

Change is good they say and I may be coming around. We are pitching into weed edges and open pockets with jigs and Gulp in 12 to 13 feet and I’m having the time of my life. When I get tired of pitching I can simply vertical jig right at the boat and get the same results. Walleyes are hitting it hard and after a little careful selection we have 4 in the boat. Tom and I make our first move to one of his secret locations and after two casts and a couple of missed fish I’m fighting something that don’t feel like a walleye. That’s cause 13 ¼ inch perch fight different. How I love this lake!

More walleyes and more fun and for no reason, we make another move to pull cranks. We motor past a group slip-bobber fishing and the lady up front may look asleep but when a bobber goes down she goes up. With the form of a professional the hook is set and Mr. Fish is in the boat. 10 minutes on the cranks is enough for me. Where is that Gulp, we got weeds to fish.

I mentioned to Tom I sure would like to get a photo of one of those legendary Devils Lake White Bass. He suggested a shoreline and we moved up to 7 feet pitching into shore but never made the big haul so common for DL.  After two more moves it finally happened. Would you believe 16 inches and that ain’t even a real big one! Cripes I keep walleyes smaller than that. Dog Days of August, don’t you believe it.

I’m having supper with Tom tonight. Same old story, fish for the second night in a row. Tom even cleaned ‘em while I flapped my lips pretending to busy with important stuff. Two days at Eastbay Campground and I already feel like family. You’ll like it here, even if it takes a day or two to get used to all the attention.

To view other reports, pictures and Google Earth GPS locations please go to: www.ndlive.com

Courtesy of Greg Schoneck of ND Live, Wet and Wild

8/03/2009

Does your wife know you got all this stuff?

If you’re thinking summer is over and August fishing is dog days you are not from ND. For years I’ve been telling those who hang up the rods early they are missing some of the best ND has to offer. Understand I’m from MN where dog days were just that. Tuff fishing. Don’t ask me what the difference is but most ND waters are not afflicted with the shortened season. Granted it’s not August yet but when it hits us this Saturday I plan to be on the water catching fish. Don’t let the summer slip by, take a couple of vacation days added to a weekend and get to Devils Lake.

I spent the night at Woodlands Resort where I got reacquainted with Kyle who owns and operates the resort. Woodlands is a first class operation with everything you can possibly need for a fishing vacation. Camping, cabins, camp store and the Cove, Woodlands own restaurant. As you can see by the wall of fish pictures, fishing here is first class as well.

With morning radio taken care of Ron and I motored out of Woodlands into a cool gray morning headed for the Golden Hi-way. I don’t fish the famous road often for some reason but I’m making it a point to pull some cranks there today. We got around Grahams Island and hit a bit more wind than I like so we just slipped into 11 to 12 feet and made a pull a few miles short of the Golden destination. Nobody home, so off for the road. One more detour at Howards as wind was blowing into shore and it just looked too good to pass up. 20 minutes in the 10 foot depth and several, “I can’t believe they’re not here’s” later, we finally hit the road.

The road is not good to me and I’m thinking to myself this ain’t gonna happen. It didn’t, so we moved off the road top to the west just a bit and pulled a hump a couple of other boats were on. First Fish, northern, followed by a small walleye on a Reef Runner Rip Shad. Low clouds and low pressure have me thinking I need to make a change so out came the cold front lures. Two RS4’s which turned out to be our best morning lures. They got us our first limit of small walleyes. Once 5 were in the box Ron and I had a council and came up with a stimulus plan. MOVE.

Devils Lake simply has too much to offer for one day on the water. Geez you could spend the entire summer here and not get to 10% of the lake. Knowing that, I still try, so off to Pelican for a look around. We arrive to sunshine and very light winds. Cranks go down into 15 feet with Bomber 24a’s at 45 feet back and Rip Shads, Shad Raps, Salmo’s and several others following. It was a two lure show all afternoon as the Firetiger Bombers were the only lures to catch fish. I consider Bombers in the same class as the RS4’s, cold front equipment.

We have a slow start with rain to the SW and rain to the NE. For some reason we are under the clear patch. That does change however and the afternoon is spent climbing in and out of rain gear interrupted by the occasional fish, a very welcome interruption. Ron released our best fish of the day and with 9 in the live well you always ask yourself if that was a good call. Turns out it was as a Bomber put last fish in the box for us.

Last week I mentioned in the fishing tip it is always better to spend an extra two hours in the truck in order to get to good fishing rather than stop two hours short for mediocre fishing. Fact is there is no place in ND, heck MN, IA, or WI for that matter that is too far to drive for what Woodlands Resort and Devils Lake has to offer. August, you will not be disappointed.

Courtesy of Greg Schoneck of ND Live, Wet And Wild

Fishing on Devils Lake has been excellent with most all presentations working this time of year. Walleye anglers are pitching cranks into the edges of weedbeds or windswept shorelines, jigging sunken rock piles or around the bridges, trolling cranks along shorelines or deeper rocky structure, slip bobbering in the trees, or trolling spinner with bottom bouncers along the outer edges of weedbeds and along sunken rocky points. Some of the better areas have been the weeds of Pelican Lake; the sunken roads and flooded timber in the Flats, sunken points such as Haley’s Hump, Patience Point, Doc Hagens, Bird Island, the Ft. Totten/Cactus Point area, 5 Crows, and Swanson’s Point; the trees from Foughty’s Point to Black Tiger Bay; and the bridges around lake. Pike have been a little tougher to find, but are mixed in with walleyes in most areas. White bass are being found in most all areas of the lake by both boaters and shore fisherman. Jigs tipped with minnows along windswept shorelines have been the best.

Shore fisherman continue to report a good evening bite along the rip rapped shorelines. Some of the better places continue to be all the bridge areas, from the dike to Acorn Ridge south of DL, the north end of Creel Bay along Hwy 19, and the Hwy 281/19 area to the west. Lindy rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers have been working well. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

7/24/2009

Winds and a major cold front slowed fishing this past week, but a nice forecast for the weekend should turn things around. Prior to this cold front anglers were reporting excellent fishing in most all areas of the lake.

Anglers have been finding fish cranking the windswept shorelines and edges of weedbeds, trolling bottom bouncers or cranks along sunken roads and points, slip bobbering in the trees, and jigging deeper rocky points.Some of the better cranking areas have been Pelican Lake, the smaller bays in the Flats, Doc Hagens, New Mill Bay, Knudson’s Bay, the north end of Creel Bay, the Storm Sewer area, Haybale Bay, and Browns Bay with shad raps, wally divers, and hornets.

Slip bobber fisherman have been doing well in Pelican Lake, the Mauvee area, Florida near Grahams Island, Swanson’s Point, and Foughty’s Point.

Live bait fisherman have been working the sunken roads in Pelican, the Flats, and Six Mile and sunken points and rock piles such as Haley’s Hump, Patience Point, Doc Hagens, Bird Island, and the Ft. Totten/Cactus area. Pike fishing’s been a bit slower, but most anglers are reporting some fish mixed in with walleyes. White bass continue to be caught in most all areas of the lake. Their population has skyrocketed and now’s a great time to take advantage of their abundance. Jigs or plain hooks tipped with minnows or cranks in firetiger, blue/silver, or perch all work great.

Shore fisherman continue to report an excellent evening bite at most all the bridges, the rip rap near Acorn Ridge, off Hwy 19 on the north end of Creel Bay, and the Hwy 281/19 area. Leeches on lindy rigs or slip bobbers have been working the best. Saturday the Lake Region Anglers Association will be having their annual Adult/Child fishing tournament at Grahams Island starting at 9:00am. This is sponsored in part by West Bay Resort. For more details check out the anglers site at www.ndsportfishingcongress.org. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

And the bite goes on! Walleyes seem to be a bit deeper with the most common depths between 12-24 feet. Good areas to work include weedlines, rock piles, drop-offs, flooded roads, and flooded timber. Fish can truly be anywhere this time of year and it seems like we are catching a lot of those 14-18 inch fish with the occasional 20 inch plus fish. All presentations are catching fish: vertical jigging and bobbers, trolling cranks, pulling bouncers and spinners and pitching jigs and plastics. Worms and leeches have been the best baits. It seems like if you pinch off some of the worm, you get more bites. White bass remain active in the shallower bays. All presentations will work for them. Northerns continue to be a bit scattered; however, there are days when they show up when we are fishing for walleyes. Good luck and enjoy the great fishing and beautiful weather!!

Courtesy of Bry's Guide Service

7/20/2009

And the beat goes on!  Walleye fishing on Devils Lake continues to be very good despite some pretty tough conditions this past week.  The wind has made our lives interesting.  It seems to blow 30 plus miles an hour or not enough to make a ripple.  We have had some pretty hard core groups that wanted to go fishing anyway and we went to the calmest water we could find and guess what we still have been able to scratch out a nice limit of walleyes. 

So, how do you like to catch fish?  This is the question we are asking our customers every morning.  The neat story on Devils Lake right now is that there are so many different methods and right now they all seem to be successful.  From jigging rock piles, live bait rigging, and slip bobbering on calm days to trolling crank baits in 8 to 12 feet of water to trolling with lead core in 18 to 25 feet of water, and pitching crank baits around weed beds in the shallows.  Some days its fun to try a little bit of everything and put on a crash course in walleye fishing tactics.  We have heard a lot of nice comments from customers about how they appreciated fishing so many different methods and how much they learned over the course of a two or three day fishing trip.  So there is something for everyone that is for sure.

We haven't been catching a lot of northern pike lately.  Every once and a while we stubble into a couple of them but we haven't really been targeting them either.  The white bass have taken over the shallows.  Pitching crank baits on wind swept shorelines or along the highway rip rap is just about a guarantee for successful white bass fishing.

This has been by far one of our busiest and best summers in the the history of Mitchell's Guide Service and it is by no means over with.  We still have 10 days of July left and August is right around the corner.  The walleye fishing will still be as good then as it is now so, if you are still thinking about a trip to Devils Lake it is not too late there is still plenty of prime time walleye fishing left and we will do our best to get your party scheduled in.

Good luck fishing everybody!

Courtesy of Mitchell's Guide Service

7/17/2009

Winds and a major cold front slowed fishing this past week, but a nice forecast for the weekend should turn things around. Prior to this cold front anglers were reporting excellent fishing in most all areas of the lake.

Anglers have been finding fish cranking the windswept shorelines and edges of weedbeds, trolling bottom bouncers or cranks along sunken roads and points, slip bobbering in the trees, and jigging deeper rocky points.Some of the better cranking areas have been Pelican Lake, the smaller bays in the Flats, Doc Hagens, New Mill Bay, Knudson’s Bay, the north end of Creel Bay, the Storm Sewer area, Haybale Bay, and Browns Bay with shad raps, wally divers, and hornets.

Slip bobber fisherman have been doing well in Pelican Lake, the Mauvee area, Florida near Grahams Island, Swanson’s Point, and Foughty’s Point.

Live bait fisherman have been working the sunken roads in Pelican, the Flats, and Six Mile and sunken points and rock piles such as Haley’s Hump, Patience Point, Doc Hagens, Bird Island, and the Ft. Totten/Cactus area. Pike fishing’s been a bit slower, but most anglers are reporting some fish mixed in with walleyes. White bass continue to be caught in most all areas of the lake. Their population has skyrocketed and now’s a great time to take advantage of their abundance. Jigs or plain hooks tipped with minnows or cranks in firetiger, blue/silver, or perch all work great.

Shore fisherman continue to report an excellent evening bite at most all the bridges, the rip rap near Acorn Ridge, off Hwy 19 on the north end of Creel Bay, and the Hwy 281/19 area. Leeches on lindy rigs or slip bobbers have been working the best. Saturday the Lake Region Anglers Association will be having their annual Adult/Child fishing tournament at Grahams Island starting at 9:00am. This is sponsored in part by West Bay Resort. For more details check out the anglers site at www.ndsportfishingcongress.org. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtest of Ed's Bait Shop & West Bay Resort

7/14/2009

Fishing on Devils Lake is still very good, although some of the methods and presentations have started to change into the typical mid summer patterns.  We are finding more walleyes in the 8 to 12 foot range this past week and we have been spending a lot of time trolling bottom bouncers with either spinners or Lindy rigs tipped with night crawlers.  We are also still catching a lot of walleyes slip bobbering with leeches but have been concentrating more on the flooded timber as of late.  Ptiching crank baits is still happenning but the weeds have really grown in the shallow water, infact in a lot of places the weeds in 6 to 7 feet of water the weeds are now too thick.  Again, our methods have changed a little.  We are now keeping our boat in that 10 foot range and pitching crank baits that dive deeper.  The Rapala Shad Rap number 7's and the jointed Shad Raps number 5's are excellent choices.  Of course we are still doing this along the windswept weedbeds. 

The numbers of walleyes we are catching are just incredible!  We are catching a ton of them in that 14 to 15 inch range which are the perfect eating size fish but we also pop an occasional 20 plus incher that makes the braggen board on any bait shop's wall.

The northern pike fishing has slowed quite a bit.  We have a hunch that the 76 degree water temperatures have pushed them into deeper and cooler water.  The white bass fishing is still a slam dunk.  Pitching crank baits in shallow water is still the ticket as long as we can find areas that are weed free.

We have been trolling some crank baits as well, mainly on flooded roads and along the highway rip rap and have had some success but we need the wind and the walleye chop to make it happen.

Mitchell's Guide Service is enjoying one of our best summers on Devils Lake.  We are busy every day discovering new patterns and finding new fish.  Some of our new guides have brought us some new tactics and strategies and we are all having a lot of fun teaching our customers and helping them catch a ton of fish.  Our schedule seems to fill as we go so if you are planning a trip please don't hesitate to give us a call.  We will do our best to find a time that works and as always we would love to take your party fishing!

Good Luck Fishing this week!

Courtesy of Mitchell's Guide Service

Anglers continue to report excellent fishing on Devils Lake. While anglers are still catching fish shallow, many are starting to also find fish out on deeper rocky points and humps as well. The most popular presentations continue to be slip bobbering in the trees and along weed edges or cranking windswept shorelines, but live baiters runner bottom bouncers and spinners or trolling cranks deeper are also reporting increased success. Slip bobber and live bait fisherman are working the trees and weed edges of Pelican Lake, the Mauvee Coulee area, the north shore of the Flats, Howards Bay, Holy Bay, the trees near Grahams Island, Doc Hagens, New Mill Bay, Knudson’s Bay, the Ft. Totten/Cactus area, Swanson’s Point, Foughty’s Point, and Black Tiger Bay. Crankers are mainly working Pelican Lake, the Flats, Howards Bay, Doc Hagens, New Mill, East Bay along Hwy 57 north and south of Acorn Ridge, Haybale Bay, and East Devils Lake. Cranks such as #5 or #7 shad raps, wally divers, countdowns, esko’s, and hornets have been the most popular. Best colors have been blue/silver, black/silver, hot steel, perch, and firetiger.

Shore fisherman continue to report excellent fishing at the bridges, the Hwy 281/19 area, north end of Creel Bay, and Hwy 57 near Acorn Ridge. Best bite’s in the early morning or evening hours. Try using lindy rigs tipped with leeches. White bass fishing’s been excellent in most all areas of the lake. Unfortunately for the other fish species in the lake, the bass population has exploded making for some excellent fishing for those who target white bass. Minnows or powerbait fished with white or chartreuse jigs along with firetiger or blue cranks have been working well for bass.

This weekend is the Angler Young Angler tournament at Lakewood. We wish all you young anglers the best of luck. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtest of Ed's Bait Shop

What great weather for fishing! It sure is nice that we don't have that 90 degree stuff. Fishing still remains very strong on the west end of Devils Lake. Everyone I talk with in the shop tells me a different way they caught there fish. Shallow, mid range and some fish coning as far as 20 ft. down. Bottom bouncers and spinner flew off the shelves this weekend. Old Hyw 281 one was hot this weekend trolling spinners and cranks in 8 to 12 foot of water. Slip bobber fishing has been good on Hali's Hump, Howard's Bay, Windmill Ridge, The Culee trees. Trolling has been good on the north shore of the flats and on top of the Golden Hwy. Salmo hornets, Shad Raps and Rip shads seem to be the best. Colors Change every day so mix it up.

     Keep your Lines Tight.

 Courtest of JJ's Bait Shop and Lodging Minnewaukan, ND

7/8/09

Walleye fishing remains good on Devils Lake. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, however, many of the same presentations and depths that we’ve been using over the last two weeks are still working (slip-bobbering and pitching cranks or jigs along the shorelines). The best depths have been anywhere from 2 – 12 feet of water, with some fish being caught in up to 18 feet of water. The key is to find weed beds that are growing and fish along the edge of them. Bass fishing is unbelievable and there are many areas to find them, and you catch them every single cast. It doesn’t matter what presentation you use - they’ll hit anything. Northern fishing has been a bit more hit and miss with the warmer weather. It seems like they are sliding into deeper water. Good luck fishing!

Courtesy of Mark Bry, Bry's Guide Service

7/2/09

Fishing continues to be quite good on Devils Lake for both shore fisherman and boaters. Anglers are now finding walleyes in most all parts of the lake, but the western part of the lake continues to be the better area.

Boaters are finding fish by slip bobbering the trees, cranking windswept shorelines and weed edges, and working sunken roads and rocky points with bottom bouncers and spinners or cranks. Crankers are working shad raps, countdowns, rattletraps, and wally divers in the shallower bays in Pelican Lake, Howards Bay, Doc Hagens, New Mill Bay, Knudson’s Bay, and Browns Bay in East Devils Lake. Blue/silver, black/silver, perch, and firetiger have been the better colors. Slip bobber fisherman have been working the trees near the Mauvee Coulee, Grahams Island area, Ft. Totten area, casino area, Howards Bay area, and most all the bridges. Those using bottom bouncers and spinners have been doing well working sunken roads in Pelican Lake and New Mill Bay and also most of the rocky points spread throughout the lake. Pike and white bass continue to be caught along with walleyes in most all areas of the lake.

Shore fisherman are reporting their best action in the evening hours just before dark for walleyes with bass and pike action happening all day. The better areas for shore fisherman have been all the bridges, the Hwy 19/281 area, Hwy 19 near the airport, Skadsens Bay (which has now been shut off for boaters due to the new coffer damn being built across the entrance), and the area from the dike to Acorn Ridge on Hwy 57. In these areas anglers are pitching jigs or cranks, slip bobbering, lindy rigging, or using a split shot or other weight and a plain hook or floating jig tipped with a leech. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable 4th of July holiday weekend. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

6/26/2009

WELCOME anglers to the Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce Annual Walleye Tournament. Walleye fishing this past week has been excellent for most all fisherman. Those having the best luck have been working wind swept shorelines and weed lines with cranks such as #5 shad raps, #7 countdowns, or plastics such as mimic minnows and slurpies; or slip bobbering with leeches or crawlers in the trees. Some of the better areas have been Pelican Lake, the smaller bays and points in the Flats, the trees near Grahams Island and Patience Point, Doc Hagens, the Ft. Totten/Cactus Point area, Swansons Point by the Casino, Stromme Addition, Skadsen's Bay, and Black Tiger.

Shore fisherman continue to do well in the early morning and evening hours. Try using lindy rigs, slip bobbers, or cranks. The better areas have been the bridges, the Acorn Ridge area, north end of Creel Bay along Hwy 19, Skadens, Mauvee area, and the Hwy 19/281 area. Bass and pike are being caught along with walleyes in most areas of the lake. Good Luck and Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

6/26/2009

Geez, there goes my 40 incher

I have Verizon and apparently my network was on vacation again. NO SERVICE. Mark made mention to the fact that we can put a man on the moon but---. Anyway after several moves in an attempt to get in the morning radio segment we loaded into the Lund 1900 and headed east. I’ve fished lots of water in the Devils Lake area including East Bay but this is my first walleye trip to East Lake. The two lakes are separated by a road but connected by a bridge that allows us to slip under. Mark is the talent behind Bry’s Guide Service and we have never met before so today is new water, new people.

First stop, a gentle sloping shoreline with clear water, a little too clear in Mark’s opinion. I’m throwing a #5 Shad Rap in Firetiger which is exactly what I would pick if given the choice. 15 minutes into the game and Mark gets a solid hit. First fish and a very good fish it is. I’m liking this new relationship already as Mark slips the fish to brag about back into the water for someone else to catch. We give it another 5 minutes and off to the next adventure.

I’m still throwing the Shad Rap and Mark is pitching a 3/8 oz jig with a tail. I asked Mark about favorite crank color for Devils Lake. “Firetiger, anything with an orange belly.” Well that’s exactly what I got on and at this stop I got it to go. Mostly by accident though, I was burning it back to the boat for a quick move and wack, right at the boat. Got to see the whole thing. That may be the best part of tossing cranks, getting to see the strike. When walleyes talk I do my best to listen and the next few casts I shifted into high gear. Mark is making a solid showing with the jig and tail.

Devils Lake fish like any ethnic group like certain types of food. Bry claims one of those delicacy’s is Gulp. In fact his bait bucket is 3 tubs of Gulp in 3 different preparations. The 3 inch minnow grub in pearl white being Mark’s first choice today. With the boat in 8 feet we pitch toward shore at any likely looking location and lift drop the jig back to the boat. The electric keeps us constantly moving as we search for the next bite, a very short wait today.

We are into our third move and I’m pitching a jig and, Yep you guessed it, Gulp. Walleyes are stealing the show followed by a tie between the Whitebass and Northern. I’ve been bit off a couple of times and on one particular solid hook set the line just snapped without the fish even moving. Geez, there goes my chance at the 40 incher. The 6 lb Fireline we are using is easy to throw and keeps you in touch with the jig like no other line can but it ain’t got it when a Northern puts the razors to it. Might as well be fishing with cotton candy line. Sometimes you don’t even feel the thump as a northern downs the meal.

Browns Bay is our best locationof the day. Filled with schools of White Bass, Northern and Walleye but not filled with boats. The few boats here today are all doing well and nets are getting a work out. This is the way I like fishing. EASY! Weeds are still behind schedule which suits me fine but Mark mentions several times throughout the day that weed beds are the hot ticket when fished along the edges with the same equipment we are using. If weather continues on the hot side, won’t be long before they are up and filled with fish.

Greg Schoneck for ND Live Wet & Wild

For Google Earth GPS location, photos and mp3's go to: www.ndlive.com

6/25/2009

Woodland Resort/ Mitchell's Guide Service Fishing Report

This past week has been a week of change for those fishing on Devils Lake.  (1) Summer is finally here!  The temperature has been mostly in the 70 degree range and we did hit 80 degrees for a day or two and it has given us some warmer water to deal with.  The surface temperatures are now mostly in the 60 degree range with some shallow water bay temps hitting as high as 68 degrees.  (2) We have experienced a major bug hatch.  The sand flies have hatched and if the wind is not blowing they can be a major nuisance.  Not too mention they provides an extra food source for the fish.  (3) The wind quit blowing for about four days.  This made fishing very challenging and forced us to find new fish in deeper water and also forced us to spend most of our time either slip bobbering or lindy rigging with leaches and vertical jigging on top of structure.  (4) Because of the calm conditions the shallow water became extremely clear.  This seemed to be a bad deal for fishing shallow water especially for casting crank baits.  (5) The weed beds are growing daily.  All the ingredients - clear water and warmer water temps have been just right for healthy weed growth in the shallow water.  (6) The past 2 days the wind began to blow and it clouded up the shallow water and made for excellent fishing casting crank baits.
The life of a fishing guide.  Imagine how fun it is to try and continue to catch fish with all these changes going on in 1 week's time.  We did struggle some what during the calm conditions early in the week but we were able to still limit out most of our customers but it was extremely slow and a long time would pass between bites.  Check out photos from this past week at http://fishdevilslake.net/reports.html.  >From the middle to the end of the week the fishing drastically improved especially when the wind started to blow.  We are still catching fish on slip bobbers with red hooks and leeches along shorelines but we did move out deeper to the 10 to 13 foot range.  We are also still catching a lot of fish pitching crank baits and mimic minnows on windy shorelines.  Best crankbaits have been #4 and #5 Salmo Hornets and #5 Shad Raps.  Good colors have been perch, fire tiger and chartreuse.  All in all, it turned out to be a pretty good week of fishing despite all the biological changes that occurred.  Again the team work executed by the Mitchell's Guide Service Team of guides pulled us through some tough fishing conditions.
We are very proud to announce that Merle Nelson of Mitchell's Guide Service won the Spirit Lake Casino Cup over the weekend.  This was a two day tournament with over 100 teams rounding out the competition.  Each Team could way 5 walleyes per day.  Merle brought in a two day limit of 10 walleye weighing over 57 pounds!  Way to go Merle!  Don't spend all that money in one place!
Steve "Zippy" Dahl
Mitchell's Guide Service

Good luck fishing this week
 
Mitchell's Guide Service:  701-662-6560  www.fishdevilslake.net
Woodland Resort:  701-662-5996 , www.woodlandresort.com

6/23/2009

                   Limitless Opportunity, North Dakota

Last week was family style mini van vacation pursuing Devils Lake’s giant northern and countless white bass. Monday, off to the incredible high water walleyes in Sakakawea for two limits. The past 3 days here in Washburn on a fantastic river walleye bite that even thunderstorms and cold fronts can’t shut down. Limitless opportunity for everyone from the lawn chair bank fisherman to the high end, gadget prone walleye fanatics. North Dakota!

Tuesday morning:  The bell rang for the first round here in Washburn. I was about to meet Bill, a boat ramp permanent fixture, with his lower unit molded into the cooler lid at the end of the dock.  He was hauling in a walleye while I launched the boat so conversation began about the fishing. Two successive mornings later I realized I’m not going to beat Bill to the river no matter how early I get up. Bill has a heart problem that won’t let him sleep when walleyes are swimming in his boat ramp hole. Tuesday ends early afternoon with 3 limits of 16-20 inch fish.

Wednesday morning: Just a ½ mile upstream is what has become the community hole and while many fishermen avoid these locations I suggest you break the social rule about fishing with others and stop in to see what the commotion is all about. We had our 3 limits before noon with John first up followed by Dalles, who just happened to bring along the boat food. Dalles owns the Super Values in Garrison, Hazen and here in Washburn but more importantly he developed Krause’s Smokehouse brand of homemade style meats, what I call boat food. Last to fill the livewell was Kevin with another example of why a trip to the river is in order.

Thursday morning: Remember Bill? I managed to pry him loose from the dock side cooler lid and get him in the boat. Geremy has joined me today as well. He is the superb talent behind the ND Forest Service “Fire Safety” video tips. Lots of good stuff on campfires. Anyway we are off to the community hole which by the way is community for a lot more than fishermen. Walleyes need social activity as well and they are packed in here like a bunch of Lutherans at the monthly pot luck. By 10 am Bill cranks in the last of his 5 fish limit so it’s back to the dock to say good byes and exchange Bill for two new faces, Peter, Geremy’s 7 year old son and Dave, also from the ND Forest Service.

Bomber 24a’s are 45 feet back followed by a variety of lures ranging from Reef Runner Rip Shads to #9 Shad Raps. Everything catches fish but the Bombers are winning round one today. If fish are not going in the deeper water I move up shallow and change out Bombers for plain old #5 and #7 Shad Raps. Fish move constantly in the river making a transition from resting in current breaks to active feeding up in the shallow water. Speed does not seem to be a big deal as I fished as slow as .55 and as fast as 3.5 mph. Something you can get away with in the community hole is pulling cranks down stream. Never lost a crank but trust me on this one. Downstream with a crank is a good way to make Cabelas smile!

Time for change so we make a run upriver to a place all to ourselves. I gave away the GPS numbers to this secret little hole earlier this year. Nothing has changed, still a GPS Hot Spot. Location was not the only change. We also switched over to jigs and ½ a crawler for vertical drift fishing. Good decision, as first drift wins 7 year old Peter a slot in the photo section of ND Live, just ahead of his Dad, Geremy. We are drifting a current break in 9 feet with ¼ and 3/8 oz jigs. Bigger than needed and bigger than I like to use but I try not to argue with walleyes attracted to bigger than I like jigs.

Vertical jigging is a bit of an art that does take some time to learn. If you are new at this don’t be intimidated as the rewards far outweigh the learning curve. The foundation of this technique is the electric which is used to match current speed. Even a light breeze will push you off vertical and the electric is what compensates for wind drift. By vertical I mean your line needs to be straight up and down. No angles allowed and the walleyes will tell you why this is important as the gold goes to the most vertical presentation possible. One inch off the bottom is also key as these walleyes are holding tight to the bottom in little depressions and current breaks. To understand how difficult holding one inch is, practice this with your 6 foot rod on the driveway. It takes concentration to touch the concrete and lift just one little inch. Which by the way is how I stay in touch with bottom, constantly lowering the jig to touch bottom and lifting just one little inch. Speaking of getting the gold, yours truly even got into the action with a dandy 26 incher we were able to release. Dave, who is new to the vertical technique was a quick study and put his share into the live well.

GPS Hot Spot today is for the community hole which is not that busy, at least not during the week. There are numerous other locations both up and downstream. A word of caution on the river. Be Careful! Submerged logs, stumps, rocks and sand bars can ruin a lower unit. I have not had any trouble, just take your time and stay alert and have the time of your life. As for me, I’m thinking about gettn’ me one a dem coolers Bill has so when I retire it will already be broken in with my lower unit form fitted to the lid.

Google Earth GPS locations and audio reports go to :  www.ndlive.com

Greg is a ND Fishing Guide and can be contacted at: 701-720-0447 or www.gregisfishing.com

6/19/2009

Walleye fishing continues to get better and better. Warm weather is heating the water, which is making the walleyes more and more active each day. Fish are still being caught in shallow water, anywhere from 2 – 12 feet. When the wind blows, try to work wind-swept shorelines. Again, try to avoid clear water. Northern Pike and White Bass fishing remain fantastic. When you find a school of white bass, you can catch them every single cast. Northerns are usually close to schools of bass. The best lures have still been crank baits, especially cranks with orange bellies. Jigs and plastics are working well too and fishermen are also starting to pull spinners with leeches and worms. Good luck fishing and enjoy the warm weather we are finally getting!

Courtesy of Mark Bry, Bry's Guide Service

6/19/2009

Overall fishing remains quite good on Devils Lake for both shore fisherman and boaters. For walleyes, anglers have been working windswept shorelines on windy days or slip bobbering in the trees on calm days. Some of the better areas for cranking have been Pelican Lake, Howards Bay, New Mill Bay, Doc Hagens, the storm sewer area in East Bay, Penny Bay, Skadsen’s Bay, and Haybale Bay. In these areas anglers are pitching #5 shad raps, #7 or #9 countdowns, and jigs with plastic such as mimic minnows or slurpies. For cranks the best colors continue to be firetiger, blue/silver, black/silver, and perch. For slip bobbering, the trees of Pelican and the Mauvee area, the trees near Grahams Island (Florida as it’s called), Patience Point, the trees near Ft. Totten, Swanson’s Point, Foughty’s Point, and the Skadens area have all been producing fish. Anglers are also reporting some fish on bouncers and spinners and that should improve as water temps increase. Pike and white bass continue to be caught along with walleyes in most areas.

Shore fisherman are reporting some excellent early morning and evening fishing for pike, walleyes, and white bass. The best fishing has been along the Mauvee, the Hwy 19/281 area, the Mauvee, Six Mile, 57, 20, and Woods Rutten bridges, the north end of Creel Bay along Hwy 19, and Hwy 57 just before Acorn Ridge. In these areas, anglers are pitching cranks or jigs, lindy rigging, or slip bobbering with leeches, minnows, or crawlers. Leeches have been working the best for walleyes and minnows for white bass. While the windy areas are tougher to fish, the better action is usually worth the extra effort. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

6/16/2009

This past week has been a week of change for those fishing on Devils Lake.  (1) Summer is finally here!  The temperature has been mostly in the 70 degree range and we did hit 80 degrees for a day or two and it has given us some warmer water to deal with.  The surface temperatures are now mostly in the 60 degree range with some shallow water bay temps hitting as high as 68 degrees.  (2) We have experienced a major bug hatch.  The may flies or sand flies have hatched and if the wind is not blowing they can be a major nuisance.  Not to mention it provides an extra food source for the fish.  (3) The wind quit blowing for about four days.  This made fishing very challenging and forced us to find new fish in deeper water and also forced us to spend most of our time either slip bobbering or lindy rigging with leaches and vertical jigging on top of structure.  (4) Because of the calm conditions the shallow water became extremely clear.  This seems to me a bad deal for fishing shallow water especially for casting crank baits.  (5) The weed beds are growing daily.  All the ingredients - clear water and warmer water temps have been just right for healthy weed growth in the shallow water.  (6) The past 2 days the wind began to blow and it clouded up the shallow water and made for excellent fishing casting crank baits.

The life of a fishing guide.  Imagine how fun it is to try and continue to catch fish with all these changes going on in 1 week's time.  We did struggle some what during the calm conditions early in the week but we were able to still limit out most of our customers but it was extremely slow and a long time would pass between bites.  From the middle to the end of the week the fishing drastically improved especially when the wind started to blow.  We are still catching fish on slip bobbers with red hooks and leeches along shorelines but we did move out deeper to the 10 to 13 foot range.  We are also still catching a lot of fish pitching crank baits and mimic minnows on windy shorelines.  All in all it turned out to be a pretty good week of fishing despite all the biological changes that occurred.  Again the team work executed by the Mitchell's Guide Service Team of guides pulled us through some tough fishing conditions.

We are very proud to announce that Merle Nelson of Mitchell's Guide Service won the Spirit Lake Casino Cup over the weekend.  This was a two day tournament with over 100 teams rounding out the competition.  Each Team could way 5 walleyes per day.  Merle brought in a two day limit of 10 walleye weighing over 57 pounds!  Way to go Merle!  Don't spend all that money in one place!

Good luck fishing this week!

Courtesy of Woodland Resort

6/14/2009

Devils Lake Fishing Report   Finally we have summer. Yes I said summer. The water temps have finally gone into the sixty's. The fishing report has been good. Anglers are catching fish slip bobbering on the minnewaukan flats. Leches seem to be the best bet under slip bobbers with colored hooks. Howards bay area and monkeys ridge have been good. Trolling the golden hwy has been good also. Salmo Hornets have been working best. When the wind blows casting shad raps has been very good on the wind swept shoreslines on the flats and on Pelican lake. Shore fishintg has been hit and miss. The best report has been Hwy 281 north of minnewaukan. The road is closed to truck travel. You are allowed to walk or take a ATV down it. Good Luck!
 
 JJ's Bait Shop and Lodging
Po Box 7
Minnewaukan, ND 58351
701-473-5440
www.jjsbaitshop.com

6/14/2009

Key ingredients to big fish The key right now is sunshine. Cold overnight temps and the late spring has the summer transition way behind. As a result the two critical factors are cold water and no weed growth. Without the sun to warm shallow water during the day fish simply don’t move shallow and while you still catch fish they are not zooming in from 25 feet away on a torpedo strike. Boyd is die hard northern, a convert from in my opinion, a better way of life. Walleye Fishing! But in spite of his serious character flaw there is something intriguing about Boyd. He catches big fish, very big fish, 20 plus - 40 inch plus, trophy northern. That is the goal today and if you have yet to read the first part of this two part article go to NDLive.com for part one. We kick off the adventure with Boyd heaving out big spring bulldogs that land like a 5 lb rock launched from a catapult. I’m on duty with a more conventional lure, the Husky Jerk. We are in flat calm conditions, not what we hoped for, but one positive side effect is the ability to see down deep. Boyd and I talked about being prepared for the instant arrival of a 40 incher just before lifting your lure from the water, but absolutely nothing can settle the adrenaline pump when it magically appears. I would compare this to having a big buck suddenly appear from behind your bow stand. High alert, senses razor sharp, heart pumping wildly. Extreme elation blended with depressing let down. DID YOU SEE THAT! As a matter of fact I did. In fact several times throughout the day and it always caught me a bit off guard. The strategy is to not freak and with the same cool composure of shooting your first deer, lead the lure in a circle, figure 8, or drop it in his face. I watched Boyd do this twice, once for an eater sized fish that went in the cooler and again at the end of the day when all 35 inches launched out of the water at the hook set and that was the last we saw of it. Big lures are one of the key ingredients to big fish. Many of these are musky lures like the Jake. Lil Hustler and Northland Magnum are Boyd’s go to lures, both are large, heavy spinner rigs. Big lures, big northern, big line, 30 pound Power Pro. I could use this stuff for anchor rope. Be prepared if you go looking to buy, most of this stuff is over 10 bucks an item. Since we are on the subject of cash flow, how about a leader you pay over a buck an inch for? Boyd claims the Terminator is well worth the price as it can handle big fish and never seems to kink. Where do you start? I suggest Devils Lake, which will give you more acres of water to cover than can be done in this lifetime so let’s narrow it down. Flats, expansive shallow flats under 8 feet of depth. Add to that weed growth and to be more specific the grassy type weed growth. This gives the predator a hiding place while waiting patiently for his next meal of sushi. White Bass according to Boyd are on the main menu here in Devils Lake. Don’t forget to drain the checking account with those big lure purchases and all that’s left is the fun. I’m walleye from start to finish and northern are simply trouble, but I may have seen the light. Geez that was exciting. It is so hard to describe what seeing a really big fish just inches from your lure does to the heart. Multiply that several times throughout the day when you’re least expecting it and there goes the heart on the last lap racing for the finish. Good Grief, get some composure here Schoneck, it’s only a NORTHERN!

Courtesy of Greg Schoneck of NDLIVE

6/12/2009

A little warmer weather and things really start picking up on Devils Lake.   Water conditions have been playing a big role for boaters. Later in the day when the water warms up, so does fishing. Also, a little wind blowing into shorelines also seems to trigger better action. Most anglers are pitching cranks such as shad raps and countdowns and plastic into shallow windswept shorelines or are slip bobbering along weed edges or in the trees. Those finding the warmest water are also finding a little better fishing. The better areas continue to be Pelican Lake, the Mauvee area, Howards Bay, Doc Hagens, the north end of Six Mile, Knutson's Bay and the Ft. Totten area, New Mil Bay, Mission Bay, Penny Bay, and Skadsens Bay. Pike and white bass continue to be caught along with walleyes in these areas and also in East Devils Lake.

Shorefisherman are reporting some excellent fishing at the Mauvee, Six Mile, Hwy 20, and Woods Rutten bridges in the evening hours. The rip rap along the north end of Creel Bay and the Hwy 281/19 area have been picking up as well. In these areas anglers are pitching cranks, jigs, or using slip bobbers or lindy rigs tipped with leeches. Anglers in these areas are reporting the better fishing being on the windy sides. For white bass, anglers are finding fish in most areas of the lake. Some of the better areas have been Channel A, Hwy 281, the Brinsmade Bridge, and County #4. Each day one area seems better than the other and those moving around have been having the best luck. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtest of Ed's Bait Shop

Woodland Resort/ Mitchell's Guide Service Fishing Report

There are three things in life that are most enjoyable to watch.  The flames of a camp fire at night, a zamboni cleaning the ice between periods of a hockey game, and a bobber sinking below the surface of the water.  This past week Mitchell's Guide Service has watched a lot of bobbers sink.   This past weekend, Devils Lake was hit with a major cold front and so far our temperatures have had a hard time reaching 50 degrees ever since.  This did have a major impact on our fishing for a couple of days.

All the spectacular fishing we enjoyed pitching crank baits in our last fishing report came to a screeching halt.  After casting our arms off pitching crank baits, we did find success pitching Northland Mimic Minnows with a slower retrieve.  Silver and blue have been good colors.

After the cold front came through, slip bobbers along with leeches worked well any where from 2 feet to 10 feet of water.  A plain hook has worked the best. We have learned some valuable lessons this past week.  Instead of focusing on one particular depth and continually moving trying to find new spots, we slid deeper fishing current spots we had been successful at in the past.  This paid off big time!  Once we found the magic depth we found ourselves tripping over one another scrambling for the net.  The action was hot and heavy.  Once we found the depth where active walleyes were feeding we would go from having one or two in the live well to ten or eleven in just a matter of 10 to 15 minutes.  Then it would get quiet again and we would have to go back to moving the stopper knot and continually trying new depths until we found them again.

Major cold fronts such as the one we have just experienced this past week, often make fishing very difficult, especially walleye fishing.  But this is where the team work approach of Mitchell's Guide Service really shined.  The constant communication amongst the guide staff and each guide trying something new or different until discovering a pattern or method that worked, and sharing it with one another is what made us successful this past week.  The white bass fishing from boat and shore remained incredible and so did the northern pike fishing.  We have had some incredible fishing this past week, check out the photo gallery at:http://www.fishdevilslake.net/reports.html from pictures taken this past week.

So far, shallow bays have been the key.  The fishing does seem solid across the lake.  Find warmer water in the back ends of bays and give the spots time.  The fishing often picked up during the afternoon when the water warmed up.

The forecast does look better coming up.  It is supposed to reach 80 degrees by this weekend.  These warm temperatures and sunshine will again warm up the shallows and should ignite the bite all over the lake. 

Good Luck Fishing!

Steve Zippy Dahl
Mitchell's Guide Service

Mitchell's Guide Service 701-662-6560   www.fishdevilslake.net
Woodland Resort 701-662-5996   www.woodlandresort.com

6/8/2009

Fishing really heated up this last week. Then a big cold front. Surprisingly the fishing stayed good. Some hot spots this week are Howards bay, New Mill Bay, Mulvee CCouleeTrees and Pelican. The slip bobber bite has started to get better and better. Most anglers are uusingbig leeches under slip bobbers in 4 to 8 ft. of water. The casting bite remains good also. They are casting #7 countdown rapalas and #5 shad raps on the wind swept shorelines. Shore fisherman have also been doing well. Old HHwy281 north of minnewaukan has been good. The road is closed so you have to walk or take a ATV. Shore fishing has been the best on the windy shorelines with slip bobbers or lLindyrigs. Good Luck to all.

Courtesy of Jason Feldner,
Licensed Guide, Minnewaukan, ND

6/8/2009

Ya, I know - huge!

At the 5 am alarm it never entered my mind. When it comes to fishing, wind is your friend. Today we find out if this is true. The early morning trip over to Devils Lake was easy on the mileage with 20 mph plus pushing the mini-van east to Devils Lake. The plan was to hit the water in search of above average northern, something I know nothing about when it comes to Devils Lake. I stopped for the morning radio report with Phil and Jason and then it was off to Ed’s bait to meet Boyd who is my big fish guide for the day.

Wind has the lake in an uproar so as Boyd and I discussed earlier plan B was to shore fish the Devils Lake area. Again, something I know very little about. That is soon to change! First stop is a bridge that does not look all that impressive. Lots of current, in fact my guess would be too much current and by no means a big drainage. I’m getting rigged up while being constantly interrupted by two other fishermen who were already at the bridge as we pulled up. They are getting a fish every single cast! By the time I get a jig tied on Boyd has his first fish, a Devils Lake White Bass. OK, what is priority here the camera or getting this jig tied. After a few pictures it’s back to the reason I’m here. First cast, first fish, why can’t it always be this easy.

Ten to fifteen bass later we are back in the truck and off to the next bridge. Boyd is always first in and again rewarded with first fish. I may be slow but I’m consistent. First cast and –yep, White Bass. A guy could get to liking this. It’s not just first cast it is almost every cast! With fast water you need to read the current and look for the break. Drop a jig in and just like a mathematical formula, same results every time. Fish. While I like a challenge I have to admit I really like easy fishing.

Within twenty minutes we are back in the truck on the way to a northern location. Best spot of the day and I didn’t even put in a line. A retirement party is in full swing with lures being tossed around that date back to my fishing days as a kid, prime material for the Antique Road Show. Tackle boxes are opened wide for easy access and it looks like the 5 of diamonds is still in fashion with stringers of northern as proof. I had as much fun here as at any of the stops. Landing a fish does more than fill the frying pan. It fills our hearts. I left this bridge with a full tank.

Every lake has a personality and Devils Lake likes jigs and tails. Don’t seem to matter much what kind, some work better at times than others. Just make sure you have an assortment. We used heavy jigs because of the current, up to ½ once. A leader may be a good idea if you don’t like feeding lead to the northern. This is fishing at its simplest. There is no better place to teach kids the basics like casting, jigging and setting the hook. Opportunity is nearly every cast.

I normally pass on a GPS location but this week I’m forwarding a tip that will be more helpful. Get on Google Earth and do an aerial survey of Devils Lake. Start 20 miles west at Minnewauken and work 20 miles north of Hwy 2. Head east of the town of Devils Lake for yet another 20 miles.  Ya, I know - huge! Unbelievable opportunity. Look for drainages going into and out of the lake. Find the bridges, make a map and you’re ready for action.

We put up with 20 mph winds all day and I hardly noticed. Six bridges and all but one gave me a fish on the first cast. No bridge left us without fish. I’m reminded, when it comes to fishing wind is your friend. This is a family vacation waiting to happen. Fishing does not get easier, cheaper or better. Kids under 16 don’t need a license here in ND. Jigs and tails are cheap and live bait is not necessary. Have a garage sale, pack the mini-van with lawn chairs and the BBQ, take vacation days, call in sick, do whatever it takes but get over here while the bite is hot. Fill your cooler and your heart.

For instant reports and pictures of fish as they are caught join me on Twitter

Google Earth GPS locations and audio reports go to :  www.ndlive.com
Greg is a ND Fishing Guide and can be contacted at: 701-720-0447

6/5/2009

Most anglers reported excellent fishing this past week. Boaters are finding walleyes in the warmer shallow bays during midday and the afternoons as the water warms up.

Shore fisherman are reporting great fishing in the evening hours. Boat fisherman are now finding pike, walleyes, and bass in most all of the shallow bays located around the lake. Finding the warmest water continues to be the key. Water temps have been ranging from 52 degrees on up to 64 degrees depending on the weather. The best presentations continue to be pitching #5 shad raps, #7 and #9 countdowns, esko’s, and jigs with plastic such as mimic minnows.

Anglers are also finding fish slip bobbering in the trees or along windswept points. Some of the best areas have been New Mill Bay, the north end of Six Mile, Pelican Lake, Howards Bay, Doc Hagens, Knudson’s Bay, Penny & New Penny Bays, and East Devils Lake. Shore fisherman are reporting good bites at all the bridges (Mauvee, Six Mile, 57, 20, & Black Tiger) and along the rip rap in these areas as well as the Hwy 281/19 area. In these areas anglers are pitching jigs with leeches or plastic, slip bobbering, and using lindy rigs. Bass fisherman are doing best on jigs and minnows or jigs w/plastic. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

6/2/2009

Call in sick, lie to the wife, or bring her along!  Do what ever it takes to get to Devils Lake and fish with Mitchell's Guide Service right now.   What an incredible week of fishing!  Walleyes, Northern Pike, White Bass take your pick, it's all happining on Devils Lake right now.  Some of our guides are religiously slip bobbering the shallows and some of our other guides are religiously pitching crank baits.  Both methods have been extremely successful this past week.  The common denominator for success is shallow water back bays and follow the windy shorelines. 

Slip bobbering with leaches placed 6 inches to 1 foot off the bottom in 5 to 8 feet of water along windward shorelines has been trick for bobber fishing.  As far as casting crank baits, we are still pitching #5 Shad Raps and Countdowns and the No. 5 Salmo Hornets and #8F.  Some of the hot colors have been bleak, fire tiger, perch, Chrome and blue with orange belly, bleeding hot olive,  and hot mustard and fire minnow.  Plastics have been working as well but the guys haven't needed to use them this week the way the fish have been biting so aggressively.

The water temperatures are on the rise as well.  The main parts of the lake are mostly 52 to 54 degrees with the back bays in that 58 to 60 degree range.  This is why we are spending so much time in the back bays because the water is sometimes as much as 6 degrees warmer. 

Bruce Bonzer of Mitchell's Guide Service guided In-Fisherman Television with host Doug Stange as they shot a white bass segment.  They really pounded them too.  The white bass have not yet spawned but Bruce tells us they sure are schooled up and feeding heavily.  Sounds like a lot of fun!

If you have ever wanted to fish Devils Lake now is the time to take advantage of this shallow water bite.  You would be challenged to find another lake on the continent that is producing like Devils Lake is right now for both numbers and size.  The Mitchell's Guide Service Team of Guides is ready to show you what it's all about.  Gather up you family, friends, co-workers, who ever you can find, you won't be disappointed.  We would love to have you!

Good luck fishing!

5/29/09

As water temps increase on Devils Lake anglers are finding action heating up as well. Most anglers are finding water temps in the mid 50’s to low 60’s with the warmer temps occurring later in the day. Anglers doing best are looking for the warmer water and working those areas.

For walleyes, anglers are doing well during the warmer afternoon periods and near dusk. Try pitching cranks such as shad raps and countdowns, or jigs tipped with plastic twister tails or powerbait into windswept shorelines. Some of the better areas have been Doc Hagens, Pelican Lake, the shallow bays of the Flats, New Mill Bay, Knudson’s Bay, Six Mile, the moving water bridge areas, Channel A, and Penny Bay.

Shore fisherman are reporting excellent fishing in the evening hours along the rip rap of the north end of Creel Bay, Six Mile Bay, Hwy 281/19 area, and the Brinsmade bridge area. Pike and white bass continue to be caught along with walleyes in most areas of the lake. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtest of Ed's Bait Shop

5/25/09

Fishing on Devils Lake with Mitchell's Guide Service is red hot!  This past week things have drastically improved despite some tough weather conditions.  Last Monday and Tuesday we had to cancel due to high winds and rain but things began to improve on Wednesday.  Pitching crank baits in shallow water  on windy shorelines has really been a lot of fun and the fish we are catching have been unbelievable.  Things are slow in the mornings but once the sun has heated up the shallow water, the afternoons have been very good.  Some of our guides have been doing well slip bobbering the shallows as well but patience levels will be tested at times. 

Some of lures we are using and have had the greatest success on so far have been the Salmo Perch No. 8F, the no. 5 shadraps and Countdowns, and we have caught a lot of beautiful walleyes on Mimic Minnows made by Northland Tackle.  Yes, you read it right, plastics!  The action and flutter of the paddle tails on these baits are unreal.  They are heavy enough to cast a country mile and when reeled in at a slow and steady retrieve, hang on! 

The water temperatures in the mornings are for the most part above 50 degrees and in the afternoons we have found spots to be as high as 58 degrees.  Flooded back bays have warmer water than the shallows on the big lake so don't be afraid to explore a little.  There are so many new areas to learn due to all the flooding, everyday is almost a Lewis and Clark expedition. 

It is not too late to book a trip with Mitchell's Guide Service.  Things have really cranked up for us now and we have an extremely busy schedule ahead of us but we do have some room on certain dates that we can take your party fishing with us.  Take advantage of this shallow water bite while it lasts, it doesn't get much more fun than feeling that explosion of a 20 inch walleye hitting a crank bait.  We are a team of guides that work together and are in constant communication through out the day sharing fishing information all  to benefit you! So you can experience the hottest action Devils Lake has to offer.  We would love to have you.

Courtesy of Woodland Resort

5/23/09

God’s creative best Devils Lake

Water and life share an inseparable link and it seems the more water the more life. Don’t seem to be relegated to just a single type either. If it’s a heavy dose of life at God’s creative best Devils Lake may be the therapy your heart is needing. I know it did wonders for mine.Birds of so many colors and types it would keep bird enthusiasts burning through the look up book for days. Whitetails behind every clump of cover. Bugs by the billions. Good part about the bugs is they is the good kind. If you didn’t know there was a good kind well there is. This kind of bug, the mayfly, feeds the fish, which is last on my list of life. Not because of rank but because this is where the good stuff begins.

Nate and I put in next to the Brinsmade bridge with his tiller Warrior. Ya, I’m being guided and getting to enjoy the change of pace. The plan is to work our way into the back side of Pelican as we pitch jigs along the way. First sign of activity is a clipped off jig on my first cast. Northern. No walleyes for us north of the tracks so we look for a railroad crossing. All I can say here is be careful, we made it easily but it is shallow. With that we are off to the secret bay where Nate and I caught about 100 whitebass and numerous walleyes in the 7lb + class in recent history. Kind of burns in the memory. With all of the anticipation of school kids at the bell, jigs were flying. Results were a bit different than last time. Two northern.

Heading south we stop at a sunken road and make a reasonable attempt. Nate gets a reasonable walleye, not a big fish but at any other lake it would be in my livewell. Nate decides it needs to grow. It proves to be a good call. Off on the next exploratory run. We don’t stop until we are tucked into a small bay that dead ends at a road about to go under. Same story here. Nate. In fact it’s all about Nate all day. Of the 15 walleyes caught Nate gets credit for 13. I did out do him on the northern!

We are pitching into 2 feet while keeping the boat in 8. Use this as a general guide, not a hard and fast rule.  Every lake has personality and Devils Lake is strong on plastic or rubber on the jig. Try this in Sakakawea and don’t count on a big day. Here at DL you can’t go wrong with the tails. Leeches also work well. If you can get a smooth lift drop and repeat just as the jig touches bottom you may out fish your partners. However there are days when sleeping in the boat and simply dragging the jig while drifting will perform as well if not better.

You don’t need a boat to fish Devils Lake. With hundreds of miles of very effective shore fishing the problem is where to start. Give one of the resorts or bait shops a call and you will find friendly folks eager to share some of the better locations. If it’s a boat you’re needing I may be able to help. I noticed a dandy homemade pontoon still on the trailer that looks like it may go cheap. Be very sure to bring lifejackets.

Several moves, one hot spot that we worked to the end and a dozen or so stops brought us back to the beginning. Now we are north of the tracks and in easy sight of the Brinsmade Bridge where this all started. A passing boat holds up their catch for a quick picture and we make one final stop next to the cattail line just off the main channel. Story of the day. I get a northern, Nate gets a walleye.

Birds, birds, birds, they are everywhere and the sweet singing of nature is something I don’t hear in my office. I wonder if I could do that home office thing from the lake? Maybe I should look into that pontoon.

Courtesy of Greg Schoneck for ND Live

5/22/2009

With water temps finally warming up fishing on Devils Lake is really starting to take off. Shorefisherman are reporting excellent walleye and pike fishing along the coulees feeding into Devils Lake, the Mauvee and Six Mile bridges, and along the rip rap shorelines of Six Mile, the Flats, and Pelican. In these areas anglers are pitching cranks such as shad raps and countdowns, jigs tipped with twister tails or leeches, and lindy rigs or slip bobbers tipped with leeches. The best bite is from mid day to dark during the warmer water periods.

Boat fisherman are finding some excellent jigging along the bridges, pitching cranks or jigs tipped with twister tails or power bait, or pitching slip bobbers with leeches in the trees or wind swept shorelines. The key is to look for the bays and areas with the warmest temperatures. White bass are just starting to turn on. Boat fisherman are finding large schools of white bass in the north end of Six Mile Bay, Penny Bay, and the Flats.

Shore fisherman are finding fish in Channel A, the Mauvee and Six Mile bridge areas, and the culverts on the coulee from East Devils Lake to Stump Lake. One of the better areas is about 7 miles south off County #4 south of the Southam turn off Hwy 2. Firetiger cranks or chartreuse jigs tipped with minnows or twister tails have been working well. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

5/19/09

Fishing has been good when the weather cooperates. Anglers are reporting good catches by the coulee bridges and the Johnson road. Along old Hyw 281 south of Minnewaukan. Also along Hyw 281 north of Minnewaukan. You can only access 281 north from Minnewaukan. The gate is closed at Hyw 19. Then from Hyw 19 north the hyw 281 is  also open. The boat ramp in the city of Minnewaukan is closed. But the ramp 1 mile south of Minnewaukan on old 281 is open and high and dry. Anglers fishing from the boat are reporting catches out of pelican lake and the shorelines of wwest bay. They are casting Shorelines with #5 Shad Raps, Count down Rapala's, and Wee Craws. Some anglers are slip bobber fishing in the trees with leeches.   Keep your lines tight.

Courtesy of licensed guide, Jason Feldner, Minnewaukan, ND

5/19/2009

Way Too Nice For A Redneck Like Me

Devils Lake, where do you start with thousands of acres of productive looking, shoreline, miles of open water and advice from every fisherman eager to tell his story?  For me the answere is AL.  I did the "change identities" thing and switched from fishing guide to fishing client.  Ya, it was great, didn't even bring a pole, just my coffee.  Now the only question is where am I gonna stay? 

Anytime I head out to somewhere new, I get the nagging question sneaking in to darken my enthusiasm.  Remember last time?

Don't plan on getting any sleep this trip. Ha, slept like a baby and pampered to boot.  Holliday Inn Express, Devils Lake's newest motel is what I'm talking about.  Continental breakfast runs the gamut from yogurt to bagel, yuk all the way to a outdoorsman, sausage, eggs and coffee.  Way too nice for redneck like me.

This trip was a gas saver with 30 plus mph winds out of the west.  By now you have heard the lake is up a couple of feet.  Much higher and we can start fishing with our cars.  In fact, check out the latest in ND style rod holders.  Just clip the rod into your door handle, sit back and wait, with the heater on of course.

The 30 plus winds are down this morning and so is the temperature. Low, very low 30's. You talk about cold front!  Al and I discuss tactics but after spending a day in his boat, I realize it don't matter much what tactic you discuss, when with Al, you pitch cranks. I had a feeling the morning would be pretty dull due to the cold front but was surprised with a limit long before the afternoon sun burned a hole in the clouds.

First fish does to Al bundled up in winter ice fishing gear.

We are fishing the north end of 6 mile bay and working shorelines with #5 Shad Raps.  Holding the boat in 8 feet, we pitch to shore and reel back with the occasional twitch of the rod tip. Al graciously passed on a fishing tip during the process.  Try to pitch at a 45 degree angle ahead of the boat.  The reason, you catch more fish, good enough reason for me.  Most of the fish for the next couple of weeks are going to be concentrated in the drainages coming back to the lake.  Walleyes are returning from the upstream spawn and will hold for a while in the first warmer water they find.  Pelican would have been our second choice if we would have needed to make a move.  By noon it started warming up and so did the bite.

We finish up all smiles, on the west shore of 6 mile, our best spot of the day.  Firetiger was the color this moring but by late afternoon things switched to blue.  Shad Raps are the go to lure when it comes to pitching but Al closed the deal several times with a countdown.  Spooled with 14-6 fireline helps with snags and invisa-leader helps with the northierns. Wal-Mart and not very expensive either, not nearly as expensive as feeding $7 dollar cranks to hungry pike.

Every area has the landmark that is used to guide fishermen.  You know, look for the snag, line up the tallest tree on the left and fish next to the sunken island. Six Mile's land mark is the Pepsi Barn, completely sided with sign, the Pepsi sign being front and center.  Times have changes with GPS and now even one better, Google Earth. If you want the bird's eye view of our best GPS location today check out the illustrated reports on www.ndlive.com and click Google Earth.  It will take you right to our location.  Speaking of change you can now be the very first to know where ND Live is fishing as well as live in changing times.  While at ND Live just click the link to follow ND Live on Twitter.

Courtesy of Greg Schoneck for ND Live

5/19/2009

Fishing has been good when the weather cooperates.  Anglers are reporting good catches by the coulee bridges and the Johnson road.  Along old Hwy 281 south of Minnewaukan.  Also along Hwy 281 north of Minnewaukan.  You can only access 281 north from Minnewaukan. The gate is closed at Hwy 19.  Then from Hwy 19 north the Hwy 281 is also open.  The boat ramp in the city of Minnewarkan is closed.  But the ramp 1 mile south of Minnewaukan on old 281 is open and high and dry.  Anglers fishing from the boat are reporting catches out of pelican lake and the shorelines of west bay.  They are casting shorelines with #5 Shad Raps, Count down Rapala's, and Wee Craws.  Some anglers are slip bobber fishing in the trees with leeches.

KEEP YOUR LINES TIGHT!!!

Courtesy of JJ's Bait Shop and Lodging

5/15/09

Anglers continue to report some excellent spring fishing even despite the cold fronts that have been moving through the area.

The best fishing continues to come from shore fisherman in the far west and far east parts of the lake.  The Mauvee Coulee,

Channel A, the bridges north of Lake Alice, the bridges leading to Stump Lake, and the bridges on Hwy 19 have all been

offering some excellent walleye and pike action.  In these areas anglers are pitching jigs with leeches, minnow, or

chartreuse or white twister tails.  Boat anglers are also starting to report some good walleye and pike action in the shallower

western bays of the Flats and Pelican.  The best fishing for boaters has been pitching cranks or jugs into shallow water during

the warmer mid day periods or jigging the moving water bridge areas.  A few white bass are starting to show up at the

bridges and Channel A, but water temps need to improve a bit more before that action will heat up.

GOOD LUCK & GOOD FISHING!!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

5/8/09

A good spring runoff continues to offer anglers some excellent spring shore fishing this year.  Anglers are reporting good catches

of walleyes and pike in most all the coulee and bridge areas that lead into Devils Lake.  These include the bridges north of Lake

Alice all the way to the Cando area, the Mauvee bridges from Lake Irvin to Pelican Lake, the bridges in the Webster/Garske

area, Channel A, the bridges on the lake itself, and the bridges between Devils Lake and Stump Lake.  While the larger

spawning walleyes seem to have already spawned, anglers are reporting good catches of the smaller more eating sized male

fish.  Pike are also being caught along with walleyes in most areas as well.  Water temp this time of year is a big factor.

The warmer water areas are typically the better areas and anglers are finding that moving from one bridge to another can make

a big difference in action.  For walleyes and pike most anglers are doing the best on jigs tipped with plastic such as powerbait

or twister tails.  White and chartreuse tend to be the better colors.

GOOD LUCK & GOOD FISHING!!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

4/23/09

Anglers this week reported some excellent fishing on the coulees and bridges in the Devils Lake area. The key for the best fishing is to move around if the fish are not in the area you are fishing. Chances are there is another area where they are.

The pike started strong and have since slowed a bit, but now the walleye action has picked up. Anglers are reporting good catches of eating sized males and some nice large females as well. Keep in mind these large fish are our future and we ask all anglers to practice catch and release on the bigger females. In addition, North Dakota Game & Fish rules require any fish caught behind the gill plate to be released because their rules consider those fish to be snagged and you will be issued a ticket.

As for fishing for walleyes and pike, anglers are reporting the best success with jigs with plastic. This includes twister tails, mimic minnows, powerbait, and other jig/plastic body type jigs. White, chartreuse, firetiger, or silver/black all work at times. Some of the better areas include the bridges along the highways of the main lake, Channel A, the bridges of the Mauvee Coulee, Edmore Coulee, and the coulees going north of Lake Alice. Anglers are also reporting that those putting in small boats off the ditches are having some excellent success as they target the edges of the moving water and calmer water areas. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop.

4/17/09

While there are few people still walking out on the ice, we DO NOT recommend it. Ice conditions have deteriorated to the point that even foot traffic is not safe. However, anglers shore fishing are starting to find some excellent fishing around the open water bridge and coulee areas. These areas include the south end of Channel A near Hwy 2 and the railroad bridges. The bridges along the Mauvee Coulee from Churches Ferry to Pelican Lake, the coulees in the Webster/Garske area, and the coulees north of Lake Alice.

For pike, anglers are using jigs tipped with plastic or daredevils. For walleyes, anglers are primarily using jigs with white or chartreuse plastic twister tails or powerbait. Keep in mind, ND Game and Fish laws consider any fish hooked behind the gill plate as being “snagged”, and they must be released immediately. We also ask all anglers to help insure the future of our fishery and to release the larger spawning females. The next few weeks can be the best and most enjoyable time for shore fisherman and we wish you all the best of luck.

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop.

Fishing Reports from other local guides and anglers:   Dosch's Guide Service

4/3/09

Cold temps have allowed ice fishing to continue on Devils Lake. Currently, most anglers are driving vehicles on the ice but as temps increase shorelines will start deteriorating and anglers will need to start using atv’s or concentrating on shore fishing around bridges and coulees as they open. Reports from anglers indicate fishing continues to be hit and miss. Walleye fishing remains quite good, but the bite seems best in the early morning and just before dark periods. Some of the better areas for fishing have been Mission Bay, Doc Hagen’s, the north end of Six Mile Bay, Stromme Addition, the storm sewer area, and the sunken Black Tiger road. Sonars and chubby darters, or buckshots, raps, nils, and kastmasters tipped with minnows or minnow heads have all been working.

Perch fishing has been tough for most anglers. Those catching some are reporting marking many fish, but find they’ll only be able to stay on active schools for short periods of time. The better perch areas have been Skadsens, the Woods Rutten area, and the south end of Black Tiger Bay.

Pike fishing has been good in the north end of Six Mile Bay with some nice fish coming from that area

Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop.

Fishing Reports from other local guides and anglers:   Dosch's Guide Service

3/27/09

Last week warm temperatures deteriorated shorelines and it appeared the end of driving on the lake was near. But this week’s cold snap has refrozen shorelines and appears to have given ice fishermen a reprieve. Fishing on the other hand continues to be a bit hit and miss. Anglers are reporting decent walleye catches but are having trouble staying on any perch.

For walleyes, anglers have been fishing the north end of Six Mile Bay, the Doc Hagen’s area, Mission Bay, Foughty’s Point, the sunken Black Tiger road, and Jerusalem Bay. Sonars and chubby darters or nils, buckshots, kastmasters raps, and other spoon type jigs tipped with minnows or minnow heads continue to be the lures of choice. Perch fisherman are finding some fish in the south end of Black Tiger Bay, the Woods Rutten area, Skadsen’s Bay, and the mouth of Creel Bay.

Perch anglers are reporting they have to move quite a bit too both find fish and to stay on them once they do. Hali’s, kastmasters, small raps, genz worms, and other small jigs tipped with minnows, minnow heads, wax worms, and spikes all work at times.

For pike fishing try Jerusalem Bay or the north end of Six Mile Bay near Channel A. Smelt or herring off tip-ups continues to work the best. Pike and walleyes are also being caught in Lake Irvin, but access has been deteriorating and moving water in that area will make it one of the first areas to cause problems. As temperatures warm up, anglers will need to start using ATV’s or walking out. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop.

Fishing Reports from other local guides and anglers:   Dosch's Guide Service

3/20/09

Anglers reported fishing this past week to be hit and miss. One day anglers would do quite well in an area only to not do

so well the next day.  Some of the better areas for walleyes have been Lake Irvin, Mission Bay, Doc Hagens, Jerusalem

Bay, and Six Mile Bay.  The best bite has been in the early morning and evening hours but anglers are reporting some fish

throughout the day.  In these areas, anglers are using sonars and chubby darters, or kastmasters, raps, nils, buckshots,

and other spoon type lures tipped with minnows or minnow heads.  Persh fishing has been hit and miss as well with the

better areas being the Woods Rutten and south end of Black Tiger Bay areas.  Hali's kastmasters, genz worms, forage

minnows, and ratso's tipped with wax worms, spikes, minnow heads, or perch eyes all work at times.  Pike fishing

remains good in the Churches Ferry and Lake Irvin area.  Smelt or herring off tip-ups remains the best bet.  Ice

conditions have been pretty good with most of the snow cover having melted down some allowing travel by vehicle in most

all areas.  The ice in many areas is quite thick and the use of an extension is a good ides.

Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop.

Fishing Reports from other local guides and anglers:   Dosch's Guide Service

3/13/09

The recent cold blast and wind kept most anglers off the lake this past week. The few who did venture out reported typical cold front conditions with slow or hit and miss fishing. But this week we have a completely different weather forecast which should help things pick up. Typically, this time of year offers some of the best perch, walleye, and pike ice fishing. Prior to the recent cold front, anglers were reporting good to excellent fishing.

For perch, anglers were finding fish in the Woods Rutten/East Bay Campground area, south end of Black Tiger Bay, Casino area, and the mouth of Creel Bay. Hali’s, small raps, kastmasters, genz worms, buckshots, and ratso’s tipped with wax worms, spikes, minnow head, minnows, or perch eyes all work at times. Each day a few anglers were doing well while others struggled. Mobility and trying different presentations were the keys to those doing better.

Walleye fishing’s also been good in most areas of the lake. Anglers are reporting good catches of eating sized fish on the sunken Black Tiger road, Stromme Addition, Casino area, Mission Bay, Creel Bay, and Doc Hagens. Sonars and chubby darters, or raps, kastmasters, and buckshots tipped with minnow heads have been working the best.

Pike fishing continues to be good in Lake Irvin. Anglers are mainly using smelt or herring on tip-ups, but those using sonars, chubby darters, and other walleye type setups are also reporting some nice walleye catches with a few jumbo perch mixed in. There’s a fair amount of snow on the lakes, but driving around with a 4 wheel drive hasn’t been too bad. Ice thickness is to the point where and extension is required in some areas. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop.

Fishing Reports from other local guides and anglers:   Dosch's Guide Service

2/27/09

Most anglers are have been reporting poor fishing the past couple days since this major cold front moved in. Prior to this snap though fishing was pretty decent and as the weather improves this week things should pick up again.
Some of the better areas for walleyes have been Doc Hagens, the Casino/57 bridge area, East Bay near the Camp entrance, and the sunken Woods Rutten road. Other areas producing fish include Bud Bay, the Ft. Totten area, Rocky/Military points, the Woodland and Country Club areas, Stromme Addition, and Foughty's Point. In these areas anglers are jigging sonars and salmos; or using buckshots, raps, nils, kastmasters, and other spoon type lures tipped with minnows or minnow heads.
Perch fishing has also been hit or miss with some anglers doing quite well each day while others around them will struggle. Mobility continues to be the key for perch. Some of the better areas have been the Casino area, Military Point, Woods Rutten area, and the south end of Black Tiger Bay. Buckshots, forage minnows, genz worms, hali's, kastmasters, and ratfinkies tipped with minnows, minnow heads, wax worms, spikes, or perch eyes all work at times. Lake Irvin continues to produce pike, walleyes, and a few jumbo perch. The bridge area and the far northeast area have been the best. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop.

Fishing Reports from other local guides and anglers:   Dosch's Guide Service

2/20/09

Fishing has been a bit hit and miss as of late. Each day some anglers do great while others around them will struggle. The better areas for walleyes have been the Casino, 57 bridge, Doc Hagen’s, Stromme Addition, Foughty’s Point, and Black Tiger. Those catching fish are reporting a short early morning and evening bite in anywhere from 8-25 feet of water. Sunken trees and rocky ledges or points have been the more key areas to work. Try actively working sonars or chubby darters; or nils, raps, buckshots, kastmasters tipped with minnows or minnow heads. When pressure occurs in an area the walleyes tend to scatter or shut down and those working the outer edges and away from the crowds tend to do the best.

Perch fishing has been hit and misses as well. Some of the better areas have been the deep water off Rocky and Military Points, the Casino area, the Woods Rutten area, and the south end of Black Tiger. Kastmasters, genz worms, buckshots, small raps, or hanger rigs tipped with spikes, waxworms, minnow heads, or perch eyes all work at times.Some anglers have also reporting Lake Irvin picking up for pike and walleyes with an occasional jumbo perch mixed in. For pike, smelt and herring off tip-ups has been the setup of choice. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop.

Fishing Reports from other local guides and anglers:   Dosch's Guide Service

2/13/09

Last week’s warm weather blast brought some excellent fishing and really helped ice conditions. However, as the weather cooled and snow moved in ice conditions deteriorated and fishing really slowed. At the present, moving around on the ice is again tough as there is a fair amount of water under the snow in places and a hard crust is forming on the snow. Until things freeze up a bit (or warm weather again appears), driving will remain difficult.

As for fishing there has been some perch being caught in the Woods Rutten area, south end of Black Tiger, the 57 bridge area, and Military/Rocky Points. Hali’s, small raps, buckshots, genz worms, and ratfinkies tipped with wax worms, spikes, or minnow heads have been working the best.

Walleye fishing while a bit slower than last weekend continues to be quite good with a good morning and evening bite. Some of the better areas have been Doc Hagens (snowmobile access only), Bud Bay, Rocky/Military Points, the 57 bridge area, East Bay near the camp entrance, Foughty’s Point, and the sunken Black Tiger road. Try working sonars or chubby darters, or raps, nils, kastmasters, buckshots, and other jigs tipped with minnows or minnow heads. The best success has been in the 10-20 foot range in trees or rocky points.

Pike fishing remains steady with some good fishing in Walfords Bay and Jerusalem Bay. Lake Irvin continues to be good for walleyes, pike, and a few large perch. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop.
Fishing Reports from other local guides and anglers:   Dosch's Guide Service

2/5/09

All the trails are in good condition and new trails have been established. At East Bay Campground, Bill Wood and John have opened the trails and they are in good condition. East Bay ramp is open with a trail going south and across to Stromme and Pops road. The Casino area looks great with a trail to Concrete Bay and Fort Totten Bay. Daniel and the crew have been working hard down there. Kyle at Woodland has Creel Bay looking great with trails everywhere and nice off shoots on which to fish. John, out at Lakeview Lodge, has the Dome house to Bud Bay open and ready for travel. All in all the trails are in great shape.

The best perch fishing is in Black Tiger Bay in 36' of water south of Old Bail Shop road. I’ve been there the last couple of weeks and the perch are nice. The east side is better than the west. The best walleye fishing is at Doc Hagen’s, the Casino, the south end of Black Tiger Bay and Foughty's. Good luck to all!

Fishing Reports from other local guides and anglers:   Dosch's Guide Service  |  Ed's Bait Shop

1/28/09

The trails are all open on Devils Lake. I talked with Kyle at Woodlands Resort and he has creel bay looking good. He also added a trail down front on Camp Grafton’s main lakeside to the corner of Hwy. 57. Kyle also tied the trail from Creel to the trail by the Dome house and then west to Bud Bay. Daniel at the Casino has everything open and ready (good walleye bite there off the point). He will be working on the trail to connect to the corner of Hwy 57. East Bay ramp is in good condition with more work to be done later today and tomorrow. The trail going south has been extended almost to the corner of 20/57 and across to Pop’s road access. Neil Ackerman has the trail open across to Foughty's and it was extended to Skadsems Bay were there is good perch action being reported there. Bill over at East Bay Campground has been working a lot on the trails and will get some help this week from John Dahlen to put a trail in going north up into Black Tiger Bay. All trails should be good for the coming weekend with Creel Bay looking like a super highway and the rest of the trails in good condition.

Best Spots for: Walleye - East Bay across from Camp Grafton, the Casino, Rocky Point, in front of Woodlands Resort, Bud Bay, Foughty's Point, and the Sunken Road in Black Tiger Bay. Perch - The Dome House, Rocky Point, Military Point, corner of Hwy. 57, the south end of Black Tiger Bay, Skadsems. Most of the perch are coming out of 30-36 feet of water on small jigs with wax worms. I will repost if things change.

Fishing Reports from other local guides and anglers:   Dosch's Guide Service  |  Ed's Bait Shop

1/15/09

Devils Lake will be open for fishermen this weekend. The trails are starting to be reopened today with Ackerman Acres open from the ramp all the way across to Foughty's Point and beyond. The walleye bite in this area has been very good with some perch also. The Casino has several trails already open. I talked with Daniel today and they are working feverishly to get more trails established. Fishing has been good right off the trails so you don't have to travel far. Creel Bay is like a super highway with Kyle at Woodlands plowing several trails. He also opened the Lakewood Ramp so all is set in that area. Bill over at East Bay Campground has been out the last two days plowing to the south into Black Tiger Bay. Access is okay for that area. John at Lakeview Lodge has the trail in the Towers, Dome House, and Bud Bay ready to be used and in good condition. The East bay ramp will be plowed tomorrow and the trail to the south and across the Stromme Addition to Pops Road. There is no trail to Hay Bale this week. We received a poor report this week from those who tried in that area. John Dahlen is going to try to get a trail from Foughty's Point to Skadsems Bay tomorrow, but I will update everyone on that (Rumor has it there are some very nice perch coming out of that area from guys on snowmobiles).

Best bets for fishing Walley's--Foughty's, Camp Grafton, the Casino, and the north end of 6-mile; Perch-Creel Bay, Dome House, Bud Bay, Foughty's. I will update you again tomorrow if possible.

Fishing Reports from other local guides and anglers:   Dosch's Guide Service  |  Ed's Bait Shop   

1/9/09

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 to not only 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!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

12/26/08

Cold temps continue to improve ice conditions on Devils Lake. Anglers are reporting 14-18 inches of ice in most areas and many anglers are now driving on the lake. For those wishing to venture out, we still advise ATV's or snowmobiles, and extreme care must be used near moving water bridge areas and the many pressure ridges forming on the lake.

Perch fishing remains slow with some fish being caught in the Country Club area, near the Casino, and in Black Tiger.

Walleye fishing, however, continues to be good. Some of the better areas include the Country Club, Beer Can Island, Wolfords Bay, Mission Bay near the gravel pits and sunken railroad bed, Stromme Addition, the sunken road and south end of Black Tiger. Raps, sonars, and buckshots have all been working well with most anglers targeting the 10-24 foot depths.

Pike fishing and spearing have been excellent in Wolfords Bay and Jerusalem Bay. In addition, the Sweetwater/Morrison area to the north is also producing fish. Good Luck and we wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Great New Year!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

12-19-08

Sub zero temperatures continue to improve ice conditions, but winds and storms have been hampering fisherman from making it out. Those going are reporting from 10-15 inches of ice in many of the smaller and earlier freezing bays. However, some areas such as the Main Bay, Dome house area, middle of Mission Bay, area near mouth of Creel Bay, and East Devils Lake froze late and

ice conditions in those areas are much less. Also, heavy fall rains resulted in a lot of moving water and extreme care should be used around the bridges, coulees, and Channel A area. As for fishing, anglers are reporting some excellent walleye fishing in the 10-20 ft. depth in the early morning and evening hours. The better areas have been the gravel pits in Mission Bay, Stromme Addition, East Bay across from Camp Grafton, and Black Tiger Bay. Sonars or buckshots and raps tipped with minnows or minnow heads have been working well. Perch fishing has been quite slow with few reports coming in. A few are being found in Creel Bay near the Country Club and the south end of Black Tiger Bay. However, anglers haven't been finding any numbers. Pike fishermen are reporting some good action on Sweetwater/Morrison. Spear fishermen are also reporting some good fishing. Wolfords Bay and Jerusalem Bay in East Devils Lake continue to be the better areas. As we said, ice conditions are improving, but anglers still need to use caution and common sense. Some people are starting to drive on the ice, but we still recommend traffic be limited to snowmobiles and ATVs. Good Luck and Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

12-12-08

Recent cold weather has definitely helped when it comes to ice conditions. We still don’t advise any vehicle traffic and only limited ATV or snowmobile traffic. Some of the areas on the Main bay, Mission Bay, East Devils Lake, and the moving water bridge areas just recently froze. smaller bays that froze earlier, anglers are reporting from 6-9 inches of ice.

In the north end of Creel Bay near the Country Club and north of it and in Black Tiger anglers are reporting a few perch. No real numbers but they are catching some.

As for walleyes, we’ve had some reports of good catches of eating sized fish in the trees near the Casino and gravel pits in Mission Bay, the Acorn/Stromme Addition area, Foughty’s Point, and Black Tiger.

Pike fishermen are reporting some good action on Sweetwater/Morrison. Spear fishermen are also reporting some good fishing. The Wolfords Bay and Jerusalem Bay in East Devils have been the better areas. As we said, ice conditions are improving, but anglers still need to use caution and common sense. Good Luck and Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

12-05-08

Ice conditions are slowly improving and a few people have been walking out on the ice.  While the smaller bays have had ice for a while, the larger bays and moving water areas continue to have open water.  Ice is reported to be up to 6-7 inches

in some of the smaller bays around the edges, but anglers are also finding ice as thin as 2 inches or less as they go out.  We still recommend extreme caution and foot traffic only.  As for fishing, anglers are reporting a few perch in the north end of Creel Bay,some walleyes around Foughtys Point, and some good pike fishing in Sweetwater/Morrison and the other lakes to the north.  The current cold weather forecast should help ice conditions. Good Luck and Good Fishing!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

10-24-08

Walleye fishing on Devils Lake continues to be excellent. With the recent heavy rains in the area, there’s a fair amount of moving water in the coulees and bridge areas. Many anglers have been working these moving water areas such as the Mauvee, Six Mile, & 57 bridges and doing quite well. Anglers are also reporting good fishing using normal fall patterns. Those include jigging the deeper rocky points such as 5 Crows, Ft. Totten/Cactus Point, Patience Point, Doc Hagens, & Foughty’s Point; and cranking windswept rocky shorelines. Some of the better areas for that are in Pelican Lake, Bud Bay, Mission Bay, East Bay, & East Devils Lake. Pike and bass continue to be caught along with walleyes in most areas. If you happen to get that big pike or walleye, don’t forget to enter them in Eds monthly Big Fish contest for gift certificates. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

10-03-08

Walleye fishing on Devils Lake continues to be excellent. While most anglers are catching a lot of fish working the shallow edges of weedbeds, the deeper rocky points, bridges, and shallower cranking areas are also starting to pick up. Most anglers continue to do their best working bottom bouncers and spinners along the deeper weedbeds and rocky structure, but jigging around the bridges of 57, 20, 6 Mile, and Mauvee has been picking up. Many are also starting to pitch cranks along windswept rocky shorelines. Some of the other areas producing fish have been Pelican Lake, Haley’s Hump, Patience Point, Doc Hagens, the Ft. Totten/Cactus area, Stromme Addition, and Black Tiger Bay. Pike and bass continue to be caught along with walleyes in most areas of the lake.

Don’t forget to stop by this Saturday as Relay for Life will be having a pig roast starting at 4:00pm. If you happen to get that big pike or walleye, don’t forget to enter them in Eds monthly Big Fish contest for gift certificates. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

09-26-08

Fisherman continue to report excellent walleye fishing on Devils Lake. Most anglers are working the edges of deeper weedbeds, old shorelines, and sunken points with bottom bouncers and spinners or cranks. Anglers are also reporting that the shallower cranking bite’s been picking up. For cranking, anglers are working the edges of weedbeds or windswept rocky shorelines. Most fish are still on the smaller size, but anglers are catching a few larger fish mixed in. Some of the better areas continue to be Pelican Lake, the points and humps in the Flats such as Haley’s Hump & Patience Point, Doc Hagens, the Ft. Totten/Cactus area, Stromme Addition, Foughty’s Point, and Black Tiger Bay. Pike and bass continue to be caught along with walleyes in most areas.

Shore fisherman continue to report some excellent evening fishing at the bridges, along the rip rap before Acorn Ridge, and the Hwy 281/19 area.

This weekend is the start of the state’s resident only duck/goose season and we wish everyone a safe and enjoyable weekend. If you happen to get that big pike or walleye, don’t forget to enter them in Eds monthly Big Fish contest for gift certificates. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

09-19-08

Not much has changed over the past few weeks as anglers continue to report excellent fishing. Most anglers are still reporting catching a lot of smaller sized walleyes and being able to sort through them to keep their limits of the more eating sized fish. Some larger fish are also being caught along with the smaller ones, but they have been harder to find. Presentations continue to be trolling cranks or bottom bouncers with spinners along the edges of weedbeds, old sunken shorelines, and rocky points. Cranks such as jointed raps or salmo hornets have been working the best. Some of the better walleye areas continue to be the Stromme Addition area, Doc Hagens, Patience Point, Haleys Hump, the Golden Highway, the sunken roads in Pelican, Bud Bay, Foughty’s Point, and the Ft. Totten/Cactus Point area. Pike continue to be caught along with walleyes in most of these areas and some are also working shallower weedbeds for larger pike. Shorefishing continues to be excellent as well. The Acorn Ridge area and Hwy 19/281 intersection area have been the better spots. Pitching cranks or jigs, or fishing Lindy rigs have been the best presentations. Working the windswept shores has been the best for walleyes. Pike and white bass are biting well in these areas. If you happen to get that big pike or walleye, don’t forget to enter them in Eds monthly Big Fish contest for gift certificates. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

09-12-08

Anglers continue to report some excellent fishing.  While cold fronts moving through have made the bite change some from day to day, most anglers are still finding a lot of walleyes.  The key patterns continue to be working the outer edges of weedbeds by trolling the deeper beds with cranks or bottom bouncers and spinners and cranking the shallower beds; or try trolling the
gravel/rocky structure of sunken points, old shorelines, and sunken roads.  The better areas continue to be the Stromme Addition area, Pelican Lake, Haley's Hump, Patience Point, the golden highway, Doc Hagens, the bridges, Five Crows, and Foughtys Point.  Pike and bass continue to be caught along with walleyes in most areas.  Shorefishing continues to be excellent as well.  The Acorn Ridge area and Hwy 19/281 intersection area have been the better spots. Pitching cranks or jigs, or fishing Lindy rigs have been the best presentations. Working the windswept shores has been the best for walleyes.  Pike and white bass are biting well in these areas.  If you happen to get that big pike or walleye, don't forget to enter them in Eds monthly Big Fish contest for gift certificates.  Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

09-05-08

While cold windy weather has kept most anglers off the lake, those making it out continue to report excellent fishing success. Most anglers are still reporting catching a lot of smaller sized walleyes and being able to sort through them to keep their limits of the more eating sized fish. Some larger fish are also being caught along with the smaller ones, but they have been harder to find. Presentations continue to be trolling cranks or bottom bouncers with spinners along the edges of weedbeds, old sunken shorelines, and rocky points. Cranks such as jointed raps or salmo hornets have been working the best. Some of the better walleye areas continue to be the Stromme Addition area, Doc Hagens, Patience Point, Haleys Hump, the Golden Highway, the sunken roads in Pelican, Bud Bay, Foughty’s Point, and the Ft. Totten/Cactus Point area. Pike continue to be caught along with walleyes in most of these areas and some are also working shallower weedbeds for larger pike.

Shorefishing continues to be excellent as well. The Acorn Ridge area and Hwy 19/281 intersection area have been the better spots. Pitching cranks or jigs, or fishing Lindy rigs have been the best presentations. Working the windswept shores has been the best for walleyes. Pike and white bass are biting well in these areas. If you happen to get that big pike or walleye, don’t forget to enter them in Eds monthly Big Fish contest for gift certificates. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

08-28-08

Not much has changed this past week as fishing on Devils Lake continues to be excellent. Anglers continue to report catching lots of smaller walleyes with many eating sized and some larger fish mixed in. The two key productive areas have been the edges of weedbeds and sunken rocky areas and points. Some of the better weedbed areas have been in Pelican Lake, the Doc Hagens area, and Stromme Addition. Some of the more productive rocky areas have been the sunken roads in Pelican and the Flats, Patience Point, Haleys Hump, Scooters Point, Foughty’s Point, and Birklands Point. In these areas anglers are trolling cranks such as jointed shads and salmos or bottom bouncers and spinners tipped with crawlers or leeches. Pike and white bass continue to be found along with walleyes in most areas of the lake with better action in the shallower areas.

Shore fisherman continue to report excellent walleye fishing near Acorn Ridge, the north end of Creel Bay, and in the Hwy 281/19 area. Lindy rigs, jigs, or cranks such as shad raps have all been working. The largest walleye wins a $50 gift certificate and the largest pike a $25 gift certificate. Good Luck & Good Fishing from us at Eds Bait Shop!!!

08-15-08

Walleye fishing has been excellent on Devils Lake with anglers reporting catching a lot of fish. While most tend to be a bit small, those with patience are sorting through them and keeping their limits of the more eating sized fish. Anglers are also reporting some nicer sized fish mixed in, but their numbers are more limited. Right now, most all presentations have been working.

Fish are being found along rocky sunken points, the outer edges of deeper weedbeds, in the trees, and right in the weeds in shallower water. In these areas anglers are trolling the sunken points and outer edges of weedbeds with cranks or live bait rigs, pitching cranks into the shallower weedbeds, and slip bobbering in the trees. Some of the most productive areas have been Stromme Addition, Doc Hagens, Patience Point, Haley’s Hump, the bridges, the trees by the Mauvee in Pelican, Black Tiger Bay near East Bay Campground, and East Devils Lake near the outlet. Pike are also being caught along with walleyes. The Lafluer boys have been reporting great pike action using spinnerbaits in the shallow weedbeds. White bass continue to be caught in most all areas of the lake. Many anglers are working windy rocky shorelines with blue or chartreuse cranks or jigs tipped with minnows.

Shore fisherman continue to report and excellent evening bite along the rip rap between the dike and Acorn Ridge, the north end of Creel Bay, and especially the area from West Bay Resort to the intersection of Hwy 19 and the old 281. Lindy rigs with leeches have been working the best. If you happen to get “the big one”, don’t forget our monthly big fish contest. The largest walleye wins a $50 gift certificate and the largest pike a $25 gift certificate.

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

08-08-08

Welcome MWC anglers to the Lake Region. We wish you all the best of luck. Anglers have been reporting some excellent walleye fishing the past couple weeks. While many fish are small, sorting through them or trying a different color or pattern can often be the trick that gets you a bit larger fish. Anglers are reporting catching some fish pitching cranks, but most anglers are either trolling the edges of weedbeds or old shorelines, or slip bobbering these edges or the trees. Those trolling are using cranks such as jointed rapalas, salmo hornets, or bottom bouncers with spinners and crawlers or leeches. Some of the better areas have been the Stromme Addition area, Haleys Hump, Pelican Lake, Foughty's Point, the Ft. Totten / Cactus area, Bud Bay, Doc Hagens, and Skadsens Bay. Pike continue to be caught along with walleyes, but their action is somewhat slower this time of year. White bass are being found everywhere along with walleyes.

Shorefisherman continue to report excellent fishing as well. The highway near Acorn Ridge, north end of hwy 19 in Creel, and the 281/19 area have all been producing a lot of fish. Lindy rigs with leeches and crawlers are working well. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

08-01-08

Anglers are continuing to report some excellent fishing right now. Reports indicate most fish are smaller but as you move around and weed through the smaller ones you can keep a decent sized limit. Most all presentations continue to work as well.

Anglers are pitching cranks, running live bait rigs, or trolling cranks along the edges of weedbeds. Some of the better areas continue to be Pelican Lake, Six Mile Bay, Bud Bay, Old & New Mill Bays, the bridges, and probably the hottest areas being Stromme Addition, Skadsens, Penny, & Black Tiger Bays in East Bay, Doc Hagens, and Haley’s Hump. Pike continue to be caught along with walleyes but their action continues to be a bit slow. White bass are being caught throughout the lake as anglers are finding large schools almost everywhere.

Shorefisherman continue to report some excellent fishing along the rip rap on Hwy 57 near Acorn Ridge, the north end of Creel Bay on Hwy 19, and the Hwy 281/19 intersection area. Lindy type rigs or jigs have been working the best for shore fisherman.

Courtesy of Ed's Bait Shop

07-25-08

Anglers are reporting catching a lot of smaller walleyes this past week, but finding larger fish has been a bit tougher. Action on walleyes has been excellent and most all presentations have been working. Anglers are pitching cranks, running live bait rigs, or trolling cranks along the edges of weedbeds. Some of the better areas have been Pelican Lake, Six Mile Bay, Doc Hagens, Bud Bay, Old & New Mill Bays, the bridges, and probably the hottest areas being Stromme Addition, Skadsens, Penny, & Black Tiger Bays in East Bay. Pike continue to be caught along with walleyes but their action has slowed a bit. White bass are being caught throughout the lake as anglers are finding large schools almost everywhere.

Shorefisherman continue to report some excellent fishing along the rip rap on Hwy 57 near Acorn Ridge, the north end of Creel Bay on Hwy 19, and the Hwy 281/19 intersection area. Lindy type rigs or jigs have been working the best for shore fisherman. Don’t forget to enter that big fish in our monthly contests. The largest walleye wins a $50 gift certificate and the largest pike a $25 gift certificate. Good Luck & Good Fishing from us at Eds Bait Shop!!!

07-11-08

Anglers reported some excellent fishing over the past week. Walleye fisherman are reporting a lot of smaller fish but are sorting through them and keeping good numbers of the more eating sized. While most all presentations are working, the better numbers of fish are coming from the outer edges of weedbeds in the 8-15 foot depths. In these areas anglers are trolling bottom bouncers with spinners or cranks such as shad raps, jointed shad raps, & hornets. Anglers are also reporting some good cranking in the shallower windswept areas and along some of the deeper rocky points. Slip bobbering in the trees also continues to be working well. Especially for the larger fish.

Pike and white bass continue to be caught along with walleyes in most all areas of the lake. The better areas continue to be Pelican Lake, the Flats, the Golden Highway, Doc Hagens, Old Mill & New Mill Bays, the 57 bridge, and the Stromme Addition area. White bass populations are booming and huge schools can offer some excellent action.

Shore fisherman are reporting a good evening bite at the bridges of the lake, the north end of Creel Bay, the rip rap near Acorn Ridge, and the Hwy 19/281 area. Cranks, jigs, or live bait rigs tipped with plastic, leeches, or crawlers are all working. For white bass though, a chartreuse or white jig tipped with twister tails or minnows has been hot. Don’t forget to enter that big fish in our monthly contests. The largest walleye wins a $50 gift certificate and the largest pike a $25 gift certificate. Good Luck & Good Fishing from us at Eds Bait Shop!!!

07-03-08

Happy 4th of July weekend. We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. Fishing on Devils Lake this past week has been quite good. Most anglers are reporting decent catches of walleyes in most all parts of the lake and with most all presentations. With summer coming so late this year, most anglers are reporting the better fishing to still be in the shallower waters.

Slip bobbers in the trees or along structure and cranking have been working the best. For slip bobbering, try the the trees of the Flats and Pelican. Typically the thicker the trees the better the fishing. Try a spot for 10-15 minutes and move if you don’t catch anything.

For you crankers, try working the windswept shores or the edges of weedbeds. Some of the better cranking areas have been Pelican, Golden Pond, Oswalds Bay, Howards Bay, New Mill & Old Mill, Doc Hagens, Mission Bay, the Stromme/Storm Sewer area, Penny Bay, and East Devils Lake. Shad raps, countdowns, or jigs tipped with leeches or plastic have all been working well.

Pike and white bass continue to be caught along with walleyes in most areas of the lake.

Shore fisherman continue to report a good bite at the bridges, along the rip rap near Acorn Ridge, the north end of Creel Bay, and the Hwy 281/19 intersection area. Cranks such as shad raps and countdowns and lindy rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers have been working the best.

Don’t forget to enter that big fish in our monthly contests. The largest walleye wins a $50 gift certificate and the largest pike a $25 gift certificate. Good Luck & Good Fishing from us at Eds Bait Shop!!!

06-27-08

Welcome tournament fisherman to ND’s longest running fishing tournament, the Annual Devils Lake Chamber Walleye Tournament. We wish you all a safe and enjoyable weekend. This week anglers are reporting good to excellent fishing, but they’re having to move around and work a little harder to find the more active fish. Some of the better walleye fishing has been around weedbeds and cattails or in the trees. In the weedbeds anglers are pitching cranks such as shad raps, countdowns, eskos, and jigs tipped with plastic. In the trees, anglers are mainly slip bobbering with leeches and crawlers. Anglers are also finding some fish out a bit deeper with bottom bouncers and spinners. As water temps increase these areas should pick up. Some of the better areas have been Pelican Lake, Monkey Ridge, Howards Bay, Doc Hagens, Bud Bay, Old Mill & New Mill bays, Mission Bay, the Storm Sewer area, and East Devils Lake.

Pike continue to be caught along with walleyes in most areas. White bass fishing continues to be excellent with large schools being found in most all areas of the lake. Jigs with minnows, blue cranks, & firetiger cranks all work well.

Shore fisherman are reporting a good bite in the early morning and later evening hours. Some of the better spots have been the rip rap along Hwy 57 south of DL, the bridges, the north end of Creel Bay, and the Hwy 19/281 intersection area. Lindy rigs with leeches, crawlers, or minnows and small cranks or jigs have all worked at times. Don’t forget to enter that big fish in our monthly contests. The largest walleye wins a $50 gift certificate and the largest pike a $25 gift certificate. Good Luck & Good Fishing from us at Eds Bait Shop

06-20-08

Anglers are finally reporting warming water temps and along with them fishing has been picking up. Anglers are reporting some excellent walleye fishing with most all presentations. Some anglers are cranking the wind blown shorelines and the edges of weedlines in Pelican Lake, Oswalds Bay, Howards Bay, Old Mill & New Mill bays, Mission Bay, Penny Bay, the Storm Sewer area, and East Devils Lake. Cranks such as #5 & #7 shad raps, #7 & #9 countdowns, esko’s, and wally divers have all been working well. Other anglers are catching fish slip bobbering in the trees in Pelican Lake and the Grahams Island area, and other anglers are working the bridges and sunken rocky points with jigs or bottom bouncers and spinners

Pike continue to be caught in most all areas of the lake and have really turned on as of late.

White bass populations are booming and most all boaters are reporting catching a lot of white bass pitching cranks.

Shore fisherman are doing well in the early morning and evening hours on both pike and walleyes. The better areas for shorefishing have been the Acorn Ridge area, the bridges, the north end of Creel Bay, and the Hwy 281/19 area. Lindy rigs or slip bobbers with leeches or crawlers have been working the best. White bass have been really active with good action along the Grahams Island road, the rip rap of Mission Bay, Channel A, and the Hwy 281/19 area. Blue or firetiger cranks or jigs tipped with minnows work the best.

Don’t forget to enter that big fish in our monthly contests. The largest walleye wins a $50 gift certificate and the largest pike a $25 gift certificate. Good Luck & Good Fishing from us at Eds Bait Shop!!!

06-13-08

High winds, cool temps, and rain this past week made for tough fishing conditions on Devils Lake. With water temps remaining mostly in the 50’s those anglers going out reported only fair fishing. On the few days that the weather did cooperate, anglers reported some excellent fishing though in the typical spots for this time of year. Finding the warmest water has been the key this spring.

Some of the spots that are producing fish have been New Mil Bay, Old Mil Bay, the Howard Farm area, north of Stromme Addition, Skadsen’s Bay, the bridges, and many of the other smaller bays that warm up quickly when the weather cooperates. In these areas anglers are pitching cranks such as shad raps and countdown, jigs with minnow, leeches, or plastic, or slip bobbering the trees and humps.

Pike continue to be caught throughout the lake and on most all presentations. Boat fisherman are mainly pitching cranks or jigs with plastic while shore fisherman are using smelt, herring, or leeches.

White bass are being found in good sized pockets throughout the lake as well. However, some of the better spots have been Channel A and the windy rip rap areas along the highways. Firetiger or blue cranks and jigs tipped with minnows or plastic have all been working well.

Shore fisherman are reporting good success of walleyes in the early morning and evening hours while bass and pike fisherman are having success throughout the day. Some of the better areas continue to be the bridges, the north end of Creel Bay along Hwy 19, the Hwy 19/281 area, and the bridges of the Mauvee.

This weekend is the Spirit Lake Walleye Tournament and we wish all anglers the best of luck. Good Luck & Good Fishing!!!

06-06-08

Some half way decent weather the past couple weeks has finally increased water temps on Devils Lake and fishing has picked up along with them. Anglers are reporting excellent pike and white bass fishing, but while getting better each day walleye fishing is only fair to good.

For walleyes, many anglers are looking for the warmest water temps and pitching cranks such as countdowns, eskos, and shad raps into shallow water rocky shore lines or along the edges of cattails and newly developing weedbeds. Other anglers are also catching fish slip bobbering in the trees or working livebait rigs in deeper water. Some of the better spots have been Pelican Lake, Howards Bay, Old Mil & New Mil Bays, Knudson’s, Mission Bay, the bridge areas, and the shallower bays in the Black Tiger area.

Pike fishing’s been excellent with anglers catching fish pitching cranks in most all shallow areas of the lake.

White bass fishing’s been really picking up with anglers finding schools scattered throughout the lake. Some of the better white bass areas have been the Woods Rutten area, Mission Bay, the north end of Six Mile Bay, the Grahams Island Road, and the Hwy 281/19 area. Firetiger or blue cranks or jigs tipped with plastic or minnows have been working well.

Shore fisherman are reporting some good early morning and evening fishing in the bridge areas, Mission Bay, and the Hwy 281/19 area. Don’t forget to enter that big fish in our monthly contests. The largest walleye wins a $50 gift certificate and the largest pike a $25 gift certificate.

Good Luck & Good Fishing from us at Eds Bait Shop!!!

05-27-08

The sun is shinning!  Finally nice warm weather.  Just what the doctor ordered!  The past 2 weeks crummy weather has made fishing miserable and lack of heat slowed the post spawn recovery. Recently, we have seen some nice fish caught.  Beautiful walleye and huge pike are being taken in shallow water with crank baits and slip bobbers.  The ticket is to stay shallow and fish late.  Best success will be in 5' of water or less and fish the second half of the day. Water warms up later and fishing improves dramatically.  Generally the calm side warms up first.   

Forecast shows a good 5 days of upper 60' to mid 70's.  This will jumpstart the fishing, so be ready.  If your boat is still in the shed shore fishing at the mauvais coulee on hwy 19 has been outstanding.  remember boat anglers.  Stay shallow!

Good luck and enjoy your spring fishing.  This is what we have been waiting for

05-23-08

Anglers are reporting that fishing has been picking up as water temps are slowly increasing. Pike fishing has been excellent, walleye fishing a bit tough but getting better, and white bass fishing is just starting to take off.

Some of the better places for walleyes and pike have been the bridges, Pelican Lake, the smaller bays and trees in the Flats, the north end of Six Mile Bay, Knutson’s Bay, Mission Bay, Penny Bay, and Skadsens. In these areas anglers are jigging in the trees or bridge areas, or pitching cranks such as countdowns and shad raps or jigs tipped with plastic into the shallows. Look for the warmest water and you’ll typically find the better fishing. White bass are starting to show up in most areas of the lake and are being caught along with walleyes and pike.

Shore fisherman are reporting increased walleye and pike success near the bridges and along the rip rap in the Hwy 281/19 area in the early morning and evening hours. Cranks, jigs, or lindy rigs with leeches have been working the best. For white bass, try pitching jigs with twister tails or minnows in the Channel A area, the intersection of Hwy 20 & 57, the rip rap in Mission Bay, and the Grahams Island road area.

Current leaders in our monthly big fish contests are Josh Greene with a 23lb pike and Kelly Zander with a 8 3/4lb walleye. The largest walleye wins a $50 gift certificate and the largest pike a $25 gift certificate. Good Luck & have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend from us at Eds Bait Shop!!!

05-16-08

As water temps slowly increase, so has the fishing activity. Due to a cooler spring season, most anglers are finding water temps to be from 45-55 degrees depending on the weather that day. As the temps warm, the fish have become more active.

Boat fishermen are finding some walleyes and pike during mid day as temps increase and in the early morning and evening hours. The better areas have been Six Mile Bay, Mission Bay, the smaller bays in the Flats, and Pelican Lake. In these areas anglers are pitching cranks such as shad raps and countdowns or pitching jigs with plastic such as powerbait. Anglers are also starting to report some white bass showing up, but action on bass overall has still been slow. Boat fisherman are finding some fish jigging the bridges of the Mauvee and Six Mile.

Shore fishing’s been a bit slower than past years due mainly to a below normal runoff that resulted in less fish being in the coulees and channels. Shore fisherman are doing well though around the bridges of Six Mile and the Mauvee and along the rip rap in the 19/281 area. The best bite is in the early morning and evening hours. Try pitching cranks, jigs tipped with minnows, leeches, or powerbait; lindy rigs, or for pike smelt or herring. Don’t forget our monthly big fish contest. The largest walleye wins a $50 gift certificate and the largest pike a $25 gift certificate. Good Luck & Good Fishing from us at Eds Bait Shop!!!

05-09-08

Poor weather continued to hamper fishing activity on Devils Lake this past week. Anglers making it out are reporting only marginal water temps and spotty fishing.

For walleyes, boating anglers are finding some jigging the bridges of Six Mile and the Mauvee and pitching cranks such as countdowns and shad raps in the shallower warmer water areas of Six Mile, the Flats, & Pelican. The areas with the warmest water are producing the best and that’s typical this time of year. Pike are also being caught along with walleyes in these areas, but anglers are reporting slower pike activity from past years. With very little moving water due to the dry spring, fish don’t seem to be as concentrated in specific areas as they do during higher run off years.

Shore fishermen continue to report some pike and walleyes in the Mauvee Coulee, the bridge areas, and Channel A. For pike anglers are using cranks, daredevils, live bait such as leeches and minnows, or just letting a smelt or herring lay on the bottom for less active fish. As water temps start to increase, so should the fishing activity around the lake. Good Luck & Good Fishing from us at Eds Bait Shop!!!

05-02-08

Cold fronts this past week and a lack of moving water have resulted in a slower start to open water fishing this year. A warmer forecast should help things pick up as water temps increase. The one plus this past week was a new lake record walleye caught by Travis Mettler of Concrete ND. The walleye weighed a whopping 13lbs 3 ounces. Congratulations Travis.

As for fishing, a few people have been going out in boats and are reporting some fish activity with pike, but slow walleye action. Shore fisherman are reporting similar activity. Some of the better spots for pike and some walleye action have been the coulees. This includes Channel A and the Mauvee. In these areas anglers are pitching cranks such as shad raps and countdowns; jigs tipped with twister tails and/or minnows; slip bobbers tipped with minnows or leeches; or are using smelt or herring and letting it lay on the bottom.

This time of year the possibility of snagging is higher than normal and anglers need to keep in mind that they’re not allowed to keep any fish that’s caught behind the gill plate. Purposely snagging is illegal. Ed’s is also having it’s summertime big walleye and pike contests with gift certificates for the largest caught each month. Good Luck & Good Fishing from us at Eds Bait Shop!!!

04-25-08

This week’s cold front has slowed fishing a bit in the area, but the last couple weeks warm temps resulted in ice clearing from Devils Lake. Most all areas of Devils Lake are now free of ice and once again ready for boaters. While a few boats have been out in the Channel A area, most anglers have been fishing from shore. Run-off this year has been light due to the areas dry conditions, but anglers are still reporting fish showing up in the Mauvee Coulee and Channel A areas. In these areas, anglers are catching a fair amount of pike, but walleye fishing remains rather slow. This should change as temps warm up.

For pike, anglers have been casting cranks such as shad raps and countdowns, jigs with twister tails and minnows, or using smelt or herring. For walleyes, anglers are using shad raps and countdowns, or jigs and minnows. The better areas have been near the bridges on the Mauvee, the railroad tracks, the Hwy 2 area, and the gates on Channel A. Good Luck & Good Fishing from us at Eds Bait Shop!!!

04-18-08

Get your fishing gear ready, it's shore fishing time!  Good reports of Pike and some walleye coming in from the bridges and area coulees.  Looks like things are just getting started and should improve daily. 

Main lake and all bays are still frozen, so it will be a while before boats will be getting wet.  I would guess we are looking at a week to 10 days to be ice free.  Hopefully earlier. 

4-14-08

It appears that ice fishing season is about over and it’s just about time to start breaking out the open water equipment. While there is still ice on the lake, anglers are reporting soft conditions especially along the shorelines and in shallower water areas. Extreme care is advised.

For those itching for some open water fishing, most of the bridges around the lake now have open water and are fishable. A few anglers have been taking advantage of this and are reporting some fairly decent pike fishing, but not much yet for walleyes. But that should change as temps increase and the coulees open up. Looks like the perfect time to replace that line and get the tackle boxes organized before the open water season takes off. Good Luck & Good Fishing from us at Eds Bait Shop!!!

4-4-08

Warm temps are starting to take their toll on the ice. While the main sheet of ice is still in fairly good shape, getting on and off is getting tougher and those getting on are starting to find some slush spots in areas. Also, the bridge areas are starting to open requiring extreme care in those areas.

Anglers this past week report spotty fishing. Some walleyes are being caught in the north end of Six Mile, the Ft. Totten/Cactus area, Mission Bay, the bridge areas, and East Bay near the Camp entrance. Sonars, chubby darters, or buckshots, kastmasters, nils, & raps tipped with minnow heads have been the most popular.

Anglers are finding some perch in Creel Bay near the Country Club and the mouth, the north end of Six Mile Bay, the Towers area, and the Casino area, but the schools have been small in size making it hard to stay on a bite.

Pike fishing remains good in the Churches Ferry area, but warm temps are taking their toll on ice conditions. With ice conditions in the area deteriorating each day, we advise anglers to limit their travel to atvs, snowmobiles, or foot traffic. Good Luck & Good Fishing from us at Eds Bait Shop!!!