Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 50
It's been a spring to remember on the Missouri River in the sense that it'll be tough to forget, no matter how much I might want to. Thinking back, I can only recall two days so far this season, since the river opened up on Mar. 19, where it was nice out. Of course, this has been a battle for my guide business. I've had way too many weather cancellations. It's just not fair for me to have folks come in and take them out when one, it's crappy out, and two, it's not what I would call a "guider's b...
So, we dug out of this late spring snow here in Bismarck. We got anywhere from 18 to 20 inches of snow, but to the north and west of the Missouri River, they received a lot more. Now, as I wake up this Easter morning and look out my window, we are getting yet another shot of snow. Maybe two-to-four inches this morning by the time it's over. What is this doing for everyone's fishing? Well, for me it's extremely tough on business and I'm monitoring it very closely. Yesterday I drove the river and...
If you are watching the weather closely, it is looking like we may have a major setback to fishing on the Missouri River starting this Tuesday. Reports are early, but Bismarck seems to be in the storm's bullseye at the moment. Anywhere from 12 to 25 inches of snow is being tossed around. I've already started rearranging my guide schedule. We do need the moisture. I just wish it would have happened more out in Montana in the mountains that feed these systems with water. This will dirty up the...
Finally! I'm back into full open water guide mode here on the Missouri River near Bismarck. Spring is kind of here, if you look outside my window today, it would be easy to argue that it's winter, but we definitely need the moisture. I have lots to talk about in this week's fishing report. So far, we have decent access to the river. Many of the ramps in the area are still useable at this time. The water is definitely low and navigation in areas is a tad tricky but overall, not terrible. One thin...
Open water is here in Bismarck and it is here to stay! Ramps on the Missouri River are pushed, the ice is gone, and hopefully the walleyes will begin to filter north. I've only been out twice since returning to Bismarck after guiding on the ice all winter on Devils Lake. There are a few things to note, but the first is that the water is extremely low! This is going to make navigation and launching a tad difficult. Another important thing to remember - especially launching in the early mornings r...
I took my hand off the electric fence for a couple days' break. I'm back down in Bismarck and the weather is showing signs of spring! I know it's going to be difficult to return to the frozen tundra after feeling a little spring. I had my hand on the fence earlier this week, and it goes back on it for 5 more days on the ice. After that I'm headed back to Bismarck permanently to get things dialed in for the open water season. What's been happening on the frozen pond of Devils Lake? It's also...
You definitely have to love what you do to be able to endure the pure punishment ice fishing can throw at you. Cold weather, heavy winds, and finicky fish are just part of the equation. Mix in some green clients, high expectations of magazine cover pictures and you have a recipe for disaster...or at least frustration. Either way, I always try to take everything in stride and if you know me, I'm extremely laid back; if you know me really well, you know I have a pretty long fuse and it takes a...
As my ice guiding season nears its end, one thing comes to mind and that is it has been a super tough winter with the conditions we have faced. One common theme has been wind; it hasn't been just a little breezy at times, but darn near hurricane-like. This has got to play havoc on the fish with these massive pressure changes, not to mention the massive temperature shifts we keep seeing. If I had to describe this week up here on Devils Lake, I'd say it's been both good and bad. When it's good...
We have finally seen a bit of a warming trend up here in North Dakota. We have also seen some strong winds and major pressure changes along the way as well. All of these changes seem to shift the mood of the fish. Unfortunately, it usually means the fish get finicky. We have had a lot of ups and downs these past few days, especially on Devils Lake. The perch are there, but they are definitely negative. When you get one to bite however, it's usually on the large side! The problem is they are kind...
I have definitely learned one thing these past few winter seasons. Don't try and predict anything, that's a waste of time. Just as soon as you think you know, or think you know what is going happen, the ice fishing gods like to mess with you. Mother Nature has really been a gem this season. Especially up here in the Devils Lake region. We have seen a lot of extremes this winter, and our latest was a windstorm that produced winds over 70 miles per hour. These massive pressure changes are hard on...
In this week's Devils Lake report, I'll touch on what is taking place up here for us right now and also the next chapter of my fishing adventures, which is approaching extremely fast! What's going on right now on Devils Lake? Well, for me and most of our crew things are definitely in a funk. The dog days of winter have hit, and this has happened every year I have guided up here about this time. For some reason things get tough for a bit. Rest assured, the lake will snap out of it and the fishing...
Man, I have to admit this winter is starting to get tough, with more snow, cold temperatures, and lots of wind! I can handle the snow and cold, the wind, however, is getting a bit ridiculous and it is making travel on the ice and moving around difficult. You want to go look for fish, but you are stuck hunkering down. So in between the snow, cold and wind, we are still catching fish. It definitely isn't as red hot as it was, but overall, it's still pretty good. I get clients asking me all the tim...
A few words come to mind this past week up here on Devils Lake: snow, wind, cold, warm and Covid. Yes, I said the bad word – Covid - and while it has not hit me, we have had a few groups cancel on us here as of late due to Covid. So, if you are looking to get a day or two in here in January, I do have a few random openings. The other word I mentioned was snow. If you are concerned about getting around the entire Devils Lake region, you should be. Plan on utilizing vehicles with tracks or w...
It certainly amazes me how fast word travels these days when it comes to catching fish. Modern technology, without question, is a huge factor in this. Text messages, Snapchat, instant messaging, pin drops, etc., all factor into word of a bite and spots being discovered extremely fast. We have found this to be the case so far early on here up on Devils Lake. I'm sure some of you slough anglers also find this to be true. It certainly can be a good thing to help each other out especially in my...
Well between fixing starters, putting tracks on, having to get a skid shack, thawing frozen pipes, fixing zippers on shacks and so on, we have actually been fishing during this massive deep freeze on Devils Lake, and surprisingly some days have been pretty good! The first thing we are finding is that some areas on Devils Lake and beyond are getting extremely difficult to get around. The snow has blown some access points shut. It has also created some drifts out on the lake that are causing guys...
The cold snap has finally hit the northern portion of North Dakota and it has allowed us to finally start venturing around on area lakes. While it’s still not safe thickness for truck traffic yet, ATVs are starting to get around on many of the lakes in the upper half of the state. I still tell everyone to be careful and proceed with extreme caution. When you get these hard cold snaps like we are finally getting, you can expect cracks and pressure ridges that can create some major issues and h...
This will probably be my last Devils Lake fishing report until the upcoming ice fishing season. I will say this, if the open water season on Devils Lake is any indication on what this winter will be like, it's going to be epic! We have finally hit the fall transition. The leaves are changing along with the air temperatures, and with that the water is cooling down and the fish are a tad sluggish because of it. The funny part about these changes, it always seems the walleyes snap out of it in a...
The fall transition has started on Devils Lake and the walleyes are starting to do the same. Expect things to be a little inconsistent for a bit. The water temperatures have started to drop, and I noticed some of the muck from the bottom floating on the surface this week while fishing. This typically is the indicator that the surface water has begun to mix with the bottom water due to these temperature changes. The process is known as the fall turnover. Usually when this happens things slow for...
My open water guiding days are definitely slowing down a tad right now, by choice and also by design. I have decided to volunteer my time back in the hockey circle this fall, so most of my weekends are hockey and the weekdays are fishing. I've been off Sakakawea now for a full week, but I have, however, been on Devils Lake this past week and will be back on it in the coming week. I will also begin fishing the river near Bismarck starting the next couple of weeks. I do have a few more Sakakawea...
Most of my guiding this past week has been on Devils Lake with a day spent on Lake Sakakawea. One thing is for sure, the fish are trending deeper on both waters. Starting with Sakakawea, the water levels continue to fall and the fish also continue to slip deeper. A majority of the walleyes now seem to be in that 30-foot ballpark. I know I sound like a broken record, but plan on keeping those fish. 25 feet or deeper seems to be the benchmark for barotrauma which prevents successful release. Slow...
One thing is for sure, we are spoiled here in North Dakota when it comes to walleye fishing and so far, the dog days of summer are pretty dog gone good! I'll start with Lake Sakakawea since that is where I have been mostly. Lots and lots of fish are still being caught all over the lake. Many of the fish are still in 20 to 30 feet of water. You can catch them on crankbaits, bottom bouncers with slow death or a propeller rigs, or my favorite, the jig rap or shiver minnow. Watch for the jig raps an...
We have had some changes in weather here in North Dakota and a cold front that also brought in much needed moisture. So, what did this do to the fishing this week? Except for a few slower moments, walleye angling has remained good to excellent! Lake Sakakawea remains strong with lots of fish in the 16 to 19-inch range being caught. These fish in my mind are the perfect fish: fun to catch and even better to eat. I tend to try and steer my clients into releasing those prime reproducers in that 20...
The fishing right now is just as hot as the temperatures! Some things have changed a little, and some things have stayed the same. Lake Sakakawea is unreal right now! Tons of fish are being caught in that 15 to 18-inch range, and some really nice sized fish are mixed in. I am still seeing fish being caught up shallow, with the right conditions, but overall, I'd say the average depth of most fish getting caught is in 10 to 22 feet. For my boat, it has been bottom bouncers and a plain hook, with...
Well, I’m pretty sure I completely jinxed myself with my last report talking about my boat puller “Old Blue.” Unfortunately, Old Blue is no longer with us today and I’m looking for a replacement. Thank goodness my dad letting me borrow his vehicle until I can figure something out. What I really want to get is a full-size AWD or 4WD van, which is not an easy find. I think for as much as I fish, both summer and winter, this would be a match made in heaven, so if anyone knows of one for sale, p...
My truck has 275,000 miles on it, and I hold my breath every time I have to make the journey from Devils Lake to Lake Sakakawea. So far, the limp back and forth has gone okay, and old blue is still grinding. I have a bunch more to go this summer, so my fingers are crossed. The good news is, I am able to bring you fishing reports from both bodies of water. This week, I'll start with Devils Lake. Simply put, the fishing has been absolutely fantastic. The quality and quantity is really solid right...
