5-29-2012

The fish continue to go; however, the bite has been at its best when we have warmer weather. Seems like we get warmer weather for a few days and then cold and wind for a few. Water temps have dropped to the mid 50's. Looks like we will be warming up a bit in the next few days and look for fishing to get better and better!
We are still pitching a lot of cranks and jigs/plastics into the warmest water we can find. Slip-bobbers with leeches have also been very good. Some people are pulling bottom bouncers and spinners around and catching fish as well. Again, as the warmer weather arrives, look for fish to be active all over. Most of the walleyes that we are catching are in that 15-22 inch range. Lots of bass with many up to 17 inches long (absolute footballs.) Pike fishing has been good as well, we have had several over 10 pounds this past week.
Summer is here! It is time to get out and catch some fish! Good luck to all!!

Fishing Report 5/16/12

Bite is very solid!

We are finding walleyes in more places. Water temps are rising like crazy, which allows for fish to be caught just about anywhere. We have found fish in front of the bridges, along riprap, and in or near the reeds. Best depths are 2-8 feet of water. We have caught them pitching jigs/plastics and retrieving, trolling with the electric trolling motor in 6-8 feet of water with cranks, and slip-bobbering with leeches. The majority of fish are still in long shallow bays, but don't be afraid to work shorelines that look 'fishy' and have deep water close. It is really a fun time of year because pike, bass, and walleyes are all biting. It can make for an entertaining day! Slip-bobbers have been best with a split shot and a red hook!
A great way to cover water when looking for fish is to pitch cranks. If you catch a few, come back with jigs/plastics or bobbers and it is often very good!!

May 8, 2012

The fishing is starting to heat up!! We have had some excellent bites for walleyes, pike, and bass! It's all about water temp this time of year. Find the warmest water and reeds and it seems like the fish are either in them or on the edge of them. I prefer calmer water because it warms faster and it seems like the bite is at its best from about 11am til dark. We have been pitching cranks a lot and using jigs and plastics. Slip bobbers and leeches has also been good at times. The weather looks promising  and with warmer weather look for shallow bite to only improve. The fish are very healthy and fat. We have had a nice mix of walleyes ranging from 15-22 inches on the norm and several between 22-26 inches. Pike are hard to keep off at times with the average size being that 3-6 pound range, we have had a few over 10 pounds as well. It's the same game for bass, find them and hang on. They are shallow and in pre-spawn stage right now. There are some true trophies being caught!!

One big key right now is to slow down retrieves when pitching cranks and jigs. Also, try to mix up retrieves with pauses and jerks, this is been very important!!

Good luck to all and remember that many of the fish this time of year are big, take a picture, and fish for the future!!!

April 26, 2012 Fishing Report

Fishing is slowly improving. We have had some warmer days which is making the shallow water bite more productive. We should be seeing more and more fish arriving daily in the shallows to feed and recuperate from the spawn. Water temps are in the upper 40's and on some days the lower 50's. The best shallow bite is really close. Seems like the mid 50's on is usually fantastic fishing! Pitching cranks or jigs and plastics is a great way to cover water. Also, live baiting with bobbers and leeches can be effective. Some fish are also being caught  near the bridges or anywhere you can find a bit of current.
The most important factor right now when you fishing the shallows is to find warm water. Really watch your temp gauge and if you can find even a degree warmer in a bay, you may just find your honey hole!!

Good luck to all! Remember this time of year is big fish time. take a picture and fish for the future!!

April 9, 2012

Up and down is the best way to describe the bite and the weather of late on Devils Lake, ND.
There are fish biting, but there are days you have to really work at it. We are in a period of lots of transitions and the best thing that can happen is for the water to continue to warm and the spawn to occur, from there the fish really move shallow and the fishing really takes off!
For best action fish current areas with jigs and minnows. Vertical jigging has been the best for us. Some days are better in the current and others are better just off of it. We have caught a few fish in the back bays retrieving jigs and plastics as well. There are some fish being caught on the Sheyenne River, best areas are below dams or other current areas.
We have been booking many groups for late April and May. Look for the fishing to be fantastic! If you are interested in a trip, give a call and we will make it happen!

March 26th, 2012 Fishing Report

Wind and more wind have opened the lake up!! There are some pockets of ice out there floating around, but the majority of lake is ice free!!
As for the fishing there are some excellent shore bites happening right now on the coulees and some of the rivers near Devils Lake. The Warwick area has been very good and there have been some nice fish caught at Channel A and further up north. Jigs and plastics are a very good presentation to use this time of year.
We are looking forward to fishing the lake later this week and we will keep you posted with what we find. We have not been in boats on the big lake this early since I have been guiding on Devils Lake. Should be very interesting!
Also, on Saturday I will be at the boat show in Devils Lake!! Stop inn and check out some of the boats that Blake's Marine has to offer!!

February 27, 2012

The bite remains good! Seems like there are days you have to work a bit and there are others where they really go. The walleye fishing has been pretty consistent, with the best bites still coming early and late. Some days the bite will go all day, it really just depends on the day. I think it is important to be fishing in deeper water or very close to deeper water to catch walleyes consistently, deeper water being anything over 25 ft.

The perch have been good all winter! Seems like the last week to ten days the bite has either been really good or really slow. Our best depths have been between 30-55 feet of water. We have had some days where we get them as shallow as 15.

Pike have been scattered in with the walleyes and perch. There have been some real tanks caught as well. 8 year old Tucker Satterlund caught a 42 inch pike all by himself while fishing for perch! Way to go, Tucker!!

Good luck to all! I think March Madness is going to be very good this year, make sure you get to Devils Lake and experience some world class fishing!!