ND Live Fishing Reports

Fishing reports are updated every Friday and follow the ND Live radio program heard throughout North Dakota

Greg Schoneck

Snake, Get the Hoe!

You’d think it would be safe on the water, away from the slithering critters that give me the heebie geebies. Don’t be too sure.

Welcome to another glorious day on the water, brought to you by God Almighty. We had no idea of all that was coming our way but the awesome sunrise should have been a good indicator. 4 Bears Marina is one of those “got it all” places on the lake. Gas, bait, camping gear and most importantly stuff that goes in the cooler. Bring the RV or tents along and spend a week, as it will take a few days to get your fill of fishing the Badlands.

We throttled up to cruising altitude and after a quick run, brought her down just south of the Grain Bins along the bluffs. This area is the first outside bend of the old river channel south of 4 Bears. A quick check on Google Earth for New Town, ND will give you the big picture of the river tucking into the corner and making a straight run to Hunts Along Bay.  

We marked plenty of smelt out deep in 30 to 50 feet but chose to stay shallow in 12. If I were to give my opinion, which I often do, it would be:  “Start in 12, try something else if you have to, get it out of your system and then get back into 12 feet.” I don’t know why but 12 feet plus or minus a couple has been very good to me this year.

Reef Runner Rip Shads out 55 and Deep Little Rippers with 30 feet of line back was our best set up. Yesterday we used Blue/Chrome due to the clear water and no wind. Not an ideal walleye day but I have seen walleyes suspend on days like this. Sure enough we picked up several as we passed over deep water. Today with a south wind water was off color due to mudlines. A color switch to Firetiger was the answer.

Sakakawea Badlands meet the water right at your rod tip in this section of the lake. Primitive, pristine and rugged, not a sign of development anywhere.  Trolling quietly south we would scan each new cedar draw with anticipation. I can’t get over how big the ears are on Mule Deer. Later, mid-morning we caught glimpses of a couple of coyote. We need more varmint hunters here. Where else in the world can you be staring at Mule Deer and reeling in fish?

As we passed another boat the cheerful greeting was, “Want to get a picture of a good fish?” Turns out Milton is having a pretty good day as he hauls out an 8.2 from the livewell. No doubt about it, there is a good bite going in 25 feet plus.

We can tend to over think walleyes and get too caught up in the depth rule. There is almost always more than one bite going on and at different depths. Walleyes are giving the smelt a workout in the deeper water and 25 feet is a good place to begin looking. Plenty of fishermen are proving the point with spinners or lindys and convincing limits, plus occasional big fish 8 and up.

I think many of those same fish end up in 12 feet and are looking for just one more snack. By staying shallow with cranks I can cover lots of water with short lines. A fast way to put fish in the boat. Are these shallow fish feeding on smelt? I think so; my livewell was totally plugged with regurgitated smelt at the end of the day.  

The 2010 Walleye Cup is just a week away and with this kind of fishing my guess is big fish will be well over 8 lbs. Fact is in my opinion, told you this comes up often, more fish over 8 lbs are being taken from the 4 Bears area than all the rest of Sakakawea combined. I know my biggest fish so far is from south of the bridge. Interested in getting signed you can download an entry form and take a chance at $5,000. Geez, fish and money, maybe we don’t have to wait till we get to the other side.

WARNING: Following paragraph contains graphic material that may give you the heebie geebies!

With our cranks out the back and the little kicker moving us along at 2.5 we had plenty of time to admire the Cliff Swallows and their neat little holes bored into the sandstone cliff. I asked Levi if he could see any little units poking their heads out. “Ya, I see a couple Dad.” I marvel at nature more each year, must be the growing old thing.

Another pass, I look up and there it is. The next several moments are spent screwing my eyeballs back into their sockets. SNAKE! EEEE GADS, what is a snake doing hanging vertically on a sandstone cliff? Eating little delicacies that’s what. Never be surprised by where you find a bull snake. Dumb advice, what am I saying? I’m always surprised whenever I encounter a snake. Who would think you need a net and a garden hoe for a properly rigged boat?

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Remember fishing is a learned sport. More you practice the better you get, so better get fishing!

Greg Schoneck for ND Live