ND Live Fishing Reports

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

Greg Schoneck

Today is a swallow the crank, front treble, the fight is on bite.

Sakakawea elevation: 1850 Translated into English it’s the same sensation as when the tub is filled to overflowing. You slip in carefully to keep’er from going over.

High water last year confused both fish and fishermen. Early in the season we found fish in 30-50 ft of water. We never did see a shallow shoreline bite. How things can change in a year. Welcome to  Sakakawea’s best. The back bay shallow bite. Trees, grass, cattails, weeds and walleyes all mixed together with spinners, lindys, and cranks. It ain’t easy and you will lose stuff but what you gain is well worth the expense.

Brendles Bay Resort is front and center on the best walleye bay on Sakakawea. Lake store, cabins, freezer for your fish, gas, bait, tackle. Harley’s got it all; he will even update you on the latest bite. Keep in mind there is a limit on this kind of fun. Enjoy the fish but please practice catch and release.

In a normal year back bays have been going strong for several weeks by now but we no longer have normal with water levels just a few feet short of going over the top. Rising water has kept Sakakawea cooler this season delaying the warm water shallow bite until early July. Let me tell you, when it came around it turned on full bore.

Each day on a walleye lake is different than the day before. I was out on Tuesday and the fish were so off it was like hooking into a dish rag. Nothing affects a walleye like the weather. Word was a big lightening storm passed through overnight.  I had to slow down, go deeper, and switch to more subtle cranks like Bomber 24A’s. We caught fish but not many.

You can determine the mood of fish by how they are reacting to your presentation. If you live bait, some days you have to feed line, some days you just hold on. If you fish cranks, some days you have to go subtle, some days high action fast. Sorting this out will help you fill the frying pan.

I normally begin with a mix of fast action cranks and subtle cranks. I also will mix soft, natural colors with some bright, in your face colors. If fish just grab and hang on with little fight it’s a clue to how they feel. Notice if they are caught on the front hook or back hook. Fish hooked on the back treble are off and you need to approach them a bit more carefully. Today is a swallow the crank, front treble, the fight is on bite.

Wind was forecast and wind we got, pushing 30 for much of the day. I like to be able to turn around on fish and make another swipe at ‘em but today we made long pulls, picked up and started over. Most of the day we stayed in 12 but did spend time in 8-9 thinking they have to be shallow with this wind. Never did find a shallow bite.

This area of Shell Creek is pretty flat with some structure where the old creek channel meanders through. I looked for the areas that topped at 10 on my map. The mapping is off by a couple of feet putting us in 12 feet of water. These flat top areas seemed to hold the fish and are easy to stay on, even in a big wind.

We started with Reef Runner’s Little Ripper Deeps, switched around and ended the day with Jointed 5’s and Jointed Grappler Shads. Most fish were in the 20’s and we released fish several inches bigger. In fact I didn’t expect us to get our limits as fish size was over the top.

Even with active fish we still had to work to make it happen. Sorting out speed, color, and lure action takes time and effort. Then staying on top of depth, location, and fish movement can keep you busy. Add into the mix that all of the above is constantly flux and changing as the day progresses. All it takes to send a man to the moon is a big budget, ingenuity and good math. Coming home with fish, now that takes some doing.

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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