ND Live Fishing Reports

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

Greg Schoneck

Hot Tub Walleyes

I’m blown away every trip. It has far exceeded my expectations. Don’t seem possible, this much change in one year.

ND hospitality is what makes a resort a community. A place you can walk in a stranger and feel at ease. When we stopped, the lake store was closed. I was busy noting the hours of operation and didn’t notice Cal leaving his lawnmower to come over and see how he could help. Told you, ND hospitality, you’re gonna like it here. Brendles Bay is dead center of the hottest bite on Sakakawea.

You will also like the fishing. Limits are normal right now. What is not normal is fish measuring just a bit less than 20 inches and weighing 3.4 pounds. What have these gals been eating? Other day I was out with some clients. It was suggested the small fish we just landed was only around 14-15 inches. I suggested more so we measured it. 17, and that was the smallest. Ya, Sakakawea has turned around.

It ain’t all a bed of roses yet. We need more fish to make it a little easier to locate fish and expect consistency. Also we have thousands of acres of flooded vegetation that is all but unfishable. But, thousands of acres of nursery habitat ain’t all bad. I so underestimated the turnaround for this season.

Dog Days be gone, this is Sakakawea! I have been fishing in 12 feet for several weeks. Now that we have a week of hot August weather on us water is up to the high 70’s. Conventional thinking has us out in deep water. Not! Ya, I know, go deep is the wisdom from the tackle and bait shops. It’s tradition! Too much of what we have come to understand about walleyes didn’t come from walleyes.

Let the fish do the talking. If they are talking in 9 feet then listen. For several years we have had low water on Sak and while there is always a deep bite in August there is also a shallow bite. Move back into the creek arms where water is high 70’s and the green is floating on top. Sometimes the water has that not too pleasant smell of rotting vegetation. Now just a little bit further in and put in the lines.

You can live bait, spinner, and lindy this stuff till arthritis locks your sockets. If you want action get out the jointed shad baits. Next, put on the speed. I normally give it 3 mph to start. Often I only have 20 feet of line out. Right now I’m in 9-10 but have done this as shallow as 5.  You will want the drags set light or you will haul the fish right to the top before you get’r slowed down.

So what are walleyes doing in the hot tub? My guess is enjoying an evening meal. White Bass, Perch, Spottail Shiner are all on the menu. I have noticed several Perch in my livewell from seasick Walleyes. Ya, I know, listen to the walleyes. I did, that’s why I have 2 of the 4 cranks out in Perch. The other two are Firetiger. Water color is off back in the goo so I use bright colors.

If a creek arm happens to have a discernable creek channel left, it may be good to try and mark it out. I don’t necessarily fish the channel but running across it and having the cranks break free at the edge seems to trigger strikes. Past years I have fished directly in the channel when water out of the channel was only 3-4 feet deep. The 8 foot channel seemed to hold the fish. It’s tuff staying in a 20 foot wide channel but the effort is well worth the loaded livewell.  

Numbers of fish may be better in other areas but year class seems to always be older in the hot tub. Most are 20 inches with a normal day causing your conscience to refuse to drop the bigger ones in the livewell. Writing this reminded me of a big northern we caught a couple of years ago. Remember that 20 feet of line at 3 mph. It was spectacular. A questionable bonus is the Norwegian Browns’. Caught two so far this season. Ya know you gotta fish when you have to dig down for grit just to hold ’em up for a picture.

When this bite ends I will have to re-learn walleye fishing. I do the same thing every day. 9-10 feet, jointed shad baits, 3 mph, smile ear to ear. Fishing this easy makes me look good. Maybe that’s why I keep coming back. Join me if you can and do your part in helping these eager walleyes fulfill their purpose in life. The frying pan.

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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