ND Live Fishing Reports

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

Greg Schoneck

Geez, if the wind closes that gap we are trapped!

Half the battle was just gett’n to the lake. We are not short on water after a record snowfall and much of ND looks the same, a little past full. The other obstacle right now is cold temps have yet to let go of winter. Everything is frozen, even the sloughs are still mostly solid.

Normally, ND live opens the season last week of April to 30 mph winds, 30 degree temps, and a trip to the Missouri. High water has the Missouri a little dirty and it’s pretty quiet at the Tail race right now. The thought is those fish that were biting like crazy 2 weeks ago have moved south for warmer water. Time to spawn.

The search began for open water. Everything is frozen solid. Cripes, it’s the end of April, let winter go. Seems if you can find some moving water you can find a small section that has thawed a little. That is what we found at the northeast corner of Audubon. It ain’t much but with a lot of effort you can get a boat in it.

Our 11 footer was salvaged from a friends pasture. The kids had been using it for a snow sled and just left it at the bottom of the hill. The idea is to keep it light. No GPS, depth finder, not even a livewell. In fact the best option is an old fashioned stringer.

Once you get to the secret spot all you do is toss your anchor out on the ice, turn around and drop down a jig with a fathead minnow stuck through the head.  This bite doesn’t last long and as soon as ice is out the bite is normally over.

With Sakakawea still frozen but the itch to be on the lake, try looking for any area with water running into the lake. Places like White Earth, Shell Creek, Deep Water are all places to check.
The moving water does two things, opens the ice cap and triggers the spawn. If you love the northern, Wolf Creek is a good option and is open right now.

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Eveing Report

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

Greg Schoneck for ND Live