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Friday Fishing Forecast
Here's what the weekend fishing looks like
Lake Sakakawea
The walleye bite on Lake Sakakawea has slowed somewhat as we hit the dog days of summer, but limits of eating-sized fish are being caught.
The lake has stratified, scattering the fish. That means more water to cover looking for the walleyes.
The smaller fish will be in 20-25 feet of water and you will have to go deep for the bigger ones.
There are plenty of smelt in the lake now so key in on the schools with your electronics and the walleyes should be in the area.
Anglers are still doing well on smallmouth on the lake with spinners and worms and crankbaits.
Salmon are starting to show up off the face of the dam with some nice fish between 8-15 pounds being caught.
Flashers and squids in 70 feet over 90 feet seem to be producing the best.
DEVILS LAKE
Different week, same story: Fishing is good, Devils Lake fishing guide Mark Bry reported. Look for walleyes in 12 to 30 feet of water along weed lines, long points and flooded rock piles. Covering water is the key, Bry said, and trolling crankbaits or live bait rigs has been more effective than vertical jigging or slip bobbers.
RED RIVER
Catfishing on the Red River is kind of up in the air right now with the cooler temperatures of the past week
Fish are being caught nearly everywhere, but each day takes some fine tuning to stay with them. The best bite is shallow near faster, deeper water or in snag piles near deeper fast water. Spots are requiring a little extra time for fish to find the baits. Cut goldeye is the bait of choice right now, Durick said, although suckers, frogs, livers and even manufactured baits are producing fish. There is a warm-up in the forecast, and some warm, stable weather could mean some of the best catfishing of the year on the horizon, Durick said.
ALEXANDRIA AREA
Spinners and crawlers are producing walleyes during low-light periods on the eight- to 12-foot weedlines of Lake Miltona, Lake Ida, and Lake Carlos. Muskie action also has picked up on the weedlines of Miltona, while crappies and sunfish are being found in 18 to 20 feet on Lake Darling and Lake Le Homme Dieu. Look for bigger bass on the deep weedlines and flats.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle
(320) 763-3255
ORTONVILLE AREA
Look for perch and bluegills in 10 to 12 feet in the Rocky Ledge, Grapevine, and Manhattan Reef areas of Big Stone Lake. Walleye action has picked up on the south end of Big Stone with crankbaits in 10 to 12 feet. Hit the rock piles on the north end of Lake Traverse for walleyes and bluegills.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480
