By: Nick Simonson 

 

Spring, without a doubt, is an angler's dream. The snow has melted, the grass is greening, the weather is pleasant, and of course, the fish are biting.

 

At places such as Upland Dam near Cooperstown, or Channel A of Devils Lake, ND it is not uncommon to see anglers fishing shoulder to shoulder, crammed in around the flowing water which draws spawning pike and walleye each April.

 

Smaller fish, specifically walleye, are the "keepers" in my book. I don't fish for subsistence; I don't need to put food on the table. I fish for the sport of it, to be connected with nature, and for the experience of being out where no phones ring, no fluorescent lights hum, and no computer monitors glow.

 

The last thing I would ever want to do is discourage anglers from taking legally caught fish. If a person catches an 8-pound walleye, fair and square in accord with the law and with some level of ethics and wants to keep it, even in the middle of April, that's their prerogative

 

By:Jason Mitchell

 

Most anglers, from across the upper Midwest, associate hot spring walleye fishing with river systems. After all, most of the hottest ice out action does indeed take place in the moving water below lakes or reservoirs. The Rainy River, Mississippi River, Missouri River, Detroit River and a host of other rivers can load up each spring with walleye if conditions are right. Traditional mentality indicates that walleye are easier to find and catch where fish are concentrated. The funnel affect that rivers create, not to mention current, narrows down walleye location.

 

North Dakota doesn't have a closed season on walleye and no slot limits. The fishery is in good shape namely because of an awesome forage base and great natural reproduction. We also don't experience the fishing pressure that so many well-known walleye fisheries receive. Good fishing or easy fishing if you dare can really bring out the slobs amongst our ranks. Keeping fish needs to come down to ethics and respect for our resource

 

Really good fishing for really beautiful fish is something many people dream of and really should experience. I can tell you that Devils Lake during the spring run can be such a destination and this year's spring forecast looks really good. I just urge you to use common sense. If we can regulate ourselves, we will be enjoying this spectacular spring fishery many years from now.

 

 

 

Chubs are by far my favorite stationary bait. Large profile, with lots of commotion to call fish from a distance.

 

Dennis is a Professional Walleye Angler, Guide, and Product Promoter. More importantly, he's a South Dakota Native and promotes it where ever he goes. Dennis resides in Mellette, SD where he runs his own consulting practice as well.

 

Don't be stubborn. Give the fish what they want. Stationary bait will catch fish in any activity level from lethargic to super aggressive. Leave the pride in your jigging ability to tales you can astonish your friends with over beverages

 

 

 

We live in a state that has more miles of shoreline than California. Yes that's right, South Dakota has more miles of shoreline than the home of Hollywood.

 

The importance of shoreline/shallow water fishing sunk through my thick skull for the first time on a spring outing in high school on Big Stone Lake in northeastern South Dakota.

 

It is classic walleye shoreline. Small rocks, mixed with sand and larger pebbles.

 

Walleye fishing from shore is awesome in this area too. From De Grey, to Farm Island, to the stilling basin and the dam, walleyes are caught from shore practically all year

 

 

 

Each year, biologists working on Lake Oahe collect information on fish populations and angler use of those populations. This information helps biologists predict how fishing will be the following year.

 

Current Lake Oahe walleye regulations include a daily limit of 6 walleye, which may include no more than four walleyes 15 inches or longer and no more than one of those may be 20 inches or longer, year-round. The possession limit for Lake Oahe is 18, which must be obtained with three or more days of fishing.

 

Walleye fishing usually peaks on Oahe during June and July. Fishing in the upper region usually peaks from late May through June and the middle and lower regions peak during June and July. During peak fishing times, catches of walleye by anglers will be higher in upper and middle Oahe than lower Oahe

 

The 2004 walleye abundance index, which was about years and lower than the peak of the mid 1990's. The walleye abundance in Lake Oahe increases as you move upstream because of higher natural production of young walleyes in the upper section of the reservoir during most years. The

 

Walleye condition, or how plump a walleye is at a given length, is a good indicator of growth. The ideal range for the condition index is 90 to 100. Walleyes were generally in the ideal range until 1995-1996 with condition reaching a low in about 2000.

 

Though water levels in Lake Oahe are low, the quality of the walleye fishery is improving and Game, Fish, and Parks will continue to work hard to maintain access to all areas of the reservoir during 2005.

 

When the going gets tough, monofilament, weight and plain hook with good lively bait will always catch fish. Lindy Rigs were catching fish thirty years ago and will continue to catch fish another thirty years from now.

 

I have, however had extremely good luck at times by putting a single split shot near the hook to make the bait drag along the bottom right in the mud. There are times when dragging works much better than letting the bait swim up off the bottom.

 

Snell length is something nobody can seem to agree on. Many anglers believe that longer snells get your bait higher off the bottom. Actually, speed seems to be more of a factor. I also can't tell that my bait actually has more action on a longer snell. Long snells seem to be fashionable and maybe necessary at times but I cling to as short of snell as possible

 

by: Jason Mitchell