Current North Dakota Fishing Reports
Archive:
njsimonson
Valley City
njsimonson@hotmail.com
Lake Ashtabula
Friday May 24, 2002
12:24:32 PM
Just want to say that the bite is still great on the Sheyenne for Smallmouth and Walleyes, the 300-400 cfs from Baldhill is much appreciated after a low spring. We have boated 60 eyes in the last 12 days using 1/8 oz jigs & twisters, hairjigs, marabous, and gypsi jigs tipped with minnows. Cloudy days they seem to respond best to darker jigs, but sometimes it doesn't seem to matter. Most are around 15-17 inches, I limited out two nights in a row on eaters. Biggest one caught was by my brother, a fat 22" fish.
Smallmouth size is huge. They have been nailing everything we throw at them, including a big daredevle! We've C&Red about 30 of them, with 15 being 14 inches or better and 10 being 16" or better, including 15 fish in the 18" range. Like I said, they'll hit almost anything, tipped with a minnow or not. I don't know if they have spawned, but most that we have caught are fat as can be. PLEASE RELEASE THE SMALLMOUTHS! They are game fish, not table fish! They are also the best thing the Sheyenne has going for it!
Pike action has been slow, most of them are small, though my brother C&Red a nice 32" fish, and a friend lost one that was even bigger at the side of the boat.
Am heading up to Devils Lake today, our motor is on the blink, so I will be fishing from the bridges and shorelines where I did particularly well on small pike in April, hopefully we can catch some small eyes - and maybe some big ones too! See you on the water.
Read the new Outdoors Page in the Valley City Times-Record for the latest in Barnes County outdoors news, reviews, and information! (Shameless self promotion ;) )
dogman
jamestown
maurlaub@yahoo.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Friday April 26, 2002
07:05:15 PM
Been awhile since anyone spoke here. I will sart by saying the rez is down. Way down. Eyes that are being caught are dinky. I know for a fact that they were hit hard this winter. Using jigs (fireballs) with a trailer. Most were hooked on the trailer. no keepers this trip. Ice has been off for about 2 weeks now and the level is droping. Pipestem is the same way. Caution when docking at parkhurst. the water level is low and there are lots of rocks. keep it slow and trimmed. go straight east until your past the islands then it drops off. If fishing on the rez north of smoky's be careful lots of stumps past pelican point and on up to Buchanon bridge. In a short the outlook is not good for water levels and the preasure was extremely hard this winter. O-well, the worst day fishing is still better than the best day working!
fishinnurse
jamestown
Spiritwood Lake
Saturday February 23, 2002
06:15:56 AM
spiritwood perch vs. hobart perch. another theory may be the amount of alkali in Hobart...notice how the perch change color as they are lying on the ice..they become darker..in Dec. the perch I pulled out of Hobart were real pale BUT as they were lying on the ice there color changed..the perch do not seem as light now..maybe because of the pressure and the stirring of the water??..just a thought.. :)
njsimonson
Valley City
njsimonson@hotmail.com
Spiritwood Lake
Wednesday February 20, 2002
10:02:51 AM
Spiritwood perch v. Hobart perch...
I have also noticed the difference in coloration between the perch in these two lakes, I think it must be due to the water clarity and the need to blend in, and seeing that the perch at Hobart have no aquatic predators, their need for protective coloration could be lessened, or maybe they do blend in with the greener water. Just a couple of theories.
Furthermore, I notice that as you watch the perch at Spiritwood go for your lure, they tend to miss it frequently. Perhaps their eyesight is not as keen as those at Hobart, again due to water clarity.
Spiritwood looks to be a great lake and I can't wait to fish it in the summer, can anyone tell me when the smallie bite starts up normally?
njsimonson
Valley City
njsimonson@hotmail.com
Spiritwood Lake
Wednesday February 20, 2002
10:02:00 AM
Spiritwood perch v. Hobart perch...
I have also noticed the difference in coloration between the perch in these two lakes, I think it must be due to the water clarity and the need to blend in, and seeing that the perch at Hobart have no aquatic predators, their need for protective coloration could be lessened, or maybe they do blend in with the greener water. Just a couple of theories.
Furthermore, I notice that as you watch the perch at Spiritwood go for your lure, they tend to miss it frequently. Perhaps their eyesight is not as keen as those at Hobart, again due to water clarity.
Spiritwood looks to be a great lake and I can't wait to fish it in the summer, can anyone tell me when the smallie bite starts up normally?
fishinnurse
jamestown
Spiritwood Lake
Saturday February 09, 2002
05:43:22 PM
I was on Spiritwood on Tues the 5th and Fri the 8th..did pretty fair both days..tues fished the west side..only perch..the bite was steady, caught several bigger than "average perch" for this lake..Fri fished off sandy beach to the right..down the shore a-ways..again, the bite was steady..only could keep 2 poles in..caught TONS of small ones..took home a dozen 10-12inchers..a few really NICE ones again, for this lake..notice how dark these perch are compared to Hobart perch?? THANKS Mr Sizer from Wimbldon for getting me out of my auger dilema :)) on Tues!!
fishinnurse
jamestown
Pipestem Reservoir
Thursday January 31, 2002
12:25:39 PM
I was on pipestem on sun, 1/24..caught a sm walleye and a sm perch in 4 hrs..there must have been 200+ vehicles/houses out there, lots further north..curious if any of you were catching anything..
fishinnurse
jamestown
Pipestem Reservoir
Thursday January 31, 2002
12:19:26 PM
I was on pipestem on Sunday, 1-24-02..there must have been 200+ vehicles/houses out there..lots up north..i caught a small walleye and 1 sm perch..curious how the rest were doing..
outdrznd
Horace
Pipestem Reservoir
Wednesday January 30, 2002
12:28:04 PM
What's the deal, no one been fishing these Jamestown area lakes??? Don't be scared to post. Any info is GOOD info gang!!
outdrznd
Horace
outdrznd@aol.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Wednesday January 23, 2002
06:59:29 AM
Are the crappies starting to bite yet?? I have heard there has been some success with the walleyes. Any info on the crappie bite would be appreciated. Thanks....
dogman
jimtown
Jamestown Reservoir
Monday January 14, 2002
03:45:48 PM
Tourney this weekend on barnes lake or should I say north barnes lake. P/U tickets at stubs pub in Woodworth. It is a small touney so don't expect a truck or anything like that. Basically good people having a good time swapping stories and drinking a few after the tourney. Some may partake while fishing and I don't have a problem with that. I've been know to partake of the juice while icefishing now and again. Things are slow on the rez. Just little guys being caught.
outdrznd
Horace
outdrznd@aol.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Monday January 14, 2002
01:56:16 PM
Does anyone know of a fishing tourney that is coming up in North Dakota?? A couple of us have not been able to attend those that have already happened....hope to hear of some more coming up!!!
outdrznd
Horace
outdrznd@aol.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Monday January 14, 2002
01:50:03 PM
Does anyone know of a fishing tourney that is coming up in North Dakota?? A couple of us have not been able to attend those that have already happened....hope to hear of some more coming up!!!
dogman
jamestown
Jamestown Reservoir
Saturday January 12, 2002
03:04:15 PM
I didn't here anything about it being closed but I would plan on walking out and being careful. Ice was 16 inches before the heat wave. Treat it like you would the first time ice fishing for the year. I am seeing people still fishing if that is what you want to know. Have'nt been out for a while, well, since last post. goodluck people and be careful out there!
Snowman
Fargo
Jamestown Reservoir
Friday January 11, 2002
07:49:13 AM
I had heard that Jamestown Reservoir was closed yesterday by the Sheriffs Department because of dangerous ice conditions, anybody know if that is true and if so for how long?
outdrznd
Horace
outdrznd@aol.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Thursday January 10, 2002
07:55:13 AM
Any reports on ice conditions on the res?? I am planning to go on Saturday and am wondering if I should be planning to WALK a ways?? Has there been much activity to the south or east of Smokies?
Kent Hollands
GF, ND
Jamestown Reservoir
Monday January 07, 2002
06:23:38 AM
Fished on the channel bank. Started fishing about 12 o'clock, didn't catch a fish until around 5. Fishing very slow.
dogman
jamestown
maurlaub@yahoo.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Friday January 04, 2002
07:54:45 PM
Fished the rez on 1-2-02. They seem to bite better towards sunset. Fished most of the day and the action started about 4:30pm. No keepers but plenty of those 13.5 inchers. going to hit the area sloughs for perch this weekend.
dogman
jamestown
maurlaub@yahoo.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Wednesday December 26, 2001
01:51:21 PM
Fished this AM on the reservoir. Not one bite. Fishing has slowed considerably. I think they do better in the evening.
dogman
jamestown
maurlaub@yahoo.com
Pipestem Reservoir
Monday December 24, 2001
04:42:49 PM
Fished the pipe last sat. during the blizzard. Caught a few little eyes and a few nice perch and three snot rockets that did their best to tangle evey line in the house. ice is 10 inches west of parkhurstby the point on the south side. Be carful, I drilled a few holes further west and found 4 inch ice. Dont be driving yet on the pipestem. You have been warned. It was a truely slow day.
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Thursday December 20, 2001
04:28:48 AM
Josh,
JP Tracker can answer your questions the best...he has a link on the front page under "Guides"
Fishin' Nurse:
I received your e-mail and tried to e-mail you back....but your e-mail address isn't correct. Please e-mail me again?
Are your reports showing up now?
Josh Thompson
Hillsboro
arcticcatzl440@hotmail.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Wednesday December 19, 2001
10:33:38 AM
hey, my dad and I are talking about coming out there to do some fishing in a week and i just had a few questions. what is the difference between the Jamestown Reservoir and the Pipestem? where are good spots to go to? What are the ice conditions out there? And what is a good place to get info. and bait out there? Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.
JP Tracker
Jamestown
jptracker@hotmail.com
Pipestem Reservoir
Tuesday December 18, 2001
09:37:05 AM
The ice conditions on Pipestem are 8-9 inches. It's pretty good ice so their shouldn't be to many worries about going through. I just wouldn't be driving on it until it gets at least 12 inches. But there are some braver souls out there than I am who will be driving on before then. So be careful and good luck.---JP Tracker Guide Service
JP Tracker
Jamestown
jptracker@hotmail.com
Pipestem Reservoir
Tuesday December 11, 2001
03:48:32 PM
The ice conditions varied from were you go. Went on Jamestown and out from the 5-mile corner boat ramp ice varied from 3 to 5 inches. I wouldn't venture out to far in that area. The Pipestem was thicker than the Reservoir on Sun. 12/9. The ice was 4.5 to 6 inches on the Pipestem, yes there are more springs on Pipestem but I don't recall anyone going through on Pipestem last year, but there were two that went through on the Reservoir. (One was a loner car from a local car dealer!) Dogman is correct about the springs on the south side of Pipestem, they are west of the boat ramp on the south side, but where ever you go be careful, no fish is worth dying for. Good luck---- JP Tracker Guide Service
dogman
jamestown
maurlaub@yahoo.com
Pipestem Reservoir
Monday December 10, 2001
05:04:42 PM
JPtracker says the pipestem is safer than the jamestown dam. I beg to differ. You people have to be more cautious on Pipestem due to the springs on the south side. There are a feww on the north side but far more on the south. More people break through the Pipestem than they do on the jamestown dam. All I can say is you better be "DAM" careful this time of year. Ice thicknes varies tremendously this time of year. No walleye is worth an ice bath as I once heard someone say. I couldn't agree more. Everyone should have a pair of handle picks to pull yourself out if the dunk should overtake you. Wear them around your neck so they are ready. Please people dont take chances. I had heard somebody already went through up by Grand Forks. I guy told me all they found was some icefishing stuff around a big hole. I will find out more this weak and let you guys know. Maybe it was all a big joke. Although I find little humor in that you can never be to sure of the jokers we got up here in the north country. Anyway, Be careful and dont fish too close to other people. I'd sure hate to see a sheet break and dump a hole slough of people in the drink. Goodluck everybody and don't be afraid to throw a few back!!
fishinnurse
jamestown
Pipestem Reservoir
Monday December 10, 2001
04:17:16 AM
i was out on pipestem on Sunday..took the hand auger..was wishing i had the gas powered as the ice was 5-6 inches on the west side of the lake..fishing was slow..but what a great day to be out!!
JP Tracker
Jamestown
jptracker@hotmail.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Friday December 07, 2001
07:39:04 AM
As of 12/6, the ice season is under full swing. The ice on the Jamestown Reservoir is 3.5 to 4 inches thick. More and more anglers venturing out near the Boat Club, but that's been about the only area that they've been fishing. Everyone's a little skeptical about the rest of the lake. There was open water straight out from Theatre Corner on 12/4, so don't take to heart that the whole lake is 3.5 to 4 inches thick. Because it's not. So be careful! The Pipestem is the safer bet of the two, but may not be the better producer of the two. There is only one open spot and that's where the geese have been swimming. Otherwise, I have no worries about the rest of the lake. It should be good and solid for this weekend. Good luck and tight lines.....JP Tracker Guide Service
JP Tracker
Jamestown
jptracker@hotmail.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Friday December 07, 2001
07:35:26 AM
As of 12/6, the ice season is under full swing. The ice on the Jamestown Reservoir is 3.5 to 4 inches thick. More and more anglers venturing out near the Boat Club, but that's been about the only area that they've been fishing. Everyone's a little skeptical about the rest of the lake. The was open water straight out from Theatre Corner on 12/4, so don't take to heart that the whole lake is 3.5 to 4 inches thick. Because it's not. So be careful! The Pipestem is the safer bet of the two, but may not be the better producer of the two. There is only one open spot and that's where the geese have been swimming. Otherwise, I have no worries about the rest of the lake. It should be good and solid for this weekend. Good luck and tight lines.....JP Tracker Guide Service
JP Tracker
Jamestown
jptracker@hotmail.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Wednesday December 05, 2001
12:31:21 PM
The ice fishing season is underway, but be careful. The ice on the Jamestown Reservoir isn't very safe yet. A buddy went out on Sun. 12/2, and caught some fish, he also threw a couple of rocks out to see how safe the ice was and it was OK. However on Tues. 12/4 he went back out and the rocks that he threw out fell through. The ice on the Pipestem is safer than that of the Reservoir, but one is very limited to where they can go. Unless we get some cold weather soon, the venturing around on these lakes will be at a minimum. So be safe and good luck....JP Tracker Guide Service
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Sunday November 04, 2001
03:31:29 PM
Just testing
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Friday November 02, 2001
06:47 PM
JP:
Are you a guide? If so, e-mail me and I'll post a link to your website on the front/home page.
Hey, thanks for posting!
I've finally gotten registered with a few search engines....and this site is doing well....
Look for traffic on this site to build up as ice fishing approaches.
Scott
JP Tracker
Jamestown
jptracker@hotmail.com
Jamestown Reservoir
Tuesday October 23, 2001
08:40 AM
Fished the Reservoir on Sat. the 20th, and what a day. Caught about 60 wallys, with 11 keepers. Did release one 26 incher that was caught on a jig and minnow. Many fish in the 12 to 13 inch range but the 11 we did keep were in the 16 to 18 inch range. Fished sharp breaks leading into deep water. Go as slow as you can and vertical jig. Later, JP Tracker Guide Service--
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Pipestem Reservoir
Saturday October 06, 2001
07:49 AM