Current North Dakota Fishing Reports
Archive:
Jim
Lockport
Monday August 27, 2001
07:25 AM
Kent, I checked the photo gallery but have been unable to see your fish, (yet). We had a cat in the boat the other day that was 39" and I would have put his weight in the 32lb range. It is very hard to estimate the weight with just the length. I have seen long and skinny cats and then some short and real fat. I have heard one can take the length and multiply it by the girth and then divide by 800, or something like that. I will check and see if I confirm this formula. Last year during the local cat tournment we had baskets and weighed the cats. These baskets were real simple to make, all you do is take two hockey sticks about 45" long with a nylon mesh between them. You attach two ropes to the ends of the sticks and these then attach to the scale. You zero the scale with net attached then weigh the fish. Personally I feel if your fish was hanging over the scale it probably lost about 1/2 the weight of the item hanging over. All I can say is it will bigger next time. Congrats on the fish no matter on the weight scored. Jim.
Kent Hollands
GF, ND
Monday August 27, 2001
07:11 AM
Scott, I tought I had it and still might have it if they would have weighed it right.
Lets just say this when the cat was on the scale part of the fish was on the table and the tail was hanging over the edge. I told them that it had to be on there better about four times and they kept telling me as long as the main body is on the scale it will still weigh the fishes total weight.
The scale said 26 1/4 but I still beleive it was alot more then that. Even the guy that came in with me kept shaken his head at how they did this. After all this I talked to a guy from Scheels, Nest year they will have a scale there for weighing fish like this.
As far as bringing in my fish, I did it the same way we do during the cats incredible tournament, a large cooler.
So I'm asking for help here, Jim you have see alot of big cats, whats this one weight. 38 1/2 inches long. I was guessing between 30-33 when I lifted it the first time. With ones between 15 and 20 I'm within a pound.
Picture is in the photo section: as soon as scott gets it.
Jim @ Canuck
Lockport
Friday August 24, 2001
08:47 PM
Scott: I would hope if anybody caught a State/Prov. record they would release it so that somebody else could have a chance of experience and thrill of catching such a fish. Just imagine the size this record would be the next year. I am not sure of your state requirement but would suggest you have a unbias, third party witness the fish. I personnally would take so many pictures and measurements it wouldn't be funny. I have found cats are so hardy I would not be in a rush to release the fish. I do not see 10 min being too long to have the fish out of the water, depending on the stress in landing etc. I never expect to get a Prov. record but my personal target is a 40" cat. I have several in the 39" range but just can't make that 40" mark YET. One can not get it by staying in the house. GOOD LUCK to all who put a line in the water. I hope all records are broken and it does not matter who gets it.
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Friday August 24, 2001
03:21 PM
I have a question. Let's suppose for instance, I DO catch THE monster. What exactly are the guidlines for getting the weight made official? What if the cat dies? And, this may be really dumb, but: Is THAT a cat you keep to mount? I've seen many state record fish mounted...and they look like the real fish.
So what is the consensus out there: Do you mount the state record? or release it? And what is the first thing you do if you think you actually HAVE the state record?
Any tips on getting the BIG one would also be helpful.
I'm going to have my wife post here, and on the homepage, some tips to help all of us take better pictures. (She was a professional photographer before she got into computers...and she has helped me quite a bit when it comes to taking good pics.)
Thanks, Scott
PS-Kent, I'm waiting for this monster you caught. I can't wait to see it!
Jim
Lockport
Friday August 24, 2001
07:59 AM
Kent, you can fish with me ANY day. It is real nice to hear people will release fish like that. Up here in Manitoba that have a rule that you can only keep a catfish if it is under 24" and that sure has help our trophy fish for ALL to catch. Again CONGRATS.
Kent Hollands
GF, ND
Thursday August 23, 2001
08:56 PM
Scott thats one nice offer I would love to take you up on but can't at this time
I am going to have another picture to send you as soon as I get it back from one hour Fri.
I went out tonight and landed two fish for a total weight of a whopping 31 and 1/2 pounds. Just a hint on what the photo is going to show, one fish tipped the scale at a whopping 5 lbs. Yes you are reading this correct. Why couldn't I get these two weekes ago.
I called my wife and she brought a large cooler down so I could bring it to Home of Economy to get its weight. it was 38 1/2 inches. wouldn't you know their camara didn't work but we took pictures with two different camaras. Had to be sure with a fish like this. I couldn't understand why everyone looked at me kindof funny when I was tryen to leave the store as fast as I could, all they said is your not keeping it, all I said are you kidding I'm returning this big gal back to the river. Don't people know that the big fish are the ones that keep the fishery going.
Jim
Lockport
Thursday August 23, 2001
01:25 PM
Two of us fished Lockport this morning from 7AM til 12NN and landed 16. The longest and heavest was 100 cm that is about 39", my meter stick was from tip of nose to tail. They hit in spurts, 11 in 2 1/2 hrs then in 2's and 3's. At first we had to use stingers as they were hitting short but after about 9AM they starting smaking them. All on frogs. It sure is nice now to use only 2 to 3 oz lead to hold the bait down. All were in the main channel between the Fort and Stu's.
Kent Hollands
GF, ND
Thursday August 23, 2001
11:05 AM
Ha Scott I have caught the state record but I just couldn't get myself to bring it in to get weighed. It most have been at least 39 lbs.
Its just like the lottery ticket I have in my hand, I have all the numbers and the powerball number but I just don't know what to do with it.
Thats when I woke up and realized it was all just a dream. Good luck up north.
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Wednesday August 22, 2001
06:27 PM
I'm going to PEMBINA Saturday! I'm in search of the elusive STATE RECORD!
We have decided at work, that catching the state record fish gives you TOTAL credibility in EVERYTHING you do.
For example:
What does Tiger Woods know about cars? Huh? NOTHING! But he is in commercials telling people to buy 'such-and-such' car. Why? Because he has won a tournament! He has CREDIBILITY!
Think about it, if you catch the state record fish, you would no longer have to put up with such nonsense as 'who is the best band that ever lived'. YOU would be able to decide that! TOTAL CREDIBILITY! Your wife asks you to take out the garbage...no problem...you tell her that 'well, since I DO hold the STATE RECORD, it can wait another day". END of ARGUMENT! SEE? This state record is the "Holy Grail" of total respect and credibility on ANYTHING. Best Flower? "Well, I'm the state record holder, and it's an ASTER" Who can ARGUE with the STATE RECORD HOLDER? Are you going to argue with Tiger Woods over the best car? HMMMMM?
I thought not.
Just some humor, I hope I do catch THE big one, though.
Scott
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Tuesday August 21, 2001
04:34 PM
We fished the south landing on Sunday for the first time ever.
WOW! what a MAJOR difference.
The first thing I noticed is how much narrower the water is. I almost felt cramped. The second thing I noticed was the current, or should I say, the LACK of it. I threw my anchor in, and it took a LONG time just for the ONE anchor to grab, and that was in the middle of the channel!
All the bites we had were lite.....a 1-2 second run, and then dropped the bait. (Only frogs and suckers.) After recognizing the pattern I grabbed the rod quicker and set the hook fast-got a 3 pounder.
The rest of the morning was spent trying to find some shade for my sleeping daughter, who fell asleep on the foreward deck. My niece spent the morning making sure the frogs were alive...they ALL had to be checked...and then a few more times.
It was fun, but I felt cramped. I know that sounds weird, but I have ONLY fished the North landing for the past 2 years.
This afternoon I found my 2-year-old had discovered how to open my container of frogs, and innocently 'forgot' to shut it back up. They were almost ALL still there, except the one I found hiding under the lawn mower....he's ok now, back in captivity.
Nothing else to report except that I'm working on another website for a customer...so my attention has been divided. I've learned quite a few tricks doing their web site, and I hope to incorporate them here.
As we move into fall, I will be fishing for walleye on the Red, and winter, of course means my friend Dewy's favorite pasttime: ICE Fishing.
I have no intention of letting this site die during the winter months.....I ice fish on 'other' waters...and So I will be here posting reports, and I hope you will all also.
I DO have several tips on ice-fishing that seem to work well...and hopefully they will hold up this winter.
Thanks, guys!
Scott
Steve Foss
Grand Forks
stfcatfish@yahoo.com
Monday August 20, 2001
09:42 AM
Fished the Point Saturday night with filleted sucker for bait. Cabela's still had those really big suckers for 70 cents apiece. Also had some week-old filleted sucker that spent the week in the fridge. It worked just as well as the fresh. Caught five from 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Action was slow but steady, with bites coming every 20 minutes to half hour. Some bites were strong, some were a bit peckish. Size was not so good, with three nice slots at 22 inches, one 6 lb. and one 7 lb. Usually, you'll get at least one over 10, but not Saturday. Missed at least as many as I hooked. Who knows how big any of them might have been? Biggest I've seen taken and weighed at the Point was a 24.75 last year. My biggest there has been an 18. It was a good night along a great river. Here's a good formula for figuring fish weights without a scale. I've used it the last couple years, and it works to within a quarter pound (I've frequently checked it against a scale. Here it is: Measure lenght from lip to tip of tail and girth in inches. I used a measuring board for length and a seamstress tape for girth (measured behind the head but in front of the top fin. Then it's girth X girth X length, divided by 800. No more guesswork.
Steve Foss
Grand Forks
stfcatfish@yahoo.com
Monday August 20, 2001
09:31 AM
Easiest way to catch goldeye is with a crawler or minnow about 18 inches under a bobber. Find the current, like below the dam at the Point or Riverside. You can catch them rigging off the bottom, too, but it's no more effective that way, and a lot more hassle (snags) than with a bobber. I've had far better luck during the day than during evenings. If a catch a whole bunch more than I need for a couple day's fishing, I just freeze the rest, and have about as good luck using the frozen as the fresh.
Jim @ Canuck
Lockport
Sunday August 19, 2001
02:56 PM
Fished Lockport this morning, finally tally 12. For your info they have put in ALL the locks. The water dropped about 4 to 5 feet over nite. It will take abit to really locate them. Again frogs are the bait of choice.
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Saturday August 18, 2001
05:52 PM
Wow!
What a morning. Kent...you can appreciate this: the boat wouldn't start...got out the jumper cables...fired up...I like hot-wiring my boat!
Got to our spot about 9:15 AM.
I only use frogs and cutbait. I'm 'weaning' myself off of the 'exotic' baits. Frogs, and suckers....got to learn how to fish with them if I'm ever to get better.
Anyway, as I posted this morning...I took an avid walleye fisherman out. And WHAM! He laid into a 34" cat. It was the biggest FISH he has ever caught! In FACT...hehe...the fish ended up knocking us lose from our anchors and we brought the boat to the fish! I LOOKED and LOOKED for my scale...and then it dawned on me that I 'hid' it in a bag during the tourny so no-one would steal it...and of course I left THAT bag at home.
I landed 2 cats about a 5 lb and a 3lb. We were alone on the river most of the morning. What wonderful day!
Frogs and suckers...I'm a believer now.
Chad LaFave
Grand Forks
cvikes80@qwest.net
Friday August 17, 2001
10:32 PM
catch yourself a few flying grasshoppers and throw them on a lite walleye rod with weight matching the bobber so as not to make it too much work for them to pull it under and you will have good results. Good luck tomorrow. Chad
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Friday August 17, 2001
06:45 PM
Any tips for catching goldeye? Anyone?
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Friday August 17, 2001
06:43 PM
I'm heading out in the morning to the North Landing- going for the big ones!
Well actually, I'm taking out an avid Walleye fisherman who has yet to enjoy the total thrill of laying into a big cat. I have SO much enjoyed taking out new people to fish the river...it's like they find a gold mine! They come back and come back.....and then they're 'hooked'....So I'll report tomorrow on our outing. If anyone else is going down there in the morning, we'll be there at 8 am!
Cell phone is 739-2151
Scott
Kent Hollands
GF,ND
Wednesday August 15, 2001
06:07 AM
I have never thought about it or have never really noticed it. Maybe it has something to do with the vibrations in the water. The Cat was already at the bait looking and guessing getting ready to take it. With the vibration in the water he thought he had better grab it. Maybe a little scared and just wanted to grab it and get back under some cover.
Steve Foss
Grand Forks
stfcatfish@yahoo.com
Tuesday August 14, 2001
01:06 PM
On the boats going by and cats biting, I've had much the same experience. Also, I'd note the same general pattern when trains go over the railroad bridge downtown. I fish a lot a few hundred yards upstream at the Point, and many times, but not always, that pattern has held. I can feel the train's vibrations from where I sit. Figure if it wakes me up from my late-night dozing, it might kick fish into gear too.
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Monday August 13, 2001
04:51 PM
Chad-just 2 frogs. One alive, one dead. It was pretty funny to watch us....Kitt (my wife) doesn't know how to work the net...so I had to hand the rod to her...and she couldn't bring it up from the bottom...so back to me...and then back to her..when it hit the net, I knew it was a done deal. High fives in front of the onlookers. :>)
Chad LaFave
Grand Forks
cvikes80@qwest.net
Monday August 13, 2001
04:46 PM
Well thanks for the congrats!
we had one heck of a good time this weekend. Im very happy you were able to land a piggy on Sunday. Just curious on what you were able to catch that one with? I cant believe the total weight it took to win that tourny. We posted 65 pounds and wound up 16th. Last year we posted 55 and took 11th so it was really amazing to me to see 83.95 to win it, and juat barely win it...Wow. Take care everyone and thanks again. Chad
Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Monday August 13, 2001
04:33 PM
Jim:
You are EXACTLY correct....same thing with me! I think it jostles the bait around? And sends more scent downstream? That's my guess..
Jim @ Canuck
Lockport Manitoba
Monday August 13, 2001
04:03 PM
Wake: I never worry about a boat going by and infact am pleased when I see one coming. I don't have a clue why but I have found several times a cat will pick up your bait almost right after a boat has gone by. Maybe the wave action does something with the bait. Has anybody else notices this or not.