Small Lakes in North Dakota Fishing Reports-Archive

The Archive of Fishing Reports

name: outdrznd
city: Horace
email: outdrznd@aol.com
lake_river: comment
Date: 12/09/2002
Time: 03:23:49 PM

Small_Lakes

Thanks Allen!! Your interpretation was just what I thought. I will know next time that I can access the lake according to the "high water" mark. Has anyone been able to get out on Minnewauken Flats area or Blacktiger Bay without any problems? What is the latest ice thickness on these areas(if you know)? I am curious, are the Flats still a Perch haven and the Towers a Walleye haven?

name: Allen
city: Grand Forks
email:
lake_river: comment
Date: 12/09/2002
Time: 12:43:21 PM

Small_Lakes

OutdrzND,

I have no experience with this posted lake, but a farmer/landowner can only post the land privately land owned adjacent to a public lake. The way I understand the law is: unless 100% of the shoreline is privately held, the water is state property and some access rights are implied up to the high water mark (hence, many small sloughs are 100% private, but when fishing Devils Lake where it has expanded onto privately owned lands we don't have to worry about getting kicked off section XX because somebody technically owns that part of the bottom of DL. On lakes and rivers you may should be able to use the shorelines of public waterways up to the high water marks. This can obviously be a bone of contention between adjacent landowners and the state because many landowners mistakenly assume they own the land up to water edge and if the water recedes they are "making land".

Obviously, it's a complex interpretation at best, but as long as the body of water has a "public" form of access you should be able to travel freely upon the surface of the water. A good case in point is Stump Lake. The land on the north shore of the lake is posted pretty solid making shore fishing difficult at best during the summer, but during the winter people drive or walk on the ice via old county road 4 which is now under water. This public access makes all of Stump available to public fishing (there are other access points as well). My recommendation would be to write NDGF for access information on your specific body of water. I don't believe they are in the business of stocking privately held sloughs unless access exists or until prior access arrangements are made.

name: outdrznd
city: Horace
email:
lake_river: comment
Date: 12/09/2002
Time: 10:16:17 AM

Small_Lakes

According to the NDGF stocking reports, Ekelson Lake near Ekelson is the body of water that has been stocked....not the one along the Interstate. Has anyone else tried Meadow Lake? I have found this lake to be in Meadow Lake township in Barnes County. Check the stocking reports on this one!! You will be amazed. You would think it should be another Hobart when fishing was prime. Any information about Kee Lake and why it is POSTED by the landowner? I was under the impression that this was a fishery OPEN to public fishing. I found the only access to be in the NW corner of the lake...only tracks of one lone fisherman who ventured out about 35 - 40 yards and came back after drilling a few holes. Come on all you hardwater fishers of men, post some reports so we can hear how others are doing!!! It is time to drill some holes - the season is upon us!!

name: outdrznd
city: Horace
email:
lake_river: comment
Date: 12/09/2002
Time: 10:06:12 AM

Small_Lakes

gabe, did you fish the lake right along I-94 or did you go North towards Ekelson and fish the lake by Ekelson? The lake NORTH a couple of miles from the I near Ekelson is the one that has been stocked.....not the one right along the I.

name: matt
city: harwood
email: dermit16
lake_river: Brewer Lake
Date: 12/08/2002
Time: 05:55:17 PM

Small_Lakes

i went to brewer and sat there for 3 hours and didnt get a nibble. i talked to some other guys out there and they said no one is catching anything on brewer.

name: gabe
city: fargo
email: honker12000@hotmail.com
lake_river: Brewer Lake
Date: 12/07/2002
Time: 08:18:53 PM

Small_Lakes

tryed eckelson just off of I-94 not a thing lots of shrimp thanks for the info.HONKER

name: Allen
city: Grand Forks
email:
lake_river: comment
Date: 12/06/2002
Time: 12:15:36 PM

Small_Lakes

http://www.state.nd.us/gnf/fishing/nd-fish-wat.html

List of small fishing lakes and directions to them.

And

http://www.state.nd.us/gnf/fishing/lakedata.html

Contour maps for many of the smaller fishing lakes in ND.

name: outdrznd
city: Horace
email:
lake_river: comment
Date: 12/06/2002
Time: 10:46:47 AM

Small_Lakes

gabe, I have not fished either but do intend to try NORTH Ekelson Lake. If you look at a topo map you will see that their is two Ekelson Lakes. One is right along I-94 and the other is NORTH of the I - this is the one that has been stocked. Another to try will be Meadow Lake, it has taken me a little research to find this body of water as it is not specifically named Meadow Lake. It is a body of water similar to Moon Lake or St Mary's only a little bigger in acreage. This lake has been stocked pretty heavily with Yellow Perch over the past 2 years. I plan on giving it a try this weekend. Here is a good Topozone Website - just type in what your looking for a city nearby and click "search": www.topozone.com

name: gabe
city: fargo
email: honker12000@hotmail.com
lake_river: comment
Date: 12/04/2002
Time: 08:18:48 PM

Small_Lakes

any one fished eckelson lake or the sandborn WPA i got info from the g&f that they stocked it with pertch in 2000.

name: Tightline
city: Northwood
email:
lake_river: English Coulee-Grand Forks
Date: 12/03/2002
Time: 04:22:30 PM

Small_Lakes

Thanks Allan, I have found a site before that had satellite photos but I would like to find depths. Thanks for your help.

Tightline

name: Allen
city: Grand Forks
email:
lake_river: English Coulee-Grand Forks
Date: 12/03/2002
Time: 03:24:43 PM

Small_Lakes

Tightline,

I don't think you'll have much success at finding topo maps showing the diversion since it's only a few years old. Maybe the agency that built it would have something for you, I don't remember offhand who that was (maybe NRCS?). There should be a placard or something on the east end near the spillway. The best option you may have is to contact the SCS and see if they have any recent aerial photos of the area.

name: Tightline
city: Northwood
email:
lake_river: English Coulee-Grand Forks
Date: 12/03/2002
Time: 01:42:02 PM

Small_Lakes

I fished the English coulee last year a few times and jigged a few nice size perch. I couldn't believe how many guys were out there. Until last year I didn't even know that place existed. I have been looking for a map of the coulee but have been unsuccessfull. Does anyone know where I could find one? I plan on fishing out there this weekend or next.

Tightline

name: Allen
city: G-Forks
email:
lake_river: English Coulee-Grand Forks
Date: 12/02/2002
Time: 11:32:36 AM

Small_Lakes

Went to the Diversion on Sunday for a couple of hours. Windy and cold, but there was still some water on top of the ice in areas. Fished near the spillway end for an hour in 8-10 ft of water. Nothing for us, but we did see others catch a few perch out deeper. Went to the west end and caught about 10 perch between 6 and 8 inches. Fishing seemed a little sporadic compared to the last few years. Ice was 4-5 inches in my holes. Some mental giant drove onto the 4-5 inches of ice in a little black toyota pick-up in order to turn around. I for one am fairly amazed he didn't go through (pretty close to shore and maybe 3-4 ft of water). Then I watched him and his buddy drive up and over the dike.

WE paid good money for that dike system. Driving on it removes its protective cover and causes erosion of the dike and this will cost us more $$ in the future. I for one would love to see the Sheriff or Warden write someone that $10,000 ticket for such blatant arrogance.

name: Tightline
city: Northwood
email:
lake_river: South golden Lake
Date: 12/02/2002
Time: 11:18:50 AM

Small_Lakes

I fished South Golden Lake on Wed. Nov 27. on about 4"-6" of ice. I jigged a few small perch about 50 yards off shore in front of the restaurant. There were a few other guys out there. I felt great to be on the ice.

Tightline

name: Wayne P
city: egf
email: wjpski@yahoo.com
lake_river: South golden Lake
Date: 11/27/2002
Time: 11:38:42 AM

Small_Lakes

Any reports on ice at south golden? Would maybe try this weekend if favorable.

name: gator_getter
city: Lidgerwood
email:
lake_river: Grass Lake
Date: 11/26/2002
Time: 08:42:52 PM

Small_Lakes

Grass Lake, near Lidgerwood, is down nearly 3 feet in water level from last year. The NDGF Dept. took a netting sample earlier this summer and they found that the bullheads are taking over the lake. Fishing was very poor this summer also. Ice fishing on this lake does not look good. In my opinion the high fishing pressure in the past and the low water level of the lake has damaged the favorable fish population.

name: Kevin
city: Arhur
email:
lake_river: Brewer Lake
Date: 11/21/2002
Time: 10:50:15 PM

Small_Lakes

Was out to Brewer last weekend and there is 3 inches of ice.

name: Skunked Again
city: Forman
email: rokramer@drtel.net
lake_river: Buffalo Lake-Sgt. County
Date: 11/18/2002
Time: 03:18:05 PM

Small_Lakes

Went fishing on shore, and caught 3 (2 pounds or so) northerns using dare devils. It was pretty cold out and only was there for an hour or so. I heard there was some big northerns in there but have never seen one come out?

name: Skunked Again
city: Forman
email:
lake_river: comment
Date: 11/18/2002
Time: 10:49:45 AM

Small_Lakes

NELSON LAKE: I was up to Nelson around the end of September and the water was gone! Is it back now? It seemed to be down 5 feet or so. It was a waste of a trip because we were searching for some big bass and didn't think it would even be worth trying.

RALEIGH RES: Has anyone ever fished this lake before? Heard there were some monster bass in there? Is it a very big lake? Does it have boat access or camping grounds?

allen
g-forks

Horsehead Lake
11/13/2002
01:28:49 PM

Hmmm, Bigger waters are freezing everyday it seems. From the highway Tolna dam looked iced over from shore to shore. Only the very eastern edge of Stump is frozen (between old#1 and the new #1). Also saw about 2000 ducks feeding in a corn field north of Hamar. Me thinks the foolish fowl best be heading south soon.

Wayne P
EGF
wjpski@yahoo.com
Maple Lake
11/04/2002
09:37:28 AM

Anyone here what ice may be around area lakes? I heard that maple lake is completely frozen over but unsure of depth. MAy still be unsafe but may be getting close in some areas. Also heard that zipple bay has 3-4 inches on it an a few guy were going to try it last weekend for northerns with tip-ups.

Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
comment
10/24/2002
05:32:03 PM

I know, outdoorz...I feel the same way! Time to get that icefishing gear out....

outdrznd
Horace

comment
10/24/2002
05:21:43 PM

I have been reading that the northern tier of small to medium sized sloughs/ponds are frozen over and that only the larger bodies of water are open. Can anyone elaborate on this??.....my excitement is rising, I can't wait to start jigging!!!! I actually set up the Otter Lodge the other night and started to re-string the rods and tip-ups. The wife thinks I'm losing my mind and the boy thinks I'm just getting him and myself too wound up. I sure hope I can prove the wife she is wrong......never know what she might do to me!!! hahahaha. I can't wait for the icing reports to start coming in!!!

Allen
Grand Forks

comment
10/22/2002
02:51:09 PM

Scott,

Larimore is not frozen over. I didn't have to go in the park to see that the main body was ice free (waves and geese were enough evidence). There may be some ice at the west end where it is shallow, can't see up there from the road. Most of the small and shallow bodies of water (less than 3-5 acres and probably no more than 4-5 ft deep) are frozen over from GF to Tolna.

Allen
G Forks

comment
10/22/2002
07:00:39 AM

Scott, Gotta drive out that way today, will verify if Larimore is frozen over. Last weekend, most small, shallow bodies of water were frozen. Wouldn't have thought this to include Larimore, but I'll check.

Scott McNamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Larimore Dam
10/22/2002
04:52:40 AM

I heard from a reliable source that Larimore Dam has frozen over already. I noticed that the coulee in Grand forks is frozen...

Looks like we may be looking towards an early opener.

Any other reports of frozen over lakes?

outdrznd
Horace
outdrznd@aol.com
Dry Lake
08/24/2002
06:06:54 PM

Has anyone been fishing at Dry Lake this summer?? I fished it last winter through the ice and found it to be a blast. We limited out on Northerns weighing from 4 to 8.5 pounds for the four of us in about 7 hours. The Northerns seem to come through in schools then. I am interested in knowing if they bite like that in the summer. Once the fall hunting is over........let the ice come!!

Kris Moen
Gilby, ND
moener25@hotmail.com
comment
07/27/2002
09:33:30 PM

is anyone fishing anymore or is the fishing so good that no one is reporting it??? or is it so crummy that people don't bother???? anyways, if anyone has any reports from matejcek dam, whitman dam, fordville dam, or golden lake, please report whether they are good or bad?

Matt Bowling
Minot
hotdamn@minot.com
request a lake
06/22/2002
07:01:01 PM

Fished Lake Audobon with 2 other guys on the 13th of June and caught 15 eater walleyes. Used bottom bouncers and spinners with hammered silver blades with a minnow. Tight Lines and good fishing

MnSportsFan
GFAFB

comment
06/20/2002
01:17:26 PM

And where would this tamarac river be located? :-)

scott mcnamee
Grand Forks
scott@invoman.com
Tamarac River
06/19/2002
03:30:39 AM

Jonathon...It's listed now- thanks for asking for it!

Scott

Jonathan
Stephen

comment
06/18/2002
08:48:50 PM

I cant believe you dont have the tamarac river on this list!! Me and the guys are probably the only ones ever to fish it but anyways it has been good. Live bait is key, or rapalas work also. We catch everything from catfish to northerns to walleys to bass. Nothing of record size but there are lots of them,

Allen
Grand Forks

South golden Lake
05/21/2002
02:44:13 PM

Cheryl, try Golden Lakes Store and Cafe. They should be able to point you in the right direction (I would think they are open by now). Their phone number is (701) 543-4136.

Allen
Grand Forks

South golden Lake
05/21/2002
02:44:09 PM

Cheryl, try Golden Lakes Store and Cafe. They should be able to point you in the right direction (I would think they are open by now). Their phone number is (701) 543-4136.

lucus
horace

Brewer Lake
05/18/2002
02:29:29 PM

Has anyone been to Brewer yet this year [spring]. My dad and I have been thinking about going, but don't know if it is doing good right now. If you guys could give me some info that would be great.

Lucus

Cheryl
unknown

South golden Lake
05/17/2002
02:00:00 PM

Any idea where id get infor mation on camping on golden lake in ND gonna be > workin in that area.... > cheri

Matt Mireault
grand forks
mattie_spears@hotmail.com
Whitman Dam
04/21/2002
08:04:39 AM

hi guys has anyone been up to whitman or matejek lately???? I was just wonderin if the ice is off and if the fish r biting???? You guys are the best keep it up thanks allen again!

write back thanks

perchjerker
grand forks

comment
04/15/2002
07:09:00 AM

visited perchocean on sun. ice is off and there was a couple people fishin in a canoe, pretty windy though.

Perchjerker
Grand Forks

comment
04/02/2002
07:50:16 PM

was out on perch ocean mon from 430 to about 615. fishing was slow but the fish we caught were of nice size. kept 10 11 inchers and one nice pounder and no snakes. their was snow covering the ice which was rough and deteriorating. the shores were broken up with a few spots of open water. out on the ice though it was still 16-18 inches. we pulled the house out their by foot but then found a place to drive on to pick up the shack. still a few weeks of ice bustin but few n far between. keep it tight!

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