I was able to sneak out yesterday (May 1st) to get another hour of break-in completed on the big motor and get Bentley out for a little bit of fishing. I started by running out to where I finished up the ice season in March to see if we could find any fish schooling in that general vicinity. There were definitely fish hanging in the area but had a tough time buying a bite. The water temp in that area was 47 degrees at 4pm which had the fish relating to structure in 10-12 ft of water.
Second spot consisted of 2-8ft of water, working an old gravel road/driveway. Water temp was about 50 degrees and showed promise of holding some shallow active fish. Picked up some nice pike but the walleye continued to elude us in this area.
Last spot, I ran up into 6 mile, to see if we could find any fish near channel A. With the dry conditions we have been experiencing since last July, water levels are low and not generating any current to be running between the big lake and the feeder lakes. This has led to tough fishing in the traditional areas on Devils Lake. I fished a small pocket on the north end of the bay which held numerous pike and white bass in 54 degree water. In about 30 minutes of fishing, we had 3 pike and 22 white bass in the boat.
Let me tell you, white bass are the most underrated species on Devils Lake. To some, known as a trash fish, to others, a delicacy. White Bass are the hardest fighting, pound for pound fish in the system, and are terrific table fare, if cleaned correctly. When we keep a few this spring/summer, I’ll be sure to post content showing how I like to clean them!
I was using a 3/8oz VMC Neon Moon Eye jig, with a 3.25″ AuthentX Pulse-R plastic in pink/white.
Tight lines!
Varilek's Guide Service 