Lake Winnipeg Update 2017

[f7_2003_97x]

 

[Vollmer]

^ good read

Glad to see a commercial fisherman speaking that way.

 

[Migrator Man]

What size live targets do you use? Anyone use the gizzard shad style?

 

[Downrigger]

Good read. My only issue with it is that the very large females might have the most eggs but they are not the most fertile eggs. I would expect the lake to be like most lakes where the ideal spawning females (most eggs to most fertile) is somewhere in that 23 to 26 inch range.

For size of live targets I've used the 1/4 oz and 1/2 oz.

 

[Vollmer]

Already scheduled to go next year March 7-11. Line things up folks, and meet me up there. We are renting a house this time.

 

[Captain Ahab]

Good read. My only issue with it is that the very large females might have the most eggs but they are not the most fertile eggs. I would expect the lake to be like most lakes where the ideal spawning females (most eggs to most fertile) is somewhere in that 23 to 26 inch range.

For size of live targets I've used the 1/4 oz and 1/2 oz.

I think it is more about age than size. A 28" fish on 'peg could be a lot younger than most lakes due to growth rate and still be a top producer.

 

[Downrigger]

I think it is more about age than size. A 28" fish on 'peg could be a lot younger than most lakes due to growth rate and still be a top producer.

Good point. Could be right. Growth rate up there is probably pretty good. 28 would still be getting to be an aged fish in terms of spawning bit still probably pretty fertile. We caught some 25s but a big Gabp between 20 and 24 inch fish right now from our 3 trips.

 

[deleted_account]

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sorry, just watched Jurassic park again last night.

 

[dakotaeye29]

What size live targets do you use? Anyone use the gizzard shad style?

Never had luck on them only the golden shiner. Large and small sizes, blue silver, green silver, pink and white.

 

[Vollmer]

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sorry, just watched Jurassic park again last night.

That's funny. Just watched that today with my daughter. She loves Dino's

 

[Vollmer]

I think it is more about age than size. A 28" fish on 'peg could be a lot younger than most lakes due to growth rate and still be a top producer.

I think you are spot on with this.

 

[Davey Crockett]

What is the limiting factor why Devils Lake doesn't produce walleyes like lake Winnipeg ?

 

[k9guy82]

Only got to fish Thursday this week, couldn't get out of Minot because of storm. The recent cold snap def changed the bite pattern. We had to go slightly deeper...16-20 feet deep to find them.

 

[deleted_account]

What is the limiting factor why Devils Lake doesn't produce walleyes like lake Winnipeg ?

the right kind of food is probably the biggest factor. there are no "oily/fatty" bait in devils. genetics too maybe?

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I have no clue, those were the first two things that popped into my head

 

[Captain Ahab]

Ciscoes/whitefish/tullibee are the key to most giant eye fisheries.

 

[DirtyMike]

Ciscoes/whitefish/tullibee are the key to most giant eye fisheries.

Sakakawea should be overflowing with piggies.

 

[Captain Ahab]

They eat ciscoes like tick tacs at Ft. Peck. In the Columbia they have a smorgessboard of fatty salmonids in which to dine.

 

[Davey Crockett]

Sakakawea should be overflowing with piggies.

Hopefully it's right around the corner .

 

[Captain Ahab]

Sakakawea should be overflowing with piggies.

Sak is smelt driven, no?

 

[Davey Crockett]

the right kind of food is probably the biggest factor. there are no "oily/fatty" bait in devils. genetics too maybe?

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I have no clue, those were the first two things that popped into my head

Interesting take on the oily/fatty diet , I wonder what a few hundred thousand 4-5 inch rainbow trout would do to Devils Lake ?