Canada or Dakota ?

[wisconsintom]

For the last five years, three of my fishing buddies and I have been going to Canada fishing (Vermillion Bay area, Labor Day Weekend).

Every year it seems that the border crossing gets worse, the costs go up and the fishing goes down, including size limits and bait regulations and the lack of leeches. We are wondering if any of you go to North Dakota, and if the Devils lake area is worth the trip? We would also like to know of some decent places to stay(cabins with showers).

[Backwater Eddy]

As a fisherman and not just because I am a Dakotan, I would say we have great fishing here in ND and the trip would be well worth your time.

Devils Lake is one of many great options you may have in the Dakotas, but a very good option. Depending on the time of year you chose to fish there are others including the mighty Red River, my stomping grounds. The Red has world class trophy walleye and definitely world class channel catfishing that make for some outstanding fishing.

North Dakota has outstanding fishing all year around, our season never closes.

Check in with the ND Dept. of Tourism and there web site. This may be helpful in selecting a trip that is right for you and lining up amenities suited for your needs.

www.ndtourism.com

www.state.nd.us/gnf

If I can be of any help feel free to contact me.

backwtr1@qwest.net

Good luck and good fishing!

:D

Backwater Eddy.....><,,>

[jwhite58502]

Absolutely North Dakota. I am from ND and Fish Devils lake and Lake Sakakawea very extensively. At Devils Lake many outfitters and accomodations are available at www.devilslakend.com or as sponsors on www.fishingbuddy.org. Devils Lake has numerous species and good sizes to all of them. White Bass/ Northern Pike/Perch, and of course Walleyes. For a shot at larger and perhaps trophy Walleyes and Smallmouth Bass consider Lake Sakakawea and you can check www.fishingbuddy.org for info there as well. Consider staying in the Beulah area or Indian Hills west of Garrison (middle of the lake and good accomodations)for Lake Sakakawea and Woodland Resort on Devils Lake. Good Luck

[Hawgeye]

I frequent Canada in the fall for several trips but have considered changing my trip to more local trips. Devils Lake is a great fishery. Another post here said to go to Sakakawea for trophies but Devils Lake holds its share of trophy walleyes as well. Not only that but winter produces some great jumbo perch fishing.

The Missouri and Sakakawea system is a great fishing system with fantastic trophy opportunities. You can even go after some Steelhead at the right time of year. I have yet to do that but plan on it this year by rigging up the downriggers.

To me there is only one thing that inclines me to continue back up to Canada every year and that is the beautiful scenery. North Dakota has its own beauty but when a person lives here, it is easy to overlook.

[Don__SD]

NO NO No if you go to N.D. you would be a NO DAK come to S.D. and be a So Dak. the women are better looking and the sheep are not. Wait, we don't even have sheep, so you don't need to worry about sheep stampeeds.

[Backwater Eddy]

Hay...hay...hay.......Don now you be good Eh!

Don't get me started now.

:D

Backwater Eddy.....><,,>

[waterfowler]

Because of the Canadian laws, a DWI, I probably won't ever go to Canada fishing. I know I could get a waiver, but with the great fishing in northern MN, ND or NE SD, why spend my hard earned dollars up north??? Plus our economy could use a little help right now. I mean no offense to everyone up north. I would love to sample some of your fisheries, maybe someday I will....

[River_eye]

Ontario isn't the only province with fish in it. Try Manitoba.

[Peanut]

Or Saskatchewan. You'd be surprised how far your dollars go here - especially with the exchange rate. Great waters, and very few people on them.

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

PS: I'm not trying to sell anything, I just think you'd really love a trip up here.

[curt quesnell]

Peanut,

I have taken jabs at Ontario over the years and no longer will
fish there. But I just loved Sask. Canadians are very friendly
anyway but the people we met with on our trip to Tobin were
top notch. Prices were very reasonable on lodging, food and
drinks. There are only two things I could comment on in not the
most shinning of lights.

1. It is very far from my house (12 hours)
2. The bait left something to be desired. Very small leeches.
I have heard it is better now.

Nice place you have there Peanut

Curt Quesnell

curt quesnell

[Bob G2]

Steelhead??? I knew they stocked salmon. Tell me more, danke.

[Dutchman]

I had the oppoptunity to guide a father and son on S.D. waters last summer. These folks had been going up north for several years to a location unknown to me in Canada. At the the end of our fishing excursion they tipped me well, and stated that they had never had fishing like that in Canada. The waters here in the Dakotas provide an excellent walleye fishery. Although if I where to take a fishing vacation somewhere it would be Lake Erie......

" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "

[hgf]

Have to go against the stream and vote Canada. I have always had better luck around Ear Falls, and Red Lake, than when I tried the Missouri impoundments, Devils Lake, and Minnesota lakes. But then I didn't have Backwater Eddy as a guide either.(May be calling you this summer sometime!) But a flyin or boat in lake in Canada has far less people, and better fishing. My $.02

[mac]

I live in SD and can get fish for the table any time I want to by traveling 30 miles, but I will continue to go at least once a year to Canada for a week of:
1. no phones (now I hear cell phones ringing on the ice all around me all the time)
2. no one other than friends from my own party on the fly-in lake that we go to.
3. catch and release until you lose count every day, plus the fresh ones you eat for lunch or supper.
4. clear clean water that you can still dip right out of the lake to drink when you get thirsty.
5. The pine trees, rocks, sound of the loons and the occasional float plane going by taking other fishermen to other destinations
6. The annual reunion with friends, some of whom have made this trip with me evey year since 1963.

For all that I will wait in line at customs, drive 500 miles, buy a new license and pay an outfitter.

Thanks Canada

mac

[Hawgyee]

Sorry, meant salmon. Had the steelhead in my mind from Lake Michigan.

[wisconsintom]

Thanks for all the return info, I appreciate it.:+

[Peanut]

Thanks Curt, glad to hear you had fun. Can't do much about the location, though.

As for leeches, we are very dependent on the weather. They're not always that tiny! When it's really hot, they're hard to come by - those that are caught are real small (as you've seen). A week later, you can get any size you want.

We definitely have a consistency problem, we've always bought a bunch when they were good, so we could get through the 2-3 lean weeks each summer.

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

[Kevin]

Check out WWW.Dakotawaters.com Kelvin and Laura own this resort out of Beulah ND. I live close by and fish this area lots. PWT was held here in 2001. Email me if you want more info. Also a friend of mine guides out of this area. Kelvin also has guides available for fishing.
Kevin