East Bay

 I have never been to devil's lake so i decided to give it a try.  Looked up bait shops in the area to see if they can guide me in the right direction so i headed to Ed's bait shop, and they didnt seem to care much about giving some friendly advice...  Their response was the lake is good everywhere, any presentation will do.....  

Wow really?????  anyways as i walked out the bait store the guy parked next to me started chatting about military.. he could tell from my hair cut..  

He said if i have never been out on devils lake, i should start at the boat ramp about a mile down highway 20 from the bait store.  Thanks again tim.

Anyways it gave us a place to start we moved up and down the lake twice from 15 FOW to 30 FOW.  and I left the world renowned Devil's Lake skunked...  

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 Fished east bay on Sunday, Fishing was slow until sunset, fishing picked up pretty quick.

Fished in 8-17ft of water, some holes near the trees and some out in deeper water. Caught 3 nice jumbos and 4 walleyes. The Walleyes came on big minnows with jigs and spoons, One perch was caught on a minnow head and the rest on BIG minnows. Half the fish were caught on tip ups including the 27.5 inch walleye. The big walleye bit about 30 min after dark inn about 11ft of water.

Good outing for Devils Lake!

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Hey all,
Posting a report as I promised from last weeks fishing trip.  My wife and I spent 4 days at Eastbay campground and baoted a total of 88 fish.  About 3/4 of them were walleyes, the other 1/4 northerns with a few white bass.  Only kept eyes over 14" and came home with 13 of them.  Lots of little up and comers were caught trolling spinners and lindy rigs.  The larger fish were caught on cranks in less than 10 fow.  Biggest eye caught was 23.5" and we had 4 of those.  Also caught a 37 inch northern which was a blast.  Took some pics and watched her slide down into the depths.  Spent most time trolling spinners/bottom bouncers and throwin cranks.  Did catch a few keepers on leech and slip bobbers the last evening as well.  Seemed like all techniques catch fish...we just struggled to find consistent big fish.  Great trip nonetheless.  I highly recomend the cabins at eastbay campground.  4 nights for $260.00...air conditioniong, sat tv, shower, bathroom, firepit, grills!  Great deal.

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As of Friday, July 15, 2011, access to the east side of Devils Lake will be much easier. A new boat ramp has been constructed by the North Dakota Game & Fish in the Black Tiger Bay area of Devils Lake. The new ramp is located along Highway 20 south, beside the South End R & R campground and is open for public use.

The other boat ramp on East Bay, located south of Devils Lake on Highway 20, by Camp Grafton, will be available for use by the public on Friday, July 15. The weather set back the work on this grade raise and it took a little bit longer than expected. According to Suzie Baisch, the tourism director for Devils Lake, “Access on the east side of Devils Lake has been a little tricky this summer. Because the water level has reached an elevation of 1454, boat traffic under the bridges is no longer feasible. The water level has also made us have to raise or move boat ramps. Because of this setback, anglers have been launching their boats from sunken road ways or ditches. This can be very dangerous. I am glad to see the public ramps are finished and usable.”

Other public boat ramps available on Devils Lake are Lakewood Boat Landing, located on Creel Bay, Six Mile Bay Boat Landing, located on Six Mile Bay, Pelican Lake, north of Highway 19, and Spirit Lake Casino.

Also available for access onto Devils Lake is Graham’s Island State Park, located off of Highway 19. The day pass for the state park is $5, or you can purchase a yearly pass for $25. Graham’s Island is open on a day-by-day basis this year due to high water conditions. Construction on the road into the park should begin sometime in August.

For more information, log onto www.devilslakend.com or call the Devils Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-233-8048 for more information.

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Launched from East Bay campground about 3 yesterday. Started throwing crankbaits in 3-6 fow along wind blown shorelines eventually hooking 2 nice walleye and a few bass but the bite was slow for the amount of water covered. Cruised to the woods rutten road rocks and pitched cranks with no sucess...5 different shorelines and 2 bays later we found our 3 limits in 26-28fow unbelievably, using  jigs and leeches/crawlers. Everyone else we talked to that did good was fishing less then 10fow, dont hesitate to watch your graph and fish what you mark even if its uncommon for the time of year!

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Drove up to east bay campground to pick up some bait and do a little fishing, bait store is CLOSED.  Pick up bait in DL before heading over there. Just wanted to let everyone know before they drive all the way out there and have to turn around.  Good luck fishing!!

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Fished EastBay today, I got to a late start. I caught 25 walleye most of them were 12 inches of less. I used leaches and nightcrawlers with firetiger spinners. I also caught a 10lb northern I was in 15-20 ft of water.

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Pass me those blood pressure pills, I can’t keep up this hectic pace.

Much of what I enjoy is the result of someone else’s hard work and sacrifice. Eastbay Campground is one of many examples. I drive over and enjoy a sweet night’s stay in a cabin complete with “dish” and wake up to fresh coffee. Launch my boat and head out to where Eastbay’s owner Bill suggests I drop a line. Have the time of my life and drive home with a memory and a smile.

That smile is the result of Bill and Val’s hard work and sacrifice. Turning a flooded family farm into a resort doesn’t happen without strain. It is easy to feel the years of struggle in Bill’s heart. Devils Lake has taken as much as she has given. If you happen to be on the receiving side and find yourself smiling, pass on a word of encouragement to those who made it happen. Let’m know you’re grateful.

I have a re-occurring weakness that shows up every summer. Fishing memories. Back to where they were biting last week, last month or even last year. I found myself sitting in 15 feet on a couple of humps thinking, this just don’t feel right. “Feel right” when I’m fishing usually means my heart is struggling to overcome my brain. I finally get the point and head over to where Bill suggested I fish.

Browns Bay is around 13 feet for the most part and flat as they come. Few weeds, even less snags and stuffed to the top with several styles and sizes. They are not temperamental right now either. Cranks, jigs, spinners, live bait. Do what you like as the fish like it all.

If you are new to cranks or a bit on the shy side here is a suggestion that helps me. I look at cranks like live bait fishing. Trying different styles of cranks is the same as trying different minnows or switching crawlers to leeches. Mix up the selection with Jointed baits, high action with subtle action, big with little. Each bait has its own personality. Let the fish decide who they like.

Take a tip from the spinner guys who are masters at color change. Some days it doesn’t matter, other days it’s all that matters. Another thing the spinner gang does well is changing depths. Even if you have fish going at 10 feet it doesn’t cost much to check 8. Speed, like color can be critical. I can’t sort it all out so again; let the walleyes tell you what they like.

I have boxes of Salmo’s so don’t think Reef Runner is the only crank I own. I gave Salmo’s and several other cranks a try before it became obvious that a Wonderbread Red Rip Shad was pushing 5 to one with 3 to one odds. Jointed 5’s, Salmo’s, even Rip Shads in other colors, all coming in a distant last.

We liked 10 feet down with 35 feet of 10# Crystal tied to Rip Shads in Wonderbread Red. Hauling in a fish a minute, my best guess is the walleyes liked it as well. We started with 4 lines out the back but Jesse and I were quickly out of breath in an effort to keep lines working. Geez, my nerves are buzzing.“Jesse, pass me those blood pressure pills, I can’t keep up this hectic pace.”

Down to a manageable 2 lines we settled in for a day made for the heart. Therapy better than a professional’s couch, but I doubt much cheaper. I do recommend, like the professional, make an appointment for next week. 95 percent Walleyes, 4 percent White Bass, and 1 percent Mr. Big Northern.

We have it easy with little effort, just the way I like it. The bonus, if you’re like me and your image is tied to performance, you will be feeling Top Dog. Enjoy it for a while, then remember who made it possible.

Thanks Bill,
Greg

GPS Google Earth Locations, Video and Pictures of this report please visit:  www.ndlive.com

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Aggressive First Class Fighters
60 % chance of severe thunderstorms. Wind South-South East 18-24 with gusts to 31. Some storms could produce hail and heavy rain. Welcome to June in the Dakotas.

It’s not all bad news, even if this is the first day of your vacation. Ya, it’s too risky to take it out on the open water, particularly with the kids in the boat, but that don’t mean you stay cooped up moping. Take it to the extreme, go shore fishing.

That is exactly what we did. Fact is my kids would rather shore fish any day. For them the boat is too confining. No place on the planet that I’m aware of is better tailored for this than North Dakota’s Devils Lake. Miles of rip-rap with easy access. Countless bridges connecting different sections of DL. Endless feeder channels all saturated with Walleyes, Northern and White Bass.

The most challenging aspect to this style of fishing is where to start. There is simply too much opportunity to know where to begin. Let’s take it from east to west and hit just a few of the locations where we fished. It will give you a starting point.

Fish every cast is reasonable to expect with some fish going 3 pounds. White Bass are aggressive first class fighters. You can catch them everywhere in DL but my #1 location would be the Woods-Rutten road dividing East Lake and East DL. This area can get congested on weekends and particularly Memorial. Keep in mind; you can catch them everywhere in DL.

Jig and tail is what I use. Jig size depends on how windy it is. As for tails my go to color is white but today I caught them on white, chartreuse, and orange. Use what ya got. Goes without saying, fish the windy side, even if it’s like today with 20-25 winds. The “bass a cast” will more than compensate for the spray in your face. You won’t need “feel” like fishing walleyes, these guys are aggressive.

Let’s make the jump to walleyes and head west out of DL on Hwy 19. First stop is the north end of Creel Bay. I did the double take when I saw the folks from IA shore fishing from their boat. They just back’r in to the rip rap, wade out and climb aboard. Ingenious! Livewell, baitwell, cooler and comfortable seating. All while shore fishing. Boat control could not be easier and no worries about the anchor holding.

Next up is 6 mile bay and the bridge. When it’s windy, too windy for the boat, it’s just right for fishing bridges. The wind piles up the water forcing it under the bridges and creating current. Mauve Coulee bridge is just a few miles further west and another great location.

If you need a place to stay call Diane at West Bay Resort. They have very nice cabins and will treat you like family. For the next several miles it’s water on both sides and rip rap as far as you can see. My first pick is the south shore just past West Bay Resort to the junction of old 281 which is under water now. You will need boots to get to the rip-rap unless you decide to back’r in.

Jigs or lindys whichever you like best but make sure there is a leech on the end. Some even bobber fish with a leech hanging. My son Levi declared, “Dad, I got it figured out; you need to use a fresh leech.” He’s right. Slow is the key, jig or lindy. Keep your line tight. Move it an inch at a time, just enough to get the leech wiggling. There are other presentations and baits that work but these are my first picks.

Let’s end with fishing the coulees. Coulees are North Dakotan for “Crik” you know, running water. There are countless locations north of DL and often the bridges are the easiest to get to. We made a quick stop at Churchs Ferry on Hwy 2. First cast Levi hauls in a 20 incher on a lindy-n-leech. I managed a distant 2nd with an 18 on a jig and leech.

I have a friend who lives in Minot, 120 miles away. Loves to fish and in 18 years has never fished DL. Don’t know why, just never took the time. It’s just a story till ya get here. Once you’ve experienced it, tell it anyway you like. It’s your story.

To read other stories, fishing reports and view pictures please go to: North Dakota Live

For the Google Earth GPS view of story locations please go to: North Dakota Live

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Started in East Devils throwing cranks, heard Brown Bay was hot, yes very... hot with white bass... I did hear however that slow trolling worm harness' was thinning the bass out for some good eater smaller walleyes, Tried a few other spots around East Devils with limited success. Moved to a spot near Haybale, hear they are doing well near the riff raff.. We however were south of there on the shoreline in some trees. Hit our first real decent walleye there, then another and another... This was around the noon hour, we didnt stick around to find out more due to prior obligations. Ended up w 3 in the 20-23 range so a nice meal. Next day, much windier so we tried brown bay a little differently and ended up catching a few smaller eyes... Wind died and we headed back to where we caught the decent ones, same program... All very nice fish, and for whatever reason I had lost my touch on hook setting, and even when I did a great set, they seemed to come off at the boat so probably missed 5 all very nice by the boat it was horrible to watch but ended up with 4 good fish. This was all casting raps of all different varieties. I have a good feeling that bobber fishing this spot would have been very very productive but we like to keep moving... maybe try it this weekend... good fishin

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