Hunting Fishing Discussions

Featured Outdoor Businesses

Six Mile Corner
Garrison , ND
Landers Conoco
Bismarck, ND


Share on Facebook subscribe feed

Rough Day at Devils Lake

by , Posted to on 05/09/2010 11:08 AM | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 12/17/2001
Location: ND
Fished NW end on Minnewauken not too many boats. Zero bites. Firetiger countdowns and jigs worked slow.  Water temp was 49.0 - 50.8 F.  Everyone I talked to was having trouble with the walleye.  Water is ultra clear and too cold from this weeks weather.  As soon as we get some nice 65-80 degree days and a little wind to stir up the shallows it will start up again.
 
Before we even got on the water is when the day got interesting...

Sat on the highway a few miles West of Grahams Island entrance East of the bridge to observe a guy loading a boat up from a submerged road to see how deep it was.  He proceeded to back his trailer across the highway to the submerged side and didn't see the traffic coming down the highway.  My kids and I saw the whole thing happen 200 feet in front of us. Holy smokes... I don't think I have ever seen trailer parts 50 feet in the air before.  The trailer "sling-shotted" around the otherside of the pickup slamming into the passengerside of the truck it was attached to... trailer wheels flattened to the ground.  The truck that ran it over had trailer chassis lodged under it 200 yards down the road.  Both guys were ok.  I decided I would be better off putting in at Grahams Island.  That highway stuff is a little dangerous.

So... :)  When we drove out to Grahams Island the Sherrif was just coming from there...we got to the boat ramp 10-15 minutes after seeing that highway accident and saw the dive crew and a tow truck pulling a new pickup and tracker boat out of the lake.  Water was running out of the cab and the leather seats were a little soggy.  One of my kids said, "We should probably go home."  :)  It was quite the day.  After that the day on the lake went well other than no fish to be had.  Stizo :)


What we do in life echoes for eternity.   Shadows and dust.

Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/09/2010 11:46 AM | Reply #1 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 08/12/2003
Location: ND
Won't be the last accident there!!  Glad everyone is OK though.
..............THIS SPACE FOR RENT..............
Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/09/2010 1:44 PM | Reply #2 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 01/09/2002
Location: ND
I bet it's not a week before we see people on here whining about not being able to put their boat in on the shoulder of the road.
“Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.” ~ Mark Twain
Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/09/2010 2:00 PM | Reply #3 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 12/17/2001
Location: ND
All I can say is that it really educated me this weekend.  I have never launched my boat from anywhere but a boat ramp, but I have contemplated it as I did yesterday.  I will be using the soon to be constructed resort ramps East of Bluebill Point or will be driving to Minnewauken from now on.


What we do in life echoes for eternity.   Shadows and dust.

Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/09/2010 4:53 PM | Reply #4 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 06/27/2005
Location: ND
We have launched twice off that road.  It's about being aware, safe, and sober.  They put no parking signs on the road and guess what????  Two MN boaters were parked and ticketed.  The vehicles parked there cause a harzard for both sides of the traffic.  It's always one knuckle head (from any State) the messes it up for all of us. 

With the water on the rise and Pelican becoming an active place, WHY, WHY, WHY won't the DNR consider a boat landing?  Plenty of submerged roads underwater around Pelican to assist those fisherpersons easier access. 

Me?  When I had my boat I would have considered putting off the road, but it's all about the wind when making that decision.  I was along for the ride yesterday, and my buddy and I had no problems as we work well together.

As for fishing.  I concur with Stizo, It was a terrible outing.

 
Marines.mil  

Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/09/2010 5:18 PM | Reply #5 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 01/05/2010
Location: nd
stringerfull Said:

With the water on the rise and Pelican becoming an active place, WHY, WHY, WHY won't the DNR consider a boat landing?  Plenty of submerged roads underwater around Pelican to assist those fisherpersons easier access. 


Why? Because the DNR has nothing to do with it, its the NDGF...   :P
 
Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/09/2010 7:30 PM | Reply #6 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 11/30/2002
Location: ND
 Hey Stizo, Any info on how that pickup ended up in the drink at Grahams this weekend?? 
Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/09/2010 9:47 PM | Reply #7 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 12/17/2001
Location: ND
I know how but people are innocent until proven guilty.  Not going to speculate or accuse.  Watch the local newspaper in two weeks or so for possible associated charges.  The general public may never know exactly what happened or who was responsible because names were not released.  I took photos of the water rescue van, the tow truck, pickup truck and boat but I will not post them based on liability.  The dive/recovery team had their own educated guess/theory.  :)


What we do in life echoes for eternity.   Shadows and dust.

Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/10/2010 02:46 AM | Reply #8 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 10/17/2008
Location: ND
I agree if you are sober and safe that is not a bad place to put in your boat...dont park where it says not to. I will not be using it anymore because it will wreck your trailer. There is a big lip where the asphault ends, looks like the axle is gonna come out from under the trailer when they come up, also causing some flats. Can be a long bumpy ride from Grahams to Pelican on a windy day though. It would be a great launch with a couple hundred bucks worth of good gravel or concrete slabs...any volunteers :)
Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/10/2010 09:24 AM | Reply #9 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 07/14/2003
Location: ND
Wow Stizo.  At least you had entertainment.




 
Kirsch's Outdoor Products | Fargo, ND | 701-261-9017 koutdoorproducts.com
Risovi Taxidermy Studio | New Rockford, ND | 701-947-2048 risovitaxidermystudio.com
Jig-em-Up Guide Service | Grand Forks, ND | 701-739-9198 jig-em-up-guide-service.com

 
Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/10/2010 09:29 AM | Reply #10 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 11/06/2009
Location: ND
So you can't get into Pelican by boat from Devils Lake?  Or do people just want to launch into Pelican to save time with a boat ride.  Minniwauken's boat ramp is still usuable isn't it and wouldn't this be closer to Pelican then Grahams Island?  I actually am supprised that the state has not put up signs not allowing boat launches from the road.  The loss of one life or risk of major injury is not worth the sake of convience when launching from a road. 
Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/10/2010 11:04 AM | Reply #11 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 01/19/2010
Location: ND
not a good day for us either. first off didnt do my homework before we left. tried to get boat in at black tiger only to find out the roads are closed. went to east bay only to find the docks not in and ramp unusable. ended up driving all the way around to town and the fishing was terrible. is there anyplace to put a boat in on the south end???
Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/10/2010 11:13 AM | Reply #12 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 01/08/2003
Location: ND
SF

Land has been offered to be donated by a land owner to put a ramp into Pelican. As I understand from the landowner, GF wants the land owner to pay half, even though it will be a public ramp, which the land owner said no too. The GF is also hesitant to put one there because of the unsteady water levels.

This is first hand information and if you think real hard, you will know which landowner I am talking about; I have mixed emotions; would love to have one there to save me ALOT of time but then everyone would want to be there causing me to find someplace else to fish.

As for the accident on 19; it's just been a matter of time.  I said on here last year that someone was going to get killed there, didn't happen this time thank goodness but mark my words, if the county or whomever dont do something soon it's going to happen, it is a matter of time. Unfortuanitly, it takes that to get any kind of reaction.
 

Good Luck and Good Fishin'

Eric T


Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/10/2010 11:14 AM | Reply #13 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 02/03/2004
Location: ND
I have dropped my boat in off the sandbar down at the desert here in bismarck a few times. Always worked well for me but it could get bad if the sand was soft or with a heavier boat.
Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/10/2010 11:16 AM | Reply #14 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 01/08/2003
Location: ND
Riggen&Jiggen Said:
So you can't get into Pelican by boat from Devils Lake?  Or do people just want to launch into Pelican to save time with a boat ride.  Minniwauken's boat ramp is still usuable isn't it and wouldn't this be closer to Pelican then Grahams Island?  I actually am supprised that the state has not put up signs not allowing boat launches from the road.  The loss of one life or risk of major injury is not worth the sake of convience when launching from a road. 
Yes you can get into Pelican via boat. Yes people are just trying to save time and gas (is it worth dying or loosing your rig.....I guess to some folks). Minni's ramp i'm sure is probably unusable right now though I could be wrong just due to water levels.

I highly comend you on your way of thinking in regards to your last sentence.

 

Good Luck and Good Fishin'

Eric T


Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/10/2010 12:45 PM | Reply #15 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 12/17/2001
Location: ND
Yeah, it was interesting... I would not like to say entertaining but I sure wish I had a video camera recording.  Incredible to say the least.  My kids were really affected.  My daughter was a little frightened and my son was shocked and amazed.  Nothing like a little adrenaline hit to spice up the afternoon.


What we do in life echoes for eternity.   Shadows and dust.

Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/10/2010 1:52 PM | Reply #16 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 02/13/2006
Location: ND
That sounds horrible and I hope that there are no more accidents.  As far as the fishing goes, I don't even hit the water until a half hour before dark when the water is this clear. 
Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/10/2010 6:06 PM | Reply #17 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 06/10/2008
Location: ND
That spot scares the crap out of me. I try and slow down to 30 or so when going through that area, but sometimes the traffic coming behind you and at you makes it dangerous to do that. I am glad no one was hurt, but feel it is just a matter of time, especially when the weather gets nicer and it is crowded everywhere.
Stay safe!
Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/10/2010 11:32 PM | Reply #18 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 11/24/2004
Location: ND
sounds like the truck that ran into him didnt have his act together either.  DL - spring is overrated
Stay thirsty my friends
Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/11/2010 08:09 AM | Reply #19 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 01/08/2003
Location: ND
SHORTHAIRSRUS Said:
sounds like the truck that ran into him didnt have his act together either.  DL - spring is overrated

How do you figure? If you are clipping along at 65 stuff happens real quick unless you know more than me in regards if he was in a impared state. As for DL spring fishing being overrated....you must be fishing in the wrong spot! LOL
 

Good Luck and Good Fishin'

Eric T


Re: Rough Day at Devils Lake
by on 05/11/2010 08:30 AM | Reply #20 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 05/23/2002
Location: ND
Always wondered when there would be an accident in that spot by Mauvais.  Just didn't think it would go down this way.  Actually, there must have been some really stupid decisions made to have this type of crash.

A.  There is no logical reason why anybody would back a trailer ACROSS the highway there.  You can't see the traffic that well coming from the East because there is higher ground to the East.  The launching area is on the South side of the road and there is room to maneuver a trailer there without getting any part of your rig onto Highway 19.

B.  I think that Shorthairs was implying that the driver that hit the trailer must have been a bit slow on the reaction time.  Can't say because I wasn't there but there are no issues in that spot with sight lines.  The road is absolutely flat and you have perfect view of what is going on.  The guy backing the trailer had to have really gunned it out into traffic.  That is possible because anybody foolish enough to back across the highway would want to do it quick before somebody from the East takes him out.


I got a bit of info on the Grahams dunking.  I was told that the guy backed it in and got out leaving the vehicle in reverse. 
Posted By:
Posted On: 05/09/2010 11:08 AM
3424 Views, 24 Comments

Tags: day, lake, water, rough, devils, 50.8, 49.0, fished, everyone, minnewauken
More Tags: Grahams Island, Hospitality_Recreation
Region: North Dakota

Categories: Outdoor Sports
Rate This ForumTopic
  • Currently 3.66667/5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

3.66667/5 (3 votes cast)

You must be signed in to comment on this topic