Fishing Report Tailrace and more-October 20th, 2018

Written by Mike Peluso

October 21, 2018

I’m going to group two reports into this one report. The first part I’ll talk about the fishing I did during the University of Mary College Fins and Feathers. The second part is of the hunting that took place. I have to say the Fins and Feathers event is such a fun day/night. I say night because we kicked off the derby up in the chutes at the Garrison Dam tailrace. We managed a limit of walleyes, two salmon and one 8.5 pound Walleye that won the grand prize for largest Marble Eye. Also fun reeling in a fish like this and believe me it never gets old! We were drifting 3 way rigs with floating rapalas concentrating on the current seems and watching closely to the flows and activity around us. After we were done in the chutes I motored over to Nelson Lake in hopes of crappie and bass. Each category has specific rules and minimums and each fish that your able to keep it worth a point. After arriving I figured out in a quick hurry something was off. Well, literally they were not pumping the warm water into the lake sending those fish into a trance. So I loaded up and headed to Harmon Lake. Never have I fished Harmon by boat, so I was very intrigued. After fishing shorelines for over an hour I decided I needed to do something different. I idled out into the basin just looking for life. I stumbled onto large schools of crappies and panfish. I had to chase these fish around with my partner but we were able to get our limit of crappies for our team. All in all the fishing portion went well. On my journey from the tailrace to Nelson lake I was able to find a coyote. My other fishing partners were able to round up some roosters and the rest of the team were set up hunting waterfowl. I believe we took second place overall, but we won the fishing portion of the event plus we had the largest Walleye. So much fun and I would recommend anyone looking to have a totally different outdoor experience this is the one to lean towards! I also won a couple raffle prizes. My hands however are extremely sore from cleaning all the fish for folks that participated. Great day to be a True North Dakotan!

Related Reports

Ice Fishing Report-March 17th, 2024

Ice Fishing Report-March 17th, 2024

As I'm writing this very last report from the ice on Devils Lake. I can honestly say this has been the most challenging and sometimes rewarding ice fishing season in my lifetime. Lots of ups and downs and highs and lows. I'd say overall the quality of the fish caught...

Ice Fishing Report-March 10th, 2024

Ice Fishing Report-March 10th, 2024

I'm on the 18th tee box for the winter ice fishing season. Just need to keep it in the fairway and get up and down to close it out. Hard to believe it's coming to a close already. Goes fast and I'm already getting excited for the open water season to begin. Looks like...

Ice Fishing Report-March 3rd, 2024

Ice Fishing Report-March 3rd, 2024

Crazy to think but I have only two weeks left up here on Devils Lake for the winter. Time flies when you stay busy. The winter season has been an absolute roller coaster. We have had some great days and we have had sone tough days. Lots of philosophical reasons I...