FALL FISHING
Wby Bill MItzel
hen I was getting serious about the outdoors in my late teens , I was often told about spring fishing and fall fishing . Those were the times you sacrificed to be out there , I was told over and over . Doesn ’ t matter what ’ s going on in your life , those two times of the year are absolutely essential to getting the most from the world of fishing .
At first , I took it as mere observation from people . I heard it so much , in fact , it seemed to have a wisp of authenticity . But , eventually , I learned otherwise .
And so , the debate went on as to which season was best -- spring or fall . That ’ s subjective , of course , but it doesn ’ t matter . All seasons are best in the Dakotas .
It was also often said that the reason fish are so active in the fall is that they eat to fatten up for the long winter ahead . Of course that bunk was deflated long ago . Fish aren ’ t bears . They have to eat constantly , like people , to stay alive .
Still , after all these years , no one has been able to quantify why fish
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1605 ND-20 Devils Lake
are so active in spring and again in fall . Springtime , logically , finds fish ahead of the spawn , which continues for a time after the spawn , mostly among male fish . Burning up a lot of energy for reproduction requires calories . That was logical and easy to understand . But fall , what ’ s the deal with fall ?
To date , I ’ m still mystified about the process of accelerated fish feeding activity in
Fall in the Dakotas :
Magic Time
the fall , but I don ’ t really need to know why . I ’ ve come to realize that we fishermen and women tend to try to analyze things too much . Fact is , we don ’ t have to know “ why ” certain events take place where fishing is concerned . Perhaps it ’ s important when you ’ re hunting trophy caribou in the Northwest Territories , but not when you ’ re scanning a chop on big lakes and small in the Dakotas for walleyes .
Devils Lake ’ s 1 Stop Shop !
Large Bait & Tackle Shop !
• Convenience Items • Propane
• Lake Maps & fishing reports
• Gas / Diesel • ATM Machine
• Guide Service and Lodging Packages available
• Gaming • Bar serving food
• On / Off Sale Drive-thru Public Fish Cleaning Station
There ’ s been a few fall fishing events that I pause here to share , to perhaps emphasize the value of putting fishing on the priority page in September , October and beyond , weather allowing .
I remember a fall bite on small Brush Lake in McLean County , ND . It was consistent , it was lengthy , it was incredible . The lake has changed today , as all things do , but there was a time when John Fryberger and I could catch an easy 100 walleyes between us on a comfortable October day . These fish were all caught as we cast crankbaits into 3- to 5-feet of water along reeds and cattails . There were other , similar situations . For years , Ken Vollmer and I made fall trips to southwestern North Dakota , specifi-
Page 84 , Dakota Country , September 2024 www . dakotacountrymagazine . com