flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

When I first joined this fantastic fishing forum back in Oct., I requested information on Devils Lake ND. and never received a response. I think the forum was new then, now I see that it has nearly 2300 members. A few of you must have fished Devils Lake before, what can you tell me about it? What I can find out about it from Google is that it is not a traditional lake as far as subsurface structure is concerned. The walleye run is decent but not big, over 26", lots of panfish & slimdogs. Many, many snags on the submerged trees, buildings and fences. Anything else I should know?

JimRed Loc: Coastal New Jersey, Belmar area

Slimdogs? Is that the local name for Pike or Pickerel?

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

It should have been "Slimedogs", typing error, they are those ugly, slimmy devils with many big, long teeth that stink up your boat and your hands when you catch them, otherwise known as Northern Pike. Some of my fishing buddies will not let them into their boat and you have to cut your line. I have an older Lund Tyee and you can bring them in, but only to unhook them. You have to toss them overboard immediately, they can not touch the boat or certainly not be put into the livewell. If it is a trophy, over 40", it has to go on a stringer and kept outside of the boat. I can not imagine a trophy slimedog. My grandson, a 15 y/o, caught a 43"er that he had to do that with while fishing with me a few years back. His dad wouldn't mount it for him. It ended up as garden fertilizer. I know, I'm going to catch some flack for this but it is, what it is. Please don't tell me that they should have eaten it. I didn't bring my son up that way.

JimRed Loc: Coastal New Jersey, Belmar area

Slim instead of slime enabled my guess... I would have been thinking of catfish or eels otherwise. I was not aware that Pike are held in such low regard. They’re not native here (coastal NJ) but we have pickerel, a lot smaller...state record around 9 pounds I think.

Bill Wade

Participated in several fishing tournaments on Devils Lake while stationed at Minot, ND. "Slimedogs" are common on the south end of the lake in the grass beds. For walleye and some really nice perch fishing try the western part of the lake. (Opposite end of the lake from the boat ramps in town). There is an area there where the depth comes up on a large underground rock. Hugh perch like to hang out there. Never caught any hugh walleye here. Fished an ice tournamet here once where officials dug like 100 holes in the ice for the fishermen and ladies. Afterwards we all gathered on the ice around a shack where the officials weighed the fish. Well, with that many holes in the ice and everyone gathered in one place, the weight created the water to rise quickly above the ice. It was run or drown. Good luck. Let me know how you make out.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Jim, It's a little confusing, the majority of the people in the upper midwest love to catch them, my grandsons included. They are great fighters, near the top of the list, dumb, easy to catch. I caught one, three times in three casts, I'm sure of it, because it had nasty scar on it's lip from being caught before. The third time caught it, I casted in the same direction that I threw it, and sure enuff, he hit it again. I have done that with trout too, but only twice. I guess, the reason I, and many other of my buddies of mine hate them, is because they stink, are very slimy, boney and the only way you could possible eat them is if they are smoked and if you have at least a case of beer. Plus the fact, that they will take a $10.00 crankbait with their damn sharp teeth and you can't hardly feel it. What is a grandfather to do?

I used to be a wrestling coach, NJ. is a great wrestling state as far as the high school level goess, maybe the best in the nation. Of course, then there is Penn State, which takes care of the NCAA on the college scene.

JimRed Loc: Coastal New Jersey, Belmar area

Our local high school, Wall Twp. HS, has a wall of fame in the old gym listing wrestling award winners in region and state. I never counted them but there must be well over a hundred names on it. Only one for this year, the kid at 165 won the state.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Thanks, Bill, I have made a note of it. I will keep everyone posted as to how good the lake is.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Jim, Blair Academy of Blairstown Township is the #1 ranked Wrestling high school in the USA, followed by Bergin Catholic of Orandell, #4, Paulsboro #22 and then South Plainfield # 23. No other state has 4 schools in the top 25. Blair Academy is the Penn State of the wrestling high school world.

Jakestake83 Loc: Mooresville NC

I have fished Devils lake one time for a couple days.There is no entry or exit streams in this lake so there is a perpetual flooding problem during heavy rains. Lake is full of Walleye but they are not big. Most anglers catch them using worms or night crawlers. Also many yellow perch that are sometimes bigger than the walleye. I also caught a few Northern Pike. Because of surrounding flat landscape, wind can be a problem. Storms brew up fast so if storm clouds are visible, get off the lake. Make sure you have lots of bait because the perch really gobble it up.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Thanks Jake, info. is noted

JimRed Loc: Coastal New Jersey, Belmar area

Is there a keeper size for Walleye there? I've commented on another thread that size limits can be counterproductive since fewer fish are removed and more are competing for the same amount of food. So few if any get big.

Jakestake83 Loc: Mooresville NC

I can't remember if there is a size limit there. I know that we caught perch that were bigger than the walleyes. The size and slot limits are questionable in several regions. There are good arguments on both sides, one side trying to preserve the mating age fish and the other side concerned about the available food sources.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

According to the regs., they do not have a slot limit. Thank you!