Gil & Spill – Hedonist’s Guide to Fishing in Lake Country

By Millie Hanson
Visual Arts Editor

Patrick F. McManus (most well known for forty years of Field & Stream and Outdoor Life magazine columns) wrote invaluable pieces for keeping the memory of open water (lake or stream) fishing alive during those long, cold months of frozen winter up here in the far north.  Laughing until tears stream down one’s face and coffee shoots out the nose is a reassuring experience that keeps the frustrated angler optimistically “reorganizing” tackle boxes, and on those long, dark afternoons and evenings that tediously stretch from January until May, simmering in anticipation of the fishing opener.

It’s easy to picture local fishing enthusiast Ronny Olson and the deceptively humble yet wickedly funny McManus joshing each other about past fishing trips: the ones that got away (amazing how a large mouth bass, for example, can be confused – repeatedly – with a submerged log), the vague yet compelling memories of last summer’s foolproof bait that never failed a certain nearby lake and the omissions of the exact location where that 20 pound – no wait, 25 pound – walleye was hooked after a fight equal to any epic battle of World War II.

To get into the local angling culture with a style that will be the envy of everyone they meet on their conquests, all fishermen and women should most definitely do the following:
1. Practice lying by omission to avoid giving away the spot where the fish are biting on a particular day.
2. Practice wind sprints in anticipation for outrunning large barnyard threats of the bovine   variety, and
3. Practice crafting purposefully   idiotic white lies at the drop of a hat in order to get another fisherman to tip his hand regarding bait (Worms! Not plastic bait? Why didn’t I think of that!). The fish aren’t the only ones getting cleverly played in this scenario…

Luckily for the HPR fishing novice or veteran, Ronny Olson is an honest fisherman who has the added benefit of his wife and fishing co-conspirator Jenny to keep him on the straight and narrow. That is, unless he’s just much better at crafting a fib, and she supplies his cover.

Fishing is a family tradition for both Ronny and his wife. From the time she was little, Jenny’s grandfather saw her at his bait shop each opening day and would give her some extra bait along with tips for catching fish, always wishing her good luck. Every opener is nostalgic for her, even more so now because Ronny’s grandfather died on a past fishing opener; fishing is such an integral part of their family that his father no longer goes during the first day of the season.

Ronny Olson grew up in the Detroit Lakes area, Big Floyd Lake to be exact, which he still fishes religiously every year. His grandfather taught him not only to fish but also to hunt and trap as he was growing up on Big Floyd. To this day, walleye and catfish are his favorite catches, and he loves the solitude and quiet that is welcomely interrupted by the excitement of playing and landing his fish.

Though he is new to river/stream fishing (he hadn’t done it until he and Jenny bought their house in Wolverton eight years ago), he feels that “It’s a lot like ice fishing. Instead of a rattle reel on the wall, I have a bell on the end of the pole, [then I] set my drag nice and loose.” And given current gas prices, it’s also a cheaper way for them to enjoy fishing.

The first time Ronny fished the Red at the Christine Dam four miles from their house, he caught a 23-pound catfish that Jenny said was as long as the tailgate on his truck. At the dam people were coming by to see it and telling their friends of the catch. Word got back to their neighbors in Wolverton, and when they got home, what looked to be most of the town was coming down the street to see his monster catfish.

The fishing tips that follow are built on decades of fishing, both good and bad. Hopefully they will be of some use and motivate the lake daytripper to take their own shot at local glory.

Where To Get the Most Current Info

If you’ve never been fishing , or you don’t know anyone who has fished at the lake you’re thinking of visiting this year, Jenny says that “Certain lakes are known for certain fish [like] Ottertail, Pelican. It’s like a gossip circle at the gas station or bait shop.” The local bait shop nearest your lake of choice is the main place to hear about what’s biting out on that particular lake. Along with rods, reels and other fishing paraphernalia, you will need a fishing license which you can usually buy for about $7/day, $25/season.

Where To Get the Most Timing and Bait

Everyone hits opener fishing because the water temperature is still cold and first ice-off is typically the best time for the ever-popular walleye. Ronny also thinks the meat tastes better and is firmer. Catfish, on the other hand, hang out in the region’s rivers.

“Like Hank Williams Jr. would say, ‘catch catfish from dusk till dawn,’” Ronny added.

Catfish like warmer water and go after stink bait or water dogs that look like a salamander (available at sporting goods stores around town). They also love leeches that have been sitting in the sun. The best time to fish for either is early morning, though in July, evening is good.

On their boat in Minnesota, the Olson’s fly fish for large mouth bass, and have used corn as bait for sunnies, bluegills and crappies. In regard to Detroit Lake and lake fishing in general, Ronny considers it tough at times.

“You’ve got to know your structure,” he said.

This means the depth of the lake and what’s on the bottom. Rocks attract perch, crappies and walleye, who also like sandy bottoms. Weeds are good for northern pike, bass and sunnies.

“You need to know your bait, your color spinner, you need to know if they’re biting on jigging (the movement of the bait on your rod as you troll along the bottom), and the temperature,” Jenny added.

This is apparently much different fishing than in the North Dakota, which they consider easier. In Lake Sacajawea, the Missouri river and Devil’s Lake, “if they’re biting, you’re catching. [The Minnesota fish] seem more finicky. If they are biting, then everybody’s catching. If they aren’t, you have to put the time and dedication in to get them,” Ronny said.

Strategy and Temperature

Jenny and Ronny always troll for fish using opposite colored spinners. If one gets a fish and then more follow, they know it’s not just a fluke and the other person will switch. Never knowing what the fish are going to bite on, they do the same with bait like minnows, leeches, and worms (crawlers).

“I don’t know what it is, if it’s the scent or the display, or the shorter tail or what,” Ronny said.

At one point to the couple received some very valuable advice: “We were told a long time ago to take food coloring and dump it in the bed with our worms. Before you knew it, we had green or blue or what have you. We’ve used Canadian crawlers and we nailed walleye like you wouldn’t believe,” Jenny said.

Summing it up with her final comment, Jenny spoke for both of them on their 20 years of shared fishing history.

“We’ve fished in the hottest weather, in the coldest too. We’ve fished in thunderstorms; we’ve fished in tornadoes; we’ve fished in blizzards practically; we’ve done it all. We’ve made a lot of memories and a lot of stories and caught a lot of fish.”

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IF YOU GO:
What: 2011 lake or stream fishing in Minnesota and North Dakota.
When: Fishing season dates and times are too numerous to list by species, please refer to the appropriate DNR website or ask your local bait shop. Pan fish are Sunnies and Crappies (pronounced Croppies). Game fish include Walleye, Northern Pike, and Trout.
Cost: Residents and non-residents pay a variety of rates depending on what type of fish they want to catch, whether they are fishing with a spouse and using a combination license, are military, etc. Visit the appropriate state’s Department of Natural Resources website for more
info. When applying for a fishing license, you’ll need to supply your social security number along with address, and driver’s license number. Remember to check which bait is authorized.

Minnesota and North Dakota Fishing licenses are available at most if not all bait shops as well as through the mail, online or by phone (MN: 888-665-4236, ND: 800-406-6409), and through county auditor offices statewide for North Dakota fishing.

Info: MN DNR: http://qr.net/mn_dnr, ND DNR: http://qr.net/nd_dnr

SIDEBAR -

Fishing & Camping
Big Stone Lake:
The lake is inside Big Stone Lake State Park in Minnesota. The lake itself is 26 miles long and is located on the South Dakota-Minnesota border. According to Ronnie, it is long, narrow, and shallow, with very good walleye fishing. Best time for walleye – Memorial Day Weekend into the end of June. http://qr.net/big_stone
Great campgrounds with good showers, quiet and not as full as you’d think it would be on the 4th of July. There are also great hiking trails. On the 4th of July, for the entire length of the lake, there are fireworks and the lake is lit up “like crazy”. The display is akin to the Detroit fireworks in their heyday.

Hungryman Lake by Lake George):

Very full of trees & wildlife, no homes. This makes for a really nice, relaxing fishing trip. http://qr.net/hungryman

Bad Medicine Lake:
A spring fed lake that is bestbknown as Minnesota’s Rainbow Trout lake, but also has salmon and walleye. The water is clear and you can look down as far as 70 feet. http://qr.net/bad_medicine

Best bet for a daytrip: Maplewood State Park:
A good half an hour from Wolverton, 20 miles east of Pelican), http://qr.net/maplewood
Multiple lakes next to a campgrounds, canoe rental, family oriented. Lots of maple trees and it’s gorgeous in the fall with vibrant colors.

Tamarac Wildlife Refuge:
This spot fills up fast, so make an advanced plan to go. Rumor has it that there are even “tame” racoons, but please – don’t touch. http://qr.net/tamarac

Long Lost Lake:
Another great local treasure for camping. TIP: When you’re camping in remote areas, put your food away at night. http://qr.net/long_lost_lake

Killer Camp Sidedish

The Olsons have a tradition – instead of the standard go-to of BBQ’d burgers, Jenny makes something more interesting.

:: 2 big potatoes, washed, skin on (dice these up at the campsite so they’re fresh)
:: Orange, yellow, red pepper and onion (dice up beforehand)
:: In a pan, throw in butter, and seasoning like salad seasoning, pepper, or Lowry’s seasoning.
:: Wrap it in tin foil, really really well on low heat and keep it on the fire for 45 minutes.
:: Scoop out onto plates and put sour cream on it, have with your beverage of choice. Any leftovers are great in the morning with eggs.