Question Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

Fly-Boy-Wray · 08-20-2008, 07:46 PM

I have not fished the refuge lakes in many years. I have some time coming up and I am thinking of taking a little fishing trip out there on the USS IHOPE “aka my float tube” and my fly rod.

My concern: What would be my chance of catching any perch and pike this late in the year? And what kind of condition can I expect the lakes to be?

Any input is welcome!

Thanks
Bryan

mrcold · 08-20-2008, 08:30 PM

In my experience, you can expect weeds. Wind and weeds. Your best bet would be Clear...it's the deepest and never completely weeds over like the rest of them do for the most part. We trolled mostly...but you're gonna get tired in a hurry trolling a Mepps around the lake.

buglem · 08-20-2008, 09:26 PM

Might give Goose Lake a try. I haven't been there since the 4th but it has nice gills, perch, pike and bass in it. Maybe someone close by there can give you a weed report before you go. Would save you a little gas $ too.

Rangerman · 08-21-2008, 12:14 AM

I fished up there about 3 years ago in the fall, timed it for Grouse seasons in case the fishing was bad, we caught some fish (pike) but they didn't come easy. Grouse hunting was more rewarding. If you decide to go I agree with mrcold that Clear lake would be the one to fish.

**SKershaw** · 08-21-2008, 07:04 PM

More questions:

What lake would produce the most pike action this time of year?

Please, some people from out that way, do you have a RECENT report? What are the lakes going to be like this coming weekend and next weekend?

Fly-Boy-Wray · 08-21-2008, 07:06 PM

Well the state is will be my playgound over a 4 day weekend.

Any other suggestions?

**SKershaw** · 08-21-2008, 07:09 PM

Hey, you said you couldn't get to a computer... I didn't know that IA had internet!!!

Birddog466 · 09-11-2008, 10:27 PM

Clear Lake has been way down and not many perch were seen when fishing this year. I would try Dewey or Pelican as they had bee producing this year for Pike. As far as fishing in the fall we have done combo hunts for grouse and had decent luck. The weeds are a damper in the fall and make moving a boat more difficult, but I think with a float tube you should be good.

08-20-2008, 07:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fly-Boy-Wray Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Omaha Ne Posts: 171 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Valentine National Wildlife Refuge I have not fished the refuge lakes in many years. I have some time coming up and I am thinking of taking a little fishing trip out there on the USS IHOPE “aka my float tube” and my fly rod. My concern: What would be my chance of catching any perch and pike this late in the year? And what kind of condition can I expect the lakes to be? Any input is welcome! Thanks Bryan __________________ If all the theories were correct, there wouldn't be a fish left in all of our lakes and rivers and streams. Izaak Walton Last edited by SKershaw; 08-20-2008 at 08:10 PM.

08-20-2008, 09:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
buglem 2008 Catch & Continue 2nd Runner Up Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Elkhorn Posts: 295 Thanks: 3 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Don't know about the refuge Might give Goose Lake a try. I haven't been there since the 4th but it has nice gills, perch, pike and bass in it. Maybe someone close by there can give you a weed report before you go. Would save you a little gas $ too. __________________ Remember, the field mouse is fast, but the owl sees at night! - Chip

08-21-2008, 07:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
SKershaw Moderator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wherever the feeders are:) Posts: 991 Thanks: 50 Thanked 20 Times in 16 Posts	More questions: What lake would produce the most pike action this time of year? Please, some people from out that way, do you have a RECENT report? What are the lakes going to be like this coming weekend and next weekend? __________________ I have read that these critters have 40% mortality after you have crapped them out!!! Last edited by SKershaw; 08-21-2008 at 07:09 PM.

08-21-2008, 07:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Fly-Boy-Wray Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Omaha Ne Posts: 171 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Well the state is will be my playgound over a 4 day weekend. Any other suggestions? __________________ If all the theories were correct, there wouldn't be a fish left in all of our lakes and rivers and streams. Izaak Walton

08-21-2008, 07:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
SKershaw Moderator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wherever the feeders are:) Posts: 991 Thanks: 50 Thanked 20 Times in 16 Posts	Hey, you said you couldn't get to a computer... I didn't know that IA had internet!!! __________________ I have read that these critters have 40% mortality after you have crapped them out!!!

08-20-2008, 08:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
mrcold Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 450 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	In my experience, you can expect weeds. Wind and weeds. Your best bet would be Clear...it's the deepest and never completely weeds over like the rest of them do for the most part. We trolled mostly...but you're gonna get tired in a hurry trolling a Mepps around the lake.

08-21-2008, 12:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rangerman Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: columbus Posts: 26 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I fished up there about 3 years ago in the fall, timed it for Grouse seasons in case the fishing was bad, we caught some fish (pike) but they didn't come easy. Grouse hunting was more rewarding. If you decide to go I agree with mrcold that Clear lake would be the one to fish.

09-11-2008, 10:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
Birddog466 Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Valentine National WildLife Refuge Clear Lake has been way down and not many perch were seen when fishing this year. I would try Dewey or Pelican as they had bee producing this year for Pike. As far as fishing in the fall we have done combo hunts for grouse and had decent luck. The weeds are a damper in the fall and make moving a boat more difficult, but I think with a float tube you should be good.

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