Has anyone been to Valentine, NE yet this year?

[Reg]

I usually fish valentine refuge once or twice per year. I was thinking about going either MLK weekend or Pres. weekend. Has anyone been up there yet this year?

I am a MN transplant living in northern Colorado, therefore I am always searching for Walleyes, Northerns, 'Gills, Crappies, perch (but not necessarily in that order). I enjoy catch the Rocky Mountain Carp (what natives call "trout"), but I don't much care to eat them. Any tips on the warm water action are MUCH obliged!

[Eskimo]

Reg,
Never been there, but it sounds like fun!! How far of a trek is it from the front range? I was born and raised in Hudson, WI and have been loving it here in Colorado...

As for the trout... TASTY! I fillet those babies out, de-bone them(which is pretty easy when you know how to do it), Soak in buttermilk, Roll in your favorite coating mix, and deep fry like you would any "white" fleshed fish... YUMMY - cook them this way you may be surprised!! It's easiest to do on larger trout - 18"+.. My kids just love them!! Tim

[lucky7]

Reg:

How far from C Springs is this Valentine Nebraska? If it is not too far I may make a trek over MLK weekend. I am a nut for Northerns!

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lucky7

[Guest]

I went up to Merrit last year cause the reports were really good and the ice on the front range was pretty poor all year. Drove a bunch of miles and caught one very small crappie. But the locals say when it is hot it is really hot.
I agree about the trout. I can really not understand why the Dept of Fish and Game continues to wreck some really good water by putting those miserable excuses for fish that they call trout in our warm water lakes. Probably because they are cheap to grow and they are dumb enough that you can always catch a few.

[Reg]

Valentine is straight north of North Platte, almost to the S.D. border. From Greeley it takes me about 7 hours drive to get there.

I didn't go last year because the reports I heard were not great. But like you said, when it's hot, it's HOT. My best luck there has been for Northerns.

I usually stay at Merritt Trading Post. The cabins ain't much, but they're cheap. I have also heard that Big Alkili Resort is supposed to be a good place to stay. If you are going to need frozen smelt for Northerns, call ahead to Merritt Trading Post and tell them to save you a bag--they will. They also have everything else you need--live minnows, waxies, license, parks pass, etc.

[Reg]

Hey Tim, thanks for the tip on trout preparation. I will give it a try. I am from the LaCrosse WI area (Winona, MN) and love to eat fish.

Valentive is a bit more of a drive from the Springs, but if they are biting it is well worth it. Find Merritt Trading Post on the internet and give thema call for conditions. Ask with whom you are speaking--the owner is John, and he is the King of B.S. Try to speak with somebody besides him to get an "accurate" report.

Merritt Reservoir and Big Akili Lake are both outside of the Refuge--you can fish them day or night and live bait is allowed. Merritt has a variety of panifish that are fairly easy to access. You will need a state parks pass for Merritt but they are cheap--an annual is only $13.00.

The only lake I fish on in the refuge is Pelican. For Northerns, stay very close to shore just past the reeds. It is only 3 or 4 feet deep. I use a quickset rig with frozen smelt on a tip up. I only go about 2 ft under the ice. Northerns cruise in like a motorcycle gang, so once you get a flag, be prepared for all your flags to fly about the same time--it is awesome! Snow tends to blow off the ice there so it gets kind of slippery--bring cleats because you will be doing a lot of running to your tip ups!

I also put fire line on my jig poles when I go there. I have caught several Northerns while jigging for bluegills. They have state record size 'gills in this lake!

ALSO, in the state of NE it is legal to use a fish you caught as bait, but ONLY in the lake you caught it in. I have never had to use perch or gills in Pelican though, because the Northerns like those smelt just fine. REMEMBER: do not bring live minnows into the refuge (can't even have them in your vehicle!).

[Reg]

I forgot to say that you can only fish in the Refuge from dawn til dusk. I usually leave Pelican Lake about 3:30 and go set my shack up on Merritt Reservoir, anchor it, and go eat. I come back at night for the crappie bite. It is hit and miss, but there are usually a fair amount of people out there at night. Sometimes it can be like a camp with lots of lights and people--it's cool! Bring a bottle of Schnapps to share with new friends and before you know it people are telling you all their "secret spots"

[Reg]

I'm going up this weekend. I'll post how the bite was when I get back.

[Reg]

OK, I went over the MLK weekend and it was LOUSY! On Friday we caught several Northerns, biggest one a little over 6lbs. Other than that, one puny perch! And I thought fishing around here has been bad!

[fishvince01]

Reg

Anymore Nebraska fishing reports?
Fished the 11 mile (Colorado) fishing contest last weekend placed 6th with a 4lb. northern. Thats about it! Vince

[Reg]

YOu can check reports on Neb. forum. Go to the Neb. Department of Wildlife homepage (don't have the URL handy--you'll have to do a search), and click on the forum link. They have good updates.

I don't know what the deal is this year, but I just haven't been pulling much up through the holes. Sure would like to find some walleyes or panfish...