Casselton Resv.

[JohnH]

Just wondering if anyone has fished Crappies or walleyes there, if they were biting and what on

[nluchau]

No idea on what they are catching but their are a few permanents out there on the east side of the Pond. I would also like to know if they are getting any crappies.

Anyone care to let us know?

[Skitterpop]

I fished that slough once and I was not impressed by the size of anything I caught. Before the birds messed up Brewer that was an excellant winter lake. Has anyone tried it at all this winter? I have not fished it in 2 years but there has to be fish still in there somewhere. They couldn't have all been eaten by the cormorants and pelicans.

[nluchau]

What did you end up catching may I ask? I have heard their are crappies and northerns in there. Anything else?

Thanks

[Skitterpop]

Very small bluegills, small crappies, and 25 mosquito bites

[nluchau]

Fished the Resv this afternoon from 3:30 to Close to dark and never got a single bite. There was about 3 other people out there. If you are one of them will you chime in and let us know if your getting anything. I was fishing in about 12-14 feet of water. Could see clear to the weeds but seen nothing swim though?

[nluchau]

Anything biting out there

[Ed Carlson]

I was there a couple days back, caught 15-20 crappie at dusk in 8' near shore on the West end. At dusk jigging aggressively brought them in and a more supple approach with a 4" dropper rig off a Glow Green Angel Eye JR and a minnow head caught the most for me.

Sat there is a little ice tournament hosted by a local bar on the Cass res from 12:00 to 3:00, so it will be a busy place. Late afternoon at dusk may be a better bet to get some crappies if the commotion dies down.

[nluchau]

Ed,

Well now I know they bite I guess. Thanks for the report. Were there any size to them?

[Ed Carlson]

No monsters but fun to catch. You could put a meal together I guess.

There are some big pike in there. The pike have so much easy food around they are kinda tough to get to bite. I had one big pike interested for a long time just before dark but she was too fussy or wise for me. I'll get her next time Eh.

[nluchau]

Ed, Thanks for the info. Whats the best technique and depth to get the crappies? Also what lures (minnows or waxies)? Thanks again for the info

Nick

[Ed Carlson]

I was in 9' near shore on the West side of the res, just south of the Ballfield off the North side.

I mostly jigged a Angel Eye with a 3" Gamakatsu G-Sting dropper tipped with a minnow head. The second rod rigged with a larger white Fatboy and a whole minnow. I also had good luck agresively jigging a CD-4 HP (Hot Perch) Chubby Darter tipped with a minnow head, it really called the crappies in. If they came in to the Chubby or the AE and looked but no bite I switched to the Fatboy and a minnow head and that usually got a few to hit.

I managed one of them big pike on a tiny jig and minnow head on Sunday morning, it may have went 10# or so. The big pike was a hoot on a UL rod Combo..Weeeeeeeeeeeeee...Weeee....Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

I C&R all the fish I caught on Sunday morning.

[nluchau]

Ed,

Thank you very much for the info. I could just about imagine that pike just taking line with that crappie rod.

Thanks again,

Nick

[Ed Carlson]

We tried it last night for a few hours. Slow was the word. Caught 3-4 crappies and didn't see all that many on the move. Kinda fussy mostly Lookers. The ones I did ice were caught on Angel Eye JR's in glow/pink rigged and droppers with a minnow head.

Now that front passed it may get back on line?

[nluchau]

Ed,

Thanks for the update. I went out today to Middle Cormorant. We are getting some nice sunnies and a few crappies. Biggest and only one for me today was a 12 incher.

[nluchau]

Anything ever bite during the day on the Resv. ?

[GRUMP]

Is the Casselton Res. near the town of Casselton? Looking at a map I dont see it.Thanks

[Ed Carlson]

Grump It is located right behind the ball park on the North West side of town. It is a tiny res, more of a long pond.

Turn in on the East side of the ball park and the access is off the North East end. The Cenex quick stop on main can point you the right way too.

[JignJab]

Does anybody sell bait in Casselton? Like minnoows?

[Ed Carlson]

Not sure if they do? I buy mine at Gander Mountain.

The Gander Mountain bait shop is open from 7 AM to 9 PM. They carry minnows (fatheads and crappie), frozen haring, various larva baits for panfish.

No shiners there because they are a no-no in ND. Suckers can be bought there but only used on the Red River and not on inland waters in ND.

[nluchau]

Cenex has fatheads and waxies.

[nluchau]

Ed have you been out to the Resv. lately? Hows the bite?

[Ed Carlson]

Not this week. I was out there a week ago Saterday and it was slow.

I have been fishing the Red and a few spots to the South this past week. A hit and miss bite for me last week.

[koWALLEYEski]

Has anyone fished the stretch of river right before Barnesville. I think its called the Buffalo River.

[nluchau]

Hey Ed, Just wondering if the bite gets good before ice out on casselton resv.? Also - you put on a great seminar at Gander Mtn. Thursday.

nluchau