Now’s a good time to fish different lakes

A few weeks ago, my wife and I were having a conversation on the patio. We have a unique way of communicating with each other. She tells me all about her day and everything that is happening in her world and I listen, nod occasionally and grunt when appropriate. 

At the end of her daily report she informed me that we hadn’t gotten away together in a long time. She thought it was about time that I took her somewhere. She was incorrect about us not getting away. The two of us had gotten away this summer. We had gone together to a doctor’s appointment in Aberdeen and several grocery shopping trips that she forgot about. 

However, I didn’t think that this was the time to question her failing memory so I asked where she would like to go. She said that she would like to go to Minnesota to look at the leaves. She must have noticed the puzzled look on my face as I stared up at the tress in our yard. “They are supposed to be beautiful this time of year”, she exclaimed! 

I agreed that fall leaves are pretty and I didn’t need to travel to know that. The growing frustration in her voice was obvious when she said, “I have always wanted to go to Northern Minnesota in the fall. I think Leech Lake would be fun.” I immediately had a change of attitude and agreed that we did need to get away. I complimented her on her choice and asked when we were going. She was excited about us getting a much needed get away and, truthfully, so was I. The idea of fishing Leech Lake in the fall again was almost as appealing as getting away with my bride. We talked with friends of ours about joining us and we set the date. 

Fishing in northeast South Dakota changes this time of year, as any fisherman will tell you. As the water begins to cool, the weeds begin to recede and the fish begin to spread out and move around. What makes fishing difficult during this transition is that this process doesn’t happen the same on all lakes. In addition to the water temperature being a factor, the number of weeds on the lake, the structure, the bottom hardness and flow of fresh water dictate the movement of fish. It can make finding and catching fish much more difficult. It is not impossible and if you know your lake and can remember what the fish do every year at this time, you can still be successful. Many fishermen, however, put their rods up for a couple of weeks and find something else to do until the end of September. By then most of the fish will have transitioned to their normal fall spots on every lake. 

Since fishing at home can be tough, this is a perfect time of year to check out new bodies of water. Whether that new body of water is Leech Lake or, my favorite, northern Lake Oahe, you will find the same summerlike weather without the summerlike crowds. Fishing a new lake can be difficult, but so can fishing local lakes this time of year. If I have to work hard to find fish, I would rather it be on an unfamiliar lake. 

My wife and I had a great time on our getaway. That trip made me realize that I need to take her away for the weekend more often. Since, this trip was her idea, I told her I would plan the next getaway. I am thinking she would love Devil’s Lake in January.