SETTLE IN.  Warm weather will help move fish back into their summer establishments as they begin setting up post-spawn patterns.  Key in on baitfish moving as well and on food sources developing in the shallows.  We talk about baitfish and more in today’s Three Things.

Featured Photo: Money in the Bank.  Minnows rest comfortably in a Flow-Troll bucket dockside. Simonson Photo

DAILY CONDITIONS:

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today: Mon 6/4 – Solid warmth. Hi 85, Lo 55, Wind S@13, G20.
Tomorrow:  Tue 6/5 – Some Thunder Late? Hi 89, Lo 60, Wind StoN@10.

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):
Sunrise: 5:52AM Sunset: 9:31PM
Moonrise: 1:23AM Moonset 11:14AM
Overhead: 6:16AM Underfoot: 6:39PM
Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous (70% Full)

EDGE HOUR: 6:00-7:00PM.  Moon underfoot, comfortable temps and fading daylight will close out your workday with a fast bite in the Edge Hour.
DAY RATING:


THREE THINGS

BIG TIME.  Smaller gamefish and panfish are appearing in the shallows, bigger baitfish are schooling and spawning and weedlines are beginning to grow.  Focus on the start of these seasonal factors as fish begin to move toward their summer patterns and intercept them as they come off the spawn.  Live bait gets it done right now, but crank trolling season isn’t far off.

SMELT MELT.  The fuel for the fire of Lake Sakakawea is suffering a seasonal setback as a notable rainbow smelt die-off has been reported to the NDG&F by anglers and the department’s staff.  While not out of the ordinary considering the quick-warm up after their spawn, the likely bacterial infection causes concern when the fish show up dead in large numbers.
TAKE CARE.  For on-shore baitfish maintenance, nothing beats a good aerator.  When away from the water’s edge or out of the continuous flow of livewell bait holder, a bubbler helps add oxygen to a bucket full of minnows. Models such as the clip-on Frabill Min-O-Life or the Rapala Floating Aerator run on batteries and help keep minnows fresh.

Stay Sharp!