OF OPEN WATER & ICE. We cover news for your soft water angling and boating next summer, while we run through the memory books and lay out a strategy for hard water hole hopping in today’s Outdoors Roundup.

Featured Photo:  A BIG GRID.  Punching a bunch of holes – ice tourney style – will help you explore new areas on a lake as well!

 

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today:  Thu 12/19 – Light Winds – Hi 24, Lo 13, Wind E@7
Tomorrow:  Fri 12/20 – Even Calmer – Hi 31, Lo 13, Wind SW@5

 

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

Sunrise        Sunset
8:23AM        4:56PM

Moonrise      Moonset       Overhead               Underfoot
12:30AM      1:30PM        7:07AM           7:31PM

 

Moon Phase:  Last Quarter

 

EDGE HOUR:    6:30-7:30AM.  Moon overhead will help spur the predawn walleye bite in our Edge Hour.

DAY RATING:

 

OUTDOORS ROUNDUP:

BOAT REGISTRATION.  The NDG&F advises anglers and boaters that new three-year registrations are required at the turn of the calendar.  In addition, a $15 Aquatic Nuisance Species surcharge will be added to help the agency fight the spread of ANS like zebra mussels with additional funding.

 
TIME’S EYE.  Who remembers when perch eyes were the bait du jour?  On many lakes where live bait fish were not legal in the 80s and early 90s, the eyes of caught yellow perch made excellent bait for catching more perch.  While seldom used now, this vestige of those days – and one of the few game fish-related parts which can be employed for bait – remains legal in ND waters.

 

THE GRID.  If you’re looking to explore a new lake, or maybe an interesting turn, point, channel or bay, consider punching the holes you need to survey the area in a grid of 25 or 30, then hole hop (or have someone else get started behind you).  When you find fish, a drop, a change in bottom or other interesting feature, mark it in the snow.