New to Fargo area

[Fishing_Ace]

Hey all!

As the title says im new to the Fargo area and i have no idea where to fish. I just moved from Warroad, MN where i fished LOW all my life and now im looking for something a little closer Could anyone give me some help/tips/pointers, it would be much appreciated.

thanks

Ace

[Code-Man]

Welcome to FM and Fargo area. A lot of the guys run over to the Detroit Lakes area. First place you will want to get if you do is a Lake Map Book for Becker/Ottertail County. Next thing go to Detroit Lakes and go South on Washington Ave. Just past M & k is Quality Bait and Tackle. John and his wife run it and they know the fishing reports and have great bait which you can't beat. They will suggest lakes to try and then go back to the maps to find out where they are. Find the public access and see where the houses and trails are. Good luck

[Cicada]

Welcome to the area. What are you fishing for? Do you have a boat? How big? You may get some answers by asking (I usually have a big mouth), but going back in these reports may get you more info.

[Fishing_Ace]

oh sorry, i guess i should have been a little more specific I would like to know a good walleye lake or two and a good crappie/panfish lake or two. I do not have a boat yet so im looking for some lakes to ice fish on. I dont need to know specific hot spots or the best parts of the lake (tho i wont argue) but that info will come in time.

Code-man thanks for the info, ill look to see if i can find one of those books.

Thanks for the help guys!! is there anything else someone can add?

[cbek]

Fishing Ace you can also go onto the MN DNR website they also have maps and stocking reports available the maps are online are old but they give you aa good idea of the structure. Also I would recommend getting a Lowrance H2O Gps with a Lakemaster chip which puts you on the spot easier. As far as good lakes in the DL area there are plenty to choose from Detroit Lake, Mellisa, Sallie, Cormorant Lakes, Pelican and many more. It just depends on how mobile you are on the ice, if you have a plow you can go pretty much wherever you want with permanents or if you have a snowmobile and portable you options are limitless. Welcome to the area!

[Cicada]

Like Code suggested, get one of those books. They have quite a bit of information about each lake they feature. You can then pick a lake based on your favorite fishing techniques. You know, what kind of structure you like to fish, clearer water, whatever. There are a lot of lakes with different characteristics. Some popular walleye lakes are Ottertail, Lida, Big Cormorant, White Earth, Island, Pelican, and Big Detroit. There will be enough crowds to point out the spots. Panfish lakes are pretty much a dime a dozen. Pick any one and learn it a little bit about that lake and you'll be on fish.

[mosquitoman]

like everyone else said, get a map book and follow the crouds in Detroit Lakes....

If you want to go the other direction there is Lake Ashtabula outside of Valley City, ND off of I-94. I have had pretty good luck with walleye there. this year most people are staying close to the boat access areas due to the deep snow on the ice.

[plainjane]

A fun area to go is the area northeast of Detroit Lakes near/in

the Tamarac refuge. Island, Height of Land, Round and Many

Point lakes are all in a very peaceful environment and if you

get on fish you will very likely have the spot to yourself.

Welcome to the area.

[fisherdog19]

Lida would be a good lake to start. Fish the outskirts of the community areas and you should have some luck. Many of the lakes in the Tamarac are will most likely have winterkill this year and may be suffering already. Those would be good ones to hit now, before the fish become lethargic.

[Fishing_Ace]

Thanks guys! This gives me an idea of where to start.

Now are most of the lakes public access or are there "resorts" to go out from? and if so, is there an adverage price for an ice fee?

[dairyman]

it cost $3 to get on Lizzie last saturday ---nice road out there

[Code-Man]

most lake access are open but the ones that are at the resorts where they keep a trail plowed for you will charge a minimal fee. just to keep it worth there time. I would suggest a Lake Map you can buy them at Wal-Mart and if you got the money I would suggest the H2O and get the lake master chip and it will help you a lot more. Study the book then you got the GPS to not waste time drilling holes. Lot of the lakes are hit and miss so touch base with john before heading out.

[Fishing_Ace]

Thanks for all the help guys! ill hopefully be catching fish here in no time!

[fishinmajishin]

Before too long you'll be looking for a home closer to DL and commuting!

[fisherdog19]

It isn't like LOW here, no resorts that plow, just some fellow fishermen that have plow trucks.

[JigginIsLife]

yup you can email me if you need a fishing buddy im almost always down to drop whatever im doing to go wet a line. as long as it isnt around -30 about -20 im good but other than that...brrr

[Pickelfarmer]

Code-man thanks for the info, ill look to see if i can find one of those books.

Thanks for the help guys!! is there anything else someone can add?

I'm not sure if its been posted or not but you should be able to pick up a lake map book at wall- well you know. I'm not sure if the local bait shop in DL has them or not but PLEASE check there first. Walli world is the last resort but they do have them. There a great tool for both winter and summer.Just make sure to get one for the area you think you will be fishing the most. Good luck and welcome!!!