Presented by Yamaha Motor Corp USA and Warrior Boats Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 14, 2024
Contact: Denny Fox, 920-505-0122
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™)
That Prairie Wind Might Decide Who Gets What Where At AIM Warrior Boats Father’s Day Open On Lake Sakakawea
That prairie wind which sweeps down from the Rockies, combined with finding those pockets of warmer-than-50-degree water as snowmelt water from those mountains starts flowing will be major factors in who gets the job done on North Dakota’s Lake Sakakawea on Father’s Day Sunday (June 16), in the second of three straight AIM Weekend Walleye Series events on that lake, this one the Warrior Boats Open qualifier.
“I’ve said it before, Fan Nation, they grow wind as a crop out here, and it looks like it’ll be the third occupant in team boats, pushing aboard from the west. That will play into a lot of decisions on where to go and how to fish Sunday,” said Denny Fox, AIM national tournament director. “Snowmelt waters, with a lot of run-off from recent rains have cooled the lake, so combined with that wind mixing it all up, it should be a good, AIM kind of fishing day.”
Craig Kolden of Garrison will be in a Mercury 225 Optimax-powered boat with wife Shaeli. They live three miles from the launch point at Fort Stevenson State Park with a mix of electronics aboard including Garmin. He’s been so busy, including competing in the AIM Warrior Boats National Championship Shootout at the lake’s western end at New Town, that he hasn’t even unloaded his boat in his home water. He’s correcting that now, and he’s feeling that the winds might be a challenge.
“The winds forecast for Sunday have risen pretty high now. It should be a decent practice, but with the west wind on our side of the lake, it will be a challenge. That’s going to change everything. All the warm water will blow out of the bays. We’re just going to have to find some warmer water. On all of Sakakawea the wind direction plays a factor. If it’s blowing straight to the east it’ll make some pretty big rollers,” he said, but fish may be already on the move.
“There’s a big group of fish that usually runs down the river this time of year. A lot on the east end are local so you’re also basically waiting for the big run. We’re trying to find a big group that’s rolling through in the area of Hazen or Beulah Bay (both on the lake’s southeast side),” Kolden said.
“Those could potentially have bigger schools than what you see further east. This is a whole different lake further east here. The fishing can be as good but this time of year the water temperatures are in the 55-degree mark, and it’s going to be good shortly. A five-degree difference in the water can really shift the fish,” he said. And those winds and temps, especially from those recent rains and the just-starting snowpack melt in the west, will shift fish big time.
“When colder water comes in the fish move deeper. This time of year, the elusive bite’s up shallow and it really changes up the game. Usually a 25-pound bag wins the tournaments here. In the Nationals, we had 57 pounds, and we didn’t place very well, but on our side of the lake, it’ll be 28 to 30 pounds” for a potential win.
“We’re on the verge of a really good bite but that’s going to be in about two weeks,” he estimated.
Ty Rossman and brother Travis from Turtle Lake will be fishing Sunday, in a Mercury 250 Verado-powered boat, but Thursday, Ty was on the water with his son, and he’s reporting some shy fish.
“As of today, I’d like to just get five. It’s been slow lately. There have been a lot of storms and rain and it’s changed things. But it looks like we have some stable warmer weather,” he said. “There hasn’t really been a shallow water bite here yet so once the water warms it should get better,” Rossman said. Where he was when reached Thursday, water temperature was 57 degrees, and on the main lake points, he reported, it’s more like 51, and the water level is rising, including water entering from the west from rivers like the Yellowstone. He and brother Travis will have just about every live bait and then some aboard come Sunday.
David Reisenauer is from Coleharbor, on the lake’s southeast side. He’ll be on the water on Father’s Day with his father Rick of Minot under Mercury 225 Pro XS-power. He grew up in Garrison, and he was also on the water Thursday, in Douglas Creek Bay, on the north side. He’s pretty familiar with the wind and the water here, and how to handle both. But he agrees they will be big in deciding who will be on the podium.
“It’s going to be a big factor Sunday. It’ll make it interesting. There are a few spots that are well-known and a couple will be a bit tougher to fish,” David Reisenauer said. “Right now (in Douglas) I’m in 54 degrees. It’s varied from 54 to 64 over the last week. That doesn’t help very much with the water changing constantly.
“It’s part because of the flow from the west and the wind that’s moving it. I’d love to see that 64-degree mark on Sunday. Some of my best spots turn on when it hits 64,” he said. Even with all that, he’s feeling good, and he’s also hoping for a jig bite.
“I’m confident we’ll get our five. It’s depending on what the temperature is going to be. It’s going to be a patience game. I’ve caught fish jigging, cranking and pulling bait. I’m hoping Sunday I’ll be doing a jig bite, fingers crossed. The only bad thing is being able to feel your jig if it gets too windy,” he said. Regardless, he said he’s prepared to have fun. And when someone says that, watch out. That means he’s relaxed, and so many times, the teams “just having fun” are the ones who do well.
“I’m going to go out and have fun fishing with my father this weekend. One thing about the lake’s east end, it will humble you. One day you’ll have an awesome bite and the next it’ll turn cold. It’s a totally different animal than fishing up in the Van Hook (Arm),” he said.
Following Saturday’s online team meeting, everyone meets for boat inspection starting at 5:30 a.m. at the Fort Stevenson State Park launch. Teams get the “go” at 7 a.m. and must return by 3 p.m. Awards will take place at the park. Good luck, all teams, and stay safe!
Fan Nation, when AIM returns to North Dakota, teams will next meet in late-summer conditions on Lake Sak on Aug. 11 as a final prelude to the state championship on Sept. 7 on Devils Lake. But before that, calling all River Rats, June 23’s your date with some Mississippi marble-eyes in Pools 2 and 3 and the St. Croix River out of Hastings, MN. Wisconsin teams, your next date is July 21 with the big ones on the Bay of Green Bay at Oconto. Minnesota, we’ll see you July 14 on Leech Lake at Walker.
Come on in, all you teams thinking about jumping into an AIM tournament. We won’t bite, but the fish will. Go to aimfishing.com to join in the most affordable, lucrative walleye tournament, now in its 10th season. Follow all the fun at AIM’s Facebook page.
You know you want to. You know you can.
Anglers Insight Marketing LLC (AIM™) is a unique tournament organization created and owned by many of the most accomplished and recognizable professional walleye anglers, along with others who share the mission of advancing competitive walleye fishing and making it sustainable into the future.
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AIM Presenting Sponsors: Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S.A. and Warrior Boats inc.
AIM Supporting Sponsors: Mercury Marine, Garmin, Power Pole, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Off Shore Tackle, Gemini Sport Marketing, JT Outdoors Products, McQuoids Inn, Rosemore Outdoor Gear, Outdoor Authority fish house rentals, Adventure Recreational Finance, Oconto County WI., Forever Barnwood