North Saskatchewan river fishing

[slawton2]

I live in Edmonton and fish the river all the time but never know how early I can start. I went in April and may last year and didn't get even a bite. I have heard that you catch the big ones just as the ice is coming off the river but still i have had no luck. Does anyone know when the best time to start fishing the river is? I will take any advice I can get.

[Geezle]

The best time to fish the river is whenever you can get out there!

Seriously though, I was out with another forum member today and we managed to get into a couple whites of all things...out of the NSR! :huh:

There's fish around...you just have to do some experimenting to see what's around the area you're fishing and what they want :)

[ghostguy6]

I would wait until the water clears up after all the run off. The run off has already started this year and once the dam is opened visability will be 0 so fishing will be hard. I generally dont start fishing the river hard until mid may.

[slawton2]

Thanks for the input, I might try before the end of April just to see whats in there. I will post if I get much. Thanks again

[tonypower]

I was wondering the same thing. I am itching to get a line in the water. New rod from the boat and sportsman show that I really want to try out.
Also any of you guys know when you can start targeting sturgen? Thats my gold this year is to land a sturgen. Thanks

[fishmania]

The best time to fish the river is whenever you can get out there!

Seriously though, I was out with another forum member today and we managed to get into a couple whites of all things...out of the NSR! :huh:

There's fish around...you just have to do some experimenting to see what's around the area you're fishing and what they want :)

Gezzle
I follow your fishing the NSR here on the forum and have taken some of the general advice given about the river by yourself and a few others on the forum
I fished a number of spots last summer mostly up river Devon and further west down back roads were I find a spots to access the river
Using lures,pickerel rigs and other methods suggested here etc with NO luck at all
Is there nothing up stream?
I just prefer going out of town a bit.The water is much cleaner and no chance of getting mugged LOL
What Im I doing wrong
Im very frustrated when I here others pulling out fish and I spend many hours with nothing

[fishinggeek]

Gezzle
I follow your fishing the NSR here on the forum and have taken some of the general advice given about the river by yourself and a few others on the forum
I fished a number of spots last summer mostly up river Devon and further west down back roads were I find a spots to access the river
Using lures,pickerel rigs and other methods suggested here etc with NO luck at all
Is there nothing up stream?
I just prefer going out of town a bit.The water is much cleaner and no chance of getting mugged LOL
What Im I doing wrong
Im very frustrated when I here others pulling out fish and I spend many hours with nothing

Try finding a place on the river where the current slows down, deeper water is always better. I use 8-10lb test and cast a mimic minow, or anchovie storm jig. cast out a bit upstream as far out as you can and let it fall and try hitting bottom, then slowly retreive, bites come usually at a 45 degree angle down current. The trick is to reel as slow as possible without getting snagged and keep the line snug. I catch lots of eyes this way. good luck.:)

[Dust1n]

i fish it in the heat of summer. using croc spoons in silver with any color stipe

[slawton2]

I have never have problems catching in the summer. I use Floating jig heads with a weight about 3 feet up on the line and put either a dew worm or a monnow on the jig head. I would also love to land a sturgeon if anyone has a spot.

[tonypower]

Not too sure about a good spot but about four years ago I landed one at the hermatiage dog park. I bought a new rod at the fishing hole sale on Friday so I can start trying for them. So if anyone has a good spot they want to share that would be great.

[Dust1n]

under bridges? thats where i go...and i get about 50% cacth rate there its hit and mis there look for seems and cast in em for best results and walk up streem

[chubbdarter]

under bridges? thats where i go...and i get about 50% cacth rate there its hit and mis there look for seems and cast in em for best results and walk up streem


yaaaa what he said:scared:

[Dust1n]

at first glance i thought u said thats what she said lol

[Daceminnow]

Gezzle
I follow your fishing the NSR here on the forum and have taken some of the general advice given about the river by yourself and a few others on the forum
I fished a number of spots last summer mostly up river Devon and further west down back roads were I find a spots to access the river
Using lures,pickerel rigs and other methods suggested here etc with NO luck at all
Is there nothing up stream?
I just prefer going out of town a bit.The water is much cleaner and no chance of getting mugged LOL
What Im I doing wrong
Im very frustrated when I here others pulling out fish and I spend many hours with nothing

find the holes. there's lots of good water west of town between the berrymoor bridge on hwy 759 and devon. fish just inside the current seams. still fishing minnows rigged on phelps floaters lindy style with a barrel swivel and weight should be your go to. you can slowly drag these in the bigger holes as well. 3" double tail black jigs with yellow heads or white with red heads popped on the bottom will also catch fish. i carry a big bag of tackle down to the river and rarely use anything other than the above mentioned.

Dace

[Geezle]

Gezzle
I follow your fishing the NSR here on the forum and have taken some of the general advice given about the river by yourself and a few others on the forum
I fished a number of spots last summer mostly up river Devon and further west down back roads were I find a spots to access the river
Using lures,pickerel rigs and other methods suggested here etc with NO luck at all
Is there nothing up stream?
I just prefer going out of town a bit.The water is much cleaner and no chance of getting mugged LOL
What Im I doing wrong
Im very frustrated when I here others pulling out fish and I spend many hours with nothing

Ouch...that's a bummer :(

First off, I'll say that the suggestions given by fishinggeek and Daceminnow are good advice. I honestly don't usually do the lindy rig thing, but I have caught lots of fish with a bait hanging out near the bottom on a dropshot rig. I'm also a huge fan of the Mimic Minnows that fishinggeek suggested.

The only other thing I can really think of that might be holding you back is location. I'm not sure specifically where you've been fishing, but I did learn a while back that the 'beach' down by where the boat launch is in Devon is a *really* shallow stretch. I live downstream of Edmonton sort of by Fort Saskatchewan, so I usually fish this area, so I'm not terribly familiar with the river upstream.

Early last year I spent quite a bit of time driving along the river looking for spots that I can get access, and when I found a spot that I could get down to, I'd go check it out. As the others suggested try to find spots where the current seems to slow down a little (like the inside of a bend) and where it's deeper. Once I had a few spots that I was happy with, I started fishing them, trying pretty much anything I had. Different spots often have different species of fish, and again there are often different species in a given area at different times of year. If you know what's in a particular area, then you can narrow down your lure choices to target the specific species. Clear as mud, right? :lol:

The biggest thing that I've found that's helped me on the river is to not spread myself out too much. I've got a few different spots that I like to fish, regularly, and as time goes on I learn more about the spots and the fish that like to hang out there. The more I learn, the more I catch :)

[Tyangelo]

I grew up in Devon, now own a house here, and have fished the river for years. Definitely some good spots around, but anywherenear the bridge is not one of them. Slower water is key. The best advice I can give is to find a place where a big back eddy meets the current. (like a big slow whirlpool) Cast a pickerel rig with half a crawler on each hook just past where the eddy meets the current. The current will pull your rig down into the edge if the hole creating the eddy. Will almost always hook up with Goldeye or suckers. Cast plugs or spoons near slow, deep, rocky sections for walleye, sauger, and the odd gator. Tight Lines!

[tonypower]

I have tried almost everything in the river and have only got lucky a few times(other than the good old pickrel rig). I am heading to the fishing hole to get some of these mimic minnows. Whats a good size and color?

[Tyangelo]

For right now, Id lean towards bigger and bright. 3" ish in a chatrouse or the like.

[Daceminnow]

I have tried almost everything in the river and have only got lucky a few times(other than the good old pickrel rig). I am heading to the fishing hole to get some of these mimic minnows. Whats a good size and color?

why use "mimic minnows" when you can use real ones? they are a great imitation minnow, but in a usually stained NSR the added scent of real bait has its advantages. try slip bobbing big shiners on an 1/8oz black jig head as well.

[tonypower]

I cant wait to try some of these new ideas. Going to be heading down tonight after work again. Maybe I will find something other than suckers. But I guess its better than getting skunked. lol

[Kokanee9]

................
The biggest thing that I've found that's helped me on the river is to not spread myself out too much. I've got a few different spots that I like to fish, regularly, and as time goes on I learn more about the spots and the fish that like to hang out there. The more I learn, the more I catch :)

I like the ending on this. How true.

[slawton2]

A good spot for walleye and Sturgeon is by legends golf course just north of Edmonton I have heard but everytime I drive to the spot there is people either partying out fishing already. i have heard people seeing sturgeon and seen people catch walleye when I been there. Good Luck

[biggamehunter]

I just tried legends 2 days ago and nobody was catching anything; we were trying everything! I fished at legends about 7 times in the las year and only managed 2 pike on a spoon. Hows terwillager this lately? Any good? Anybody got any spots they are willing to share? Also has anyone triend under the Anthony henday?
Any advice would be great!

[biggamehunter]

Sorry I forgot to add some words lol. But you get what I'm saying.

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

I heard a rumor that theres a spot by the High level bridge or by the river boat that is sapost to be good , Also another spot by whitemiud creek . Ive been to whitemud creek a few years back , Couldnt keep the Walleye off my hook .

X 2 on whoever said drop shot rig . Also any small spinners or spoons work aswell .

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

A good spot for walleye and Sturgeon is by legends golf course just north of Edmonton I have heard but everytime I drive to the spot there is people either partying out fishing already. i have heard people seeing sturgeon and seen people catch walleye when I been there. Good Luck

:lol: Horrible spot its dead there :lol: Kidding

[biggamehunter]

Where? Henday?

[sheepstalker]

Where? Henday?

tried terwillegar and henday area last couple of days still lots of ice! No luck....thought i had one on until I got it to shore, Its was a big black garbage bag with an old pair of boots it it....At least I have some new boots now!!!............................................ ...jk!

[tonypower]

I was down by hermatage dog park on sunday and got two suckers. I had the tip of the rod down because of the wind. I was there for about 4 hours though. And ya still lots of ice.

[greylynx]

tried terwillegar and henday area last couple of days still lots of ice! No luck....thought i had one on until I got it to shore, Its was a big black garbage bag with an old pair of boots it it....At least I have some new boots now!!!............................................ ...jk!

What else was in the garbage bag?:)

I think I have been watching too many Soprano reruns.

Mind you this is time of the year those dead bodies start popping up.

[Daceminnow]

tried terwillegar and henday area last couple of days still lots of ice! No luck....thought i had one on until I got it to shore, Its was a big black garbage bag with an old pair of boots it it....At least I have some new boots now!!!............................................ ...jk!

you guys should leave the homeless peoples stuff alone that live in the river valley. they have a tough enough time as it is.

[alodar]

Caught a rocky white on the nsr just now on a dropshot and dew worm #4 hook

[Braun]

Caught a rocky white on the nsr just now on a dropshot and dew worm #4 hook

does that mean you put the rod down just to post that on this tread???

[alodar]

does that mean you put the rod down just to post that on this tread???

rod holders ?

[ice]

Is there any decent spots where I could catch one or two in a day in the capilano area? My transportation is limited killed my truck, and I'm itching to get out there only made it out once this winter. I'll probobly be out there from sunrise to sunset, so walking a distance up the banks won't be a problem

[alodar]

I know a couple spits around there

[greylynx]

you guys should leave the homeless peoples stuff alone that live in the river valley. they have a tough enough time as it is.

Sheepstalker: what size were those boots you pulled out of the river?

I might have to make you an offer after I pay my federal taxes at the end of the month to keep the gun registry.

[greylynx]

Anyone been around Devon or even Drunken Valley?

If RMW's are in Edmonton, I think they might be even better a little upstream.

[alodar]

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/santacruz_album/DSCF6274.jpg

not a bad little rmw

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/santacruz_album/DSCF6274.jpg

not a bad little rmw

That is very strange , never use to see stuff caught out of that spot same looking whites as Jay sent me pictures of over the weekend . Defenetly Rockys . Good job fellas . What did you get it on there Coady .

[Alberta Bigbore]

I live in Edmonton and fish the river all the time but never know how early I can start. I went in April and may last year and didn't get even a bite. I have heard that you catch the big ones just as the ice is coming off the river but still i have had no luck. Does anyone know when the best time to start fishing the river is? I will take any advice I can get.

didnt check all the other replies to this post yet.... but i find in early season... the sucker fishing can be fantastic

[Geezle]

didnt check all the other replies to this post yet.... but i find in early season... the sucker fishing can be fantastic

I'm actually surprised to have not caught a sucker yet for the number of times I've been out...so far all I've seen caught are whites like alodar posted (which blew my mind all over my face!)

The river needs to hurry and finish breaking up so I can get down to some of my other spots and get into some open water pike!

Was down at the Beverly bridge (:scared:) for a while after work yesterday and noticed that the runoff is getting pretty bad already...only a few inches of visibility.

[italk2u]

If you go west of the city, you'll see the river is a lot clearer.
Whay you saw under the beverly bridge was not mountain run off, it was just plain ole city dirt from the sewer outlets:sign0068:

[Geezle]

If you go west of the city, you'll see the river is a lot clearer.
Whay you saw under the beverly bridge was not mountain run off, it was just plain ole city dirt from the sewer outlets:sign0068:

Yeah, I know it's city runoff, but it's runoff nontheless ;) I was watching a little stream work its way down where I was fishing and you could just see the water getting murkier.

Just wait til they open the dam...THEN we'll have a mess! :lol:

[alodar]

That is very strange , never use to see stuff caught out of that spot same looking whites as Jay sent me pictures of over the weekend . Defenetly Rockys . Good job fellas . What did you get it on there Coady .

Worms

[sdimedru]

when do they "open" the dam? is just an increased flow?

[alodar]

when do they "open" the dam? is just an increased flow?

Once the water level reaches a certain point up stream of the dam it will be open for a few days then they close it and repeat the cycle

[FisherPotch]

Where is this dam located exactly?

Nice work on the rocky whites fellas never caught one with in a hundred km of Edm myself. Good size too. Pickerel rigs?

[tonypower]

I have been fishing the river since I was a kid. I am now 33 and never have I caught a white. Crazy.

[FisherPotch]

I've heard of the odd one on the NSR as far down stream as deven. Even heard of a stray brown being caught. But of course there was no photo evidence. This thread proves the rmw rumor. Big ones compared to any I've caught as well.

Can anyone comment on this dam and it's location? Not that I want to fish there, just that I'd like to know where this flow control is occurring as I am directly effected by it.

I think I'll be going for a jaunt down to the NSR this eve to try my luck. Doubt I'll find any whites. Anyone been catching any burbs? I'm not sure why but out here they seem to be everywhere this early in the season, but just little guys.

[Alberta Bigbore]

rocky mountain whites are quite common with fly angles upstream of the Antheny henday on the south side.......

A friend of mine caught a nice fatty RMW down stream of fort saskatchewan a couple summers ago

[sdimedru]

Bighorn dam is @ Abraham Lake

[alodar]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Saskatchewan_River

[pickrel pat]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Saskatchewan_Riversays theres yellow perch in the river. i find that highly unlikely.

[FisherPotch]

Bighorn dam is @ Abraham Lake

Lol yeah thanks, I shoulda got that. the discussion had me thinking it was closer to edm. There's a lot of factors between here and Abrahms that effect the flow in this region, besides the dam I mean.

List of species doesn't include quillback but they are in there. Nothing about trout or RMWF.

I've never caught a perch in the NSR but I'd suspect it possible that they are in NSR OR Saskatchewan river in Saskatchewan, if I'm not mistaken Tobin has Perch.

[boonedocks]

A friend of mine caught a large rocky mountain whitefish out of the NSR at Hermitage park about ten years ago. We have fished "The River" for 30 years now and its the only time that I have seen one in the Edmonton area. I also caught the smallest sturgeon that I have ever seen, in the same location(about 24 inches long) that same year. Strangely, we did not have a camera with us on either occasion. I guess that will not be much of a problem anymore as almost everyone has a camera on their cell phone.

[SCOOBA_ACE]

I have had luck any time of the year. Probably the best time for me is in late summer and early fall. Once the water is clear, you just can't keep them big Walleye of the hook. Nice Goldies too!

[greylynx]

Over the years I noticed Filipino folks catching a few RMW's upstream of Terwilliger Park.

The Filipinos call them "milkfish" which seems to be a very simialar fish found in the Phillipines.

And they eat these NSR fish.