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!

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]

Originally Posted by 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!

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]

Originally Posted by fishmania

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]

Originally Posted by Fish Hunter7

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

[Dust1n]

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

[Daceminnow]

Originally Posted by fishmania

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]

Originally Posted by fishmania

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?

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by Geezle

................
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]

Originally Posted by 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

Horrible spot its dead there Kidding

[biggamehunter]

Where? Henday?

[sheepstalker]

Originally Posted by biggamehunter

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]

Originally Posted by sheepstalker

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.