Weather a bigger factor than high water on Lake Sakakawea
Weather a bigger factor than high water on Lake Sakakawea
By CHRIS GESSELE and JESSE WAGNER
BHG News Service
It’s been the weather, and not elevated lake levels, that have taken a toll on early-summer business at bait and tackle shops along the shores of Lake Sakakawea.
Laura Heinsen of Dakota Waters Resort north of Beulah said the elevated lake levels have actually been a draw for people visiting the lake. The cool and wet weather has been a different story.
“Business has been good. It’s more weather-related that is keeping people from recreating,” Heinsen said. “Weather permitting, people will be going. Here we are at the end of June. But the (lake) elevations itself, people think it’s great.”
At the resort, which offers gas, bait and tackle among other services, Heinsen has seen many walleye, sauger and northern pike pulled from the lake by shore and boat fishermen alike so far this year.
“You have to work for them; they’re not just jumping in the boat. But the fishing’s not bad,” Heinsen said. “Mother nature really just needs to straighten out.”
