Melbys Slough

Melbys Slough is a lake in Burke County, North Dakota, and covers about 2.7 acres.

Melbys Slough is small water, so a careful lap around the bank can show most of the useful cover.

Fish and Baits

At Melbys Slough, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.

At Melbys Slough, begin with one slow bottom presentation and one moving bait, then let bites show whether fish are holding close to cover or roaming open water.

How to Read the Water

When breaking down this small, open lake in Burke County, start where two things meet: weeds and open water, rock and mud, a point and a drop, or clear water and dirty water; fish that edge at more than one depth before leaving it.

Season by Season

For the first look at this small, open lake in Burke County, in spring, start with warming banks, creek mouths, and shallow cover; summer usually pushes the better bite toward the outside weed edge or a nearby drop; fall can bring bait back to windblown points, while winter calls for smaller moves and a slower pace.

A Simple Tackle Plan

At Melbys Slough, a medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle.

At Melbys Slough, record the wind, water color, productive depth, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.