By Mike Peluso

Fishing remains good all over the state of North Dakota right now, especially throughout our three big bodies of water: Lake Sakakawea, Devils Lake, and the Missouri River system.

I’ve been mostly on Devils Lake the past couple of weeks with a trip or two up to Sakakawea and Devils Lake fishing has been fantastic for eater size walleyes. There are lots of 14-to-18-inch fish being caught pretty much anyway you like – bobbers, casting, and trolling are all working right now.

The wind seems to be the major factor for fishing. Find the wind-blown areas with a little more stained or dirtier water and the walleyes are nearby. Depths are varying day-to-day, so trust your electronics. My guess is the fishing will remain solid on Devils Lake for the remainder of the summer.

Lake Sakakawea is just beginning to heat up. Water temperatures are climbing and this is activating the bite throughout the entire lake. Further west past New Town has provided the most consistent action and seems to be where the numbers of fish are. The rest of the lake seems to be quality fish over quantity. This will eventually balance out.

Jigs and minnows are still taking the majority of fish on Sakakawea, but don’t be afraid to switch up. Bottom bouncers with plain hooks and minnows will work well right now or consider a slow death or propeller rig.

Mike Peluso is a Dakota Edge Outdoors Contributing Writer and a licensed ND fishing guide, focusing on walleyes on Devils Lake, Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River.