Walleyes are being caught on Devils Lake in areas 6-to-12 feet deep using slip bobber rigs and leeches.  Find areas where the water is a bit dingy and the fish should be there. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso

By Mike Peluso

We finally have received a couple lighter wind days and we have also been able to get
around Devils Lake a little more. Both of which have helped the fishing.

The water hasn’t warmed up a ton yet but it’s getting better, it is currently 60-62 degrees
and the water is mixed. Some areas are really dirty and some are really clean. You have to
drive around a bit looking for stained water. Once you find that with a little breeze, the fish
seem to bite.

Bobbers and leeches have been the best presentation for walleyes. Depths vary with the
wind but I’d say 6 to 12 feet has concentrated the most fish. Casting cranks is just starting
to catch fish and jigs with plastics will also. Expect a mix of fish both walleyes and pike,
especially if you are casting.

The water is still slowly running into the lake. I’d say it’s up probably 3 feet from last year at
this time, making for more areas to fish. Hopefully this rise in water helped the spawn of all
the species in Devils Lake, and this will help the lake in the long term.

I have a few openings up here on Devils Lake in July and August. The same holds true for
Lake Sakakawea. If you are looking to get out fishing, get ahold of me and we will see if we
can make that happen! I’m also booking fall Missouri River fishing trips starting in the end of
October until freeze up. If you are coming to North Dakota to hunt this fall, mix in a little
walleye action. It’s going to be good!

Mike Peluso is a Dakota Edge Outdoors Contributing Writer and a licensed ND Fishing
Guide specializing in walleyes on the state’s premier waters.