The best bite for walleyes on Devils Lake comes in the morning and evening, with old shoreline structure still being the most productive. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.

By Mike Peluso

It’s been a goofy week up here on Devils Lake. With the storm events around us it definitely caused some interruptions with clients that couldn’t travel in to fish. I definitely took a hit business wise with the weather. It’s all part of the guide operations, but boy does it mess with your routine. The recent weather also messed with the fish.

Right before the storm, the fishing was pretty solid. Once the front was upon us, the fish got a little lethargic and it was hard to get them to eat. Perch are still out in the basin, but they do seem to relate to structure of some sort. They are following a breakline or they roam along and near major points. You’ll find them in 35 feet of water or more so you will have to keep each one you catch. Small tungsten jigs or spoons tipped with wax worms or spikes are doing most of the perch catching there.

Walleyes seem to be all over the place as far as depth goes. Early mornings and evenings are definitely the best times, and old shoreline structure is hard to beat.  Nothing fancy is required to hook up with them, just a small jigging spoon and minnows either hooked on the back or just use the minnow head.

I have around 20 days on the ice left and a lot is going to change here in the coming weeks! Stay tuned. I’m also booking spring river trips on the Missouri River near Bismarck for this coming spring. I have some May dates available yet so get ahold of me!

Mike Peluso is a Dakota Edge Outdoors contributing writer and a licensed ND fishing guide specializing in walleyes on the state’s premier waters.