Rising waters have spread walleyes out on Lake Sakakawea and the influx has created more current in the reservoir than normal. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.

By Mike Peluso

Since my arrival on Lake Sakakawea on June 15, the lake has risen probably 12 feet. Maybe more maybe less. The fact of the matter is, with that much water, the walleyes tend to spread out a tad. 

The one thing I have noticed a lot this week is how the fish from hour to hour are changing depths. You can make a pass in 22 feet, mark and catch fish. When you turn back to follow that same line, the fish are gone. If you move 10 feet shallower or 10 feet deeper – boom there they are!  So, make sure you watch your electronics, especially the side scan, in an effort to stay on these roaming walleyes right now. 

Another factor is current. With all the water coming into the system, there is a ton of current. You really have to watch your speed especially pulling slow death or prop rigs to get the right presentation.

There are still plenty of fish to be had. You just have to be consistent in what you are doing and grind away on the areas where you are marking fish. Eventually the walleyes snap into a feeding mood, and you can put some fish in the boat.

Unfortunately, some of these fish are coming out of water deeper than 25 feet. If you see anything in the form of redness in the fish’s throat it will be best to keep it. Barotrauma is a tough thing right now and into the later days of summer and fall. Catch the fish you want to keep and move up shallower to avoid feeding the pelicans. Trust me, they are eating plenty of skippers, drum, perch, etc. that don’t make it after being caught. There’s no need to be feeding them walleyes.

I don’t have a lot of dates left for this summer, however, I am booking a few late August and September trips right now, so if you are looking to fish yet this summer get ahold of me to see if we can figure something out.

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