Working for the Big Ones.  Larger walleyes are a bit fussier on Sakakawea right now but can be caught on a variety of baits if you stick with them when encountered on electronics. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.

By Mike Peluso

I made the voyage back over to Lake Sakakawea last week and the walleye fishing has been okay; not lights out, but decent. I may have a skewed perspective, especially how spoiled I’ve been this summer up here since early June.

The fish have definitely moved out deep. I’m sure you’ll start hearing the term barotrauma. It’s a real issue this time of the year with most of the fish being caught in 25 feet of water or deeper. Prepare yourself to keep what you catch (no matter the size) and stop fishing deep once you’ve filled your limit. You may think the fish swam away and made it if released, unfortunately they do not.

The ND Game and Fish has done a tremendous job of keeping this a world class fishery. Now it’s our duty as anglers to help the cause by making sure we are responsible anglers. I’m seeing way too many anglers throwing fish back in way too deep of water, and as a result, there’s a lot of delayed mortality.

The walleyes are on the move right now. The lake levels are dropping and all the young of the year spawn is on full display. This puts the larger fish on pause mode a bit. You’ll see them on your electronics but getting them to eat consistently is another story.

We have been catching our walleyes on slow death rigs and bottom bouncers. However, jig raps, glide baits, and cranks will produce a few bigger fish for you.

I still have some time left up here and I’ll be switching gears to the river south of Bismarck, especially come October and November if weather permits. You still have time to book a trip if you are interested!

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