The Peluso Report: Blue's Bonanza

My truck has 275,000 miles on it, and I hold my breath every time I have to make the journey from Devils Lake to Lake Sakakawea. So far, the limp back and forth has gone okay, and old blue is still grinding. I have a bunch more to go this summer, so my fingers are crossed.

The good news is, I am able to bring you fishing reports from both bodies of water. This week, I'll start with Devils Lake. Simply put, the fishing has been absolutely fantastic. The quality and quantity is really solid right now. Both casting cranks to the wind-blown shorelines, and pulling bait on structure, is taking the bulk of the fish, but don't ignore the slip bobbers either. Depth depends on the day and the winds. I don't see it slowing down anytime soon.

On a side note, I have seen way too many people as of late going out on the lake multiple times a day. Going out multiple times a day isn't a big deal. I just hope and pray these folks are not double-dipping, and taking more than one limit of fish. If you see someone double-dipping, please report them. (The number for the NDG&F Department's Report All Poachers, or "RAP" line, is 701-328-9921).

Conservation is always on the top of my list as a guide. I rarely, when guiding, keep any fish for myself, and we practice catch and release with the larger fish. I personally only keep a fish or two for myself if I'm eating the fish that day.

Again, this is just personal choice for me. So please, take care of our resources so the younger generation can enjoy these world-class fisheries for years to come. If you see someone not obeying the laws, help out our ND Game and Fish and report what you are seeing.

Now over to Lake Sakakawea. The bite is finally starting to stabilize, and fishing is getting pretty darn good throughout the entire system. The water is coming up from the mountain run off, so pay close attention to your water temps. It will vary day-to-day with moving water coming into the system. Minnows on jigs and live bait rigs are doing well in 3-to-12-feet of water. However, crawlers are starting to hold their own now, so run crawlers on a slow-death hook or plain old live bait rig. Both set ups will produce fish for you. You can always troll crankbaits right now and put numbers in the boat, but like I always say, why troll when you can feel a thump on a jig or live bait rig. Again, just a personal choice for me to catch fish.

My next couple of weeks look the same for me, so keep your fingers crossed my old blue boat puller can make it to 290,000 miles before summer's end! I have some August dates available if you're looking to get out on the water with me! Send me an email or messenger and we can get you on the schedule!