Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Despite a recent front, the bite remains strong on Devils Lake and Lake Sakakawea. Walleyes are being found considerably deeper on the latter.
Most of my guiding this past week has been on Devils Lake with a day spent on Lake Sakakawea. One thing is for sure, the fish are trending deeper on both waters.
Starting with Sakakawea, the water levels continue to fall and the fish also continue to slip deeper. A majority of the walleyes now seem to be in that 30-foot ballpark. I know I sound like a broken record, but plan on keeping those fish. 25 feet or deeper seems to be the benchmark for barotrauma which prevents successful release.
Slow death rigs, propeller rigs and creek chubs if you have them are consistently catching walleyes. You can also target them with jigging raps. I love spot and stalking walleyes this time of year into late fall on Sakakawea. My guess is the fall bite up on Sak is going be lights out!
Now for Devils Lake, we did have a major cold front come through, but the bite remains solid. The rain and wind this week really dirtied up the water. Fish are on the structure still and pick your poison as to how you want to catch them, that's probably the best part of fishing Devils Lake.
It's hard to believe summer is almost over. We are beginning to book our ice fishing trips for Devils Lake. Look at your calendar and get ahold of me to reserve your ice fishing trip dates. It's going to be unreal!
Mike Peluso is a Dakota Edge Outdoors contributing writer and a licensed ND fishing guide on the state's premier walleye waters.
