I reluctantly left Lake Sakakawea earlier this week to travel east to Devils Lake. All the Rage (no pun intended) lol has been on how good the fishing has been on both bodies of water. I’m here to tell you Devils Lake is holding its own.
Both bodies of water have been blessed with increased water levels this summer. Lake Sakakawea has risen over 11 feet since ice out and Devils Lake has gained 3 feet! Fresh water into these systems is a huge shot in the arm for the future of these fisheries.
Devils just like summers past, is producing nice eater size walleyes and bigger. The walleyes here on Devils Lake are super healthy just like its counterpart walleyes on Sakakawea. These fish here are full of what I believe to be baby perch, and fresh water shrimp. It amazes me they even bite with so much food. same holds true with all the smelt on Sakakawea.
Spinners in the gold, firetiger, silver, and blue have all been good! Pulling these behind bottom bouncer moving around 1.3 to 1.5 mph on old shoreline structure near weeds seems to be doing the trick. Again, you can catch them other ways, but this is a fast producer and very productive. Crankbaits like Flicker Shad’s, Salmos, or an old fashioned Shad Rap will also do the trick.
I have a couple weeks up here yet so more reports to follow. I don’t have a ton of opens but a couple scattered dates here and there so get ahold of me. I do have plenty of opening for this fall on the Missouri River near Bismarck starting late October up until freeze up. This is an awesome time to fish out in ND. You can combine it into a find and feather trip!