This report will be a quick version of what I know on two bodies of water and what I’ve heard on another. Once again, my job has taken me to both Devils Lake and Lake Sakakawea this week.

I’ll start with Sakakawea. I know I sound like a broken record when I talk about Sakakawea and the deep fish and Barotrauma. Before you flood me with reply’s about you can catch fish shallow posts, hear me out.

I do not fish tournaments anymore and the bulk of my fishing is structured to catch quantity/quality under a timeframe. Of course I know you can catch fish pulling cranks until you run out of gas shallow and get your fish. I also know you can pitch jigging raps up shallow and catch your fish.

I however have to find a bite I can get to, one. Fish the fish in the easiest way possible for clients, two. Three we need to catch these fish in a window of time.

As far as Sakakawea goes at this time of year the “bulk” of the eater size fish are deeper than 25 therefore me as guide has to concentrate on those depths. Another side note here. I DO NOT keep many fish for myself over the course of 365 days. I will however keep a few of the smaller fish that do not make it this time of year to eat.

Catching fish pulling heavier bouncers and crawlers. Each day it varies what the fish want. Some days a small prop rig. Other days a version of s slowdeath hook. I’m also catching fish on spoons and jig raps where applicable.

Switching gears to Devils. Find the weeds, find the fish. You can also catch them on the sunken structure like roads, humps, old shoreline etc. The nice thing about Devils Lake is you can fish them any way you love to catch fish!

Now the report of what I’m hearing. If anyone has been down on Oahe please feel free to reply what you know. Reports are the fish haven’t moved as far south as recent years. I’m hoping that is the case and we have a banner fall fishing on the river near Bismarck! I’ll keep you posted.

A few couple random days open in September for Devils Lake and Sakakawea if you want to try and get a trip in before the summer is over. Get ahold of me!