From the Edge.  Catfish are relating to off-current areas near the banks of the Red River with flows up significantly from recent rains. DEO Photo by Brad Durick.

By Mike Peluso

There is a lot happening as far as walleye fishing goes here in North Dakota.  I made the move over to Lake Sakakawea over a week ago and it is crazy how much the big lake has changed in that short period of time.  

We are seeing some runoff coming into the lake right now.  This is creating currents and water temperature fluctuations.  Pay close attention to these factors when fishing. Another drastic change for the better in my opinion is when we got here it was a full-on minnow bite.  Now, just like a flip of a switch they are biting on crawlers, thank goodness! 

With the water rising and water temperatures changing the fish are all over the water column as far as depth goes.  You will find fish from three feet out to 30 depending on the day and conditions, so don’t get stuck fishing in just one zone.  Move up and down the hill to target the biters. 

It also sounds like Devils Lake is warming up both fishing wise and in water temperature.  This should just continue to rev that lake into high gear.  

I am also hearing good reports still coming out of the Missouri River near Bismarck.  Fish can be caught right now from the tailrace all the way to the state line.  Some of the smaller bodies of water are also producing with the recent warm up.  We are headed into prime time for walleyes in North Dakota!

As far as presentation goes on all these bodies of water?  Pick your poison and get after it – the fish are biting! 

I had some scheduled trips moved to different dates later in the season so I do have some available dates (but not many) from now until the end of August so get ahold of me if you are looking to get out to see if we can make it work!

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