Eating It Up.  Eater-sized walleyes are going strong on both Lake Sakakawea and Devils Lake and trolling slow death and prop rigs is paying off when connecting with these fish. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.

By Mike Peluso

This week’s fishing report will be for both Lake Sakakawea and Devils Lake as I split time on those waters equally last week.

It’s amazing to think it’s already the end of July and we are closing into what most people consider the dog days of walleye fishing.  However, this summer hasn’t felt much like summer with more cooler temperatures than warm.  

That being said, fishing remains really good on Lake Sakakawea.  There are plenty of eater size fish to be caught in the shallower water.  When I say shallower, I am mostly referring to 25 feet or less.  The bigger (tourney fish) are mostly deeper.  There are a few big girls still roaming shallow, but the bulk of them are deep. 

Remember, most fish caught out in 25 feet or deeper, are going to suffer from barotrauma when they’re brought up to the boat.  So, if you’re catching fish out deep plan to keep them or leave them alone.  I spoke with a diver last summer and he told me the amount of dead fish laying on the bottom in some of the more popular fishing spots was mind boggling. 

For me when guiding we are concentrating on those eater size fish, by pulling crawlers on slow death hooks or prop rigs to cover some ground.  You will mark a lot of fish that won’t eat.  I believe the fish in Sakakawea are full.  There is no shortage of forage on that water right now.  

Now we will slide over to Devils Lake.  Most reports I was getting before I arrived were detailing a tough bite.  Multiple bug hatches, more weeds, lower water levels and cooler water temperatures were all playing a role. 

My timing was good because the fish were just coming off a big hatch, temperatures warmed up, and the algae bloomed.  All of these factors came together and the fish are biting and biting well!  Old shoreline structure has been the best location for sure.  For presentation, it has been the program as Sakakawea for me.  Prop and slow death rigs with crawlers have been kind to us. Bobbers and jigs are also catching fish. 

I don’t have a lot of openings left on Devils Lake or Sakakawea for the remainder of the summer, but I do have a few openings available so if your schedule is flexible we can get on the water.  I am booking trips now for Lake Oahe and the Missouri River for the fall near Bismarck starting October 1. 

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