By Mike Peluso

Lake Sakakawea is definitely one of my favorite places in the world to fish for walleyes. I’ve been fortunate enough to have spent well over 40 years learning about the water.

This season has definitely been the one with the most new discoveries. I’ve learned more about her this summer so far than most seasons. Now don’t get me wrong, we have had plenty of no brainer days, but we have also had plenty of grinder days.

We’ve been able to get our clients limits of walleyes most days, but the amount of work and grind has been more than a guide like myself wants. However, it’s been extremely rewarding when the clients come back the next day after talking to numerous folks who are not putting a lot of fish in the boat.

Details, details, and more details like water temperature, fish movement, speed, currents, and changes in presentation have all played key roles in this season’s success. I wish I could give you those small details, but unfortunately the small detail that worked today, won’t work tomorrow, and so on.

A couple of key details in the last week, however, are to not get married to any particular depth and do not get stuck on just slow death or plain hooks or one speed in which you are pulling these presentations. If you catch a walleye, try and put the pieces of that particular puzzle together and adapt.

It’s been something different every single day that I have been on this water this season. The funny part is Devils Lake was the exact same way for me before I left.

I still have a couple more weeks here on Lake Sakakawea before I take the guide show on the road and start a stretch where I might be one week here and one week on Devils Lake. This will keep me on my toes. The good news is the temperatures are supposed to steadily get warmer and this should help everyone out tremendously.

I don’t have much for openings other than the last week of August to book your trips on either Devils Lake or Sakakawea. October and November, however, I’ll be taking bookings for the Missouri River near Bismarck and south. I think if last fall is any indication we are going to have another great autumn on the river. Even if it’s half as good as last fall it will be amazing!

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

Featured Photo: Get Smoochy.  A young angler celebrates a good day of walleye fishing with the author on Lake Sakakawea.