By Mike Peluso

Well, I wish I could say the weather has been phenomenal.  Unfortunately, I cannot, and the fishing has gone just like the conditions have over the last week here in North Dakota: one day good, three days not so much.  If you want consistency, I’ll guarantee you lots of wind! 

The Missouri River has been solid all spring. I guided it the first half of the week, and it was amazingly good.  There were a lot of perfect eater sized walleyes with a mix of a big one here and there, providing tons of action and perfect for kids!  The Missouri River is one special place when it comes to catching walleyes. 

I’m now up on Devils Lake,  and the fishing has been good thus far. If you simply like to catch fish, it’s pretty darn good.  If you want to catch walleyes right now,  however, that’s more of a grinder, blue collar type bite.  The walleyes we have been catching are definitely quality ones though! 

In typical Devils Lake fashion, you can fish these cold-water fish any way you like to.  It doesn’t seem to be one particular way that is  out performing anything at this time in the season.  It’s just like the weather  and wind – it’s been hit or miss and you just have to put your head down and grind for the right bites.  The pike are plentiful and even a few huge white bass are playing tug-o-war!

I do have a couple scattered dates open for trips up here on Devils Lake.  If you are looking to go casting or bobber fishing, now is the time. Get ahold of me! 

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

Photo: Devil’s Bounty.  Pike and white bass are providing consistent action on Devils Lake, but walleyes require a bit of work to find a solid bite. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.