By Mike Peluso

Since leaving the Missouri River last month, one thing hasn’t changed and that is the fact that the weather this spring and early summer has been about the worst I can remember with absolutely zero consistency from day to day.  

With the lack of consistency in the weather, the fishing on Devils Lake has been about the same.  One day you crush it, the next day, not so much. It definitely makes for a lot of emotional swings. 

I will say this, the walleyes we are catching are incredibly healthy!  There is no shortage of food for them to eat in this lake.  I’m guessing this plays into the up and down bite we have been on as well. 

Casting the shallows has been best presentation thus far on Devils Lake.  We are cruising looking for the stained, colored water.  Unfortunately on certain days, it’s hard to find that dirty water.  In the clear stuff you can see lots of fish following your baits to the boat, but once they see you they turn and burn. 

The weeds are starting to come up now and it’s going to make catching some of these fish even trickier.  Once the algae blooms however,  fishing will get a little easier on more the structure like humps, sunken roads, and old shoreline breaks.  

I only have a few more days up on Devils Lake before pointing the truck west towards Lake Sakakawea.  I’m hoping the weather begins to stabilize soon and the fishing (catching) follows. 

I have some open dates in August for Sakakawea and a couple for Devils Lake.  If you want to get in a good bite, get ahold of me to secure your dates.

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: Basket Busters.  Healthy walleyes are present on Devils Lake, but inconsistent weather has made catching them a challenge. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.