Bret Amundson | Springtime on Devils Lake can be a good time. Walleyes are active, shore fishing opportunities are everywhere and you can find fish shallow. Honestly, I’ve heard stories of shallow walleyes all summer long here. Our trip was taking place in May, so we were at the mercy of spring patterns and unpredictable weather.
The fishery did not disappoint. While a big cold front moved in right before we got there and dropped the water temps anywhere from 10-20 degrees, we still caught nice eaters and a true Devils Lake giant during our trip.
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AGLOW Media Camp
We were invited to Devils Lake as part of an Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW) Media Camp. A handful of content creators are selected to attend outdoor excursions to popular destinations like this to hunt and fish. Dan Amundson and I were joined by other AGLOW members including Executive Director Kevin Paulson, Ray Ruiz, Chasen Walter, Curt Underhill, Carrie Zylka, Pat Kalmerton, Paul Johnson and Brandi Johnson.
“The ice came off really early this year, “said Suzie Kenner, Executive Director at Devils Lake Tourism. “Fishing up north has been good. Our season is always open so you can come fishing anytime.”
Our first day on the water was with longtime Devils Lake guide, Johnnie Candle. It was in the upper 30’s with a little breeze and the occasional drop of rain. While fishing conditions weren’t optimal, it wasn’t bad. Filming, however, wasn’t ideal. We made it four hours before mother nature won out and we put the cameras away and headed in. But, we did it with a nice haul of eater walleyes and a bonus pike. We only kept one pike, but they were the most plentiful fish on this trip. The targeted species were being a bit finicky, but the always-willing pike held our interest.
The Fishing
We fished from 9am – 1pm, circling a back bay that was once a stand-alone duck slough. We pitched jigs and plastics up along the shallow, cattail-lined shore and also out into the middle, where depths ranged from 9-11 feet. The fish had been up shallow during the previous warm up, where temps held in the low 90’s for about a week. This cold snap pushed them a bit deeper to that 7-11 feet of water range.
We also had Reino Swartout in the boat with us and while Dan and I were pitching plastics, Johnnie and Reino tried casting crankbaits. It wasn’t long before we realized that plastics were the ticket. Even though the bite seemed off, we did have a few jigs buried deep from hard-hitting walleyes.
“Because they eat primarily two main forage species, white bass and yellow perch, it makes sense to have a white something on all the time and something fire tiger or perch color, ” said Johnnie Candle. “We don’t need purple and pink because we don’t have anything that swims that’s purple or pink.”
While I had white, Dan was using a gold-colored plastic and we both caught about the same amount of fish. Soon all four of us were using jigs.
Finding Rare Devils Lake Crappies
After circling the bay, Johnnie spotted a tight school of suspended fish. He wondered out loud if they were the prevalent white bass or a group of elusive Devils Lake crappies. He used his trolling motor-mounted Mega Live to follow them and started pitching his jig. After a couple of misses, one bent the rod and a giant crappie was lifted into the boat.
This got me all giggly and soon I was casting from the back of the boat trying to drop into the wad of fish. Johnnie missed a couple more before I got whacked and another chunky crappie was landed. Both were released and the school scattered. Our bonus adventure had come to an end.
North Dakota regulations allow for a two-day possession limit. The limit for walleyes are pike are the same. You can keep 5 of each per day with 10 in possession and no size restrictions. The season never closes and you’re allowed two lines per angler in open water and four while ice fishing.
Steak, Sushi and Lobster?
During our rain delay, we visited a new sushi place in town called “Old Spirits and Sushi.” A few members of our group tried the delicacy while others chose more familiar fare like cheeseburgers. We also were treated to steak and lobster later that day at The View restaurant. This upscale venue at Spirit Lake Casino sits above the gaming floor and features large windows that overlook Devils Lake. They wrap around the room so no matter where you sit, you can see the lake.
A Break In The Weather
We had two days of fishing and our second day looked much different than the first. We met up with Garrett Bonham from Bry’s Guide Service in the parking lot of Woodland Resort. We had sunshine, light winds and temps that would be around 20 degrees warmer than the day before. We pitched shorelines, old road beds and main lake rock piles. Garrett prefers to use slip-bobbers and leeches with his clients so that’s what we changed to on the rock piles.
We were using RLVNT 1/32nd oz round jigs with leeches. He would scatter the rods out so all around the boat was covered. He left the leeches suspended a few feet off the bottom. The amount of water clarity allowed the fish to see them better up high.
The unstable weather had fish unpredictable. A few hungry pike bit before an unexpected experience with a walleye. Dan was leaning out the back of the boat after one too many coffees and saw a bobber sink. He quickly finished up and grabbed the rod. As he was reeling in an eater walleye, they noticed a second one following it. The unusually clear water gave us a good view at the two on the way in. Garrett quickly netted the first and we tried unsuccessfully for the second.
We were surprised to see the walleye still milting, which could explain why the second walleye was following it closely.
As the day warmed, the wind died. There was a huge mayfly hatch that had us wearing hoods in the midday sun. We had a number of factors working against us, but the biggest catch of the trip was just about to happen.
A True Devils Lake Giant
Dan and I both had cameras in our hands to get some various “b-roll” shots that we needed for our YouTube video. I told Garrett that if one of the six bobbers goes down, he was up. Something he normally doesn’t do with clients.
As we waited, Garrett spun his LiveScope pole and noticed a big mark swimming below a bobber. Soon, that bobber dropped under the surface and he set the hook. Immediately I heard drag and knew it was a strong fish, whatever it might be.
“If it’s a walleye, it’s gonna be solid,” Garrett said. After a short battle, a long, thick body appeared in the clear water. A white tip was easily spotted.
“Big walleye,” Garrett said. “Like…giant! This is why I don’t catch the fish,” he said laughing.
Soon the old girl was in the net and we were fist-bumping in the boat.
“I was gonna bring this up earlier, when you told me to catch the next fish, ” Garrett said. “This is why I never do it. Because you just never know!”
I had no problem with him catching it. When we’re filming my main focus is getting fish on camera. Don’t get me wrong, I love catching them – and the big ones – but I love seeing them just as much. This was a beaut and you don’t see 29s that often on Devils.
“Mid-day, high sun, no wind, giant fish,” Dan said, while describing non-typical walleye-catching conditions.
“To see a 30-inch fish out here is tough,” Garrett added. “We have them, but a 29 is a true trophy.”
That was a great way to cap off our Devils Lake adventure. Plenty of action with eaters, some delicous food, comfortable lodging at Woodland Resort and a trophy walleye to boot. Ya gotta love it.
How To Plan Your Trip
To learn more about booking your own trip, here are links to everything we did:
Sporting Journal Radio is also sponsored by Haybale Heights Campground and Resort on Devils Lake. Visit their website here.
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