As the water warms and summer kicks into gear, Devils Lake comes alive with activity.  
Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to fishing this walleye-rich destination has a very tried-and-true technique to help increase your odds of catching walleyes…. trolling bottom bouncers and spinners.

 

Why Bottom Bouncers & Spinners?

Early summer means transition. Walleyes are moving out of shallow spawning areas and setting up in deeper structure, like along the old lake shorelines, submerged roads, flooded timber, and weed edges. In this phase, the bite can be hot and cold depending on weather, water clarity, and bait movement. That’s where the power of bottom bouncers and spinners comes in.

 

Here’s why they’re so effective:

 

Cover Water Efficiently: When you're unfamiliar with a specific bay or stretch of shoreline, trolling allows you to explore quickly and locate fish.

 

Trigger Reaction Strikes: The flash and thump of a spinner blade, combined with a live nightcrawler, leech or plastic tail, creates a tempting target that hungry walleyes can't ignore.

 

Find Active Pods: Once you get bit, you can mark that spot on your gps, double back and work the area more thoroughly. It’s a great way to find and stay on fish.

 

How to Rig It

Use a 1–2 oz bottom bouncer, depending on depth and wind, with a 18-24 inch snell and spinner rig. Gold, silver, chartreuse, and orange are reliable color choices on Devils Lake. Tip with a live crawler or leech, and troll at 1.0–1.3 mph until you locate fish. The general rule of thumb is 1oz of bottom bouncer for every 10ft of water you’ll be trolling in.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with speeds, blade sizes, and colors. Devils Lake walleyes often respond differently from day to day, especially with changing light and wind conditions.

Don’t be afraid to try “Smile” Blades or “Butterfly” blades as these can be another effective rig attached to a bottom bouncer than can be trolled as slow as 0.5mph. If a front moves through and the bite slows, this might be an effective alternative to a fast-moving spinner.

 

Where to Start

Not sure where to go? Try:

  • Rip-rap shorelines near any of the highways along the lake
  • Flooded roads in Pelican Lake
  • Old lake shoreline near Doc Hagen’s
  • Golden Highway between Grahams Island & Minnewaukan
  • Weed edges

 

Final Tip: Stay Mobile, Stay Ready

Devils Lake rewards anglers who stay flexible. If you’re not catching, move. Bottom bouncing lets you fish while you search and once you connect, the fun begins.