Trip & Contact Details At-A-Glance

  • Location: Devils Lake, North Dakota (Live from Minnewaukan, ND)
  • Host/Interviewer: Pat Kalmerton
  • Guide & Lodging: Aaron Mcquoid, McQuoid Outdoors (Minnewaukan, ND)
    • Experience: 35 years of guiding (20 years on Devils Lake)
    • Contact: 701-351-6058
  • Guests: Gary & Joel (Long-term clients of 15 years from Emerson/Glenwood, Southwest Iowa)
  • Target Species: Walleye
  • Today's Harvest: Limit of 15 Walleyes
  • Successful Gear & Setup: Salmo Hornets (Sizes 4 and 5) in Gold; Spinner rigs
  • Key Tactics: Trolling at high speeds (3.3 mph up to 4.5 mph) in 7 to 9 feet of slightly dirty/muddy water.
  • Upcoming Event: The Big Devils Lake Walleye Tournament this weekend!

 

 

 

Speed, Salmos, and 15 Years of Tradition: Live from Devil’s Lake with Aaron McQuoid

Author: Pat Kalmerton

We are coming to you live from the legendary waters of Devils Lake, North Dakota, and let me tell you, the walleye action is absolutely next-world right now!

I’m fortunate enough to be out on the boat today as a guest with local legend Aaron McQuoid, owner of McQuoid Outdoors guide service and lodging out of Minnewaukan. Aaron has been guiding for 35 years—20 of them right here on Devils Lake, North Dakota. Joining us in the boat are two of Aaron's long-term clients, Gary and Joel, who travel up every single year from Southwest Iowa. For 15 years straight, these guys haven't missed a trip. As Aaron puts it, they aren't just clients anymore; they're family.

When I asked them how the fishing compares to back home, they didn't hold back. "It’s just next world up here. Even the worst days are better than what we are used to," they laughed. "We've been so spoiled by Aaron, we don't even like fishing at home anymore!"

If you want to experience world-class walleye fishing without any of the hassle, Aaron’s lodging is the place to be. You wake up, step outside, get right into the boat with him, and go fishing. When you get back, you don't even have to plug the boat in—Aaron handles it all. It’s a true plug-and-play paradise.

 

Today's Report: Adapting for a Limit of Walleyes

It’s the middle of June 2026, and our day didn’t start out effortlessly. The first spot Aaron took us to was a bit muddy, but instead of grinding it out, we moved. We found our first seven or eight fish pulling spinners, but as the clock ticked closer to 1:00 PM, Aaron decided to switch things up.

Aaron's Golden Rule: "Don't get stuck doing one thing. Keep changing your presentation."

We switched over to pulling crankbaits, specifically Salmo Hornets (sizes 4 and 5) in Gold.

The real game-changer today? Speed. While 2.2 mph is usually the sweet spot, the last two days have required a much faster trigger. Today, bumping the boat up to 3.3 mph (and sometimes up to 4.5 mph) in 7 to 9 feet of water was the magic ticket to cracking the code and landing our 20-walleye limit.

 

Tips & Tricks from 35 Years on the Water

Aaron dropped a massive piece of wisdom for anyone heading out on Devils Lake, North Dakota this summer:

  • Burn the Baits: Don’t be afraid to speed up. If 2.2 mph isn't working, kick it up into the 3s and 4s to trigger those aggressive reaction bites.

  • Fish Have Tails, Not Mortgages: "I used to think fish had a spot... that you had to catch them on this specific point or that shoreline. Honestly, they have tails, not mortgages. Let that sink in. You’ve got to move around. If there is bait somewhere else, go there first and keep moving."

  • Shore Fishing is Primetime: If you don't have a boat, don't sweat it. May and June offer some of the best shore fishing of the year using bobbers, live bait rigs on the bottom, or twister tails and jigs. While it slows down a bit around the 4th of July as fish move deeper, it’s a phenomenal option if the wind kicks up.

 

The Big Walleye Tournament is This Weekend!

The summer peak is officially here, and the timing couldn't be better because the big Walleye Tournament is coming up this weekend!

The lake is primed, the fish are active, and the big names are rolling into town. Whether you're competing for the leaderboard or just looking to cash in on the incredible June bite, Devils Lake, North Dakota is the place to be.

If you want to get in on this world-class action, check out the Devils Lake Chamber to look up local guides, or give Aaron McQuoid a call directly at 701-351-6058. He’s got the lodging, the 35 years of expertise, and the keys to finding the fish. June, July, and August are prime time, but Aaron still has slots open for the spectacular fall bite in September and October too.

Get your gear ready, change up your speeds, and we'll see you out on the water this weekend!