While we are still in the swing of a great ice season here in Devils Lake, it is never too early to start planning those first open water trips of the year!
North Dakota - and more specifically Devils Lake - is a unique place come spring, with a walleye season that is open year-round! The only caveat is anglers need to purchase a new fishing license on April 1st of each year. With no closed season for walleyes, anglers can expect to get on some of the earliest action when it comes to walleye fishing right here in the Lake Region.
Spring bites are generally dictated by water flows in the coulees that feed the 160,000-acre body of water that covers the prairie. The best bites can come right from shore the first few weeks of open water and anglers may not even need to drag a boat to the lake. The key to finding a consistent walleye bite in early spring is to find moving water and southern facing bays that are exposed to the warm sun we have been eagerly awaiting all winter.
The spring walleye bite is a very straightforward presentation that doesn’t require an expansive list of tackle to pack. Grab a variety of ¼ oz jigs, a few packages of your favorite plastics and a couple shallow diving crankbaits and you are set! Anglers will also want slip bobber and lindy rig setups along once leeches become readily available.
For those looking to keep it even simpler and hire a guide, most local guides start their open water season around the second to third week of May depending on the spring weather and ice off conditions. Most guides will take groups up to three in a boat for the day while some may even accommodate four.
Devils Lake can be quite intimidating to a new angler to the area but hiring a guide for a day can be an excellent resource for those who plan to stay a few days and tackle the lake on their own. Local guides provide excellent insight on the lake, structure and what to look for when it comes to trying to land a few walleyes.
Access around the lake has never been better, with numerous public boat launches, a handful of resorts and a huge state park there are plenty of options when it comes to launching boats in particular areas and not having to cover miles upon miles of water in your boat.
For those that aren’t familiar with the lake and the flooding that has ensued since the early 1990s, take a few minutes and explore Google Earth and its historical imagery tool—this will give you a birds eye view of the old lake shorelines and hidden structure that can hold walleyes come spring! This can be a fantastic way to start breaking down water and eliminating areas before you even get to the lake. Visit DevilsLakeND.com to stay up to date with the latest fishing reports, view guides, see accommodations, and plan your next trip this amazing fishery situated in the middle of the prairie!