The Devils Lake Walleye Bite is On
Category: fishing reports
Jul 19th, 2019 by Keith Worrall
Modified Jul 19th, 2019 at 4:51 PM
Steve “Zippy” Dahl, owner of Perch Patrol Guide Service, holding two large walleye
The Devils Lake Walleye Bite is On!!
DEVILS LAKE, N.D. – July 19, 2019 – “The Devils Lake walleyes are on a hot mid-summer bite,” said Zippy Dahl, owner of the famous North Dakota Perch Patrol guide service. “A typical guide trip is 50 to 100 walleyes per day,” he said.
Fishing industry veteran and guide Cody Roswick echoed those sentiments saying, “The bite is hot with 50 to 60 fish an average day. That means limits of solid ‘eaters’ to 18 inches, lots of smaller walleyes and some of those bigger females in the 22 to 25 inch range, which are all released.”
Zippy’s 12 guides hit the water nearly every day, but said he can always squeeze in a few more guide parties. Perch Patrol: 701-351-3474. “Our target fish are in the 17 to 20 inch range, and we are covering water with bottom bouncers and spinners,” he said. Details of this tactic follow:
** We are primarily fishing hard-bottom structure (humps) on the main lake;
** Walleyes are either on top in 5 to 8 feet or off the sides in 10 to 16 feet;
** We will also check the outside edges of weed beds;
** A 1 1/2 ounce bottom bouncer and spinner (orange, gold, copper, or chartreuse) tied on 25-pound Trilene XT due to pike is the ticket;
** A Quick-Change clevis lets us find the blade that’s working;
** Nightcrawlers on the 2-hook harnesses with only one-inch of tail behind the last hook convert most biters into “hook-ups;”
** Keep the line angle from rod tip to bottom bouncer at a 45-degree angle;
** Don’t horse fish, play them gently;
** Walleyes are not schooled like they were a month ago; cover ground.
Clients of the Perch Patrol Guide Service.
Devils Lake guides entertain, educate and love to showcase the great fishing opportunities. “This bite will continue into the fall, when fishermen and hunters get the best of all worlds with a half-day chasing walleyes combined with a half day of waterfowl hunting. This is the time to book,” Zippy said.
Cody is also a fan of bottom bouncing to locate walleyes. However, he prefers the Northland Butterfly blades on his rigs. “The larger sizes with a half crawler seem to be best right now,” he said. Depending on where he is fishing, but the east end has been hot for him the past couple weeks, he works the 10 to 15 foot main lake depths.
“The walleyes are extremely plump and it seems we can always catch a nice limit for clients,” he said. Another popular tactic that has also been working is trolling crankbaits. “Clients like the change of pace and learning trolling tricks.” Last week, Cody said, “We were trolling a ridge line in Pelican in 10 to 15 feet catching walleyes, then headed to the ‘Golden Highway’ where all the fish were in 20 to 24 feet off the edge, but within two feet of the bottom.”
On a typical guide-day, his clients boat about 10 pike and lots of white bass. He also predicted a tremendous fall bite, “September and October should be an excellent mix of jig fishing and trolling.” Book early with Cody at 701-840-5407.
The Devilslakend.com website is updated daily with fishing reports, guide services catering to outdoorsmen and women, water levels, fish-cleaning stations, tournaments, area motels and resorts, businesses, community and family activities, upcoming events, dining, casino, and much more. Talk to a Devils Lake Tourism or Chamber representative at 701-662-4903.