Because the size of Devils Lake has tripled, the lake has taken over many of the surrounding water bodies, including Pelican Lake. These waterways and the entrances to the older lake will be some of the most popular spots to fish Devils throughout the year, owing to the combination of shallow and deep water.

Most of the fishing pressure that comes to Devils Lake occurs in June, but June also offers some of the most consistent fishing at the lake. In the shallow areas throughout the lake, fish can be found in less than 8 feet of water.

Timber areas are solid producers because of the warmth that the timber gives off into the surrounding water. The biggest challenge with the lake is the amount of new water that it has. But this also comes with many advantages. Anglers can access these areas from a large boat, or even their 16-foot johnboats. A few anglers take advantage of this new wealth of cover by wading.

One of the most popular methods of fishing the lake involves casting crankbaits toward weedy areas and shallows. Anglers should look for new areas, new parts of the lake.

"Last year, I spent three weeks fishing in New Mill Bay at Devils Lake along the same weedline every day, and never had a problem catching fish," said guide Johnnie Candle. "And I had never even fished that area before."

In the early spring, walleyes at Devils are going to be concentrated on shallow shorelines, especially gravel areas, during the spawn and shortly thereafter. Fish the edges of the road and highway systems, because several roads have been abandoned for travel since the lake has risen so much.

Cast minnows, ThunderSticks, and Shad Raps in 2 to 6 feet of water. During this part of the year, walleye fishing is very similar to bass fishing. When fish are being difficult on some days, work soft plastics, jigging with twistertails.

During the post-spawn, which usually occurs in mid to late May, the fish will leave clean banks for flooded timber. Find them in the flooded timber with minnows and crawlers, just as if you were crappie fishing. In the state of North Dakota, anglers are allowed two rods per fisherman.

The fish start to move into the weedy edges during the summer. Look for dense weedbeds on calm edges. "I find a lot of fish when the lake is calm and the sun is up," said Candle, "when finding those weedy edges is a bit easier. You spend a lot less time picking out weeds when the conditions are like this. I also look for a broadleaf vegetation versus anything with small reeds."

From the middle of the summer, starting in July and into August, go back to the main lake within the original lake boundaries before the flooding occurred. What was left at the flood was a very defined transition line in between the original water level and what is now the new water. Candle recommended fishing the deep dropoffs; he fishes in some over 28 feet deep, and concentrates on those edges with crankbaits and spinners.