In this thrilling episode of Destination Fish, Jon Thelen heads to legendary Devils Lake, North Dakota—one of North America’s most dynamic and productive fisheries—for early spring walleye fishing. With rising water levels, flooded timber, submerged roads, and expansive shallow flats, Devils Lake walleyes offer one of the most exciting spring bites in the entire Upper Midwest. Jon puts his decades of experience to work, sharing expert tips, gear advice, and precise tactics to help you catch more fish during the early open-water season.
Whether you’re planning your own Devils Lake trip, or you fish similar prairie and glacial lakes in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba, this episode is loaded with real-world strategies you can put to work today.
🎣 What You'll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Best locations to find early season Devils Lake walleyes
✅ How to fish flooded timber, shallow bays, and expanding shorelines
✅ Jig-and-minnow vs. slip bobber techniques and when to use each
✅ How water levels, wind direction, and water temp affect walleye movement
✅ Boat control tips in shallow, snaggy environments
✅ Gear setups for pitching light jigs into cover without spooking fish
✅ Using side imaging and mapping to find productive spring zones
🌊 Why Devils Lake is a Spring Walleye Paradise
Devils Lake is unlike any other walleye fishery in the U.S. Known for its constantly changing shoreline and rising water levels, it offers countless nooks and crannies that provide perfect ambush points for hungry spring walleyes. From flooded cattails and roadbeds to submerged farm fields, this lake’s layout makes it ideal for shallow water spring walleye fishing.
"Once that water hits 48–55 degrees, it’s game on," Jon explains, as he pitches jigs into 2 to 6 feet of water. In this early window, fish push shallow to feed post-spawn, offering some of the most visual and aggressive bites of the year. The key is locating warm water pockets, windblown shorelines, and subtle depth changes where walleyes stack up in spring.
🇺🇸 Perfect for Northern U.S. and Canadian Walleye Anglers
Whether you're planning a spring trip to Devils Lake or fish similar prairie lakes across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, or western Canada, Jon’s detailed approach will give you the tools to succeed. This episode provides a perfect blend of:
Location breakdowns
Jigging techniques
Bobber strategies
Gear setup tutorials
Live sonar insights
You’ll learn not just where the fish are, but why they’re there—and how to fish them confidently in ever-changing spring conditions.
🧊 Tactics Covered in This Episode Include:
Pitching light jigs tipped with minnows into flooded structure
Slow-dragging soft plastics across shallow flats
Suspending live bait under slip bobbers for spooky fish
Using side imaging to locate isolated rocks and edges
Reading water clarity and temperature for high-percentage areas
Adjusting presentation for pre-spawn vs. post-spawn fish
🎒 Gear Jon Uses for Devils Lake Spring Walleyes:
Rods: Medium-light 6'6" to 7' spinning rods for precision casting
Reels: Smooth drag systems with high sensitivity
Line: 6–8 lb fluorocarbon or braid with fluoro leaders
Jigs: 1/16 oz to 1/8 oz jig heads paired with minnows or finesse plastics
Electronics: Side imaging and mapping to scout shoreline breaks and structure
Trolling motor: Spot-lock capability for maintaining distance while casting into shallow zones
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📺 Watch and Learn with Jon Thelen
Jon breaks down the bite like no one else, giving you more than just action—you get education, location insight, and a complete understanding of what triggers bites during one of the most dynamic times of year for walleyes. Whether you're casting from a boat, fishing from shore, or preparing for your own spring walleye adventure in the Midwest or Canada, this episode has something for everyone.
👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this episode with your fishing crew!
💬 Drop a comment below with your favorite spring walleye lake or tip—let’s talk tactics!
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