Best Walleye Lakes in North Dakota

A huge vote for DL from me. I fish the lake 35-50 days during the open water season. One of the only lakes where you can catch eyes in the dog days of summer pitching cranks in 2 feet of water with surface temps around 80 degrees.

Woodland is great, Kyle meets all of your needs, the guides there will get you on fish in whatever manner you want to fish, the restaraunt is great, the cabins and motel rooms are clean, the ramps are Ok, the baitshop is nice (high priced though), and the slips that are available are boat friendly. The resort is centrally located so you can cover alot of water, and DL is a lake that makes it easy to get out of the wind somewhere so you usually dont lose days of fishing due to weather. Lake of the Woods is also a great fishery, but the open lake makes for some nasty days on the water if windy.

Go to the Ranch restaraunt in town. Hands down the best local eatery.

There are many state run cleaning stations around the lake that have water, elec, and huge grinders to dispose of your fish carcases. It is hard to fish other lakes or clean your fish at home after being pampered at these stations.

The casino is nice (dry=no alcohol), but I have often found the service to be POOR at best and the rooms often smelly, and poorly maintained. They do, however, have a great restaraunt called the View that is pricey, but the best porterhouse I have ever eaten was there.

The prices you quoted/guy I assume was for the week. Not too bad if you consider the guide may lose $100 in cranks for you, he will clean and package your fish, I think that includes 1 meal (not sure), and you get a place to stay. Not too bad at under $100/day/guy.

I do not know Mr. Candle (it would be a pleasure, and I would love to learn DL from him), but his property would be a great place to pitch a tent (seen it many times while going to load/unload boat). I would imagine he would charge heavily for the bathroom facilities though.

As far as SAk I agree with the Dakota Waters and Indian Hills. The Garrison Motel in Garrison is also a great little place ran by Dennis Jeffries (pro). They really tailor to outdoorsmen. They dont provide meals, but you may be able to bum his gas grill off of him to use if you are grilling for yourself. Top notch service and not as out of the way as the 2 resorts mentioned.

[FuzzyIL]

Johnnie-we will be there this July. First time. I booked at Spirit Water Inn, is that a good place?

[FuzzyIL]

Johnnie-we will be there this July. First time. I booked at Spirit Water Inn, is that a good place?

[Johnnie Candle]

I have never been to Spirit Water Inn, but I have heard nice things about it. Be sure to get in touch with me before you come so I can let you know the latest scoop.

It is a great place to fish, year round. There is no bad time to come to Devils Lake.