Ramsey County, ND · Lake
Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park)
North Dakota’s "Perch Capital" and a year-round multi-species magnet — a sprawling, ever-growing natural lake dotted with flooded timber and roadbeds. Famous for jumbo yellow perch and walleye through the ice and open water, plus northern pike and white bass. Grahams Island State Park is the hub for ramps and shore access.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Walleye, Northern Pike, White Bass & Yellow Perch — tied at the top (0/100)
4 species tied for best of 4 tracked at Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park).
Special Weather Statement issued June 5 at 3:34PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park)
4 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 4 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Walleye Skip the Walleye trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 5
North Dakota: 5 walleye and sauger combined per day (no size limit on most waters; a 14" minimum applies on the Missouri River system — Lake Sakakawea — and Devils Lake).
Source: North Dakota non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Northern Pike Skip the Northern Pike trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Esox lucius — A toothy, torpedo-shaped ambush predator that lurks in weed edges and drop-offs and strikes large spoons, spinnerbaits, and live suckers. Spawns in shallow flooded vegetation right after ice-out, holds shallow in spring and fall, and slides deeper through summer. Caught year-round, including through the ice — the prairie reservoirs of the northern plains, Fort Peck chief among them, grow trophy "gators" past 20 lb.
Prefers. Water 50–70°F (ideal 63°F) · either tide · depth 4–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- no limit
North Dakota: no daily or possession limit on northern pike on most waters — harvest encouraged.
Source: North Dakota non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 White Bass Skip the White Bass trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Morone chrysops — A hard-fighting open-water schooling bass of big reservoirs and their feeder rivers across the Plains and Midwest. White bass run up tributaries by the thousands to spawn in spring — the run is a calendar event on waters like McConaughy and the Missouri reservoirs — then chase shad in surface-busting "jumps" through summer. Often hybridized with striped bass to make the "wiper." Abundant and lightly regulated, so creel limits are generous or absent.
Prefers. Water 55–80°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 4–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- 30
North Dakota: 30 white bass/day, 60 in possession.
Source: North Dakota non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Yellow Perch Skip the Yellow Perch trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- incoming tide — yellow perch prefers slack tide
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Perca flavescens — Late-winter and early-spring favorite. Schools up in tidal tributaries for the pre-spawn run in February and March, taking small minnows, shad darts, and small jigs. A classic Eastern Shore "neds" fishery.
Prefers. Water 45–70°F (ideal 58°F) · slack tide · depth 5–30 ft.
- Daily creel
- no limit
North Dakota: no daily limit on yellow perch (35 in possession on Devils Lake and most waters — confirm).
Source: North Dakota non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Lake
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
North Dakota non-tidal
Coordinates
Notes
North Dakota: 5 walleye/sauger per day, 14" minimum on Devils Lake. A premier hard-water perch fishery.
Local reports & rules for Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park): North Dakota Game & Fish fishing & regulations → · trout stocking schedule → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park)?
Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park) is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, White Bass. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park) have?
Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. North Dakota: 5 walleye/sauger per day, 14" minimum on Devils Lake. A premier hard-water perch fishery.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park)?
state agency regulations apply at Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park) tidal water?
No. Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.