Cold temperatures has kept the water temperature unseasonally low. Above average precipitation has risen the water elevation over two additional feet. However that has not affected fishing success but rather the location and presentation.
Devils Lake for all practical purposes is new lake this year as it is every year since it is essentially a new lake only 10 years old. It fishes slightly different each year but this year it really has been different. What worked last year and where you fished last year at this time are two radically different things.
As an example, the shallow crankbait bonanza never really materialized in Pelican. Attention has turned to the main lake areas now. The traditional wood areas have less upright habitat and most of it has been thinned, knocked down or drifted away. New wood needs to be explored or at the minimum old wood needs to be re-thought.
Fishing success has been really weather related and especially wind related. We have had some fantastic days recently. Pike seem to go best in low wind areas and walleyes will be in the same area but more active when the wind blows when it is harder to fish. Strong current has attracted some fish along the culverts and bridges. Shore fisherman are doing really well in the evening along 281 and 19 near Minnewaukan. I have caught fish this week casting cranks, trolling cranks, pitching rubber, and jigging or slip-bobbering crawlers and leeches.