As summer surface temperatures rise on Fort Peck, adjusting your depth and speed is the absolute key to staying on the bite. In this week’s report, seasoned guide Don Wilkins breaks down the exact patterns shifting across the lake. While walleyes are holding steady in the 15-to-20-foot range, both northern pike and salmon are retreating down to cooler, deeper water. From dialed-in trolling speeds to the specific rigs, blades, and flies bringing fish to the boat, here is the direct breakdown of what is working right now.
Walleye– Bottom bouncers and slow death hooks with crawlers in 15-20 FOW. Troll speed for us was 1.1-1.2. Small orange blade or a single red or white bead.
Pike– Still catching some fish in the weeds and on the deeper weed edges. Most of the bigger fish are deeper now with the warm surface temps.
Salmon– Most fish we’ve caught the past week have been deeper. 350 and 400 copper and a 90 foot rigger have had the most action. 11” white or chrome panels with a Blackjaw Flys Ghost Fly and the Atomic UV Dolphin fly have been our best rigs. Troll speed has been 2.1-2.2.
Give Don Wilkins a call at (406) 407-6648.
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