When the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour visits Devils Lake, N.D., in June, $346,000 will be up for grabs and trees will be the key to bringing home the gold, according to 2003 Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Champion Bruce Samson of Minnetrista, Minn.

He says the key to winning the tournament will be locating walleyes in the lake’s abundant tree structure. Slip bobbers fished with jigs tipped with leeches, minnows or night crawlers are crucial to boating walleyes once they have been located. Samson also adds that it is a good idea to try fire tiger-colored crankbaits thrown into the trees in mid-to-late June.

In early June the algae bloom is getting started, and weed beds and weed patches are plentiful. Samson uses crankbaits or trolls along the edge of the weeds with fire tiger- or perch-colored spinner baits. Another good option to try is spinner baits with bottom bouncers.

His recommended locations for boating large walleyes are Cactus Point and Rock Point.

Links:

Pro field
Co-angler field
Tournament details and payouts
Pre-tournament press release