Merry Christmas to everyone! As I write this fishing report, I feel like we have already had a long winter and it isn’t even January yet. One can only hope for a break in the weather. A little warm up is on the way which will be nice. Unfortunately, we do have a ton of snow on our lakes already and no matter what this will be a battle for everyone all winter long.

As a full time guide, I do have a track machine to help get me and my clients around the lakes. I did learn the hard way this past week you can get one stuck. It was more of a I couldn’t see where I was going situation. Obviously, where I got stuck, I would never even attempt to try and drive off the lake there. I learned another valuable lesson in all that and that is always stay with your machine in these bitter conditions. I can see how people get themselves into major trouble by trying to walk out.

Looking across the entire Devils Lake region, id say on average right now we have a foot of snow covering the entire lake. As I’m writing this report Devils is receiving an additional snow and could see as much as 6 more inches on the lake today, the 25th. Track machines and sno bears are the only way to move about the lake. The next situation we will see is slush pockets popping up around the lake. All things that make guiding in the winter more of a challenge.

If you can get to where you want to go the fishing has been decent. The perch are willing once they are found and the walleyes are also. We are seeing on average below the foot of snow anywhere from 11 to 16 inches of ice. Nothing fancy as far as techniques. Tungsten and small spoons for the perch and spoons with minnow heads still for walleyes along with a JT Custom Snare Rod. I will say this, my JT panhandler has been on fire this winter detecting the light bites. If you didn’t get one under the tree go to www.jtodp.com and use promo code Mpeluso and save yourself a little money!

Merry Christmas to everyone and I’ll continue bringing you updates from the ice!