Ice Fishing Report-February 12th, 2023

Written by Mike Peluso

February 12, 2023

Things are getting better and also getting worse as far as the ice /slush/snow is concerned.

The warmer weather has settled the snow down. It has also created the slush pockets that will eat up your side by side if you are not careful.

Take your time and travel in pairs is my recommendation. I know they are uncertain of the snow we could receive this coming week. My hopes is it stays south.

The fishing remains good if you time things right. We are still picking one species at a time/day.

What I mean by this is if you choose walleyes we will target those for the day. If your choice is perch. We have to concentrate on those.

It’s extremely hard to do both right now in an 8 hour guide day. Logistics don’t favor it at all, especially this winter.

Nothing fancy old shoreline stuff morning and evening for walleyes. The perch are definitely headed for the basin.

If you catch perch in the basin you have to keep them! They will not survive with barotrauma.

I’m booking trips for the river this spring near Bismarck. April is for the most part spoken for. May which is my favorite month on the river still has some prime time dates left! Get ahold of me!

Related Reports

Lake Sakakawea Fishing Report-June 21st, 2026

Lake Sakakawea Fishing Report-June 21st, 2026

What a week it has been up on Lake Sakakawea!  Between good fishing, up and down weather (wind), minor boat repairs, great clients, it's been memorable.  The fish on Sakakawea right now are extremely healthy!  I'm surprised we are actually able to get...

Devils Lake Fishing Report-June 14th, 2026

Devils Lake Fishing Report-June 14th, 2026

With the goofy spring and now early summer weather.  The fishing on Devils has been a little up and down also.  I have been on the water pretty much everyday since March 15th.  I have never seen such tough weather.  Especially the wind. I honestly...

Devils Lake Fishing Report-June 7th, 2026

Devils Lake Fishing Report-June 7th, 2026

Since leaving the Missouri River this spring, one thing hasn't changed.  The weather this spring and early summer has been one of the worst I can remember.  Zero consistency.   With the lack of consistency in the weather the fishing on Devils Lake has...