Up, down, good, ok, great, tough are all the words I can actually sa in this report that I’ve used this past week and a half on Devils Lake. It amazes me how the fishes moods change by the hour.
First question I get asked right now is how is the ice? Well, I wouldn’t drive a truck on it yet, and I’m nervous of driving really anything on it to be honest. Lots of pressure ridges, cracks, and even a few areas where truce really isn’t very thick yet along with slush pockets. So if your venturing out, use caution ⚠️ and stop and check.
As far as the fishing goes I’ve seen the best of it and so far this winter the toughest. The weird part is there really isn’t an explanation for it. I personally don’t feel like the fish have setup in the traditional winter areas yet? Maybe it’s lack of winter forage? Maybe it’s our unusually warm winter? If someone has this answer please fill me in.
Perch bite hasn’t been all bad so far. I feel the size and quantity has been good. The pattern of the deep basin perch isn’t there yet. So drill, drill, and drill more in all areas trying to land on a bio mass of them. Depth isn’t the same day by day so start shallow and work out deep for the perch.
The same holds true for the walleyes. They seem to be roaming around. The normal structure so far for us hasn’t produced like previous years. I will say the walleyes for me have been shallower for me. I’ve seem to catch a lot of them on ripping raps and jigging raps.
I do have scattered dates this winter. Hit me up with a text or email to see if we can find some dates that will work for you to come ice fishing at Devils Lake. Email me at mikepelusooutdoors@gmail.com or text meat 701-471-8649 to book a trip.
