Yep, Mother Nature you need to go home, you’ve had a couple too many. With these abnormal temperatures at the end of January and February you are giving us ice fishing guide extreme stress and anxiety.
Yes, we have ice. Yes we have safe ice. However, you need to really be on your game and be diligent in making sure everything is ok and everyone is safe. Lots of movement around the pressure ridges and plenty of water on top of the ice.
Our biggest concern is the access areas. These areas are getting destroyed by mud and water. Each day they seem to be getting worse and worse. Again, go slow and watch out in front if you like a hawk!
As far as the fishing goes. That might be indulging with Mother Nature right now. You’d think with these Warner temps the bite would be all fired up but it isn’t. No idea exactly why, but it’s been a grind.
The walleyes will come out and play, but it’s short lived. You absolutely need to capitalize on the bites early and late to have success. You miss that window and you very easily can be in for a long day.
The perch…as hit and miss as the weather. They definitely are not bunched up and they are spread out everywhere feeding on the freshwater shrimp. When they are feeding on those it’s a guess as to where you will find them. The shrimp are everywhere! One foot of water to 50 foot of water, making finding the perch difficult. Even more difficult to stay on them because they are traveling around in small groups.
If you do catch perch right now it’s quality over quantity. I’m hoping they start to bunch up here in the near future to help relieve a little of the stress to catch them.
Nothing fancy when you catch fish right now. Smaller rattle spoons with minnow heads seem to be best for both the perch and walleyes.
I am reminding folks if you are wanting to fish with me this year on the Missouri River, Devils Lake and Sakakawea. Now is the time to book a trip. The last few years have been unreal and the rebooking is probably over 90 percent leaving a limited amount of dates. That doesn’t mean we can’t figure out something for you. So again, don’t drag you feet!
