I split my time again this past week both ice fishing Devils Lake and open water fishing on the Missouri River.  

First thing I want to say is Devils Lake isn’t all doom and gloom.  A fair amount of fish were caught and some of the fish caught the quality was off the charts good.  The numbers aren’t what they were, but don’t let that scare you. 

I know a lot of the guides are taking a beating online for the perch numbers being down.  The pike numbers are also down on DL.  Those two fish go hand and hand believe it or not.  It has more to do with the lowering water levels and lack of spring runoff than anything. Perch are a 5 to 7 year fish is all.  If the lake gets good runoff and water levels rise,  the perch and pike populations will rebound! 

I thought the walleye bite on DL wasn’t bad at all.  We sprinkled in a few perch and a couple of puke and it was a good day for all. 

Was also able to take advantage of our last nice day to out the boat in the river.  Same story as always up there, slow and steady wind the race.  We boated enough fish for a nice fish fry and caught a couple nice ones to put back for the future. 

We are truly blessed here in North Dakota!  Being able to open water boat fish and ice fish in the same week is a pretty unique experience.  

I’m also filling up dates for the Missouri River, Devils Lake, and Lake Sakakawea.  I have scattered dates for all of them.  I’m super excited to get back into the daily grind of guiding! So get ahold of me to secure your spot.