DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – This week’s report is similar to my hockey playing and coaching days. It reminds me of when you are on a hot streak, or in this case, catching fish and then you have to go on break, then try to pick up where you left off. It never seems to happen right away. The same story holds true up here on Devils Lake right now. I’m not sure if the fish are in transition, getting too much food, or something else, but they are definitely a lot tougher to catch up here at the moment. Don’t get me wrong, the clients are catching fish, but from the guide’s point of view you always wish it to be more fish and that they’re easier to catch.
It’s also worth noting that not all ice is safe on Devils Lake right now. Especially near or on the pressure ridges. A vehicle went through up here on Saturday. We are still using our side-by-sides and will remain in those for probably another three weeks or more. We definitely need a cold snap to layer up some more ice.
Personally, I haven’t been chasing any walleyes yet and it’s strictly perch at the moment. It’s been average at best since the Christmas break. Those ice tigers are moving a bunch, and it’s tough to get them to stay under you for very long. It seems
most often like you will mark some, and they just keep on trucking. You really need to move a ton to be successful. You also need to hope to land on a few biters and make hay. That hay making window at times has been really small and easy to miss with more luck involved than anything. So, I would say if you are out here trying, keep moving! No particular depths or lures are standing out. The bulk of the perch are feeding on the freshwater shrimp. When they are focused on those they can be in three feet of water or 45 feet and anywhere in between.
I have only a couple openings towards the end of January if you are looking for a trip. I don’t have my February schedule complete yet, but I’ll have some dates available. In the meantime, stay safe out on the ice!
Mike Peluso is a Dakota Edge Outdoors contributing writer and a licensed ND fishing guide specializing in walleyes on the state’s premier waters.
Featured Photo: Bucket of Jumbos. Perch are moving fast and through a variety of depths, making them hard to track on Devils Lake, but when they roll in the action can be intense. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.