By Mike Peluso

If you are looking for a challenge, ice fishing this winter anywhere in North Dakota is where it is at. It is definitely not for the weak minded.

With all the snow, especially on Devils Lake, we are beginning to see slush and a lot of it. Any area of traffic or areas where holes have been drilled is becoming problematic; more so now with the warmer weather. Certain areas right are what I would deem unfishable unfortunately.

Along with all the snow cover comes a slower bite, especially for perch. The walleyes, however typically will bite, and its better up shallow.

We are still catching perch but in fewer numbers and smaller in average size will be the norm here for a bit. I’m sure another biomass of perch will assemble somewhere on the lake and things will fire up again for us. Wax worms and spikes on tungsten jigs are best right now for the perch and use spoons with minnows for the walleyes during early morning and late evening.

We will be on the ice daily, so I’ll be keeping tabs on conditions up here as we go. If you don’t have tracks, travelling on the lake and fishing effectively will be difficult. 

Mike Peluso is a Dakota Edge Outdoors contributing writer and a licensed ND fishing guide specializing in walleyes on the state’s premier waters.