Perch can still be found deeper on Devils Lake, focus on main lake basins until they make their moves as spring approaches. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso. 

By Mike Peluso

For me the ice fishing season is ticking away. I have about 2 weeks left of guiding on Devils Lake. After I’m done on the ice my attention will immediately turn to the open water north of Bismarck near the tailrace and hopefully near town in early April.

Until then I will continue to report from the frozen surface of Devils Lake. The bite has been staying pretty decent over the past week and we are still chasing both walleyes and perch.

My guess is we will slowly turn over to chasing walleyes and pike. It all depends on how the season progresses. Early morning the walleyes are still on structure. Any day now they will begin to head shallower and they will also begin migrating and staging near or around their spawning areas.

The perch continue to roam the basin. I think they are finding bloodworms in the mud. I would anticipate the perch moving shallower and back towards areas we found them at early ice.

Tracked machines are still a must of Devils Lake, but access and ice conditions are still good. However, that can change very quickly this time of year. If it begins to do so I will keep you informed.

I’m booking trips for open water both for this spring on the Missouri River near Bismarck and Lake Sakakawea. Get ahold of me if you are looking to get out!

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