Perch are scattered on Devils Lake, feeding on abundant forage.  With the winter’s warm conditions, they remain elusive but bigger ones tend to be those that take to ice anglers’ offerings. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.

By Mike Peluso

Things have gotten a little better up here on Devils Lake. We got some cold weather and firmed the ice back up. Now the big question is this next warm spell. With the forecasted sun, what will it do to our current ice conditions?

I’m hoping it holds out until at least a little into March.  The fish have gotten a little bit more eager to feed here over the last couple of days. If I’ve told my clients once, I’ve told them a thousand times this winter: quality over quantity.

Contrary to popular belief, Devils Lake is doing extremely well with the second-highest test netting numbers of walleyes this past fall, so we know the numbers are here. After the National Walleye Trail tournament last year, we know the quality is also. So, what’s been the problem?

It’s been a combination of an over-abundance of food and nothing to get these fish bunched up. 

Normal winters (and this certainly isn’t one of them) would have us in a deep freeze for 30-plus days at some point and at least some snowpack on the lake. We haven’t had either. More sun penetration through the ice is another factor. All of these play a role in impacting the bite. 

Both the perch and walleyes seem to still like the smaller buckshot spoons and minnow heads over everything else. Tungsten jigs and spikes will work for perch, but they definitely like the minnows a little better.

I wish I could give you a better idea of a certain depths. Unfortunately, these fish remain scattered all over the place right now and it’s guesswork day in and day out if they are going to be in five feet of water or 50.  I tend to lean towards the shallower side of things increasing my odds at active fish.

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