A Pile of Fun. The author and his clients ended the Devils Lake ice season on a high note with a good catch of perch and walleyes. Next up, his efforts turn to spring fishing on the Missouri River in and around Bismarck. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.
By Mike Peluso
As I’m writing this very last report from the ice on Devils Lake, I can honestly say this has been the most challenging ice fishing season in my lifetime, but it has also been very rewarding at times, too.
There were lots of ups and downs and highs and lows. I’d say overall the quality of the fish caught up here this winter was the best I’ve ever seen. There were lots of walleyes caught weighing over 10 pounds and perch that tipped the scale at two pounds or more.
It seemed if you could get the fish to eat you caught quality, just not always in huge numbers. Now don’t get me wrong, I had plenty of days where I spent more than enough time in the fish cleaning station cleaning fish for my clients. We also had days where we weren’t in there all that long. I’m sure I’ll share a year-end collage of pictures on my social media pages, showing the good days of course!
Another fun thing from this winter was working with Ice Fishing Central promoting our new ice fishing products that we have had a hand in designing. The walleye slayer and perch slayer rods were a huge success and we are super excited to introduce some more items this coming fall to help you out on the ice next winter, so stay tuned!
So now what? If the weather allows, I will be headed back to Bismarck and will begin the 2024 open water guide season on the Missouri River. If you have booked with me already, you are good to go. Just touch base with me to make sure we have the correct dates in place. If you are looking to fish Devils Lake, Sakakawea, or the Missouri River later in the season, please get ahold of me and we will get you on the schedule!
Mike Peluso is a Dakota Edge Outdoors contributing writer and a licensed ND fishing guide specializing in walleyes on the state’s premier waters.