Big Bite.  The walleye bite has been inconsistent on Devils Lake this winter in comparison to previous ice fishing seasons, however some big fish are lurking and providing opportunities under the right conditions. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.

By Mike Peluso 

The weather still hasn’t stabilized yet, but ice fishing on Devils Lake seems to be a little better if you are willing to move and drill lots of holes. 

The walleye bite has been a little off up here this winter.  It has not been a guarantee like years past.  If you catch them one day in one spot, the same place probably won’t be as good the next day.  It seems like you have to let the spots rest a little.  Buckshot-type baits with minnows and wax worms are what’s working for the walleyes on structure like points, humps, roads, and old shoreline. 

As for the perch, you get on some biters or you don’t.  It’s that hit and miss right now.  They are moving and moving fast! You literally have to drill a hundred holes in hopes of getting on one spot that will produce.  Plus, you have to be able to fish. The biters for the most part are not hitting hard and you have to pay close attention. 

If you work hard and grind you will put fish in the bucket.  If you are just looking at relaxing and having an adult beverage or two, your bucket will have lots of empty cans in it by day’s end.  I think it’s beginning to turn and get a little easier, but that’s just another full moon, cold front, snowstorm, or hurricane away from having to start all over. 

I have a few scattered dates available in February and a few more in March.  It’s hard to believe we are past the halfway mark of the ice guiding season. But with that, I’m also taking bookings for spring walleye fishing on the Missouri River near Bismarck and of course the best lake going right now for open water – Lake Sakakawea. Get ahold of me! 

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