Heading there tomorrow afternoon for my first time. My 2 buddies have been there multiple times. This was a last minute planned trip so we are planning to go on our own without hiring a guide. I look forward to others opinions on best time to go. I will let you know how we do. We will be coming back Sunday.
My favorite time is late ice out there. Navigation can sometimes become tricky with snow cover, but I have had the best luck from the end of February to ice-out.
March is the best in my opinion. I’ve been going out there either the second or third week in March for the past five years. You run the risk of an early ice out but the fishing is stupid good. Walleye are easy to find and you can catch more pike in the 8-12 lb range in one afternoon than you can count. Plus, if you are lucky, you can fish in 40° to 50° weather instead of 0° to 10°. The perch in my profile pic were caught there March 2015.
Mid to late march,later if ice conditions allow,but most years after the third weekend in march ,plan on bringing an atv.Both perch and walleye should be going right up to ice out.