Devils Lake Third week of March

Hi Everyone

My friend and I are Looking to make the trip to Devils Lake from the cities the third week of March. This would be our first trip there in search of perch. I have been doing some research and wanted to get your opinions on a few things.

1. How is travel on the ice that time of year generally? Wondering if slush is a concern at all. Our group would have trucks and four wheelers.

2. This trip we would not be getting a guide. We would be staying at a hotel and driving to the lake each day. Any concerns with leaving your gear in trucks at hotel or at launches?

3 suggestions on equipment to bring to make the trip go smoother? Auger with extension? lite flight with drill? Shovel? case of beer? multiple cases of beer?

Any info your are willing to share would be a great help in planning this adventure. Appreciate any and all feedback. Tight lines folks.

There is no slush on the lake right now. Only a little bit of snow. You should be fine for driving at that time unless we get some really warm spring days early. I don’t think you should need an extension this year as there is currently only 18-22” of ice most spots on the lake. Devils gets real windy so a shovel would help a lot for packing snow around your portables.

1 Can’t answer now wait till March to ask this question.

2 no more concern than most launches. Leave an easy pick and you might get picked.

3 all of the above.

Even with thick ice if we warm up to fast the acess points will get bad,especially where the bite is good,a few days of heavy traffic at a landing and they are crap.
I would plan on bringing an atv,you can call one of the local shops before you come to see if its needed.
I seen many people come and do well without a guide,the baitshops do a pretty good job of putting you in the general area of the bite,the rest is up to you.
As far as motels,we are not free of crime,but havent heard much for thefts for awhile,but I would bring in anything that can walk away easy,or at least lock it in your pickup and you should be fine.
Other than flashers/finders,a good gps/chip combo is a great help.I prefer Doc sonar on my HDS,but even downloading navionics app to your phone would help.
Besides perch,late march we see a relly good walleye bite too.
Good Luck!!