Oh where to start on Devils Lake? I would go to Ed’s Baitshop and get an idea where the fish are biting and make a decision from there. Also, there are some good web sites out there that have pretty up to date reports on the bite. The lake is so big, it can be intimidating but the neat thing about it, is fish can be practically anywhere. If I was heading up, I would get a general idea of where the fish are biting and scope out some area on my own instead of hanging with the crowds. In terms of historical spots, they are everywhere and they are the spots that they will tell you about at the bait shop. But find some submerged trees on your own and go for it. Hali’s are a good lure there for perch. Walleyes like Forage Minnows, plain hook and minnow, or buckshot rattlespoons. Then, don’t forget to bring some tip ups with frozen smelt. More than likely you will get some nice pike on the ice as well. If you are mobile, you will get your trophy perch.

I believe it was the North Branch. The first bridge east of County Road 1. Just southeast of Rochester…close to Simpson.

The fish bite would be sporadic. Catch them for an hour, then turn off for a while. Where we really started to find them was about a mile to a mile and a half back in. They were laying along a small rock ledge that extended for several hundred yards. It was not that deep of water, maybe 2 or 3 feet deep on that one side. On the other side where we casted from, it was only ankle deep. They were right up against the ledge and would smack the bait as soon as it hit the water.

We never caught any fish in pools that were in the sun. Shady areas was key. Fast running water areas also produced, but most fish in those areas were small.