Fishing for jumbo perch on Devils Lake has become very good to outstanding since my last report. The breaking out of the severe arctic cold snap really got them going. It is better now than it has been all year or even in several years. Limits of 35 perch were being caught throughout the lake. Tactics and techniques have not changed with the exception that the perch are much more aggressive and do very little sniffing at the bait before they hit.
Access is being increased daily with more roads being plowed to the better spots. Check at the local baitshops and resorts for details. Better yet hire a guide service to help you get aquainted. Sustained high winds the past several days has blocked some roads but they are opened as necessary. The wind is expected to blow the next few days and will make being on the ice dangerous. Don’t venture out alone or into unfamiliar territory. Vehicles with higher clearance can get around without roads if they maintain speed.
Thanks for the report Kevin. We will be heading up the first weekend of March. I look forward to hearing more reports in the coming weeks.
I got stuck three times today trying to get off a plowed area. I hadn’t been stuck all year.
When does the perch fishing peak? I was also wondering if and when the walleye and pike season close out there.
The pike and walleye seasons do not close.
Due to the season by season ice conditions, you can never say the peak perch times is any time and be able to plan on it. It’s when you can fish. It is risky to plan to go icefishing anywhere and depend on having safe ice. But perch here are like all lakes and winter fishing, early and late ice are the considered the best. It ain’t too bad right now if you can get to them.
With all the snow we have on the ice and if it warms early and the melting snow ruins the ice, we could be done by mid-March.