Ice Fishing an Untapped Resource
Ice Fishing on Lake Alice Federal Wildlife Refuge is a GO for 2016-2017
We were anxiously awaiting the opportunity to fish this body of water a year ago, we knew that for the most part it had been an untapped and fertile resource. We were able to access areas that were cut off from most other areas and this unbelievable body of water did not disappoint.
The first year of fishing on Lake Alice Federal Wildlife Refuge was on a trial basis and we were not sure they were going to open it up again. There are a lot of different reasons that had us skeptical.
However, with the posting of this sign on one of the access points, we were ecstatic to learn we will once again be able to attack the lake and its unique structures and Walleye biting times and the chance at straight “PIG” Perch.
To give you some idea what this fishery has to offer, here are some of our catches from a year ago.
This was our initial voyage out onto the Pristine Virgin Ice last year!
Though an Awesome limit, this is the rule not the exception on Lake Alice fishing for Walleyes!
The Beauty of this fishery is it is not just a morning and evening bite, the Walleyes bite all day, this was from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon!
Coming soon, we at DLFR will provide you with the opportunity to have a leg up on your fellow angler. This lake is located adjacent to the farmland of my ancestral home, I grew up a mile from its shores and can remember the 80’s and 90’s when the duck islands were being constructed, my grandfather took us out to the Locs. We have intimate knowledge of the terrain that is now submerged under the waters of Lake Alice and Lake Irvine.
We will be making available to you this knowledge and the knowledge we gained last year to give you some starting points that will have you ahead of the curve.
Lake Alice is unlike Lake Irvine in that there is some structure. Irvine is basically a flat bottomed bowl with fish just roaming aimlessly.
Lake Alice has islands that were built up in the dry years for duck nesting that are now submerged, it has sunken roads, a couple of water control structures and multiple old shorelines.
Be on the lookout for Lake Alice information COMING VERY SOON and an added plus is this is one of the first bodies of water to get ice on it so it allows us to jumpstart our season.
Special Note from DLFR: Please, drive slowly and carefully when accessing the lake and if you bring it in, take it out, littering in the area will only close this awesome fishery down!
This could be the worst idea that anyone has ever had in regards to murdering I fishery. I’m all for sharing with your friends, but divulging every single aspect of how/where to catch walleye on this lake is absolutely irresponsible and will demolish this small body of water in short order.
Jim,
We register your concern but counter that with this is a large body of water, it is essentially a large bay of Devils Lake. It is a continuous extension of the big lake itself. Dry Lake, Mike’s Lake, Chain Lakes, Lake ALice and Lake Irvine if you look on the map are one continuous lake. With dwindling water levels will one day bring about winter kill. Why cant we use the resource while it is available. It is not like limits have been thrown out the window, each angler can still only keep 5 walleyes a day. It is closed during open water and having the access to fish it during the winter is an added bonus.
I would love 2 fish there with my sons
How large is this body of water& how much pressure can it take?
Bill,
Lake Alice and Lake Irvine are part of the Devils Lake chain and combine to add up to over 200,000 acres. Fishing pressure fluctuates on this large body of water but the fact that it is closed in the summer adds to the allure of being able to fish it in the winter. The opening of Lake Alice is on a year by year basis and as long as we as anglers are respectable to the resource we will continue to have the opportunity. It is in our corner to keep it open. Drive carefully getting to and from the lake and don’t litter!!
No one has to keep any fish. On many of these lakes if people could practice some restraint and do catch and release they could be wonderful fisheries for many more years. I personally enjoy getting out and enjoying nature so my many concern isn’t bringing home a bunch of fish every time I go out. I very rarely keep fish that I can release healthy. I know this practice isn’t for everyone though.
Totally agree with you. That’s why I find this idea great that they are doing I’m coming from upper peninsula of Michigan really don’t have the time to go explore all over the place and have fun catching fish.