Still In That Early Ice Fishing Period!

Even though it seems like we have been out on the ice for a couple months, it is actually still in that early ice period.  We aren’t finding big numbers in those super deep areas.  The shallow and intermediate bites are where most Perch are coming out of.

Areas to target right now to really find some active schools to attack are those flooded timber areas, submerged intermediate flats, and those depressions we often talk about.

Walleyes

Structure!

Structure is key on the early ice for the ole White Tip.  Walleyes are only real active in those early and late hours of the day and therefore are using structure areas for ambush.  Humps and points in 5-8 and 12-15 feet of water are the most prominent areas to target.

One of the beneficial things about the Early Ice period on Devils Lake is that often times you can find both of those target species in the same areas.  Sit on that point or hump in the early hours for eyes and then slip the ledge a few feet deeper and find the Perch adjacent to the structure.

Crappie!

Interesting time for Crappie on Devils Lake.   A week ago, we were finding them in roving bands of 3-5 cruising old channels and depressions.  Over the next couple of weeks they are going to start schooling up and leaking into the more open basins.  We will start locating bigger schools out in the basin.

Safety First!!

Yes, we are making ice and things are getting more solid by the minute.

Yes, some areas are getting safer.

However…

NO! It is not uniform and safe all over.

Drove past Irvine on highway 281 yesterday to the farm and there is open water, yes, open water on the west side of the big pressure ridge.

We have probably put on 2-4 inches in many areas over the last 4-5 days in most areas.  Keep in mind, some of that area was open water 4-5 days ago.

We still think that you should be drilling as you go.  We will continue to do so for the duration of this cold front.  Some of those thinner ice areas are making ice really quickly and even that can leave the ice a little unstable.  Also, pressure ridges are going to start popping in many areas so that is just one more thing to keep in mind.

Some Possible Recommendations!

Some areas to target if you are making a post-holiday fishing trip to the Big Devil include:

1. Lake Alice
2. Lake Irvine
3. East Devils Lake
4. Black Tiger
5. North 6 Mile
6. North Creel
7. Casino Area
8. The Flats
9. Pelican Lake

Good Luck Out There!

Remember:

NO ICE IS SAFE ICE!!

Hold On To Your Rod!!

And…

Turn Fishing Into Catching

With…

DevilsLakeFishingReport!!