Tracks Are A Necessity!
Except…
We missed yesterday’s Wednesday Ice Report, so here it is:
The ice is good although there are some slush pockets out there. Ice thickness is not an issue in any of the spots we have been in. Inside a SnoBear, an extension will be beneficial.
Snow is the problem, it is thick out there and it is drifty. Real drifty and they are hard. Unfortunately, they are not hard enough to support the weight of a vehicle making wheeled traffic near impossible in most areas. If the only thing that you have has wheels on it, then you really have 3 options:
- Creel Bay and Woodlands Trail System
- The Casino and their trail system
- EastBay and East Bay Campgrounds trail system
Not what many of you wanted to hear but it is the honest truth.
The Fishing!!
In A Word: Sporadic
It is amazing how a hot, on fire Perch bite turned south so quickly, but it did. The fish are there, and they WERE biting like mad. Then the snow and wind and weather hit and it really dampered that bite. It WILL turn around at some point but right now it is tough to get on a really good Perch bite on the main body of Devils Lake.
There are spots that are producing Perch and if a Devils Lake Perch bite is on your bucket list and you are in town for the weekend, try these out:
Most Perch spots are going to be pretty deep at this time and drilling should begin in the 30+ foot ranges. Can you still get some good Perch shallow? Absolutely, but probably not big numbers. To swing for the fences on Perch right now it is a deep water game. Think 30-45 feet and think small, subtle baits. Tungsten with spikes and waxies and slow movements, even dead sticking.
Toothy, Gravel Lizzards!
When the Perch bite gets tough, many choose to go after the wily Walleye. These too have been a struggle at times. The yo-yo weather has them ON one day and Off, Off, OFF the next.
If you are thinking Walleyes, think shallow and think aggressive. Less than 15 feet of water and big, loud, obnoxious lures that are going to draw some attention. Rattle Raps, Big Buck shots, and my least favorite the Flutter Spoon ( I hate em and can’t personally catch a fish on em but I know two guys who swear by em).
Pinks and Oranges in combination with white have been the hot color combinations lately and don’t be afraid to dabble in even ‘less than 5 feet’.
If you are in town for the Fishing Tournament and wanna go for a late bite after, try some of these out for you evening Walleye bite:
Lures You Must Have!
Good Luck Out There!
