We caught up with the legendary Jason Mitchell of Jason Mitchell Outdoors right here on the floor of the St. Paul Ice Fishing Show to get the lowdown on current conditions at Devils Lake.

If you’re itching to get on the hard water, the news is promising. While Jason spent the days leading up to the show checking ice thickness rather than wetting lines, the early-season foundation is setting up nicely for what looks to be a tremendous start to the season.

Here is the latest scoop on ice thickness, water clarity, and where to find those early-season walleyes.

 

Current Ice Conditions

The freeze-up is following its typical pattern for the Devils Lake region. The west end is locking up first, while other pockets of the lake need a bit more time.

Before heading to St. Paul (approx. 3-4 days ago), Jason reported finding 2.5 to 3 inches of ice in the following key areas:

  • Lake Alice & Lake Irvine (North of Hwy 2)
  • Pelican Lake
  • West End of the Minnewaukan Flats
  • North End of Creel Bay (pockets of ice)

The Forecast: With a few cold nights in the books since those checks, Jason anticipates that anglers will be able to walk out or use small machines (ATVs/Snowmobiles) in these specific areas immediately. The main lake areas will likely need another week or two to offer safe options.

 

The "Make or Break" Factor: Water Clarity

One of the biggest variables for early ice success on shallow prairie lakes like Alice and Irvine is wind at freeze-up. If the water gets churned up and muddy, the bite often shuts down.

The Good News: Conditions are looking favorable this year. Jason noted that the water color looks right.

  • Visibility: You can see down roughly 6 inches to a foot (or more).
  • Verdict: The water is clear enough to sustain a strong bite, unlike years where muddy water limits visibility to a single inch.

 

Early Ice Strategy: Shallow Walleyes

If you are heading out to Irvine, Alice, or the Flats, leave the deep water gear at home. This time of year is all about shallow water aggression.

  • Target Depth: 3 to 6 feet of water below the ice.
  • Structure: Focus on the old shoreline. Look for hard bottoms with scattered rock or gravel.
  • Expectation: These areas offer some of the first fishing opportunities in the entire region and can produce tremendous walleye action right out of the gate.

 

Safety Reminder: Early ice conditions vary rapidly. While 2-3 inches was observed in specific bays, always check ice thickness as you go, especially as you venture further out.