The ice season on Devils Lake is in full swing. Garrett Bonham and the crew at Bry's Guide Service are reporting excellent mobility and steady action on the hard water. As co-owner of Ed's Bait Shop, Garrett has his finger on the pulse of the lake, coordinating with guides who are on the ice daily. The general consensus is clear: the "travel trouble" of previous years is gone. With low snowpack, you can get to the fish easily, and the bite—particularly for Walleye—is consistent if you are willing to stay mobile.

 

 

 

Ice Fishing Conditions & Strategy

 

Ice Conditions

  • Thickness: 13–20 inches across the majority of the lake.

  • Travel: Excellent. Trucks and ATVs are moving freely due to light snowpack.

  • Hazards: Watch out for active ice ridges. Conditions can change daily; check ridges before crossing.

 

Locations

  • Key Depths:

    • Walleye: 10–12 ft (weed edges) to 18–22 ft (old shoreline structure).

    • Perch: 25–35 ft (basins and flats).

  • Hot Spots: Focus on structure, including flooded timber, rock piles, and roadbeds.

  • West Side: Minnewaukan Flats and Graham's Island areas have been productive.

 

Species & Tactics

  • Walleye:

    • Bite Window: Best action is during low-light periods (sunrise/sunset). Cloudy days extend the bite.

    • Technique: Aggressive jigging to call them in, then slow it down if they are sluggish.

  • Perch:

    • Strategy: Often mixed in with Walleye on structure, or found roaming deeper basins.

    • Technique: Use smaller presentations. A "pencil weight" dropper system helps get small jigs down fast to the strike zone before the school moves.

 

Gear, Jigs & Lures

  • Walleye Lures:

    • Rattle-style baits (rattle spoons).

    • Jigging Raps (aggressive darting action).

    • Spoons (Buckshot spoons, etc.).

  • Perch Lures:

    • Small tungsten jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes.

    • Small spoons with a dropper chain.

  • Top Colors:

    • Gold

    • Orange

    • White / Wonder Bread

    • Pink (especially in stained water)

 

Tips & Tricks

  • Mobility is King: Don't camp on a spot if it’s dead. Drill holes, graph fish, and move if they aren't reacting.

  • Ridge Safety: Always check with the local bait shop (Ed's) for the latest on ridge movement before heading out.

 

 

Book Your Trip to Devils Lake

The Walleye bite is steady, the travel is easy, and the heaters are running! There is no better time to experience the legendary ice fishing of North Dakota than right now. January and February dates are filling up fast. Whether you need the latest gear, a hot tip on where the bite is, or a fully guided SnoBear experience, the local experts have you covered.

Get geared up and booked today: