Devils Lake Ice Fishing

[sunnyday]

Never been to DL before. Are there ice roads that can get you to any part of the lake once you're on the ice or do you have to get off and then get on from another access?

Are there public access?

Besides walleye, northern, and perch, what other fish are being caught?

Which fish species is easier to catch?

What's the clarity of the water?

Do I need an extension for the auger if fishing during Jan/Feb?

Thanks in advance!

[riverview]

yes there are ice roads, some years it takes awhile for them to get plowed the first time. there are public access ramps.

there are also white bass and crappie

walleye are the easiest to catch. get stable weather and find perch and it can be very good.

water clears up in the winter

i never go fishing in n.d or mn in jan or feb without a extension. most years they arent needed until the end of feb.

[sunnyday]

Thanks Riverview.

What's consider stable weather?

Do white bass/crappie mix in with walleye or do they have their own territory?

[Jeff Dosch]

In most areas of the lake there are plowed roads and access points on the lake are public boat ramps. Some of the resorts have private access but there is always a close public access. You have to remember that 90% of the shoreline of Devils Lake is undeveloped and a lot of the access areas that we use are just old gravel roads that are now flooded by the lake.Local bait shops will help you find these spots.

If your looking for an easy fish to target, I would stick with Northern Pike. The Pike population is at an all time high on Devils Lake and they are usually hungry!

White Bass and Crappie on Devils Lake on the other hand are hard to target and you will sometimes run into them when you are fishing for perch.

When you are traveling to Devils Lake always bring your extension. Different areas of the lake freeze earlier and ice thickness can differ from one area of the lake to the next.

[ArcherJ]

I know it may be a little early to tell, but if the current weather patterns continue when would you expect people to (safely) be driving out onto the lake?

[ArcherJ]

Also from just monitoring the weather via online it doesn't look like the devils lake has gotten much for snow, maybe a couple inches like we got in Fargo? Am i mistaken?

[marine_man]

You're correct.. most of ND hasn't received much snow.

marine_man

[BleedSiouxGreen]

I have a sleeper house that I want to put out on Devil's this year and I'm wondering if any resorts are willing to pull it out and take it off at the end of the year for a fee? I know they do this up at Lake of the Woods, where I've had it in the past, but I'd like to go to DL this year to stay closer to home. Thanks.

[sloughshark]

Ill be on DL jan 1st thru the 5th, just wondering how much snow they got on the lake.