Devil's Lake, ND - Who's been? Can I get some input?

[bk_MN_iceman]

Looking for some quick advice.

If we were to pull a wheelhouse to Devil's lake for a trip is it like normal lakes in MN? Meaning - A) Would we need a special house tag? Obviously out of state fishing license C) Are there resorts where we can pick a road/access/resort and go out with the wheelhouse for a road fee?

Any other catches that I'm missing? Opinions/stories/recommendations are very welcome!

Thanks,

B

[Supercrew]

My schedule is open, need gas $$$$ ?

[Gordie]

As of right now there is no snow to speak of for roads to plow.

I would have to call my buddy to see what the restrictions on fishouses are but I'm sure its no big deal.

I will try and give him a call tomarrow and see whats going on. I can also get you his number for a contact once your out there for more info he's been a great big help for that kind of stuff and he doesnt mind sharing a spot or two.

[riverview]

Looking for some quick advice.

No special house tag needed (name and contact info must be on the house)

woodlands has roads plowed and was chargeing a fee last year but not sure about this year check at the bait shop.

best bite in years on devils lake buckshots, lindy rattlin flyers, salmos.

If we were to pull a wheelhouse to Devil's lake for a trip is it like normal lakes in MN? Meaning - A) Would we need a special house tag? Obviously out of state fishing license C) Are there resorts where we can pick a road/access/resort and go out with the wheelhouse for a road fee?

Any other catches that I'm missing? Opinions/stories/recommendations are very welcome!

Thanks,

B

[bk_MN_iceman]

Thanks for the input so far. Any suggestions on where to go out of. It's quite a haul from here and I can't find a site like this that deals with Devil's lake to gather lots of resort/information.

Is it difficult to get on fish on that lake or is it pretty typical? Find structure, a point/break/hump, etc...?

[mnviking28]

I have fished the lake a bunch in the summer, still haven't made my first trip out there in the winter. However, I will tell you this, the lake is almost limitless structure and the fish population is amazing. There is a site like this called fishingbuddy that has a lot of information. Didn't want to post the web address cause I didn't know if that was allowed. If you have never been there, I will tell you that things are very limited out there for bait shops, tackle shops, etc. They have a Cenex and a Home of Economy and one bait shop that for whatever reason people seem to talk about a lot called Ed's Bait. I wouldn't stop there for anything other than that as they are NOT friendly or helpful. Every time I have ever stopped there, you would swear that you had just asked the guy for his social security and credit card numbers. I would rather just go to one of the other businesses as I really don't feel like a guy with that kind of a personality needs my business. If you have a GPS and a navionics or lakemaster chip, there are a lot of things marked, even if the depths aren't correct, they still get you on the structure.

[forcedtowork]

I was there last Thursday and Friday, Ed's doesn't like to give you much direction or information. Do yourself a favor and buy your license online ahead of time. There is also a bait shop called Pete's off of Hwy 2, I don't think he fishes much, but he was nice and willing to try to help unlike Ed's. We went off by Jerusalem Bay with marginal sucess. It was a pain to find initially but now it is easy to find. I would try Woodland Resort. I didn't drive on but there was around 2 feet of ice. Good luck.

[riverview]

There is a north dakota forum with a devils lake section on here.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

I would contact Woodland Resort. I've stayed there and really enjoyed the place. Nice big cabin for our group was very reasonably priced. Cabins are modern and clean. They have a bar/restaurant and bait shop on site. They also have a fantastic heated fish cleaning facility. Their staff is out fishing and will point you in the right direction. Lots of good spots in the area.

One other thing, make sure you bring tip-ups. We caught tons of pike on quick strike rigs. I like to eat pike and for some reason the Devils pike taste better. Everyone in our group agreed they were great. The locals were asking us to keep limits of pike, but the guys in my group are not meat hogs, so we let most of them go.

Another thing, make sure you have a license. I've been fishing in Minnesota for over 30 years and I've never had a CO check my license. I got checked twice in four days on Devils. The CO was friendly and it wasn't a problem.

[Gordie]

Here ya go BK its a link to our devils lake forum.

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/238/1/Devils_Lake

[mnviking28]

Most of the pike you catch at Devils are decent size too. I can't remember ever catching one (even though we probably have) that was under about 3 lbs. Most that we have caught have been between 3 and 6. The largest was about 10 lbs, but we have seen many, many that were larger. We just haven't targeted them in the summer because we were too busy chasing walleyes. Also, if memory serves me correctly (obviously check the current regs) you are allowed 4 tip-ups.

[bk_MN_iceman]

Awesome info guys! We're looking to go up next week if we don't head to Eelpout festival. I will give Woodland a shout out once we decide for sure!

Thanks again.

B

[Grumpy]

I was at DL last Saturday. You can drive almost anywhere. Watch for pressure ridges. There is tons of water to fish - check at Eds Bait Shop for info about general areas to fish. Fishingbuddy.com has fishing reports, both from individuals and from resorts/bait shops. The walleye bite is usually good in shallow water in evening. If the perch bite is on, it can be unbelievable-lots of 12-14 inchers. Good luck.

[DTro]

This is all you need to know.

[bk_MN_iceman]

DTro, that picture makes a guy drool. Wow.

[lispeej]

There is a north dakota forum with a devils lake section on here.

Yes there is, but the responses i've gotten from that forum has been very slow.

But anyhow, I've fished that lake tons of times over the summer seasons,,,but never yet for ice fishing. I would think ice fishing would be no different. Yes, like some have said..."Big fish" are in those waters. And yes, they do for some reason "taste better".

In my opinion, devils lake is huge, and keeps growing every year. This lake is the walleye, jumbo perch, northern, and white bass capital of the world.

Good luck, have fun, and be safe!

[minnesotathorn]

i gave up on devils lake a few years ago so it may have changed. we always were able to find huge schools of perch but with all the fresh water shrimp it was nearly impossible to get them to bite. the morning & evening bite in the trees was very good for walleye. never went looking for northern but always seemed to get a few. always used woodland resort. great place & great owners. not to hard to see where perch patrol is fishing. gives you a good idea of where you should be. if you can get on a school of feeding perch the average size is amazing.