Ice fishing isn’t something I do too much of, but over the past couple of years, I have caught the bug. Two years in a row, I’ve headed up to Devils Lake to fish with McQuoid Outdoors. I wanted to catch a 15-inch yellow perch. That goal eluded me, but we caught more walleye through the ice than one could hope for. There’s still plenty of season left if you want to add some of the best eating freshwater fish out there to your freezer.
Devils Lake in North Dakota has become a destination fishery for ice anglers from across the country. It’s wild how much this lake has changed over time. Since the early 1990s, the water in Devils Lake has risen 30 feet and expanded the lake from around 40,000 acres almost to 300,000 acres. So, there’s a lot going on habitat wise. You’ll be fishing a lot of backwaters, and in places that used to be people’s fields or houses, along with old roadbeds and shelter belts.
I have the good fortune of fishing with a lot of guides and outfitters around the country. Wholeheartedly, I’ll say as far as professionalism goes, Aaron McQuaid is special. He’s going to put you on fish, but more importantly, McQuoid’s an educator. He’s the kind of guide who is going to teach you about the sport, about the fish, and about the fishery.
First off, ice fishing way up north isn’t what you may have in mind. This isn’t hand-cranking a few holes with an antique auger and sitting on a bucket. This is sophisticated fishing, to say the least. They’re driving trucks on 30 inches of ice and leaving you in an ice shelter equipped with heaters, cook stoves, and top-of-the-line electronics. All of the equipment is provided for you, including rods, lures, bait, and all other necessary equipment.
When asked to describe the area we were fishing, McQuoid said, “When people talk about Devil’s Lake, they’re really talking about a number of connected lakes. Today we are on Pelican Lake, in about 10 feet of water. You get over on the Minnewaukan Flats, you’re about 15 feet of average depth. You get around the corner out into the original Devils Lake, and it gets cleaner and deeper, with a lot of it 50 feet.”
I’ve been to a lot of different places to pursue walleye. Not many of them have been ice fishing, but I’ve been on a number of famous lakes with guides trying to put impressive stringers together. I’ve never seen walleye quality like I have found at Devils Lake. If you want to catch quality walleye, this place is super impressive and worth the trip.
There is both size and numbers. If a walleye we caught was 22 inches long or more, McQuoid asked us to release it. Those are the producers of future fish. So, from a conservation standpoint, I respect him asking clients to do this. We caught all the 17-to-21-inch fish we needed for eating. Of course, if you catch a giant and want to have it mounted, Aaron’s going to be fine with you doing so.
When you bring a walleye out of an ice hole, they’re healthy and thick, and it’s a really neat experience. I was texting pictures back home, and had friends asking me when we could put another trip together. These are people who have never ice fished, and they were asking me the name of the guide and where to stay. That’s how outfitting businesses grow. Something McQuoid doesn’t have to worry too much about, since he has so many return clients, but he’s always excited to meet new groups when days are available.
Warren Johnson, who lives in Wisconsin and puts this trip together for our group, said, “It’s all about the habitat and the service. I’ve been to Lake of the Woods and Mille Lacs and Red Lake and all those places. And it’s just the level of service, especially the moving around. Here they go find a new bite or don’t overfish the same spots. And the walleye quality is unbeatable. There’s slow days and good days, but you usually get your fish.”
If you’re anxious for a fishing adventure and can’t wait for summer to roll around, then consider giving ice fishing a try this winter. Head up to Devils Lake, North Dakota, and fish with McQuoid Outdoors. You don’t need anything as far as equipment goes. They have lodging and everything you need besides a suitcase of clothes and a cooler to take your filets home in.
See you down the trail…
Brandon Butler
driftwoodoutdoors@gmail.com
Pic: The author and Aaron McQuoid with a perfect sized Devils Lake walleye for the freezer.
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