The Irresistible Allure of Devils Lake
Hooked on Ice: The Irresistible Allure of Devils Lake
The answer to “Why ice fish?” is the same as when asked why do Americans own so many rifles, pistols and guns. Answer: Because we can! It’s in the Constitution (the gun part, not ice fishing), but it’s in the personal constitution of so many diehard outdoorsmen. And, it is becoming more popular each season as newcomers join the on-ice fun.
Up on Devils Lake in north-central North Dakota, the numerous guide services specialize in teaching, especially the “newbies.” They love kids who finally experience the struggle and satisfaction of yanking a giant perch, walleye or even a toothy northern pike topside.
“It doesn’t take much before new ice fishermen become old-hats at reading electronics, setting the hook, fighting fish and moving from spot to spot in the safety and warmth of heated, tracked, go-anywhere vehicles,” Mark Bry said. Once at a spot, guides open up the floor, drill holes, and clients begin catching. “It’s the simple and fun way for a family or group to be together while fishing no matter the prairie winds or the temperature outside,” the 25-year veteran ice guide added.
Planning an ice fishing expedition is as simple as calling Bry (701-739-0161) or any of the guide services featured on the Devils Lake website: devilslakend.com. With Bry, lodging is also available as part of the package. Several other guides offer lodging as well. However, many motels and resorts have their own heated fish-cleaning facilities with freezers. There is also a free public fish-cleaning building located in the city (Hwy 20, near Ed’s Bait shop).
Bry’s 10 guides head onto the lake with their clients comfortably riding in SnoBear tracked vehicles. “It’s like a boat on ice. Everything’s where you need it,” Bry said. His guides pick up clients at their lodge or motels in town. The SnoBear is on a trailer. They drive to the area they intend to fish and unload it. Their clients jump into the heated SnoBear and ride to the first spot of the day. The machine is positioned, holes are drilled with an electric auger and fishing commences.
“We provide all the rigged rods with exactly what has been working, teach the tactics (lots of variations on jigging) and start fishing. We show clients how to read electronics. By the end of the first day, most are very proficient,” he explained. Guides remain with the group, and when necessary, make quick adjustments by moving a few hundred yards or a few miles to the next hotspot. “Sno Bears offer two major advantages compared to what we used to do years ago,” he said, “First is mobility; second is comfort.”
Bry has guided people from nearly every state. Those from Louisiana and the south are amazed they can even go on the ice. “They get over it as soon as a jumbo perch or nice walleye is tugging on their line,” Bry reflected. He also noted their previous ice fishing mental images of sitting on a 5-gallon bucket in the blowing snow with frozen fingers is something quickly dispelled.
“You know, lots of clients tell our guides that fishing in a SnoBear is like sitting in their living room. When a football game is on the TV, they may miss some bites, but it is indeed like a living room,” he chuckled. Maybe that’s why his business each winter consists of 75 percent repeat guests.
Bry expects the winter walleye bite to be “solid” based on the excellent summer season. The first few hours each day are spent chasing walleyes. Depending on that success, clients may continue seeking walleyes or switch to perch. “It’s a little of everything, so long as action is the name of the game,” he says.
The Devils Lake community may be the most fish-friendly town in North America. Dozens of guide services, a casino, restaurants, shops and stores of every variety and more are open with friendly smiles. Fishermen are welcome 12 months of the year. The fishing season never closes; limits are generous.
Tune into these details and much more at DEVILSLAKEND.COM. It’s time to make ice-fishing plans and book the dates desired.
Suzie Kenner
Executive Director, Devils Lake Chamber & Tourism
Devilslakend.com • 701.662.4903
December 2025
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