Hiltner in late 1995 . It ’ d be nice if they grew up just like that .” All that aside , I recall those phenomenal days of perch fishing . One early December day in 1988 , partner Duane Keller and I left Bismarck early for a few days of yellow perch lust , arriving at Devils Lake about 9:30 a . m . A few fish shacks dotted the north end of Creel Bay , but we saw only a few vehicles parked gingerly over the 7.5 inches of ice . It was “ good ” ice , we saw , clear and strong . But still ... 7.5 inches was a risk . We drove out to the middle of the bay , unloaded our gear , then took the pickup back to shore and walked back out . It was a proper idea , as it turned out , since before the day was over some 7 vehicles broke through after too many of them gathered too close to each other . The fishing , well , there was no time scoop ice from the hole , no time to eat , no time to get another
fishing pole rigged ... barely enough time to even keep bait on the hooks . Fact was , we didn ’ t even have enough time to drill more than one hole . The bonanza comprised the entire day , and it was four hours before either of us put the rod down to take a break . Those perch started at about 3 / 4 of a pound , up to over 1.5 pounds . There were no dinks in the enormous mass of gold below us in 16 feet of water . Thinking about that day over these many years , I still can ’ t believe such glorious fishing existed and that we were baptized in it . Talk about being at the right place at the right time . We kept a modest amount of perch and were still cleaning them at midnight . Enjoyed them all , knowing deep in our hearts that such things can ’ t last . It didn ’ t last . The next day was a lot tougher . We had to move around a bit to even catch a couple dozen . Never did understand it . Weather conditions were similar , though not exactly the same . Regardless , we remain grateful for the experience . Oh , there ’ s still good perch fishing in Devils Lake . Today , yes , there ’ s still a remnant of jumbo perch caught from Devils Lake each winter . But it seems a lot tougher today , more erratic , less consistent , hit-and-miss . Much of it is dependent on weather , and of course winter weather in the Dakotas isn ’ t a friend to anyone . If we ’ re fortunate enough to get an early , solid freeze , we often get “ snowed out ” later . On the other hand , some winters are actually warm to the point of being dangerous , ice-wise . And so , it continues . Ice fishing is unique , special , extraordinary . It helps us maintain our desire , our need in fact , to get outdoors during otherwise dark and dank days . Social media has helped us stay on top of the good bite much of the time , but you have to get there quickly . There often remains littleto-no consistency on the perch bite . Here today , gone tomorrow . But ... that ’ s fishing . •
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