Gary Engberg Outdoors: Devils Lake is More Than Just Trout
When Wisconsin anglers think of Devils Lake, they usually think of the wonderful trout fishing that this 369 acre spring-fed lake offers. Devils Lake was formed where the glaciers stopped their southern movement in central Wisconsin thousands of years ago. When the glaciers receded, what was left were rock hills, bluffs, and the cliffs with gin-clear Devils Lake in the middle. The lake is now part of Devils Lake State Park which receives over one million visitors annually to camp, climb the cliffs, and swim in the lake. Few visitors take advantage of the good fishing and if they do it’s usually shore fishing which does little to diminish the fishery.
A 10 inch bluegill from Devils Lake.
Devils Lake is managed for brown trout by the Wisconsin DNR. This spring, the DNR released about 12,000 legal trout (9 inches) into this 50 foot deep lake. Boats are allowed, but you can only use electric motors which may stop some people from fishing the lake. You’ll find some sailboats and canoes on the water, but few people, except the locals are fishing. What makes Devils Lake so appealing to the fisherman is the good depth, the rock structure, the abundant forage, the varied fishery, and the lush green weeds. Besides trout, the lake has some big northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, and plenty of good size panfish.
The panfish fishery consists of mainly bluegills, crappies, and some sunfish. The key to catching panfish on Devils Lake is to find the abundant green weeds. The weeds are mainly coontail and cabbage. Try fishing for panfish near the weed edges, the open pockets in the weeds, and near any downed wood and timber.
A nice bluegill and what was used to catch it.
The best technique for catching bluegills and crappies is to use a small jig or an ice fishing jig tipped with a wax worm, spike, or leaf worm under a slip float. Use light monofilament line like Berkley XL or Vanish fluorocarbon in 4 # test since the water is so clear. There’s a big difference in 6 and 4 # test line and in these waters use the lighter line if you want to catch fish. I suggest clear line rather than green or blue for Devils Lake. Make sure that you have your drag set properly. The east side of the lake has some of the better weeds, but the lake is small enough where it’s worth moving around till you contact fish. The south end of the lake, where the creek exits the lake is also a good panfish location all depending on the water level. Anchor outside the weed edge and cast to the openings and pockets in the weeds or slowly work the weed edges with your trolling motor for active fish.
Colby Simms with a stringer full of crappies.
Happy anglers with some of the bigger crappies.
Information, McFarlanes’ True Value, Sauk City, WI. (608)-643-3321. Guide; Wally Banfi (608) 644-9823.