Woodland Resort Devils Lake

[sksemke]

Buddy and I just booked a trip to Devils Lake this February. We opted for the Woodland Resort fishing package for $115 a day. It's not a guided trip but they provide heated shacks that are put on the fish and all the bait you need, and lodging. Has anyone very booked a trip with them? Would love some reviews!

[Bignate33]

Some buddies and I went up for that same type of package a few years ago.  We happened to catch a massive weather change (20 deg in the AM the day we were driving up, had dropped to -28 degrees by the time we got there...and stayed that way for 3 days!!!)  Due to the weather, the stationary huts were not catching at all, locked up the jaws of the fish.  However, if I did it again, I wouldn't hesitate going through Woodland.  Great people, great rates, and the restaurant at Woodland might have the best Prime Rib I have ever had.

Sometime I will be going back up there, just have been checking out other areas in the few years since.  Devils is a lot of windshield time!

[Buckshots]

Yep I've done that same trip/package before. Good restaurant too. It doesn't hurt to tip the guy that comes and checks on you to see how your doing. Especially if it's slow.  A tip will guarantee you to be put on some fish.

[Shack man Shoney]

Me and some buddys did that trip in 2006-07 we stayed in town in 06 took our portables and did reasonably well on perch at the towers in the morning then moved in to the flooded timber near the casino and caught a few walleyes. In 07 we stayed at Woodland to be closer to the lake. What an awesome experience!!! We still packed our portables as being mobile is absolutely critical on that massive chunk of ice. A front moved in the day we arrived and the -25 temps shut down both perch and walleyes for our first day on the ice. That night we met a guide that told us everyone was having it tough. He asked us if we wanted to try some fishing chaos and turned us on to a coulee on the lake that was packed with hungry Northern Pike.  Apparently the pike had not seen the weather report as we had a limit in 1.5 hrs that morning and the next morning. The largest weighed in around 8 lbs, no wall hangers or state records but the aggressiveness was simply amazing. The main lake did not turn around that weekend for perch or walleyes and not a soul was disappointed.  We tipped the guide quite well for the information as the weekend would have been a bust otherwise.  I cannot imagine how hard those guides at woodland work to put their customers on fish when they will help guys just paying for a room at the resort.  Everyone associated with the resort was top notch professional. My best advice is just listen to your guide and they will get you on fish.  Im jealous wish i was heading to Woodland this winter. Good Luck!!!

[sksemke]

Thanks for the replies and great advice! Shack Man, what kind of gear were you using to pull in the northerns? I dont have much "heavy" gear but it looks like I may need to get some!

[Shack man Shoney]

Well there is a bit of a story to that. That second trip to DL there was a group of 10 of us up there together and we had to strip off the 2-4 lb test line with genz worms we were using for perch and walleyes and rigged up with 6-8lb and leaders. We were using frozen smelt and herring hooked on by rigs all acquired from the woodland bait and tackle shop. Some of our group had broken rods and reels that they replaced there also (Northerns can really tear up gear). What I really remember most is that the action started by a vicious hit on the bait and the sound of slipping reel drag but the real fight started if you could get them turned and up into the hole and 29" of ice. Several breached entirely out of the hole and started wrecking the voyager...... Buddy heaters, extra tackle, lanterns, electronics and rod holders. Nothing was safe!!! One even made it in to the sled of one shack. It was CHAOS... as advertised!!! The bait shop will set you up with anything you could possibly need (or forget) at a surprisingly reasonable price.