People often ask me: “What do you prefer ice fishing or open water fishing?” My response is usually this: “Well when it’s 40 degrees and I have 5 feet of active fish on the screen ice fishing is pretty great! When it’s -15, I haven’t marked a fish and there is 3 feet of snow outside and my pick up is stuck I would much rather be bottom bouncing on an 80 degree day catching fish.”
Honestly though, it’s really tough for me to pick my favorite.
The song “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is exceptionally well-known around Christmas time. In my opinion though, as outdoor users, the most wonderful time of the year is right now. That is fall.
Fall fishing is often exceptionally good as water temperatures begin to cool, forage options that were present in summer become less viable for a variety of reasons, and the fish begin to “put on the feedbags” for winter.
South Dakota also has Paddlefish snagging season below Gavins Point Dam. This is a unique opportunity to try a different style of fishing (or whatever you’d like to call it) and really have fun with it.
In addition to the fishing opportunities hunting season is in full speed. Deer season, duck season, goose season, antelope season, elk season, pheasant season, turkey season whatever your favorite type of hunting is you are probably able to participate in it.
Fall is also a great time to participate in other outdoor activities. Temperatures are more ideal for camping. Hiking through the fall foliage is gorgeous. Birds are often active for bird watchers. There is something for everyone.
The arguments can be made though: “Ice fishing is only in winter. Spring the fishing is better. Summer the weather is warmer.” Well that is all generally true. Spring is fantastic fishing and the main reason I believe it is so popular is that fish are close to shore, reachable by anglers and often willing to bite. Fall the same is true, but many anglers are off doing their other activities.
The best thing about fall is that there are those other activities! Spring has snow goose season, turkey season and other birds are migrating through. Summer doesn’t have hunting seasons. Winter, yes, I absolutely love to ice fish, but at the same time it is more difficult to make plans because of the potential hazardous weather conditions that can pop up quickly. That is why I believe that September-December is absolutely the best time of year for outdoor users. The teeth of winter haven’t set in yet and there are just so many things to do!
The best advice I have right now is have fun doing whatever you enjoy the most. If you are an avid hunter: get out and hunt! This is your best time of the year. If you are an avid angler: get out and fish! The lakes will have less pressure because often hunters are in the duck pond or tree stand and not on the water. You don’t even have to hunt or fish to enjoy fall. Get out, enjoy the sights, enjoy time with friends and family and enjoy everything fall has to offer!
Good fishing,
Nick
