This previous weekend was the Mobridge ice fishing tournament. As always this tournament yielded some terrific fish. Walleyes over 12lbs aren’t surprising in this tournament, in fact they’re almost common! Ice conditions aren’t great, but when driven smartly and in appropriate locations pick ups are moving across the lake.
The Webster area is presenting it’s own unique challenges. Last week on Monday and Tuesday unseasonably warm weather was creating slush pockets on the ice. With the colder temperatures in the latter portion of the week the snow drifts firmed up and crusted over.
Snow drifts remain tall and maneuvering the lakes are difficult. Travel across the lake with wheels should be considered extremely difficult. Tracks make travel easier, but vehicles with wheels whether they are full size pick ups or small quads are difficult to navigate.
This past weekend overcast and high pressure really put a damper on the bite. Marking fish was difficult and making them bite was even more difficult. The bite on Waubay was about as fast as a turtle in a marathon on the tundra. Difficult travel makes hitting different areas tough and fishing fast basically impossible.
The Brookings are has much different ice conditions. There is minimal snow on these lakes and slightly less ice overall. The high pressure and overcast made perch fishing very difficult Sunday and resulted in a tough day on the ice.
Up next: Fishing 4 Miracles Tournament on Lake Poinsett Jan 18-19. Clark area January 20 and Lake Preston area January 21.
