We have a lot to mention in this week’s fishing report. We’ll discuss water/ice conditions, ramp availability and of course a little fishing.
Lake Francis Case
Francis Case is getting the bulk of the angling pressure and anglers are having some success. As far as boat launches there are a couple options. The northeast ramp at the tailrace in Fort Thompson is one of the most popular ramps. American Creek in Chamberlain is also open now. We launched at the tailrace Saturday and there was heavy boat traffic out of this ramp. Sunday when we launched there was significantly less pressure on this ramp, mainly because it was pretty breezy and I felt many boats would be launching and staying in Chamberlain. This was indeed the case.
Saturday there was still some ice in the tailrace “donut” or “campground ramp”, whichever you want to call it up pushed up against where the dock goes in. On Sunday the wind had blown that ice out and destroyed the remaining pieces.
The Stilling Basin still had a fair amount of ice, but it is sick ice and leaving by the moment. Sunday when we were fishing up in there we could get significantly further up and the best way I can describe it is driving through a slushie. There was ice, but there wasn’t much to it. Maybe a Sno Cone is a more appropriate term?
As far as water levels the lake is still very high. The main channel up by Crow Creek is about 40ft or so and the flats along Crow Creek and Kiowa I had been fishing were about 16-21ft deep. I did watch the water go down slightly over the weekend. Saturday we were unable to see the fishing pier at the Right tailrace ramp, but Sunday we could see just the tops of the rails. I tried my best to get a picture of it, but you could hardly see it in the picture regardless which angle I took the picture from.
As far as water temperatures, for surface temps I was seeing about 37-40 degrees. This was around the Stilling Basin, Crow Creek, Kiowa Flats and other miscellaneous areas in this area. Fish are still very much pre-spawn.
As far as fishing I really focused on covering water and trying to contact active fish this weekend. This involved fishing several spots. Downstream of Crow Creek in the muddy water on the high bluffs there were fish to be caught and they were pretty decent fish as well. There was a boat parking lot there Saturday, but Sunday boats were much more sparse, I am assuming due to the wind and waves.
The Stilling Basin also was a popular location. Saturday morning was exceptionally foggy and this prevented most, if not all boats from venturing too far away and many stayed in the area all day long. About 9 a.m. boats started heading down river and I was one of them, but the fog never really got significantly better until closer to 10-11 a.m. Once this happened Crow Creek became the place to be.
There were boats catching fish in the mouth of the Stilling Basin and surrounding area though. I was one of them Sunday, when there was less traffic up there. The report I had over the week was 4:1 shorts to keepers, but the fish we caught were actually pretty dang nice. Vertical jigging with minnows along the ice sheet was the ticket here, but we also did a little slow motion bottom bouncing in the shallower, 15-17ft, water around the area. Key here was pulling plain hooks and minnows.
The main report for the stilling basin was it has been an early morning bite for about a week or. The 8-9 a.m. window was when most guys were catching the most fish, but fish could still be caught all day by some boats.
I didn’t find much while I was fishing Kiowa Flats on both sides of the channel. I worked the stump field and also the bluffs. I will say I watched many boats race through the stumps at Kiowa and I was pretty nervous for them. I know the water is high, but some of the stumps I am used to sticking out of the water were hidden, making me nervous for the boats venturing through on plane.
I also worked the clear water in the stumps across from Crow Creek as well. I certainly feel across the channel in the dirty was considerably better than over on the west side.
I also got some mixed reports from the boats staying in town all weekend. Some boats were bringing in limits or close to, but others were struggling. Pitching jigs on the rocky shores was a popular tactic, but other boats were dragging jigs out in the deeper water.
The main takeaway I picked up was there really was no rock solid bite. You can catch fish and you can catch a limit, but you certainly have to work for them. My best advice is go where you have the most confidence and start from there. If you’re on fish, leaving those fish to find other fish is a risky move.
Further Downstream
I’ve gotten some mixed reports from down river. The boats fishing Platte all the way down to Fort Randall are having mixed results. The main takeaway is plastics have been the ticket. Once again though, it’s difficult to stay there is a fantastic bite in any certain location, because one boat may catch fish, but the the other boats around them won’t.
Lake Sharpe
The ice in the Stilling Basin below Oahe Dam has really receded and boats are able to get further and further in. There are fish to be caught, but again it’s one of those situations one boat may get them and the boats around them won’t. Then they all go back the next day and it may be reversed.
Sharpe itself has really opened up and docks are starting to get put in as well. Downs Marina was locked up with ice Friday, but I feel the ice’s days are certainly numbered. Fort George the dock was in and I saw a couple anglers shore fishing right around it on Saturday evening.
Shore angling opportunities have greatly increased and anglers looking to get out on the rocks now have their opportunities. Tailrace is melted and clear and the edges along town can all be casted as well. The same can be said about the Fort Thompson and Chamberlain area as well.
Eastern South Dakota
Well this is where it gets interesting. The water level is high and the ice is starting to get destroyed. Generally the smaller sloughs south or along Hwy 212 are open. Shore anglers are still getting out on the areas mentioned in previous reports such as Poinsett as well as other smaller lakes and sloughs.
In fact, my buddy Chris Seylar has been making me really miss this time of year over in Brookings. He’s been fishing all over the place over in the Brookings/Arlington area and he’s been having some great success. Awesome work buddy!
Chris is a heck of a jig fisherman, so when you’re looking to go out that is certainly what I would have tied on. Jigs and plastics or jigs and minnows are both producing fish, so again, whichever you have the most confidence in is the best option.
Looking Ahead
Yikes. That is how I describe this coming week. Currently the forecast is calling for potentially a foot or more of snow in the central to eastern South Dakota region. If you are looking to come up and fish I certainly advise you to pay close attention to the weather forecast.
We were scheduled to fish the South Dakota Elite Walleye Series opener at Chamberlain this Saturday, but this event has been pushed back to Sunday April 28th due to the forecast.
The snow aside we’re looking at upper 30s to low 40s highs Friday and Saturday as well, so it is not looking like your perfect fishing conditions. My message to all anglers is check the weather and be aware you may be battling snow, winds and cold temperatures if you should chose to go after the fish. I sure want to, but I’m taking it one day at a time now that the tournament is postponed.
Stay safe out there especially with this forecast we have. When you’re out on the water stick to the main channel and if you’re unsure where this is please don’t hesitate to shoot me a message. I would be more than happy to help you navigate your way around.
Good fishing,
Nick
