Fishing Report 4/23/19

Looks like everyone got to enjoy the gorgeous holiday weekend we had! From fishing to hiking and everything in between there was a lot of folks outdoors this weekend!

This was certainly the case on Lake Francis Case. The boat launches were one tent shy of a circus. Luckily for anglers, there were some fish to be caught out there, but the bites did not come easy.

Lake Francis Case

There is really no magic location to finding fish out there, but mainly you’re looking for the right types of features. We fished 12 spots over the weekend and 11 of them had fish on them. The main thing you’re looking for is deep water next to spawning locations.

The females have all been pre-spawn and many males are quite excited to be caught. I recommend not wearing your favorite clothes. To find the fish you’re looking for the areas that they’re staging on. The deep water close to the shallower, spawning locations is key. Many fish are being caught in that 25-30ft range, but you could find them in the shallower 22-25ft range as well.

The pitching bite up shallow really hasn’t fired up, but those shallow shorelines next to these deep water areas is certainly worth dropping a few casts to see what is to be found.

Those community holes have really been seeing action. Pontoon Bay, along the bridge pilings, the dam, Crow Creek, they’re all drawing anglers, but again you can catch fish in many locations. There have been some good reports from the Dock 44 area as well down by Snake Creek. The Platte Chamber of Commerce tournament in two weeks should have some great weights.

For presentation drifting or slowly dragging jigs has been key. You’re looking for heavy jigs to keep you vertical and present it as slowly as possible. Good jig sizes are 3/8-1/2 oz. There is no such thing as too slow. For baits, 100 walleye surveyed number one answer on the board is: minnows. (We didn’t catch 100, but there were plenty). This nice eater male agreed.

We caught numerous 15-16 inch males, but also found the 17-19 inchers as well. There were a few overs to be caught also. After this Sunday’s tournament I’m excited to start stocking the freezer on those nice 15-18s.

Water temperatures were between 41-44 degrees around Chamberlain. The water was very dirty, even in town. I tried to take a picture of my livewell to showcase just how dirty the water is. I struggled to barely see the bottom of my livewell when it was completely full.

Below the White River gets even dirtier, although up above the White it’s not so dirty you can’t fish it. There are a few floating logs and timber to be mindful of, but just pay attention to where you’re going and you’ll be just fine.

Lake Sharpe

Sharpe is a muddy mess as well. The docks are in at Farm Island and you’re pretty much ready to launch wherever, but the water is certainly no where near clear.

Even the protected areas such as Hipple Lake is quite a mess. There are some white bass to be caught off the fishing platforms on the north side of the lake though.

You can also access Hipple via Farm Island launch, last week’s report I said it needed some work to melt the snow, but I anticipated it being ready to go and sure enough it is.

Polo Grounds launch is also ready to roll. I stood on the dock and watched the mud slowly move past me though. The Bad River and the rest of the tributaries and runoff have really turned it to chocolate milk.

That being said, there are fish to be caught in Sharpe and anglers can pretty much access anywhere they want to get to them.

Lake Oahe

The docks are in for anglers looking to get on the lake. Docks are in at Little Bend, Sutton Bay, Swan Creek, Bob’s and East Whitlock.

It is noteworthy the county road to Bush’s washed out and has closed access to this launch.

Eastern South Dakota

The high water has really made a mess out of it over east. As of last Thursday, the following waterbodies have “no-wake” zones within 300ft of all shorelines due to high water: Lake Poinsett, Lake Madison, Swan Lake and Brant Lake.

There are several other lakes combating high water situations as well, including Big Stone, where Master Walleye Circuit is slated to compete this Friday and Saturday.

The other buzz over east is the winter kills that occurred over this never ending winter. Jack Frost surpassed his daily limit on East and West Oakwood as these lakes suffered severe winter kills and will need to be restocked before hopefully providing good fishing in the next 2-3 years. Whitewood had a partial winter kill, but folks are actually catching some nice walleye wader fishing from shore.

Lake Preston and Cavour Lake also suffered winterkill, though these lakes receive less pressure than the previously mentioned ones.

My personal favorite, 81 Ponds is quite high, but there are nice walleye to be caught. Lake Thompson and Lake Poinsett (be mindful Sarranen’s launch is closed and the no-wake zones) are providing good fishing as well.

Mason Propst and I will be involved in a busy weekend for tournaments in South Dakota. The annual Cedar Shore tournament takes place Saturday and we’ll be in action in the South Dakota Elite Walleye Series event out of Chamberlain on Sunday. We will be seeking a strong points day to start the circuit off right.

After this event, I can’t wait to start focusing on filling the livewell with good eating fish. I’m expecting some great fishing, if you want in on the fun shoot me a message and we can plan a trip!

Good fishing,

Nick