Spring brings many things-warmer days, the sound of robins, color returning to the landscape, and of course a new season on the open water! Spring fishing is tradition in South Dakota, and whether it’s busting through ice on the Missouri River or walking along a small creek, anglers are often eager to find any open water they can. We’ve got a few tips to help start your season off on the right foot!
Spring Means Simple Presentations
Spring fishing techniques don’t have to be complex. In fact, simple is often the best way to approach early spring. It’s important to remember that the water is still very cold, and fish, regardless of species, will be seeking out the warmest water possible. This is often shallow areas that feature rocks, timber, or other hard substrates and is adjacent to deep water.
Walleye are king in South Dakota, and targeting early season walleyes doesn’t have to be difficult. A simple jig head and a spinning rod is all you need. Tipping the jig with a minnow is the most popular approach, but having a couple bags of soft plastic baits in your vehicle can keep you ready to fish whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Early season pike fishing can be just as simple, dead bait sitting on the bottom is often the best presentation to target large pike as they move into the warm, shallow creeks and inlets. For the angler that has to keep themself busy, a large plain spoon can produce just as well and provides the vicious strike that helps break off the winter cobwebs.
Spring crappie and bluegill fishing can be just as easy, with a slipbobber and a minnow the best course of action. Targeting emerging weed beds and other shallow, submerged timber is the highest percentage area. Oftentimes, the bobber will just barely dip below the surface so be sure to have your eyes on your bait!
Let the Sun Shine
While there are no bad days to go fishing, if your time is limited and you have to pick what days you can hit the water, the sunniest days, particularly afternoon sun, are your best bet. As mentioned above, water temperatures are still very cold and fish are craving that warm water. As the afternoon sun hits the shorelines, the rocks, gravel, and other hard surfaces will absorb heat and fish will move onto these surfaces to enjoy the heat they provide as the sunsets.
Cloudy days, even if the temperature is warmer, will often not have this effect that sunny days do. Obviously these sunny days can’t have bitterly cold temperatures, but overall the amount of sunlight has more influence on fish moving into these shallow areas than air temperature itself.
This is also a good time to learn your directions, with the sun rising in the east and setting in the west, this means that the sun will be hitting the northern and eastern structure of the waterbody when it is at its strongest, and temperatures are at their warmest on any given day.
Keep It Light
We mentioned above that the simple presentation is often the best presentation and for many walleye anglers that means a jig and a minnow. The most important element to consider when it comes to jig fishing is the weight of the jig. The most common mistakes anglers make is fishing with too heavy of a jig.
The heavier the jig the sharper the action it will provide. The lifts and falls will be exaggerated, which makes for a very unnatural presentation especially in the cold early spring water. This also makes the jig more likely to snag along the rocks and other hard surfaces fish are sitting on this time of year.
Many walleye anglers favor the classic ⅛-¼ oz jigs. However, in some cases a ⅛ oz may even be too heavy, and a 1/16 oz jig is the best option. The most important rule of thumb is if you can feel the jig hitting the bottom, it’s too heavy. Fishing slowly will teach you to control your jig and help you feel more bites too.
The same can be said for early season panfish. The smallest bobbers and lightest jigs are often the best bet as they’ll provide the least amount of resistance when the fish sucks the bait in. A 1/32 oz jig, or even a plain hook with a split shot above, is the best option for light and simple presentations.
Boots Make the Best Motor
It is said weather on the prairie is an average of extremes, which means that a warm stretch that allows open water fishing may be followed by a just as powerful cold stretch. For anglers who don’t want to get their boats out of winterization, can only find a small stretch of shoreline to fish, or may be a career shore angler, this is the best time to break out the boots!
Notice we said boots, not waders. While waders at surface level seem to have many advantages, they also have their disadvantages as well. We mention above that shallow water and rocks are what attract fish. Well, while anglers feel like they are getting out to the fish by standing chest deep in their waders, the reality is that many times the fish are actually behind these anglers! In the early spring, don’t go looking for fish, let the fish come to you.
Spring is a special time to be an angler in South Dakota. The shore walleye bite is the best it will be for months, rivaled only by late-fall, and northern pike, crappie, and bluegill can be found along the shorelines. Spring is the start of an awesome season, and finding early season fish can be as simple as it sounds!
Learn More About Spring Walleye Fishing
If you’re looking to learn more about spring walleye fishing in South Dakota we’ve got you covered!
Secrets of Spring Walleye Fishing
Our most popular spring fishing article, Spring Fishing Secrets in South Dakota, takes a look at some of our favorite spots to target spring walleyes across South Dakota!
Chamberlain Steals the Show
When it comes to spring walleye fishing in the Midwest, Chamberlain, South Dakota is truly the destination. Anglers from across the country head to Chamberlain to take advantage of early open water opportunities, and most importantly a great bite. We dive into what makes this bite so good in Springtime Walleye in Chamberlain South Dakota!
Stick to the Basics
We’ve talked where and now let’s talk how. As you read above, spring fishing doesn’t have to be difficult. Sticking to your basics will be key, and we talk all about it in Springtime Missouri River Walleye Basics.
