I’m not sure if this is a fishing report, an ice report, a water level report or what it is. Basically we’re going to talk everything you need to know when it comes to getting out fishing!
Lake Francis Case
The most open water fishing has still be done on Francis Case. However, conditions have greatly changed since last week’s report. In fact, it has drastically changed.
Last Wednesday, March 27, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced they would be closing the Right Tailrace boat ramp due to high waters. This is also referred to as the “fast water ramp”, basically it’s the launch that is on the west side of the tailrace. Last weekend when we were out, this was the only launch you could access the lake with. As I report right now the launch remains closed.
There are other launches in the area. The campground launch is one option. When we got off the water today the bay to this launch was blocking the way to the lake and the dock was out of the water. Do not use this launch right now.
Anglers have still been able to access the lake off the launch at the stilling basin, but anglers need to exercise extreme care when doing so. When we got on the water early this morning the ice sheet was blocking traffic from accessing the main channel.
We were breaking through skim ice as we navigated around in this area. Anglers were staking their spots out, primarily next to the ice sheet and using paddles and nets to clear the ice chunks out of the way so they could vertical jig. While it was tough to determine when nets were used to land fish and when were used to beat ice, we did see some fish being caught by these boats.
In an effort to triumph over the ice, I brought two spud bars (yes the ones I use to check ice in early winter and no this ice wasn’t safe) to beat and shove ice chunks in an effort to bust a trail.
Yesterday (Saturday), a handful of boats were able to maneuver their way through the treeline to the east and sure enough two or three boats took to the path and we were close behind. This path is actually pretty doable, Pro-Vs and Rangers were able to make it through and there was even a pontoon that came through about a half hour after we did. Be mindful of the stumps and logs, but with the water so high it can be done.
Now here is where my safety talk comes in. Yes a safety talk from the guy who brought spud bars in a boat probably doesn’t make sense, but hear me out. We headed out in the main channel and we could go wherever we pleased, but with large ice sheets and these warm days with wind there are dangers we don’t think about 6-7 miles downstream.
We spent a few hours out in the main channel, but even in those few hours conditions regarding the ice sheet changed drastically. The ice sheet blocking the ramp from the channel had began breaking apart and was being blown right in the way of our entrance/exit of the trees. We had came back to stay closer to the launch and fish the ice sheet from the outside, when we noticed our entrance was blocked and the bigger pieces were on the way. We ended up having to use the spud bars to push large chunks out of the way and force ourselves back into the trees.
Once we got back into the area near the launch the ice sheet was breaking apart and spreading all across the area anglers had been fishing. The wind was breaking bigger pieces off and we ended up getting off the water as quickly as possible. Large chunks were pushing through the area and we weren’t about to watch that launch get blocked in.
The main points I’m try to make are that yes people are catching fish on Francis Case and they’re catching nice fish too. They’re mainly vertical jigging, but the ice conditions are changing by the hour and can create some major safety concerns. The lake is also very high and this has closed some launches. Take your time, plan what you’re doing and make sure you can get back as opposed to worrying about how many are in your livewell.
Lake Sharpe
Sharpe has been very consistent-in the fact that it’s inconsistent. There have been times you can go out and catch fish bang-bang-bang and be done in an hour. There have also been times you can fish all day long and not get a bite.
Anglers who have been catching fish have generally been fishing the mouth of the stilling basin, along Marion Gardens or by the bridges. However, many anglers have been having days they can fish for hours without a bite. A quick limit can be caught, but Sharpe has been making a lot of folks scratch their heads-especially lately.
Fort Randall Dam
If you talk to many anglers who have been out on the water this season, many of them will tell you the Fort Randall tailrace has been the place to be! They aren’t wrong either. This has been producing some of the hottest fishing in the state right now. Anglers are catching fish and they’re nice fish as well!
Eastern South Dakota
The main takeaway of eastern South Dakota, whether you’re ice fishing or wader fishing is the walleyes are beginning to push shallow. It might not be right to call it the pre-spawn bite, but maybe the pre-pre-pre-spawn.
If you are going to be out fishing on the ice please exercise extreme caution. I get there are places you can safely ice fish, but at the same time remember April starts tomorrow and the shorelines are the first to go. While the fishing may be great, safety is still most important. They’ll be there open water too!
Lake Poinsett
Yes, folks are indeed open water fishing in the eastern part of the state and they’re catching some nice fish as well! My buddy Chris Seylar has been doing real well fishing Stone Bridge for both walleye and also a real quality gator as well. The water flowing is presenting challenges, but fish can still be caught.
Other anglers on Poinsett have been fishing the Albert Inlet on the west side of the lake. Nice fish are always caught in this area in spring and this year is certainly no exception. If you’re looking to scratch the itch up in that area, Poinsett is an excellent choice.
Other News
The docks are in at Lake McConaughy and I know many anglers eager to go chase some trophy walleyes. The docks are in and hopefully some great reports will soon be follow. If you’re looking to celebrate the Fred Hoiberg hire there’s nothing better than some trophy walleyes. If you’re a Creighton Bluejays basketball fan like myself-well it’s still fun to catch big walleyes! (Don’t worry I still love my Husker football.)
Anglers eager to chase those giant gators on Oahe have had to wait, but I’d imagine that wait will be coming to an end shortly. Northern anglers are going to start heading towards the lake if not now, then I’d imagine by the next week’s report they will be. Lake Oahe is also slowly filling up and the water levels look like they’re going to be very near full with the latest projections.
The weather is getting warmer and the ice is slowly leaving, but I urge everyone to exercise ice safety when attempting to take their boats out. I know this doesn’t sound like it makes sense at all, but the ice sheets are still presenting some difficulties for anglers looking to hit the water.
Stay tuned for next week’s report. I have a feeling the news is going to get better and better. If you’d like to share your report and/or your pictures feel free to send them to at nick.harrington.outdoors@gmail.com.
Good fishing!
Nick
