After a fun week fishing Eagle Lake in Ontario, it’s back onto Lake Sharpe again! The late-summer bite continues to hold steady, and while August is often referred to as a negative connotation there are multiple bites, and quality bites, taking place along the upper end of Lake Sharpe in the Pierre area! We cover it all in this week’s fishing report!
Bottom Bouncing the Flats
The first bite we’re going to cover details one of the most consistent bites all fall on Lake Sharpe, bottom bouncing along the large flats near Fort George. Fishing in 9-10 feet from Stoney Point to Twin Bridges is effective, as well as fishing in the 6-8 foot closer to Highway 34.
Bottom bouncing with #3 and #4 Colorado blades with crawlers has been most effective. Top colors include white, orange, and pink. The water is a bit dingy colored from recent rains, which is what makes the larger blades more effective. There is also an abundance of gizzard shad present, which makes standing out from the rest of the forage critical.
This is mostly a numbers bite, with numerous fish between 12-15 inches. There are a few larger fish present, but expect more quality sized fish to continue to move up into the area as temperatures begin to drop and fall begins to take hold. The important factor to know is there is a lot of fish, and a lot of forage, present scattered across the large flats.
Trolling Crankbaits in the Stilling Basin
The second bite taking place is trolling crankbaits in the stilling basin. This area has fewer fish, but better quality fish, with an opportunity to catch more in the 15-19 inch bracket. This area has even more forage than the flats, which is quite impressive. Overall, there is an abundance of gizzard shad in the system and the quality of fish is looking very positive especially for this time of year.
In the stilling basin, trolling crankbaits is an effective way to fish throughout these bait clouds and target walleye as they rise and descend in the water column. Mirroring these gizzard shad is best done with a #5 Berkley Flicker Shad, with Purple Tiger being far and away the best color. A #5 Rapala Shad Rap in Purpledescent is a good option as well.
Contrary to further down on the flats, bite windows are very tight and when fish are biting they will often bite for 15-30 minutes then it will slow down again. This makes staying on the high percentage areas, as opposed to cover as much water, the most effective strategy. The amount of forage is so great that fish do not need to feed for long!
Additional Bites on Lake Sharpe
Additional bites that are present include jigging in the early mornings and late evenings along the bridges in Pierre. This, similar to the flats, is a good numbers bite and also has relatively tight bite windows.
Traditionally each year, this is the window in which the tailrace begins to pick up in the evenings and into the night as well. Casting crankbaits is the best way to target these fish, and #7 Rapala Shallow Shad Raps or #11 Husky Jerks are most productive. A similar bite can also exist off the Causeway in Pierre along LaFramboise Island
School is underway, the summer heat appears to be winding down, and hunting seasons are quickly approaching. Whether it’s a last minute fishing trip, an evening after school or work, or one last fishing weekend there’s a good bite to be had on Lake Sharpe near Pierre!
