Below is an ice conditions report for some of the lakes in Southeast South Dakota sent out by GF&P. Conditions right now are extremely dangerous and ice is unstable at best. On Lake Mitchell a large pocket of open water can be seen in the middle.  If you think you must go on the ice please take proper precautions.

Southeast South Dakota Ice Reports 

Ice conditions are EXTREMELY UNSTABLE at this time throughout the Southeast Region of SD.  The mild weather has deteriorated ice to the point where extreme caution is advised to anyone who may want to venture onto the ice.  If you do go, the following suggestions are advised:

• Go with a companion, walk in single file with one person testing the ice while the other person stays on shore, or on good ice, as a rescue person
• Test the ice often
• Wear a life jacket
• Carry ice picks
• Take a length of rope in case you need to pull your companion out
• Carry a cell phone where it can stay dry, but easily accessed
• Have a plan on how you will get out of the water if you happen to go through
• Don’t go if the ice is unsafe

AuroraCounty
WilmarthLake- Very few fishermen on lake.  Four inches of ice reported last week. There is sheet water starting to be visible on top of ice, with spots opening up on lake. Conditions Very Poor.  

BrookingsCounty
All lakes are 6-10 inches but very UNSTABLE.  Sheet water is starting to develop on ice along with places opening up on some lakes.  Still fisherman activity on ice.

Brookings area lakes had about five inches of ice on average, but there were areas of open water along shore on both Nature Park Ponds.  A couple of holes, drilled near the access point on Gustafson’s a few days prior, had caused the ice to deteriorate around them so that you would have gone through if you were not paying attention. 

HutchinsonCounty
LakeMenno- Around 4 inches of ice with fishing activity present

KingsburyCounty
LakeThompson- Open water on south side of Oldham Grade.  Quite of bit of fishing activity reported on 2 mile, and up around Schaeffer’s Slough.  6-10 inches in places with some open water around the main lake.

Ice on all other lakes is UNSTABLE, with ice anywhere from 5-10 inches.  Some sheet water occurring on lakes.

LakeCounty
MadisonandBrantLake- 4-7 inches of ice.  Some fishing occurring.

Herman – Due to aerators main lake is open and very dangerous around rest of lake.

Other sloughs/lakes – Thin ice throughout area.

LincolnCounty
LakeAlvin- No fishing activity reported.  Ice is 4 inches, but starting to turn blue and becoming very unsafe.

LakeLakota- Minimal fishing activity. Ice starting to turn blue and becoming unsafe.

McCookCounty
LakeVermillion- Open spots on lake with some people still trying to fish. Thin ice around 4 inches.

IslandLake- Fisherman activity present with some thin spots on lake.

MinerCounty
LakeCarthage- Shack went through ice—EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.  Still some fishing activity.

MinnehahaCounty
FamilyPark- Ice is unstable and honeycomb like. No ice fishing advised at this time.

Beaver – Lots of open water in the middle of lake.

TwinLakes- Some open water around the points 7-10 inches some fishing activity.

ScottsSlough- Ice conditions could be unstable.

SanbornCounty
There is no good ice throughoutSanbornCounty.  No ice fishing advised at this time.

TurnerCounty
Ice is UNSTABLE ON LAKES          

UnionCounty
McCookLake- EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.  No ice fishing advised at this time.

Below is a copy of the fishing report on the Missouri River for July 25 in South Dakota.

Lake Oahe 

In the Pollock area fishing is going really well and anglers are catching limits.  Many are using crankbaits in 7-15 feet of water, with crawlers, leeches and crankbaits being used. Anglers are catching some big northern pike in deep water – around 30 feet pulling plugs. Boat ramps are all open and in good shape in this area. Shore fishing is also going strong.

At Mobridge fishing is good everywhere with the fish moving a bit deeper. All bait is working well in 15-20 feet, with some nice limits coming in. Fish are healthy as they’ve ever been. Reports are still coming in that this is the best fishing they’ve seen for years.

At Akaska  fishing is going very well – limits are coming in and they are very busy in this area. Anglers are using crawlers, leeches and crankbaits. They are fishing in around 15-20 feet – still fishing shallow. The best action is on the Moreau River, pulling plugs or using spinners and live bait. Shore fishing here is going really well.

At Gettysburg  there is plenty of access and the walleye fishing is good with anglers catching lots of nice fish. The depth varies from 15-30 ft and crawlers and leeches are working the best. You can get your boat on the river anywhere here.

Around Spring Creek / Cow Creek the fishing is unbelievable – the fish are everywhere. One angler said Oahe was certainly on fire this year. Anglers are fishing in 17-20 feet using crawlers and pulling plugs. Areas that are good are into the Cheyenne and above Bush’s Landing. Last week a 27 inch, 7 lb. walleye was caught and a 29 inch, 9 lb. Northern and smallmouth are still going well in bays and shallows and along the points. Salmon are still going slow in 110-150 ft, but look for them to pick up with the warmer weather. Speaking of warmer weather, if you are looking to beat the heat, try pulling plugs at night along the face of the dam, Peoria Flats or Sully Flats.

At West Bend there have been anglers doing well but you need to adjust for the high current and then you can catch fish. Some anglers are hugging the shoreline out of the current and are doing well. Anglers are using spinners with crawlers, Lindy rigs and crankbaits. Now’s the time to come to the Pierre/Fort Pierre area – especially in the middle of the week when there is less traffic.

Francis Case

Around Chamberlain  fishing is still good on both Lake Sharpe and Francis Case. This is one of the best years for fishing that Francis Case has seen. Anglers are fishing along the banks and high points in the river. It’s going well both north and south of Chamberlain and you can launch your boat in the city or use the high water ramp at Cedar Shore Resort! Lake Sharpe is still going well for walleye, smallmouth and white bass. Fishing on Francis Case is also going well in 15-25 feet using leeches and crawlers, with some pulling crankbaits. Anglers are also catching a few smallmouth and white bass. The 15-inch limit on walleye came off July 1.

 In the Platte  area fishing is really good. There is lots of water on Francis Case and fish are everywhere. North of the bridge is good with anglers using live bait in 12-15 feet. Around Red Rock anglers are picking up walleye up on the flats. Fish being caught are healthy and looking good. And, yes you can get your boat on Francis Case!

At the Pickstown - Wagner – Lake Andes area walleye fishing on Lake Francis Case is simply excellent! The fish are big and fat – with 18-24 inches being the average. Ramps are open at Prairie Dog, St. Francis and South Shore. Areas around the dam intakes to the Wheeler area are going well. Most are fishing in about 20-25 feet, using crawlers and spinners. Shore fishing is fabulous below the dam! A five-year-old pulled in a 5 lb. walleye this past week! There have been reports that you can’t get in the lake here – that simply is not true. At Pease Creek for instance, the dock is out, but you can still get in – and you will not get fined. Please call the local people to find out what’s happening – you don’t want to miss that fishing trip because of bad information!

Around Lewis & Clark Lake they are catching walleye while drifting with bottom bouncers tipped with crawlers or leeches.

On the Missouri River some shore fishing only – there is a no boat restriction here also. Discharge here will reach 150,000 also. Lots of fish being caught from shore – drum, walleye, smallmouth bass. Bait being used is nightcrawlers, leeches and crawdads.

Springfield Area – walleye are being caught and some small northern are being caught. All boat ramps in the Springfield area are closed, as are the campgrounds at the Sand Creek Area and the Springfield Recreation area. All boat ramps in the area are underwater and the docks have been pulled from the water.

On Lake Yankton they are catching catfish, bluegill and crappie using crawlers and minnows.

Below is the fishing report in South Dakota from Great Lakes of SD tourism association.

I went out to Lake Thompson this weekend and caught a couple walleyes and one nice perch.

Let me know how you did by commenting on the blog.

Lake Oahe 

In the Pollock area fishing is going pretty good and most everyone is bringing in limits.  Anglers are using leeches and crawlers in 7-12 feet of water. Boat ramps are all open and in good shape in this area. Shore fishing is also going strong.

At Mobridge fishing has slowed a bit. Now the bite seems to be going strong south by Walth Bay.  Anglers are using crawlers and leeches. Depth is anywhere from 7-15 feet. Fish are healthy as they’ve ever been. Reports are still coming in that this is the best fishing they’ve seen for years.

At Akaska  fishing is going very well – limits are coming in and they are very busy in this area. Anglers are using crawlers, leeches and spinners. They are fishing in around 6-12 feet. There are lots of small fish, but with that are some really nice big ones too. Shore fishing here is going really well.

At Gettysburg  there is plenty of access and the walleye fishing is very good. They are catching lots of nice fish. You have to work through the smaller fish, but they are certainly catching the big ones. All baits are working in around 10-12 feet. Anglers are using minnows, crawlers and leeches in 10-25 feet of water.

Around Spring Creek / Cow Creek good fishing has moved down towards Mission Bay, Mailshack and Okobojo Point. Smallmouth, northern, walleye and catfish are doing well. Salmon are still pretty sporadic, but those being caught are in the 4-10 lb. range. Since there is no thermocline yet they are being caught in anywhere from 10-75 feet – and can be anywhere is that area.  Walleye are going very well from the dam up past the Whitlock area. Best bait is bottom bouncer/spinner or Lindy rigs and crawlers and leeches in about 7-17 feet of water. Some anglers are using crankbaits. A jig and minnow is working the best for smallmouth.

NOTE: A modification has been made to the “no boating zone” at the face of the Oahe Dam. Rest of Lake Oahe is open. Boaters will continue to have access to the lower end of Lake Oahe via the West Shore Boat Ramp, which is located near the face of the dam. The boaters will be diverted away from the whirlpool and boat closure area via a series of buoys. The order will be in effect until rescinded by the Governor.

Please click here for more information.

 Lake Sharpe  – Please see the note at the beginning of this report on the Pierre/Fort Pierre area! The area from the Oahe Dam to Antelope Creek is closed to boating.

At West Bend there have been anglers doing well but you need to adjust for the high current and then you can catch fish. Anglers are using spinners with crawlers, Lindy rigs and crankbaits. Smallmouth, catfish, and northern pike are still going strong. Now’s the time to come – especially in the middle of the week  when there is less traffic.

 

 

Francis Case

Around Chamberlain  boats are being put in and the fish are biting. The high water ramp at Cedar Shore Resort is open, so despite the high water you can get on the lake! Lake Sharpe is still going well for walleye, smallmouth and white bass. Fishing on Francis Case is also going well in 7-25 feet using leeches and crawlers. The 15-inch limit on walleye came off July 1.

 In the Platte  area fishing is good. There is lots of water on Francis Case, so again, you’ll need to check for ramp availability. Anglers are using leeches and crawlers – live bait seems to be the best option. Fish being caught are healthy and looking good.

At the Pickstown - Wagner – Lake Andes area walleye fishing on Lake Francis Case is fair to good! The fish are big and fat – with 18-24 inches being the average. Ramps are open at Prairie Dog, St. Francis and South Shore. Area around Prairie Dog Bay is going well as are all points and banks along the river. Some anglers are starting to find the walleye inside the bays. Most are fishing in about 15-25 feet, using crawlers and leaches. Smallmouth are on a good bite up above pitching baits around shallow rocky areas. Shore fishing is fabulous below the dam for white bass and walleye! Debris is not bad – just use caution and slow down a bit. There is no boating below the Fort Randall Dam.

Around Lewis & Clark Lake they are catching walleye while drifting with bottom bouncers tipped with crawlers or leeches.

On the Missouri River some shore fishing only – there is a no boat restriction here also. Discharge here will reach 150,000 also. Lots of fish being caught from shore – drum, walleye, smallmouth bass. Bait being used is nightcrawlers, leeches and crawdads.

Springfield Area – walleye are being caught and some small northern are being caught. All boat ramps in the Springfield area are closed, as are the campgrounds at the Sand Creek Area and the Springfield Recreation area. All boat ramps in the area are underwater and the docks have been pulled from the water.

On Lake Yankton they are catching catfish, bluegill and crappie using crawlers and minnows.