July 14th, 15th & 16th Lakes Oahe/Sharpe, Pierre SD Fishing Report

[Hutch]

I will start with some news from GFP's recent press release. Walleye catch rates on both Oahe and on Sharpe are at record highs this year and they are saying that for at least the next year or two there should be a lot of walleye. Their summer accousting sounding surveys indicate significant numbers of bait fish and believe that Lake Herring had a big hatch in Oahe offsetting a poor smelt run this spring along with smelt going through the tubes last year. Positive news and maybe a clue to look into the habits of lake herring as a key to catching bigger walleye. I think they are usually deeper and suspend so it could be the reason I am hearing about walleye being caught all the way down to 70 to 80 fow around the tubes at the face of the dam. (Some by Salmon fishermen on downriggers) I guided in big wind for the outpost lodge on Saturday and Sunday and did 20 fish limits but kept a lot of smaller fish due to the big winds (gust to 35 mph) and 109 degree heat. Then went out with Tim and Susan Miller repeat customers from down Omaha way. I had a great time with these two and was glad to see them get a real quality stringer with low wind but high temps we quit at around 1 o'clock with a 12 fish limit of both their over's (A 21 INCHER AND A 23 INCHER) along with some 18 and 19 inch fish. Probably caught around 30 to 40 fish to do that but when the last limit fish a 19 incher hit the boat and the thermometer hit around 104 with very little breeze we in bounded to air conditioned rooms. We caught these fish pulling spinner/crawler rigs staying from 20 fow to 30 fow mostly along tree lines on the flats. You can catch the walleye just about any way you want right now and minnows, leeches, plug fishing and Gulp worms on bouncers or jigs are all working. The fish we caught were all very healthy and I am seeing far less stressed fish were I am guiding but once again the walleye seem to be on the bite most of the time. This could be due to the huge numbers of 2 to 3 year class fish in the lake along with less bait or both. I am not sure about the reason for the mega bite but I think just about every one that is fishing Oahe this year is liking the way things are. Great fishing for everyone.

Hutch's Guide Service

Hutch