Fishing Report Lakes/Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area for May 6th thru the 10th 2015

[Hutch]

The fish are biting and so is the weather summing up this report before I even write it. Over the years I have always used catfish/northern fishing as an alternative to bad weather so you are going to see some catfish pictures in this report as we have had a lot of real nasty weather days. I guided repeat customer Ken Johnson and his wife to a real nice bunch of catfish and 2 northern pike. We were trying to get Ken a 20 lb. plus northern to mount but it didn't happen. Had a great time guiding them in not so nice weather that did not improve for a one day trip with Dan Casey from Rapid City and his nice two boys so we went back out in 20 to 30 mph winds/Rain catching lots of catfish for the kids but no big northern. The next day They caught walleye and a few bass down at the bend on Sharpe with NE John. I guided repeat customer Doug Kelling and his friend Colin Comer from around KC for a one day catch of 12 nice walleye and some smallmouth bass and then the weather turned bad again. Yup, catfishing in big wind sleet snow and rain. A couple of great guys that showed up without fishing partner Doug Hays this year due to some issues however we managed to have a great time in spite of really challenging weather. We caught the walleye/smallmouth at West bend on Sharpe with spinner /minnow/bouncer rigs and casting plugs/jigs in around 5 to 8 fow and we caught the catfish/northern in the back of bays/creeks in around 2 to 4 fow on slip bobber's smelt. Water temps are in the 50's on Sharpe and approaching that on Oahe. Oahe's bite is starting to go for fishermen that know the spawning area's and are willing to cast shallow. The best catch's are coming shallow with boats that are fishing deeper for the most part catching fewer limits. I love the Spring fishing but crossing your finger's for those great spring days doesn't hurt as every day brings a different set of conditions. It has always surprised me how many times I have taken folks out on catfish trips as an alternative to setting in the cabin and find out the next year even if the weather is good they still want to catch a batch of these catfish. They are good eating, outfight a lot of species, under fished (no limit on Oahe) and a completely different experience. If you find yourself here in some of this no fish weather days you might give these guys a go and find out it can be a hoot and a real surprise in a frying pan. If you fished with corks when you were a kid like I did it can also bring back a lot of memories. Remember to drain live wells/ boats before leaving fish clean area's to comply with new regs.

Hutch's Guide Service

Hutch