May 6th to May 9th Lakes Oahe/Sharpe, Pierre SD Fishing Report

[Hutch]

I guided Chuck Harkins and his wife from Miller for two days, catching limits of walleye on Sharpe then some catfish and Northern on day two. The May weather didn't favor their trip with high winds dictating the fishing. A real nice couple and we all had a good time. Caught the walleye in around 10 fow and the catfish and northern in less than 5 fow on Oahe in 35 mph wind on dead smelt. I then fished Steve Graycroft and his wife from Gettysburg and his brother and uncle from Kentucky to limits of smallmouth bass and walleye in a little less wind (around 25 mph). Another great bunch and they had three master angler bass (over 18 inches) with wife Sonja catching one over 20 inches. The walleye averaged around 17 inches. Caught these at the big bend area in 10 fow. All of these fish were caught on bttmbouncer/minnows as that was working better in the wind. Early spring fishing is weather related and sometimes you have to work to get limits and these two trips were that way. I then guided repeat customer Tom Main from Rapid City and his 98 year old Dad, (that's right 98) a real trooper, to limits of walleye, some northern and a few crappie on the Cheyenne river on a 75 degree day with very little wind. Caught these fish on bouncer/minnows in around 12 fow. The bite on Oahe is still good with a lot of the fish moving away from the spawning area's so looking for them is a little tougher but most fisherman getting limits.

I was asked a couple of questions one being about the current water level on Oahe. I think the pool is around 1605 with 1620 being full pool. We still have plenty of water but are down around 15 to 20 fow from record pools of last year.

I had a question about baitfish and the health of the fish. Although I feel it is too early to tell I haven't really noticed any unhealthy walleye where I have been fishing. I have noticed some of the smallmouth looked a little stressed at the Bend area on Sharpe. The fish seem easy to catch. I think everyone is concerned and probably it will be further into the months of July and August before there well be any real solid information about the effect of the high releases of last year. You might get more reliable information about this from GF&P as they had a series of meetings and have that filmed on one of there sites. They have a lot more reliable information than I can provide but I well try and update any info I hear. I am marking plenty of bait in the areas I have been fishing but am not sure about what kind. I do not know of any smelt run around my area.

Hutch's Guide Service

Hutch

[kenhuntin]

Good to know. Thanks Hutch.