Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for May 30th, 31th and June 1st, 2n

[Hutch]

The fishing on both lakes continues to be very good in all the area's that the recent rains haven't made waters to muddy.An example would be on Sharpe from around Antelope creek down to Joe creek with run off waters and wind making fishing real tough. I guided repeat customers the Larry Jensen/wife/son in law and daughter from Iowa to real nice limits of walleye at West Bend on Sharpe with around a 17 inch avg. size fish possession limit to take home. Just a great bunch and we all had a super time. We caught these fish on mostly bottom/bouncer crawler rigs in around 20 fow. I then guided repeat customers Doctors Rose and Doctor Owen and their wives from Yutan NE to three days of fishing with weather being a factor (wind and Rain) however they went home with full possession limits of walleye along with a few crappie and smallmouth bass plus some real nice walleye meals while here (appetizers cooked by the lodge). We fished the bend for two days getting real nice walleye both days and then we went up on the Cheyenne river arm of Oahe day three catching a lot of fish (over 50) but struggling to find the big ones. We did have some 16 to 18 inch fish but many were in the small 14 inch range so catching a lot of fish and putting them back seems to be the norm on the big lake right now. We fished in around 5 fow to 15 fow. I have been pulling spinner rigs recently because one advantage with this presentation seems to be less fish deep hooked enabling releasing these smaller fish easier. Trolling plugs has this advantage too. If a fish has swallowed the hook to get a live release it is better to cut the line leaving around 6 inches of line attached. I am real lucky to have guided these repeat customers for another year and they are another great group. I have mentioned before that I carry horse stable spray in my boat and as the summer comes there are many days spraying this around in the boat sure makes for a more enjoyable time. Pulling plugs, lindy fishing, leeches crawlers and minnows are all working. Staying away from community spots and major groups of boats will put a nicer avg. size stringer of fish in your boat so as much as possible I try to avoid the crowds. Hunting and finding the walleye for me and many fellows who have spent years on the water like me is the best part of the sport. Catching and eating are great but finding the fish is the art. If you spend more time learning this skill it will pay off for you in many ways. I am not aware of any big salmon bite and it seems like the smallmouth so far have not been mixed in as much with the walleye in many area's. Don't forget the sunscreen and bottled water.

Hutch's Guide Service

Hutch