Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for April 23rd to May 2nd 2015

[Hutch]

I have been getting in late so have got behind on these reports but will try to get them on line now about every 3 days. Fishing has been spotty up till May but we have been putting limits in the boat recently so I will call the bite much better especially on the lower end of Sharpe. Catfish/Northern mostly on Oahe however water temps coming up so this bite is right on the edge of going. I guided Mark Engel the Johnson group from around Rapid and then the Mike Austin group from Denver with limited results but getting full possession limit's at the bend on Sharpe for the Austin group. The bite at the bend is everywhere from 3 fow to 20 fow as the spawn is about over. We caught all of our walleye /bass in less than 5 fow fishing gravel/shale spots with either minnows or gulp the last to days but fishermen were catching them out to 20 fow. Water temps on Sharpe are in the 50's at the bend and high 40s around Pierre were the bite is good for some and not so good for others as the key is running across a spawning female with a lot on males around. Pitching /dragging jig the best choice but bottom bouncer/minnows work some. On Sharpe I look for crawlers to come into play soon. Smallmouth fishing is excellent on Sharpe also. Remember to drain live well/boats when you leave fish cleaning or ramp area's to comply with the new reg's.

Hutch