KWAT’s Outdoor Report for week of July 13, 2020

Aberdeen Area
Fishing Report

Richmond: Anglers are having success catching walleye, perch and crappies. The bluegill bite has seemed to slow down.
Elm: Fishing activity was minimal. Anglers that were out were finding walleye and some northern pike.
Wylie: The Game, Fish and Parks has recently stocked bluegill, smallmouth bass, and white bass into the lake. This is a great area to take kids fishing.
Elm River: Anglers have been catching some northern pike.
James River: Anglers are catching northern pike. The walleye bite picked up a little bit with most catching them North of Columbia. Bow fishermen are having good luck shooting carp. Anglers shooting carp need to pick up shot fish and dispose of them properly.
Mina: With all the high water on the lake fishing activity was minimal.

Clark County
Fishing Report
Dry 2: The road got 4 inches of rain last week which flooded the road again in two spots. Fishing has been slow. A few small perch and very few walleyes. I would say average zero to two walleye per boat most of the time.
Indian Springs: Anglers have been experiencing a difficult, slow bite with very few fish being caught.
Reid: Low angler pressure but have seen a few fish being caught.
Swan: Low angler pressure but have seen a few fish being caught.

Codington County
Fishing Report

Goose: Weed growth has made shore fishing difficult. Boat fishermen are catching walleye, most of which have been under 15 inches.
Kampeska: Anglers are still catching a mixed bag of fish from shore and by boat, including northern pike, white bass, perch, crappie and walleye.
Pelican: Fishing continues to be slow and weed growth has made fishing difficult.

Day County
Fishing Report

Due to the high water and safety hazard of a potential vehicle and pedestrian accident, the county is no longer allowing pedestrians on the Grenville grade, Day Co 1 north of Hwy 12 to 140th St., and Yellowstone trail from Main St. to Day Co 1. Also, if you are shore fishing make sure you are parked in a legal parking spot and it is not posted as no parking.

North Rush: Pressure has slowed, but anglers are still catching some nice walleye.
Waubay: Boat ramps continue to be full with anglers seeing some success catching walleye and the occasional perch.
Bitter: Fishing pressure is up, and anglers are having success catching some nice walleye.

Hamlin County
Fishing Report

Poinsett: The bite continues to be fair for a mix bag of walleyes, crappie, perch, northern pike, and smallmouth bass.
Clear Lake: No fishing pressure this past week.
Albert: No fishing pressure this past week.

Marshall County
Fishing Report

Opitz: Good walleye fishing in the morning and evenings near timbered main lake points. This would be a great lake to take a kid fishing.
Roy: Good bass and good walleye bite near main lake structure.
Clear: Good bass bite near main lake points. Good panfish bite near sunken islands.
Buffalo lakes: The panfish bite has been sporadic at best. Anglers moving around to find the best bite are doing really well.

If you’re reading this report and would like to get the entire family involved in the incredible fishing we have in the area, today is your lucky day!!! SDGFP is trying something new and would like to take a few families out fishing this summer. You will learn easy to access fishing areas and how to clean and cook what you catch. Space is very limited, so call today. Please contact GFP Conservation Officer Casey Dowler at (605) 881-3775 to learn more.

Park Report:

Fort Sisseton State Park:
Murder Mystery at Fort Sisseton- COVID Style – July 1st- July 31st. There’s been a murder at the Fort! The staff at Fort Sisseton were excited to have a new intern on board this year, but instead it’s been nothing but a disaster!
Explore the buildings at the park while looking for clues related to the murder suspects, weapons and crime scene. Use your detective skills and the checklist to help you solve the crime. Once you have solved the crime, PM us on Facebook with the crime scene location, the murder and the weapon. Detectives that correctly solve the crime will win a prize and will also be put into a drawing to win a Fort Sisseton Gift Basket! More details and your Detective Sheet are available on the Fort Sisseton Facebook page! The Detective sheet is now available in the little library on the North Barracks, at the Visitor Center during business hours and in the event pictures.
Virtual Lantern Tour Saturday, July 18th from 9:30-11pm. Ever wonder what Fort Sisseton looked like at night without electricity? Ever wonder if it was haunted by ghost? See Fort Sisseton in a different light by joining us for one of our Zoom (Virtual) Lantern Tours of the buildings. Listen to the history of the Fort from a first person viewpoint as you travel from building to building. Who knows you might even hear some stories about those who might remain…The Zoom Link is here! Join us for this fun event!! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84290549924
Talk with an 1800’s Army Soldier: Join us at Fort Sisseton with Bill as he brings to life the Fort with his reenactment as a 1800’s Frontier Army Soldier. Bill will do a special presentation at on July 18th and again on August 8th at 3pm and at 6 pm both days, while making camp and willing to talk about the life of a soldier on the Frontier Army. Camp will be made between the Dr. Residence and Commanding Officer’s House.

Mina Lake Recreation Area:
Due to a recent storm that came through the area, the handicap fishing dock at Mina Lake Recreation Area will be closed until further notice.