KWAT’s Outdoor Report for week of July 27, 2020

Aberdeen Area
Fishing Report

Richmond: Anglers are having success catching walleye and crappie. Most of the fish have been small but looks to be a good year class of fish coming up.
Elm: High water levels due to large amount of rain in the area.
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: Water levels are high due to large amount of rain.
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: Anglers have been catching small walleye and bluegills.

Clark County
Fishing Report
Once again Clark County is seeing a summer slump on most lakes. With the excessive heat this last weekend fishing was really tuff.
Reid: The lake produced a few nice walleyes for some anglers. Access is on both the south and north side of lake.

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.

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: Angling pressure has been minimal. Anglers are catching a few walleye and perch.
South Rush: Traffic has been high with anglers catching some smaller walleye.
Waubay: Fishing pressure has been pretty low with anglers having some success catching walleye and northern pike.
Bitter: Anglers are still having some success catching walleye and the occasional perch.

Hamlin County
Fishing Report

Poinsett: Fishing has slowed. The lake is warm, and fish are not aggressive right now.

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 decent walleye bite near main lake structure.
Clear: Great bass bite near main lake points and near shore edges. Good panfish bite near sunken islands.
Buffalo lakes: The panfish bite has been sporadic at best. The 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.
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 on August 8th at 3pm and at 6 pm, 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:
The handicap fishing dock at Mina Lake Recreation Area is now open for use.

Oakwood Lakes State Park
Oakwood Lakes State Park is looking to fill a Campground Attendant position for the remainder of the summer and fall. Campground attendants assist in the overall operations and maintenance of our campgrounds and day use facilities including, but not limited to, cleaning comfort stations and vault toilets, cleaning fire pits, answering camper questions, using our reservation system, and assisting in kayak and canoe rentals. Requirements: money handling experience is helpful, ability to work independently, manage time well, and work in a variety of weather conditions. Uniforms are provided and a valid driver’s license is required. Wage is $10.17 per hour. Please go to https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/seasonal/gfp/summer.html to apply. Contact Becky Graff at 605-627-5441 if you have questions.