KWAT’S Outdoor Report for week of May 17, 2021

Aberdeen Area

Fishing Report
Fishing is heating up; more anglers are venturing out and having good success.
James River: Fishing pressure and success have been picking up. Anglers have been having very good success catching northern pike. Anglers are also having success catching catfish, and the occasional walleye. The water levels remain significantly lower than previous years, making it tough for anglers.
Mina Lake: Fishing pressure has increased with the warm weather. Anglers have been having success catching a few walleyes during the early morning and evening hours. The last 45 minutes of the daylight have proven to be the most effective. Crappie shore fishing is presenting to be good.
Richmond Lake: Fishing success has increased as the water temperatures have started to rise. Anglers are reporting the best success during the early morning hours and during the last 45 minutes of daylight.
Elm Lake: Not much fishing activity has been observed. Expect fishing activity to pick up as temperatures increase.

Clark County

Fishing Report
Dry 2: Walleye bite has been tough for another week.
Dry 1: Walleye bite has slowed down.
Indian Springs: Dock is in.
Reid: Walleye bite is slow.
Swan: No activity to report.

Codington County

Fishing Report
Goose: Fishermen continue to catch a few walleye from shore and boat. Most of the walleye are in the 14-15-inch range, with a few over 20 inches being caught as well.
Kampeska: Fishermen are catching different varieties of fish from walleye, crappies, northern pike to white
bass.
Pelican Lake: Fishermen are catching a few walleye and northern pike.
Blythe Slough: Little fishing pressure.
Long Lake: Boaters have been using the new ramp in the NW corner of the lake. Some nice walleye have been reeled in.

Hunting Report
Turkey: Birds are still spreading out and hunters are having some luck, calling in and seeing Toms by themselves.

Day County

Fishing Report
Waubay: It’s been hit and miss this week; fishing for walleye and white bass has been successful in parts of Waubay Lake.
Bitter: There was quite a bit of pressure this past weekend however the anglers struggled to find the walleye.
Blue Dog: Still waiting for the bite to really start.
Rush: The bite has been decent.

Hunting Report
Turkey: Hunter success has been increasing as hunters are reporting they are seeing good numbers of Turkeys.

Hamlin County

Fishing Report
Poinsett: The bite for walleye is starting to produce good results, the crappie and perch bite has been pretty good as well. Sunset as of now seems to be when the bite is on. Overall fishing is very good.
Lakes Mary; Norden; John: Fishing has been slower on these bodies of water.
Clear Lake: The bite is steady, right before dark anglers are having good luck, the landed walleye are small.
Three Buck: A few walleye have been caught from the shore. Sunset seems to be the time for the bite on this lake. Fishermen need to be mindful of property rights when accessing the lake for fishing.

Hunting Report
Turkey: The flow of hunters has been steady. Hens are starting to nest; hunting has been moderately successful.

Marshall County

Fishing Report
North and South Buffalo Lakes: Activity is slow.
Cattail and Kettle Lakes: The walleye are starting to be a bit livelier.
Opitz Lake: The walleye bite is a little livelier, and the perch depending on the spot can see good results.
Roy: Slow bite on walleye; but an occasional bass is being caught as well as crappies.
Clear Lake: Producing an occasional walleye and a few bass.
West Stink: Anglers are finding a few walleye.

Hunting Report
Turkey: Patients and sitting still seems to be the key here. The Toms are being a tad coy right now.

The upcoming weather looks great to get out for some hiking, fishing, and early season camping! Comfort stations and other water facilities are opening at our state parks. You can follow facilities openings on each parks Facebook page.

Pelican Lake Recreation Area: Things are warming up! The park is in good shape, the dock and fishing dock are in, the trails are looking great with lots of birds and critters out and about, and we are turning the dump station back on! For more updates on facility openings please follow our Facebook page at “Pelican Lake, Sandy Shore, and Lake Cochrane Recreation Areas”.

Fort Sisseton: It’s time for the annual Fort Sisseton Historical Park Festival! June 4th – 6th. This year includes special exhibit The Boys in Blue: The Grand Army of the Republic, a period military encampment, chuckwagons, and art gallery with local artist Harry Moshier, arts and crafts booths, a hands on workshop using water colors to paint the outdoors, gatling gun demonstrations and much more. For a full schedule of all events occurring this week check out the Fort Sisseton Facebook page or the Fort Sisseton Website.