KWAT’s Outdoor Report for week of November 9, 2020
Aberdeen Area
Fishing Report
Richmond: Anglers are still catching perch and walleye.
Elm: Anglers are still catching perch and walleye.
James and Elm Rivers: The water levels have dropped significantly.
Hunting Report
Waterfowl: Hunters that are field hunting had the best success harvesting geese and mallards over the weekend. In the northeast part of the county there are swans, snow geese, and white-fronted geese. Scouting is the key to success for this season. Over the weekend we had some more snow geese migrate into the area.
Pheasants: Hunters that are putting in their time are doing well. Hunters hunting corn fields and cattail sloughs have been finding the most birds.
Deer: With the cool down this week the rut is in full swing. Hunters should be aggressive with antler rattling and grunt calls. The next 2 weeks will be the prime time for deer hunting.
Clark County
Fishing Report
Dry 2: Anglers have seen some fishing activity with the nice weather. Seen a couple limits of perch and some nice walleye come from the lake. I would assume that the bite will continue to be good.
Swan: A few walleye being caught by anglers.
Reid Lake/Indian Springs: Closed to fishing and hunting from a boat referenced in the fishing handbook from October 10th to December 31st.
Hunting Report
Pheasant: Harvest continues and is helping improve the visible bird numbers throughout the county. Public land hunters are still struggling a bit but are at least seeing more birds.
Waterfowl: Numbers are up in the air, no pun intended. Hearing lots of rumors of ducks and geese still way up in the north country. Waterfowl numbers around the area are not what it should be, but through some good miles and scouting, hunters should be able to find something to hunt.
Codington County NEED
Fishing Report
Goose: Little fishing activity. The boat ramp in the NW corner of the lake is now open for use.
Kampeska: Little fishing activity.
Pelican Lake: Little fishing activity.
Blythe Slough: Opened to boating on September 1st, with no motor restrictions.
Hunting Report
Geese: There are a few good snow goose feeds going on around the area. There are also a few fields holding good numbers of dark geese.
Ducks: Still seeing a good number of ducks in the area.
Swan: There are a few swans hanging around in the NW portions of the county.
Deer: Rut is getting into full swing and bucks are on the move during daylight hours. A lot of deer have been harvested over the past week.
Pheasant: Hunters continued to average about 1 – 1.5 birds per hunter this past weekend.
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.
Rush: Little activity.
Waubay: Anglers are braving the cold temperatures and are still catching some perch and walleye.
Bitter: Little activity.
Hunting Report
Waterfowl: There are lots of Canada geese and snow geese in the area.
Deer: Deer movement and activity seems to be picking up during the daytime hours with rut in full swing.
Pheasant: Hunters walking cattail sloughs along harvested agricultural fields seem to be having the best luck.
Hamlin County
Fishing Report
Poinsett: Few fishermen still fishing from shore and boat last week.
Hunting Report
Deer: Sounds like the rut is in full swing. Bucks are really chasing the does around.
Ducks: Still a few ducks in the area, beginning to see fewer numbers. Still waiting for the colder temps to push more ducks down.
Canada Geese: Still a few geese in the area.
Marshall County
Fishing Report
A few anglers are venturing out but overall fishing pressure in the county is very low.
Hunting Report
Waterfowl: At the current time duck numbers across the county are low. Decent swan numbers have been observed in the eastern and northern portions of the county. A few groups of snow geese have been observed in the western portion of the county.
Pheasant: Majority of the crops have now been harvested. Hunters focusing on grass edges or sloughs in harvested crop fields are finding good success.
Deer: The rut is in full swing; bucks are chasing does and good rubs and scrapes being observed. Now is a great time to be in the stand, you just never know what might come by. Good luck and be safe.
Park Report:
Pelican Lake Recreation Area:
Come on out to Pelican Lake Recreation Area during the month of November and take part in the self-guided activity “Creatures of the Night Hike and Seek”. Can you find what goes bump in the night? In this self-guided activity, we’re challenging you to find several nighttime creatures of South Dakota! Just hike the trails at participating state parks and Outdoor Campuses, keeping your eyes open for the informational signs and hidden nocturnal animal pictures along the way. The last time to enter for a prize
The dump station has been winterized due to freezing temperatures. That doesn’t mean camping season is over! The west campground comfort station will remain open a while longer for those of you looking to enjoy some fall fishing, hiking, and a cool campfire at night. Follow us on Facebook at Pelican Lake, Sandy Shore, and Lake Cochrane Recreation Area’s for more updates!
Richmond, Mina, Lake Louise Recreation Areas:
December is a great time to pheasant hunt in South Dakota. Come stay with us. Cabins are available for rent. For questions, please call Richmond Lake Recreation Area at 605-626-3488.
