KWAT’s Outdoor Report for week of September 21, 2020

Aberdeen Area
Fishing Report
Richmond: Anglers have been catching bluegill, crappie, and perch. The perch bite has seemed to be taking off. Fishermen have been using minnows and a bobber. Lots of small ones being caught. Great opportunity to take a kid fishing.
Elm: Anglers have been catching walleye, perch, and northern pike. It seems that live bait has been working best for these species with minnows being the most common.
Wylie: This lake has been stocked by the Game, Fish, and Parks with white bass, bluegill, and smallmouth bass. Great spot for kids to do some fishing and enjoy a resource that is close to Aberdeen.
Elm River: Anglers have been having moderate success catching walleyes and Northern Pike.
James River: Anglers seem to be catching a variety of different species with the most common being channel catfish. If you want to get out and just catch some fish, the James River has been producing.
Mina: Anglers have been doing well catching perch, bluegill, and a few crappies. They have been having the most success using minnows about a foot off the bottom.

Hunting Report
Waterfowl: There are still plenty of geese in the area as well as surrounding counties. Hunting over decoys in wheat and silage fields seem to be the best for Canada geese. The duck season will be opening this Saturday the 26th. With all the water in the area there seems to be plenty of ducks in the area. Take the time to scout and find the slough where they seem to be targeting and the hunting has the potential to be successful.
Deer: Archery deer season has been open for a couple weeks now and the deer seem to be moving more with the recent cool temperatures. Brown county has a good number of deer in the area. If you are a bow hunter, get out and enjoy some deer hunting.
Doves: There are still some doves in the area, but with recent cool temperatures a lot of doves have started bunching up and getting ready to migrate there way south. If you still plan to hunt doves it would be in your best interest to get out now before they make their way to warmer temperatures.

Clark County
Fishing Report

All across the county it appears that the walleyes are biting in the shallows very early in the AM and late in the PM.
Perch bite has slowed down now in the county. Seeing very few coming out of the lakes.

Hunting Report

Goose: Plenty of geese in Clark County for the opener this past weekend. High harvest numbers were observed throughout the weekend.
Dove: The cooler temps have really pushed the doves around and it appears that there are more doves that have headed south for the winter already.

Codington County
Fishing Report

Goose: Boat anglers are still catching a few walleyes, most of which continue to be between 14 and 16 inches. A few perch are getting mixed in as well. The boat ramp in the NW corner has been repaired and is functional, be advised that there is no approach going into the ramp at this time and access is through the ditch.
Kampeska: Fishermen are still catching a mixed bag of fish from shore and by boat, including (northern pike, white bass, perch, crappie, bluegill and walleye.)
Pelican Lake: Little fishing activity.
Blythe Slough: Opened to boating on September 1st.

Hunting Report

Dove: Most doves have moved out of the area with the cooler temperatures last week, but a few decent pockets of doves can still be found.
Geese: There are a few good fields around the area, holding several geese in them. It appears, geese are starting to move into the cut silage fields.
Duck: Looks like we had a good hatch this year, as must puddles of water seem to be holding ducks.
Deer: Archery deer hunting continues to be slow, with warmer temperatures.
Pheasant: Youth pheasant opens on Sat. September 26th at 10:00 am. Youth should have decent success this year. Hunters are reminded to identify birds, as there seems to be quite a few that are just starting to get their color.

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: Fishing pressure remains high but success over the last week has started to slow down on perch.
Waubay: Anglers are having some success catching a few walleyes.
Bitter: Anglers are catching a few walleye and perch.

Hunting Report
Dove: Not a lot of hunting pressure but there is still time to get in on a good dove hunt.
Deer: Archery hunters are seeing a few nice deer while out and about scouting. Deer movement has been tough to pattern so far though.
Waterfowl: Ducks and geese are widespread throughout the county right now.

Hamlin County
Fishing Report

Poinsett: The bite seems to be sporadic. Some days are better than others. Still a few fish being caught.

Hunting Report

Dove: There are a fair number of dove around. Wheat fields will to be good places to see them.
Canada Geese: Pressure for geese was low but still a few groups giving it a shot. As more silage is cut the opportunity to harvest geese will grow.
Duck: There should be a few ducks to chase around this coming weekend.

Marshall County
Fishing Report

Opitz: Some limits of walleye being caught. Healthy looking fish. Remember size restriction and length limit on this body of water.
Roy: A few walleye and bass being caught.
Clear: Some panfish and bass being caught. The occasional walleye.

Hunting Report
Dove: Few doves in the county.
Geese: Good goose numbers in the area. Plenty of opportunity out there.
Deer: Archery season is in full swing. Great time to take a kid out and harvest a youth/apprentice tag.

Park Report:
Pelican Lake Recreation Area:
Fall is a great time for camping and using our state parks! The cool weather makes for great hiking and trails use, watching birds as they migrate, and enjoying a beautiful weekend of camping and sitting around a fire. We have campsite and cabin availability throughout the fall. Reservations are required year-round and can be made at campsd.com.