KWAT’s Outdoor Report for week of September 6, 2021

Aberdeen Area

Fishing Report
Richmond Lake: Anglers have been catching crappie, white bass, perch, and walleye. Fishermen are having good luck using a bobber and a plain hook baited with worms or minnows.
Elm Lake: Anglers have been catching walleye, northern pike, crappie, and perch. Anglers fishing from boats and pulling spinners with live bait have had the best luck. The south boat dock and handicap fishing pier have been pulled. The water level is too low to use these docks.
James River: North Dakota has been releasing some water. There is a slow flow of water in the river. Anglers are catching northern pike and catfish.
Mina Lake: Anglers have been catching walleye, northern pike, bluegill, and perch. The walleye bite is better in the evenings.
Elm River: Anglers have been catching walleye, northern pike, bluegill, and perch. The walleye bite is better in the evenings.

Hunting Report
Canada Goose: This season opened on September 1st and closes on September 30th. Hunters can harvest 15 geese per day. Hunters have been having luck hunting over water.
Mourning Dove: There are good numbers of doves in the area. Hunting in the harvested wheat fields or stock dams will provide some good hunting opportunity. Dove season opened on September 1st and closes on November 9th.

Clark County

Fishing Report
Dry 2: Sparse on the perch and walleye; lots of fishing pressure this last weekend.
Indian Springs: Slow on the bite for walleye and perch.
Reid: The lake seen a fair bite for walleye and perch.
Swan: The walleye and perch bite were almost absent.

Hunting Report
Canada Goose: Pressure was low last week with the goose hunting main contributor was good moisture, and wet fields; Hunters are experiencing a good number of local geese to date.

Codington County

Fishing Report
Goose: Fishermen are primarily catching walleye from the boat, as the weeds make shore fishing difficult. The walleye continues to be 14 to 16 inches, with a few over 20 inches being caught as well.
Kampeska: Fishing has remained consistent over the past couple weeks. Fishermen pulling the center of the lake are finding a few walleye and perch, while other fishermen are still reporting a mixed bag of fish.
Pelican Lake: Little fishing pressure.
Blythe Slough: Little fishing pressure.
Long Lake: Little fishing pressure.
Dry Lake: Little fishing pressure.

Hunting Report
Mourning Doves: Doves are bountiful in the area; providing hunters with great hunting opportunities.
Day County

Fishing Report
Waubay: Fishing success for walleyes depends on the day, the hour, and the angler.
Bitter: The fishing pressure has slowed quite a bit.
Hazelden: The bite is very spotty. Game Fish and Parks are aware of the ramp situation and are checking further into the matter.

Hunting Report
Canada Goose: A bountiful number of birds remain in the area. Hunters are found in cut corn or stubble fields. Hunting in various areas seen marginal success rate – due to hunters not capitalizing on the abundance of birds.
Mourning Doves: It’s time to get outside and take advantage of the mourning dove hunt season while they are abundant in the area.

Hamlin County

Fishing Report
Lake Poinsett: Fishing has slowed down over the past week. Anglers that are catching a mixed bag of walleye, perch, crappie, northern pike, and bass are having good luck. Anglers are having the best success during the early morning hours. The white bass bite has recently picked up showing success.
Three Buck: Anglers report on having good luck on catching walleyes. Anglers are having the best success pulling bottom bouncers, and spinners tipped with a night crawler.
Lake Albert: Fishing pressure has been slow. An occasional walleye is being caught.
Clear Lake: Some small walleyes are being caught; fishing has slowed quite a bit.

Hunting Report
Canada Goose: Hunting pressure was minimal, after observing a few groups of hunters. The geese seemed to gravitate towards the silage fields and small grain fields – giving hunters optimal advantage in goose harvest. Cooler weather also aids in goose hunting.
Mourning Dove: Opened September 1st; grain field hunting has yielded nice numbers of doves being hunted.
Archery Deer: Deer activity has been slow to rouse a deer or two from cover.

Marshall County

Fishing Report
South Buffalo Lake: Anglers had some line activity with some smallmouth bass. Few bullhead keepers.
North Buffalo Lake: Cooler weather reeled in crappie and bluegill.
Piyas Lake: Little to no activity.
Opitz Lake: Reports of anglers having a stringer or two of rock bass.
Cattail / Kettle Lake: The perch and northern pike are small but seem to be showing interest in the line.
Clear Lake: A few anglers reported bullheads, along with crappie, and a minimal sized walleye being caught.
Roy Lake: Good bass bite with a few northern pike mixed in.

Hunting Report
Canada Goose: Hunting pressure was low this last week due to wet and rainy conditions. The geese are finding feeding ground in the grain fields.

Parks Report:
Pelican Lake Recreation Area: The 3D targets are now up at the archery course! These are a different option to shoot and help get ready for this fall’s adventures! A park entrance license is required to shoot the archery range and course. These can be purchased at our new self-service kiosks at the entrance booth.

Hartford Beach State Park: Don’t forget to get ready for this fall’s hunting seasons at our new archery range and course! The range offers targets from 10 to 50 yards to get bows sighted in. We also have wood targets set up for anyone that wants to try axe throwing. The 28-target walking course winds through some of the parks wooded areas for different challenging shots. Hartford Beach also has miles of scenic trails, a disc golf course, and great picnic spots in the beach area!