Outdoor Report for week of February 17, 2020
Aberdeen Area
Fishing Report
The James River is open in many spots or it has a thin layer of ice due to water flow. Area lake’s ice thickness varies across the lakes due to snow; we are seeing large slush pockets. Anglers need to use extreme caution around the ice due to weather and water conditions.
Richmond: Anglers are catching walleye and perch. Most of the walleye are 12-13 inches. Some anglers have caught walleye in the 15 -18-inch range. The perch range in size from 6-9 inches. The best bite has been in the afternoons and evenings.
Elm: Anglers have been catching walleye, northern pike, crappie, and perch. The walleyes are ranging in size from 13-18 inches and the perch range in size from 6-10 inches. The best bite has been mornings and evenings. The ice thickness varies around the lake and there are lots of slush pockets.
Hosmer: Anglers have been catching perch. The perch range from 5-11 inches. There has been a good bite going all day long.
Mina: Anglers are catching some walleye and perch. Most of the walleye have been in the 12-14-inch range.
Roscoe: Anglers have been catching a few perch, but the bite has been inconsistent. Access onto the lake has been difficult with the drifting snow.
Clark County
Fishing Report
Dry 1: Slowed down with little angling activity occurring compared to before. Saw many pickups pulling each other around with tow ropes this weekend! Tracked vehicles advised for best mobility.
Dry 2: A lot of slush pockets on northern area of lake. Fishing has still been slow with little activity.
Lamb: All the big fish have been caught and now just small little perch.
Reid: Little activity on the lake itself, but rumor of a few walleye and small perch being caught somewhere on the lake.
Codington County
Fishing Report
Travel continues to be difficult do to snow depth and drifts.
Goose: Fishermen continue to catch a few walleyes in the mornings and evenings. Most walleye are under 14 inches long. Fishermen are also still finding a few perch; the perch are in the 11-13 inch range when you find them.
Blythe: Fishing has slowed down in the past couple of weeks, but fishermen are still able to find a few perch and walleye.
Kampeska: Fishermen are still catching a mixed bag of walleye, perch, crappie, bluegill and northern pike. The walleyes are in the 15-20 inch range, the perch range from 11-13 inches and the crappie for the most part are under 8 inches.
Pelican: Fishing has slowed down over the past week.
Day County
Fishing Report
Waubay: There was a short walleye bite on the north side but has since slowed down.
Bitter: The bite has been slow for perch and walleye. A lot of anglers trying everything in the playbook to no avail.
Pickerel Lake: Most anglers struggling to put fish on the ice. Saw some success with spearing northern pike.
Hamlin County
Fishing Report
Poinsett: Plenty of anglers trying their luck on the north end of the lake. Reports have been day to day. A few walleyes are being caught though.
Albert: Anglers reporting a slow bite with an occasional large walleye.
Marshall County
Fishing Report
White: Snow has been removed from boat ramp area. A few anglers have caught a few crappie and walleye.
Six Mile: Snow has been removed from ramp area. Anglers are catching a few perch and good numbers of northern.
Cottonwood: Snow has been removed from ramp area. Anglers have caught a few northern.
Roy: The access near the resort is decent. Angers have caught walleye, smaller perch and northern.
Clear: Access to the lake is by foot or tracked machine. A few anglers have caught panfish and walleye with the occasional smallmouth bass.
Park Report:
Pelican Lake Recreation Area:
The cross country ski trail will be groomed for the nice weekend ahead. Come out and enjoy the nice weather!
Week four of “Operation Adventure” is this week! Operation Adventure is open to everyone at any age. Join us at the Pelican Lake Recreation Area picnic shelter at 6:00 PM Thursday, February 20 for a fun and informative session on winter survival. Equipment will be provided for the program. A Park Entrance License is required.
For more information, follow our Facebook page @PelicanLakeSandyShore.
