Outdoor Report for week of January 13, 2020
Aberdeen Area
Fishing Report
The James River is still open in spots, due to the water flow. Anglers can still shore fish the open water by the bridges. Anglers need to use extreme caution around the ice because of the weather and water conditions.
Richmond: Anglers are catching walleye and perch. The best bite has been in the afternoons and evenings.
Elm: Anglers have been catching walleye, northern pike, and perch. best bite has been mornings and evenings. The ice thickness varies around the lake and there are lots of slush pockets, so be careful out there.
Clark County
Fishing Report
Dry 1: Some walleye being caught.
Dry 2: Little angler pressure, but a few fish being caught day to day.
Reid: Anglers have been seeing some smaller perch and a few walleye.
Lamb Slough: Lots of small perch being caught. Reminder that no parking is allowed on the road grade.
Codington County
Fishing Report
Goose: Fishermen are catching a few walleye in the mornings and evenings. Most walleye are under 14 inches long. Fishermen are also finding a few perch; the perch are in the 11-13-inch range when you find them.
Blythe: Fishermen are catching a few walleye and perch, some moving around may be required to find the schools. Most walleye are under 14 inches, but a few bigger fish are being caught after dark.
Kampeska: Fishermen are catching a mixed bag of walleye, perch, crappie and northern pike. The walleye are in the 15-20-inch range, when you find the schools.
Day County
Fishing Report
Always use caution while on the ice. Ice thickness may vary throughout the body of water. Also, several slush pockets and a couple of ice heaves have formed on Bitter and Waubay.
Waubay: a few shacks trying their luck on the north end and are catching a few walleye.
Bitter: Travel is tough unless you have tracked vehicles. Anglers that are trying it are picking up a few perch and walleye.
Pickerel Lake: Most pressure is on the north end where anglers are catching a few perch and bluegill.
Hamlin County
Fishing Report
Poinsett: Plenty of snow on the lake is making travel difficult. Reports are day to day but a few perch and walleye being caught.
Albert: Reports of a few walleye being caught in the evening.
Clear Lake: There has been reports of a few walleye being caught.
Marshall County
Fishing Report
Roy: A few pike and walleye are being caught near the resort.
Park Report:
The 2020 Park Entrance License is currently for sale. Park Entrance License Fees are now $36 for an annual, $18 for a second, a transferrable is $80. Pick yours up today at any of our participating vendors in Watertown, Aberdeen and surrounding areas. These include Hy-Vee, Little River City, Gas n Goodies and the Cowboy Country Stores in Watertown. Aberdeen vendors include Ken’s Superfair Foods, Runnings, Kessler’s, and any GFP regional or district office.
Have you ever considered visiting a state park in your area?! Grab your binoculars and grab your snow shoes this winter season and plan a visit to a State Park near you and enjoy the solitude the parks have to offer this time of year. A few activities to enjoy are hiking, ice fishing, and bird watching! As always, thank you for visiting South Dakota’s State Parks!
Pelican Lake Recreation Area: Week two of “Operation Adventure” is next week! Operation Adventure is geared towards children ages 7-16 but is open to everyone. Join us at the Pelican Lake Recreation Area picnic shelter at 6:00 PM Thursday, January 23rd for an educational session on trapping. Equipment will be provided for the program. A Park Entrance License is required.
For more information, follow our Facebook page @SandyShorePelicanLake.
