S.D. Lake Fishing - Why only the N.E.?

[tj1n]

I may be wrong, but it seems that all of the lakes east of the Missouri and South of Watertown have very poor quality fish populations? Is this due to the recent hard winters or poor resevoir management.

Why do the lakes and ponds in the NE produce so much better than the lakes in the South?

It appears that the majority of them have been poorly managed? Maybe its due to overcrowding-harvesting?

Looking for some insight? I'm a North Dakotan that was transferred to Sioux Falls and am befuddled how or where to catch quality fish in this area, without having to travel 125 mile min. every weekend.

Travis J.

[Backwater Eddy]

You have great river fishing in your region, check it out once, it may change your mind about that.

Backwater Eddy ~ ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>

[livebait]

depends on what your after, ive done well for crappies on brant, thompson, and even wall lake, perch ive doen good on at thompson and a few odd sloughs around there let alone poinset, walley the river or thompson

[Dutchman]

You need to get on these waters before you knock them, if your the angler you claim to be, these waters will impress you with some great fish....May have been to harsh but the local lakes put out nice fish for the folks that choose to hunt these critter. My smallest late nite walleye on Lake Vermillion last spring was 3.5 lbs largest little over 9lbs. Best fish off of Lake Thompson last year 10lbs 5 oz. the best part is I just got a scale last year!!!! Check out the pic in the 10 lb club. Your in a good spot you just need to figure it out. If you want some help e-mail me......


" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "

[waterfowler]

I think that region does have much higher pressure so the bite always seemed to be better after dark when most of the traffic slowed down. I would be careful what you eat out of Wall, it's a chemical run-off dump grounds. It's way better than it used to be, but still makes me wonder. I've caught decent fish on Brandt at times, usually pretty small, but the occasional keeper is thrown in. Lake Madison can produce some very nice fish at certain times of the year, just be careful the lake is full of springs and the ice can be scary.... Lots of water to explore down there. Enjoy!!!

[Eyez]

Hey I remember that 10 pounder! :) beautiful fish

Part of the reason you hear so much about the lakes north of watertown is because they get the most exposure, but If I had my pick for the best overall walleye lake in SD (except the river), Thompson would be #1. It can be hard to fish at times, but it's just loaded with walleyes, many of them very nice. There's also a nice smally population coming up in Thompson. Albert is also an excellent lake, as is the whole Poinsett chain (norden when it doesn't winterkill, mary, john, albert, poinsett, dry). I've had some of my best days ever standing on the stone bridge on Poinsett in the evening or at night. I caught 3 walleyes over 5 pounds this last summer, 2 came from poinsett, and I only made about 5 trips there all summer. The 81 ponds used to be great, but they get fished a little too hard these days.

There aren't as many good lakes south of watertown as there is north, but that's mostly cause there just isn't as many lakes period.

If you'd like, I'd be glad to show you around Thompson or Poinsett sometime once we get rid of this ice. :)


Eyez

[Skis]

I agree with the above posts and it just basically comes down to more consistent fishing further north. Some of the lakes in your area are shallower I believe and probably suffer from winter kill. The NE corner also just grow the fish faster with all the vegetation under the water.

I'm in the same boat as you, as I used to live in Flandreau and now live in NW Iowa. But, I just make a weekend out of it and hit the area for the weekend. But I will add since moving down here, I have not been up in the NE corner with my boat. I ice fish up there, but all of my trips last year with my boat were to the river.

[Warrior2090BT]

Eyez and Dutchman, off the subject a little, but are you guys fishing the SD WWA Team Challenge this year? Mike is not going to run the SD Circuit this year, and am wondering who is going to do it. Have you heard anything? Hope everything is going well for you this winter.
Thanks,
Shannon Y

[Eyez]

Was kinda wondering the same thing myself. I'll be fishing, whoever runs it. I just emailed Steve @ WWA asking the same question. I'll let you guys know if I hear anything.


Eyez

[tj1n]

Thanks to all of you that replied, but I have to respond that I didn't make any claims to be some "SUPER" angler.

I believe my experience has improved dramatically over the past couple years since I can't get this crazy sport out of my head even while sleeping.

I fish 1-3 times per week year round and didn't mean to offend anyone with my post, I was just trying to get some insight as to why the NE produces so much better?

Tonight, I went to Lake Vermillion and only caught two walleyes however one was 4.5 lbs - she went back down the same hole. The littler one was about 1.25 and that was supper.

Eyez & Dutchman, I'd appreciate the opportunity to fish with either of you competitively or not. I love to be on the water! Email me.

Thanks again everyone!

[Dutchman]

Shannon, this is news to me . Gordy and I are looking forward to the WWA circuit and I'm currently hustling to change weekends to be able to fish it. Mike stated at one point in Dec he would make an announcement. Maybe I'm a little slow on the learning curve????


" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "