Lake Waubay

[Tim/Iowa]

I just got back from Lake Waubay and the 30 plus mph wind, didn't do real well but had a good time. We had this dicussion on the other web page about how we as out of staters get treated at lake Waubay, well you pull into a boat ramp and you will see alot of out of state plates, but I always saw more S.D. plates. I got treated quite well from the buinesses and why wouldn't they, sure I got a few nasty looks from local fisherman but I don't know if that's the way they are or because of my boat, ( glass in a tin boat area). But I had a good time and was treated good and would like to go back. I noticed the water level has gone down a little and was told that there are 30,000 acres of farm land out of prodution, due to the high water. My question is if it got back to normal water level conditions, would the Walleye population survive this kind of pressure and have the size of the fish gotten smaller in the last few years???????????????????

[Les]

No way the fishing will hold up when the lake drains back down. The locals will have to go back to fishing for bullheads cause you know none of them ever left their home county to fish right? I've got family in webster and know who is shooting their mouths off about the out of staters and you know what? What goes around comes around, I won't forget the opinions of the few inbread tards that make us all look bad. Vengence is a good thing.

[Dakota Fisherman]

Let's see, we had a lake with great fishing that I could take my grandchildren to where they could catch fish and have a good time. Then about 2 years ago these people from every state around showed up in big boats with fists full of money and took hundreds of thousands of walleyes back home. (750 boats a day times 3 people times 4 fish) Now I have to take them to a little lake that you can't get your boats into and catch perch. Incidently, you've done the same for our pheasant hunting. So forgive me if I'm not happy to see you.

[Les]

That lake must be in minnesota because waubay was a dead sea before the flooding. Did you ever fish any other lakes besides waubay? The answer is yes and that makes you a hypocrite. Why don't you hop in your ugly old pickup truck and go see the world. Oh and say hi to your wife/cousin for me.

[Backwater Eddy]

Most people in the Lakes Region of SD are eager to see out of state anglers and hunters. The glacial Lakes region has been well known for 50+ years as good fishing and hospitality. There were years of drought that sent the fishing into the crapper but now it is back and better then ever!

We always run into someone who resents anyone fishing there community hole, there right I guess, but as long as they sell non-resident license's and fish responsibly, we have the right to fish!

The direction the farm economy is headed this recourse should be cultivated, not scorned! I still find more friendly folks then crab-***'s when I go to Waubay Lake and other area lakes, I must have better luck?


"Backwater Eddy"
Backwater Guiding Service
#310 SE College Complex
Wahpeton ND 58075
1-701-671-3079

#####://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/home.html

[Richard Mellon]

Never been to Lake Waubay, I have heard about it though and the incredible fishing there. South Dakota has always been one of the nicest places for me to visit with friendly, honest people that I could easily live next to as neighbors. I've always enjoyed fishing SD and looked forward to the PWT going there. That changed when we recently fished Lake Sharpe. The $62 fishing permit was a shock but the $83 ticket I got from a red faced and screaming man with a gun on his hip finished it for me. This took place on the 3 rd day of the event when the wind was howling up to 60 mph. I was ticketed for having a boat dealers license on my boat. Legal everywhere else in North America, Game and Fish of South Dakota had decided to interpret the law their own way. I was screamed at in reference to "you tournament guys" and the State boat repeatedly slammed into my boat in the 3-4' waves. I would have thought in weather that people have described here as life threatening the State would perhaps been more interested in using that boat to assist anglers in distress. Don't get me wrong, I paid my fine, learned that this is a new law in SD and will abide by it. I dread going back to fish a PWT event there and can't recomend South Dakota to others.
Rich

[Cam]

It is no secret that fishing in SD, especially on Lake Oahe and soon to be Waubay, is not what is once was. A decent sportsman should not blame this entirely on vistors from out of state. Our very own Game, Fish & Parks fishery staff should have done something long ago to limit the size and number of fish taken out of our area lakes. I do however feel that out of state fisherman should be limited to fishing in SD when SD fisherman are able to fish in their states. For example I cannot go to Minnesota during certain months of the year due to the season being closed. These fisherman from MN should not be allowed to come to our state during that time. The boxing match that many seem to want get going between in state fisherman and out of state fisherman is going to lead to nothing but name calling and mud slinging. We should be concentrating on saving the fishing for ourselves, friends, family AND neighbors. In addition, South Dakota could stand to learn a lot with better slot limits. As far as the rude Game Warden goes, I'm almost positive he's the same person that many South Dakotan's feel is a jerk too.

[Bronco]

Guess what- its a two way street out there. I remember a few years back when Artichoke and Long Lake were hot( both Minn. Lakes) and both lakes were filled with out of state fisherman- Most from South Dakota. Thats the way it goes- when a lake turns on and it is a couple of hours or less away fisherman will go there. And South Dakota fisherman are no different than anybody else, they want and like to fish. S.D. fisherman come to Minnesota when the fishing is good and we go there. Learn to live with it and hope the slot limits protect the resource. I agree that South Dakota tourism needs out of state dollars to support many businesses. A friend of mine just returned from the River at Pollock, S.D.- The fishing was okay with mainly smaller fish, but the resort was nearly empty. Only two groups of Minnesota anglers. I'm sure the people who own that business do not bad mouth out of state fisherman.

[Eyez]

I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience with the warden Richard. Unfortunatly, we have a few of those here that are jerks, just like some of my fellow SD residents that think they are the only ones with a right to fish here in SD. If you're willing to pay the fee for a license, I welcome you to fish here.

I'm not going to try to talk you into coming back, or to cover for those that made you feel that way, I'm sick of doing that. I just have a message for anyone that thinks SD is an island and only those who live on it have a right to fish and hunt here: GO AWAY, at least long enough to realize that every state in the nation has visitors from other states, and that it's no different here. MN has alot of water and alot of resident fisherpeople, but I'd bet that the percentage of nonresident fisherman is similar to what it is here in SD. I don't see them whining about "my walleye" or "my pheasants" being taken by some "Iowegian" or "Blue Plater" other non resident.

And to 'Dakota Fisherman' who also posted this thread: It was great when no one had ever heard about fishing in SD, but those days are over, and if you don't like it, too bad. That's the way it is. There's plenty of water to take your grandchildren. There's very little traffic on Blue Dog or one of the other smaller lakes near Waubay. Personally, I'm going to try to make some money off it. Surely some of these guests from other states need guides when they hunt/fish here. :)


Sorry for preaching, and none of it was directed at you Richard, but I felt that this was the most appropriate place on the thread to tell some of these selfish people that I share a state with that they are giving us a bad name, and to knock it off and act like adults.


Again, sorry for preaching/ranting...

Eyez (SD)

[eyewinder]

Eyez:
Your attitude is commendable -- I've wondered why more of the landowners whose property has been covered by rising water have not considered offering access for a fee to recover lost revenue. I'd also like to hear about the experiences of some of those landowners (they may or may not frequent this board) who have installed ramps, lodging, etc.
Also, would you contact me (eyewinder1@hotmail.com) during the next couple of days? I may be headed your way this weekend, and would like to discuss hooking up (if you are guiding).

[JonnyMo]

Some of these anti-nonresidents act as if they as residents own the water and the gamefish in that body of water..........talk about arrogant, uninformed and not understanding reality!!

We shouldn't be fighting each other as sportsmen and women....we should be fighting the anti-hunting,fishing groups together. It's time for these people to start fighting a worthy cause.

[Markum]

Just a thought.... If you followed the laws in SD maybe that Jackazz warden wouldn't need to give you a ticket. When I drive through Mn I slow down. I think it is a stupid law but never the less I follow the law. I am also not condoning the actions of the officer. Now grow up and act like the "PRO" that you are.