First Ever South Dakota Trip: Need Advice!!

I am heading to eastern SD for a day trip later this week and will be targeting Walleyes (something I have only done once through the ice). Heading to either Bitter or Waubay Lake and am looking for ANY advice as far as presentations, fishing reports you know of out there, and what depth/structure to be looking for.

If you would rather PM me about it that is fine too!

Google Sportsmans Cove out of Webster. He maintains a pretty accurate fishing report via his phone line, update quite often.

The walleye bite on both is pretty much early morning and late afternoon. Here’s sportsman’s cove # 605 345 2468 just call and they have a recorded report. And stop in when you get to Webster Doug is good about helping you find a place to start. I think they open at 5:30 am.

I would suggest Bitter if your targeting walleye. We just got back from up there and did good the day we focused on them instead of perch. It’s definitely a morning then evening deal for sure. I would maybe try to catch one of those trophy perch during the day that Bitter is known for. As the others suggested stop in at Sportsmans for your minnows and get some info. Our best presentation was UV Buckshots with a minnow head. Our best depth was 15′ if you got Navionics you’ll see Bitter is a lake full of beautiful structure. Good Luck wish I lived as close as you !!!

Good advice to check with Doug at Sportsman’s Cove! He has put us on fish a few times when our own efforts failed. I was just out last week. The Cold Front that ended late on Tuesday made things real difficult. Waubay produced good numbers & action until about 10:30 on Wednesday & Thursday. The perch were some real footballs, too! We managed a few 20″ eyes & some 13″+ perch on both days. Good luck!

Thanks so much for the information! Are people driving trucks on the ice out there yet? Any depth suggestions for the perch?

I do have Navionics and yeah, bitter looks really intimidating! Haha

Ryan Lommen wrote:

Thanks so much for the information! Are people driving trucks on the ice out there yet? Any depth suggestions for the perch?

I do have Navionics and yeah, bitter looks really intimidating! Haha

yes people are getting around with trucks
Look for Perch in deeper basin water 25-30 fOW
Look for Walleyes near structure for mainly a morning and evening bite as others have suggested
Tingler spoons and Slender spoons worked well for us

Welcome to South Dakota Ryan.

As most have suggested, make sure to stop in and talk to Doug at Sportsman Cove in Webster. He’ll give you the latest update plus load you up with bait.

As far as lakes go, Bitter and Waubay are both good lakes but have been pressured pretty hard again this year which has affected the bite. We have also entered the mid-winter blues so that means… drill baby drill!

While a lot of out-of-staters (this is not a knock) tend to gravitate to Bitter and Waubay, don’t over look some of the smaller and less pressured lakes such as…

-Dry No.1: Walleye
-Goose: Walleye, Perch
-Indian Springs: Walleye, Perch
-Lynn: Walleye
-Opitz: Walleye, Perch
-Pickeral: Walleye, Perch
-Reid/Round: Walleye, Perch

As far as lures, the best advice is use what you are most comfortable using. Lures are designed to catch fisherman, not necessarily fish. It’s a matter of figuring out what the fish want for breakfast. Eggs today, Pancakes tomorrow, French toast on Friday. Here are some of my go-to lures.

-Ultra Light Rippin Raps: Tip the bottom treble with some spikes for perch
-#2 & #3 Jigging Shad Raps: Tip the bottom treble with some spikes for perch
-#5 & #7 Jigging Raps: Perch, Gold, Chartreuse for walleyes
-Rattling Spoons such as VMC Rattle Spoon or Lindy Rattling Flyers. Gold, Red, Chartreuse all work well.
-Spoons such as VMC Tingler, Tumbler, Flash or CJS Slender Spoons. Tip with spikes or Minnow heads. Gold, Red, Chartreuse all work well.
-Small Jigs: Gold & Chartreuse work well.

Best advise, watch how the fish react and change it up if you can’t get them to strike. I always keep three rods rigged with a variety so I can get back down quickly while they are still there.

Good Luck!

I’m heading out on Friday for the weekend, when will you be out there?

Dry #2 right by Willow Lake has some really chunky perch and walleye. If you’re a Facebook user search Scuds Bait, there’s reports there also. It was slow for us on Saturday, but a group came in with a bucket which would make anyone proud. Poinsett is also kicking out some good fishing.

Dusty Gesinger wrote:

I’m heading out on Friday for the weekend, when will you be out there?

I have a place by Wilmar, MN so I am driving there Thursday night and then getting up early Friday to drive out to SD and spend the entire day there!

Steve Thompson wrote:

Welcome to South Dakota Ryan.

As most have suggested, make sure to stop in and talk to Doug at Sportsman Cove in Webster. He’ll give you the latest update plus load you up with bait.

As far as lakes go, Bitter and Waubay are both good lakes but have been pressured pretty hard again this year which has affected the bite. We have also entered the mid-winter blues so that means… drill baby drill!

While a lot of out-of-staters (this is not a knock) tend to gravitate to Bitter and Waubay, don’t over look some of the smaller and less pressured lakes such as…

-Dry No.1: <em class=”ido-tag-em”>Walleye
-Goose: Walleye, Perch
-Indian Springs: Walleye, Perch
-Lynn: Walleye
-Opitz: Walleye, Perch
-Pickeral: Walleye, Perch
-Reid/Round: Walleye, Perch

As far as lures, the best advice is use what you are most comfortable using. Lures are designed to catch fisherman, not necessarily fish. It’s a matter of figuring out what the fish want for breakfast. Eggs today, Pancakes tomorrow, French toast on Friday. Here are some of my go-to lures.

-Ultra Light Rippin Raps: Tip the bottom treble with some spikes for perch
-#2 & #3 Jigging Shad Raps: Tip the bottom treble with some spikes for perch
-#5 & #7 Jigging Raps: Perch, Gold, Chartreuse for <em class=”ido-tag-em”>walleyes
-Rattling Spoons such as VMC Rattle Spoon or Lindy Rattling Flyers. Gold, Red, Chartreuse all work well.
-Spoons such as VMC Tingler, Tumbler, Flash or CJS Slender Spoons. Tip with spikes or Minnow heads. Gold, Red, Chartreuse all work well.
-Small Jigs: Gold & Chartreuse work well.

Best advise, watch how the fish react and change it up if you can’t get them to strike. I always keep three rods rigged with a variety so I can get back down quickly while they are still there.

Good Luck!

Steve, thanks so much for the advice. Truly appreciated! I’ll continue to do research today and tomorrow and will also look into all of those other lakes. I am restricted to only all day Friday so I just want to be sure I am going to the right lake. I don’t keep any fish so I’m not worried about going home with a bucket full, just want to keep a bend in my rod the majority of the day!

be ready for a painful day as any lake goes on or off like a light switch. The weather should be good, so travel will be easy, make sure you burn 1/2 tank of auger gas.

Steve Thompson, that was one of the best pieces of advice I’ve seen on here. Thanks for the tips. I live in Minneapolis but grew up in Watertown and will be going back there next week. I’ll take your advice to heart.
Al

Al Case wrote:

Steve Thompson, that was one of the best pieces of advice I’ve seen on here. Thanks for the tips. I live in Minneapolis but grew up in Watertown and will be going back there next week. I’ll take your advice to heart.
Al[/quote

I agree that was an excellent post Steve !!!!

Your welcome guys. Here are some other random thoughts…

-Poinsett: The perch bite was awesome in late Dec/early Jan. It’s received the most pressure of any lake in SoDak this year with days where there are over 500 encampments on the lake.

-Dry No. 2: While I’ve been fishing it this year, it’s nowhere as good as past years. This has been the #1 most pressured lake in SoDak the last 3 winters and has taken a pretty good pounding. There is a 50 team tourney on Dry 2 this weekend, so plan on it being extra busy.

There are great fish in all the lakes I’ve mentioned including Bitter & Waubay. If your looking for perch and fish near crowds, stay on the outside edge and figure out which way the perch are headed. Get ahead of the school and stay ahead of them.

And as Chomps already said… burn gas! Drill Baby Drill.