Glacial Lakes Trip

I’ve convinced my wife to do a 3-day trip in South Dakota’s glacial lakes region. We’re staying in Webster and I’m looking for any advice you guys are willing to offer.

I’m taking my boat but will be looking to stay on the smaller lakes as my boat isn’t that big and not looking to take my wife out into any big rollers. It sounds like lots of the smaller lakes have questionable access due to roads and ramps; any advice there or where I can go to get more info?

Really excited to spend a few lazy days out on the water.

Best advice is to talk to Doug at sportsman’s cover in Webster. Spend a little $ at his bait shop and he will give you all the info you need. Also the Grenville Sportsmart on the north end of waubay depending on who is working can be a good place for info. There are also plenty of shore fishing opportunities that can be just as productive as going out in the boat when the wind is wicked.

Targeting what species, exactly?

I can tell you where I’d be headed and the species wouldn’t be walleye either, that would just be a side show. I’d be going to Roy or Enemy Swim and jackpotting on the huge, mean, nasty ol’ tail dancing smallmouth.

Awesome boat access via the state park on Roy. Lake is loaded with structure. Be ready

Grouse

If its just fun fishing you are looking for I’d head to Reetz Lake just South of Webster – Decent landing – low fishing pressure – lots of great fish. They do have a restriction on the Walleye’s to a 1 over 28 or 30 or something like that. Great Walleye, BIG crappie, Great SM bass, and some JUMBO perch. If you are looking for lots of action and a few keeper Walleyes I head a little North to Opitz. Its not uncommon to catch 50-75 fish each person in a short day of fishing there. Nice landing and if the wind picks up there is lots of places to get out of the wind. Tie off to the flooded timber and fish one line with a slip bobber and cast a jig and minnow on the 2nd rod. You can bring you catch to the restaurant at 12 and I believe 25 and they will cook them and add a salad bar for a reasonable price – Yummy. Lets us know how you do out there.

Doug is a great source of info! If something picks up while you are there, he will point you in that direction if you wish. I think th choice of Reetz Lake is a good bet, too. We have never seen many boats there, but we always here about reports from there. Opitz is not bad either. We caught plenty of walleyes there, and I did catch some very nice crappies there over the past few years. Few crappies, but nice sized crappies.

Thanks for all the tips guys, really appreciate it and I’ll be sure and report back.

As far as species, we’re looking for whatever and would prefer walleye, pike and perch since we don’t have those around home, but trying to keep it enjoyable for the wife as well.

Trolling around watching the rod holder is more her style than casting and retrieving.

If it trolling and Action you want. Go to SW side of Waubay lake get on any windsweep shoreline and pull floating Rapala’s or other stickbaits and you won’t be able to keep the Whitebass off your line. Normally the 5-7 Ft range it the best. It should only take you a short time to determine the correct Depth. Fun fish to catch. They bite well and fight decent

So many good lakes in the area, you can also fish Bitter, Enemy Swim, Pickerel, Piyas, Lynn Lake, Reetz, Waubay.

Piyas is on tribal land and you will need a $5 permit to fish it, you can get the permit at the library in Waubay.

If you want some detailed info on GPS locations or particular lakes let me know.

When are you going, I’m thinking about seeing if the GF would do the same trip with me, she has never been out there.

We’re headed up the Thursday after the 4th of July.

Really appreciate all the info and hopefully we can have some decent weather.

I also appreciate the offer for GPS coordinates but there’s no need to give away your spots to this guy; very generous however.

I would take any tips you guys had on perch fishing in open water. It seems like I hear a lot about them in winter but not so much in the open water.

Ditto on Reetz. Lots of fun with the smallies and some darn nice walleyes too. There’s also the potential for a trophy fish (28+) that you don’t find elsewhere. And as mentioned before, there’s also a chance at some of those monster football perch and crappies the size of a car tire. If you want some general info on the lake, PM me and I can give you a few spots that consistently produce. It’s not a large lake nor does it receive much angling pressure, so it should be easy to break down and figure out.

The regulation is one walleye 28″ or bigger per person. No limits for keeping but it’s easily your best shot at a big fish. 20 inchers are an average fish and you can easily get multiple 25″+ fish in one day. Also, smallmouth have a 14″-18″ slot with only one over 18. Perch and crappie are the standard 15 a piece, any size.

We’ve been fishin Clear Lake the last couple of years and it may be the best smallie lake in the area.
Roy is a trophy smallie lake.
Kettle has monster walleye. If you can get to them. It is very weedy.
Don’t overlook The Buffalo lakes and Red Iron.

Thanks for the tips guys. We didn’t smash them or go to Bitter, but we found a few nice fish including my biggest walleye to date at 27″.

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