What part of south dakota northern or southern parts. As for the southern half south of watertown there is minimal full sized vechiles driving on, mostly just quads. Lakes around the Sioux Falls area DO NOT drive on only travel on foot. I talked to a guy today who was up north waubay area and said lots of slush and water on the lakes. We are heading that way saturday to the waubay area but we plan on walking. Good Luck to you and safe travels.
We’ll for sure be walking out to be safe now!! Thanks for the info good luck and be safe!
How did it go? Ice still good?
Was out on Bitter chasing the Perch Saturday, had about 30 some inches of ice yet, the top half of the ice is still good but the bottom half is soft, the auger cuts it like nothing. You can definitely feel it and see it go from shaved ice to chunks when the auger gets to that point. We took the wheeler out, it was a 50/50 wheeler – truck. No snow left out there.
Did you need an extension on Bitter? How was the bite? Sorry for all the questions but my trip for last weekend got postponed for this coming weekend. Looks like the weather should make it more comfortable at least!
I have a 6″ extention on my jiffy, seemed to be enough to get through with out an issue. The bite was slower than the following weekend, but talked to some guys out there that did real good at first light. As the day went on it seemed to slow up, you had to move around to find the school. Talked to a fishery guy that was at the landing and had said that one group came off with their limit but seemed slow for most others. Seemed to be hanging around the 33′ depth all day. Pug bug with red spikes was the ticket for us. Biggest was a 13 1/2″. Go to the 15′ depth with a jiggin rap, if your looking for pike, no shortage there.
I’m going to comment, and IMHO that if anyone chooses to be driving on any SD lake right now, your gambling with your life. I would suggest ATV travel or walking. Plenty of fishing time left, but think safety first!
I’m sure Quintin will also comment. He fished a few hundred yards from us on Sunday on one mid-state lake. The bottom half of the ice is really starting to honeycomb. One hole I punched within 20′ of another hole with roughly 24″ of ice was only about 12″ of ice. I popped right threw. That’ll make you think…
Waubay, Bitter, Enemey and lakes up further north may be in slightly better condition, but I’ll let Quintin comment on those. Anything south of Highway 212 is getting real sketchy for anything other than foot traffic.
Thanks for the heads up. We’re planning on walking out. We don’t have a wheeler so we’re limited to our own legs. With no snow on the ice its pretty easy going though so Im not terribly worried about it. More worried about the edges but given the cold temps this week it should be ok. Can’t wait to get back to that area. Hoping to put the smack on some big perch and eyes.
Youngfry send me a pm, we should be heading back out there Saturday. Could meet at Bitter Lake Lodge landing and catch a ride with us. Bringing out the ranger.
Just as a heads up guys. The temps are supposed to be in the mid 50’s on Wednesday, drop for Thursday/Friday and then be in the mid 50’s Sat and low 60’s Sunday. While it’s gonna be super nice out to fish, this is going to ultimately push us closer to the end.
I’m not quite ready for hardwater to be over with, but I know there is a some great open water fishing to be done right after ice out.
Sorry wasnt telling anyone to drive out on the lake I just seen a few trucks out on ponisett and were i was the ice was fairly decent didnt come in chunks! Wasnt trying at all to tell anyone to drive!
Sorry i havent got the chance to get back fellas. I would Say walking only from now on. Saturday we fished Indian and the ice was VERY inconsistent.. A few spots we drilled were about 20 inches and a few other were varied up to about 32 inches. We walked out and felt very comfortable about it. There was one guy out with a truck and 3 with wheelers. As stated above the top of ice was good but about half way through was very week.
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Sorry wasnt telling anyone to drive out on the lake I just seen a few trucks out on ponisett and were i was the ice was fairly decent didnt come in chunks! Wasnt trying at all to tell anyone to drive!
Not calling you out Justin. I just want to see everyone be safe. I unfortunately watched two different vehicles go in the lake this season, one was literally 20 yards from my shelter. Stupid thing is, I watched another truck drive right around him. Ahhh… that takes brains! Just practice the same things we do at first ice.
FYI..Bait shop in watertown said that a few trucks have made it through the ice last week.
snow geese had a slough open yesterday!
Anyone know if the road to the refuge on Waubay is open? I heard it was closed at some point but didn’t know if this was temporary or even true. Wonder if someone knew for sure one way or another.
2 more days…. can’t wait! 
I’m pretty sure fishing at the refuge is open til ice out, i’ll let you know if I can get some confirmation on this!
I was just there a week ago and the road was closed due to water going over it. There was some melting and there was a small stream going across. They had it closed the haul a couple loads of gravel in there. As for closing the refuge, they will do it soon I bet. I usually find myself seeing the no fishing signs pretty soon and have to fish the main lake instead. 
As of 3/27 the road to the refuge was closed. I used my wheeler yesterday 3/27 and still found laeks to have anywhere from 24-30 inches of ice. Bottom is honeycombing out so will see what happens. I have been recently walking out with a chisel on some smaller sloughs avoiding the crowds the eyes are on a late season binge as of late. – QB
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