Black Hills Area Fishing Report
Temperature swings of 60 degrees down to single digits and back up to 60 degrees have caused wild swings in both fish catches and ice integrity over the last week. The prairie lakes are not accessible and boat fishermen are watching in anticipation of getting their watercraft back onto the walleye lakes. Temperatures over the next few days will remain abnormally high before dipping back down into the 40s for a bit, which is causing some ice access issues at lakes in the higher elevations, save for Deerfield. Spud bars, ice picks, and possibly a plank of wood or ladder may be needed in certain areas going forward. With these wild weather conditions in mind, here’s the fishing report for the Black Hills region:
Angostura Reservoir is nearly fully open and many people are either hitting the shores and casting crappie rigs out in hopes of catching some walleyes or are getting their boats ready to get on the lake. Boat docks are not in so those who don’t mind the extra work getting their boats into the lake may try soon. No fishing reports though as the lake is in transition mode right now. Belle Fourche is currently in the same transition and likewise, no fishing reports coming in due to this.
Pactola is still accessible for the most part though some shorelines have opened up so caution and a plank of wood may be necessary to get on at the main lake areas. The Jenny Gulch area is still very accessible. Big pike and lake trout catches of 30+ inch specimens are being taken by those cautious enough to venture out. Sheridan is holding with 8″-10″ reported though some shoreline areas are getting iffy under the current heat wave. A good bluegill, trout, and perch bite is going on though in the north bays, Chipper Bay, and south marina on red, black, or white jigs tipped with waxies. Stockade Lake is seeing the same access conditions and a decent bluegill and crappie bite happening on pink jigs tipped with plastics or red spikes. Deerfield has 20-24″ of good ice and good access currently. The usual sized perch can be caught rather easily and sorting is really required for a decent meal. Good rainbow activity as well in the Gold Run area.
As far as the trout lakes are concerned, Center is seeing lots of fishing activity and big rainbows are being caught amongst the cutthroats and occasional tiger trout being caught. Fish were finicky, but responding to pink or white jigs tipped with waxies or chunks of worms as well as small minnows on tip ups. The boat launch area has unsafe ice and the beach area may be opening as well so access issues could start coming up. Sylvan, Lakota, Horsethief, and Roubaix Lakes have good ice as well, but no fish reports at present. If you’d like any information, up-to-date reports, or what’s working in the area at present, be sure to get a hold of Scott Olson at dr.auger81@hotmail.com, on Facebook, or through his website, drauger81.wixsite.com/drauger81.