Black Hills Region Fishing Report
Unsettled weather has led to inconsistent fishing opportunities over the last week. Frequent storms and rain in the area aren’t providing many patterns currently, but reports indicate that fishing success can be had if you’re willing to brave the elements and find something that the fish want. With that idea in mind, here’s the current report for the region:
The walleye bite on Angostura and Belle Fourche Reservoirs has been up and down, depending on weather conditions. Storms have been blowing through the northern and southern Hills regularly and have kept the walleye at bay mostly, save for the hardiest of fishermen and women. Some bites reported by slow trolling crawler harnesses, but the crappie and bass bites have been better than the walleye one as of late at Angostura and catfish are providing decent action at Belle Fourche in lieu of the walleye bite.
Deerfield Reservoir has a good perch bite going on, but size is an issue and lots of sorting is required if you’re looking for a meal. A jig and worm on the bottom or a slip bobber used in shallow water are providing the action. Sheridan has been seeing a good trout bite, mostly from casting around the docks and spinners trolled 15′ down. A few bass and pike are showing up as well. Pactola is seeing a few lakers here and there on the main body while spinners and spoons are catching rainbows closer to shore, mostly near the south marina area. Bluegills and some crappie have been showing up as well on the south shorelines. Little in terms of pike activity. Stockade has a decent bluegill and crappie bite happening in the bays along the north side, but mostly small. A few largemouth and pike are being caught on spinnerbaits in the thickly weeded areas.
The trout lakes (Lakota, Sylvan, Center, Roubaix, Bismarck, Legion) are seeing some trout bites happening thanks to recent stockings as the lakes prepare for the long 4th weekend onslaught of tourists and locals looking to get out and enjoy a forecasted nice weekend.
For more information on the lakes and catches in the Black Hills, contact Scott Olson at dr.auger81@hotmail.com.