More stable weather has led to increasing bites around the Black Hills, especially at the walleye lakes where the fish are on the prowl for food right now as the spawn has concluded. Trout bites are reportedly steady across most of the area, but panfish bite is spotty at most lakes where anglers are targeting them. With the long Memorial holiday weekend coming, here’s the current fishing reports for the region:
As noted, walleye activity has greatly increased at Belle Fourche and Angostura Reservoirs as water temps have increased since the spawn was completed and fish are active. Fish are in the shallows right now, where pitched jigs and minnows have been working best. On Belle, catfish and crappie are also being caught while Angostura is having a good smallmouth bite happening as well.
Deerfield is finally ice free and boats have been launching onto it, but reports indicate that perch are still on the small side and the trout bite is scattered. Pactola is seeing a few lakers showing up on big swimbaits and tubes and rainbow trout and bluegills are biting around the marinas and bays, though many presentations may be needed to see what they want. Sheridan has a modest pike bite going on in the 385 bay area and some nice trout are being caught around the marinas on gold spoons or slip bobbers. No panfish reports at this time though. Stockade is seeing some panfish action around the central inlet area, though size is an issue. A few pike and bass are starting to be caught as the water temps increase, mostly on spinnerbaits.
The trout lakes (Center, Sylvan, Mitchell, Bismarck, and Lakota) are seeing fair rainbow bites though trial and error is needed on what lures they may want as what they will bite on seems to be changing from day-to-day.
For more information on current fishing conditions in the Black Hills, be sure email Scott Olson at dr.auger81@hotmail.com, visit him on Facebook at Dr. Auger Ice Fishing Services, LLC, or on his website at drauger81.wixsite.com/drauger81.