Captain's Fishing Report

Monday, June 22, 2009

Lake Oahe is really starting to take off. From the Highway 212 bridge to the Cheyenne has been putting out some really nice fish. The walleyes are fat and healthy and more and more Walleye are moving downstream. The lower end of Oahe is putting out some bigger fish but the numbers are still north of the Cheyenne. The recent hot temps have really turned the fish on. This "Arizona like" weather is going to help out the bite on everything.

I have been fishing hard and the bite has been good. I have been fishing quite deep at 20 to 40 but recently the fish are starting to move up shallow, 20 foot or less and when the wind blows the Walleye move up into the 10 to 15 foot mark to feed. Lots of weeds to deal with in spots but the fish are there, both back in the bays and also on the main lake points. Some really huge fish have been taken on crankbaits trolled both in shallow and deep water. Everything is starting to heat up and I think the bite will go all summer.

Salmon are being caught by Walleye fishermen trolling lead core and snap weights clear up by Sutton bay. The Salmon bite will improve in the next few weeks, the water temps are really heating up and that will push the Salmon downriver to the deeper water. Salmon fishing has been fair to good on the Lower end from Spring Creek to the Dam. 50 to 80 foot and I like greens, blues and pinks for colors
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Lake Sharpe is on fire with Joe Creek and West Bend being the best bite and all I can say is bring a lot of bait. Every presentation is working, jigs, bouncers, plugs.... you name it. The Smallmouth bite is awesome on Lake Sharpe both at West Bend and Joe Creek. 15 to 17 inch Smallmouth are common with an ocassional Bass over 18 inches. World class Bass in anyones book.
Please bring a lot of hooks and cut the line on the deep hooked smaller fish so they survive to be caught again. There is alot of fish being killed needlessly for a 25 cent hook. Those smaller fish are future 8 pounders that need our help.

Thanks
Karl