Hutch's Guide Service Fishing Reports
LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA FISHING REPORT MAY 21 TO THE 27TH 2023





Fast and furious bite on both lakes with the water warming is basically the
best way to describe the bite. I have been guiding daily with some of my
favorite customers the Rose party and the beck party along with some new
customers and we have filled limits and possession limits for all the
groups. At first we were catching most of the fish in 5 fow or less but
lately they are moving out to around 8 fow to 14 fow with nightcrawler
propeller blades or spinner minnow blades equally effective. In Many areas
pulling plugs is very good. Sharpe from Pierre all the way down to west bend
is great but catching numbers is necessary to get limits of over 15 inch
fish. Fortunately most experienced anglers are doing that. Oahe has started
to go especially in areas that you can find warmer stained water. The wind
has been blowing lately but even with that as a factor we have been catching
numbers of fish. Both Lakes are very busy so expect boat ramps that are full
and lots of traffic at our great fish cleaning stations. Summer is here so
lots of water sunscreen fly repellent are items that make for better trips.
Both lakes are putting out very nice fish and it looks like another great
year for the fishing around Pierre or for that matter all up and down the
system .As usual periodically I will mention that most of us guides that
have spent years on the water look at the walleye as great eating fish and
fun to catch but the real sport is hunting them down and finding them. The
best walleye fishermen I know are very good at that and it takes practice to
achieve that part of your fishing. It is not hard to run your boat into a
community spot with 20 other boats as boats are much easier to find than
fish but catching lots of fish in a spot that you found because you spent
the time to learn the art of the hunt is very rewarding. You will also earn
the respect of the best fishermen on the Lake and the people in your boat
when they realize you are good at finding the fish. That is really true with
most species. Watch the weather this time of the year as storms can pop up
quick. Thank you to all my recent customers . Some great times.
HUTCH’S GUIDE SERVICE
Hutch
FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA FOR MAY 12TH THRU MAY 18TH 2023




Just got done guiding the Ken McEwen and STEVE TYLER group of repeat
customers . Just as great a group of guys that I have. Dave Spaid Scott Van
Liere and Mike Kulm helped guide this group from different parts of the
country Everyone got full limits of nice walleye with a 27 incher the
largest . Everyone went home with full possession limits. Great weather all
three days and great fishing. Lake Sharpe is going great. You do have to go
thru numbers of 14 inch fish to get limits of over 15 inchers but most
experienced anglers are coming in with limits along with lots of small mouth
bass. Depts vary with most fish being caught from 5 fow to 10 fow but we
caught fish out as deep as 30 feet. Spinner /minnow spinner crawler rigs
pitching jigs shallow or even pulling plugs work but there is a lot of
floating stuff in the water making plug pulling harder. Oahe is still much
harder in the Pierre area due to both colder water and muddy water running
in from creeks and rivers like the Cheyenne. We stayed on Sharpe for this
trip but did hear of a few nice catches on the big lake with those being
mainly smallmouth/northern. Lots of boats/anglers out but s usual community
spots concentrate the majority but you might remember that all the fish in
the lake aren't under those 30 boats you see following each other. The lake
is full of fish so if you do a little looking you can find fish without the
boat traffic. We caught 90 per cent of our limits every day without a single
boat in sight . Harder to do now days as fishing pressure is much more but
if you like finding walleye as the main part of the sport as most of use
guides do it is rewarding to know when you find lots of fish away from the
crowds. Remember to pull your boat plugs to avoid a hefty fine when leaving
the ramps and remember this week end is free fishing week end . Sun Screen
and Bug spray along with plenty of water to drink are good things to bring
along.
HUTCH'S GUIDE SERVICE
Hutch
FISHING REPORT FOR LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA MAY 1ST THRU MAY 8TH 2023

Back to work for me. I am glad to be back on the water especially with a
great bunch of guys like the group ramrodded by Rich Grable from Rapid that
I am guiding. The group (REPEAT CUSTOMERS) are from all over with Brookings
SD And Ute Iowa being home for some. For the most part the weather is
cooperating and so are the fish. Limits of walleye with some small mouth
/northern every day so this group is going home with full possession limits
of nice fish. The bite on Sharpe is in full swing with the spawn about half
over. Water temps up to 55 degrees can be found. We caught most of our fish
on bouncer/minnow rigs but pitching plastic/jigs and pulling plugs all work.
Most of the fish are in ten fow or less and relating to the spawning reefs.
So are the boats and there are lots of them so you can fish in community
spots with lots of company or do some exploring and find fish a way from the
crowds. Lake Oahe is much harder with cold water being the main cause. Temps
in the 40's in many areas but 50 degree water can be found. If you want to
fish mostly by yourself this is the lake but no boats also means not many
fish in the bags. Fish are still deeper but warm weather should improve the
fishing as the water warms. It is looking like another great year on Sharpe
and I think Oahe will be better in many areas. Oahe is a harder lake to find
the fish due to many factors. Bait fish that can be deep water species and
shallow shad bait spreading the walleye into different water columns but if
big fish hunting is your thing Oahe is more likely to produce. I will post
periodic reports this summer in the hope the information will help you out
with your trips.
HUTCH'S GUIDE SERVICE
Hutch
Month by Month Guiding Breakdown
April/ May
Both of these month's
produce excellent walleye fishing along with great smallmouth/ Northern/
Catfish. Weather is a factor so many times we have to stay off big water
because of high winds etc. but this is a great time to go after the big
northern and catfish in the back of creeks/bays to beat the weather. Also
fishing on Sharpe below Dam keeps you out of wind and produce's nice limits
of walleye. Jig fishing when water temps cold along with btm. bouncer
presentations as water warms most common .Boat traffic can be much more
around the Pierre area.
June
By far the busiest month on both lakes.(
School out and just traditionally start of summer season] so book early if
possible to get best guides/lodging. The fishing is excellent for all
species. Weather can still be a factor. We are usually fishing with Lindy or
btm. bouncer's.
July
Best all around month for both fishing and
weather especially family trips Walleye fishing at seasonal peak especially
in high water periods on Oahe. and Sharpe good two. Btm. Bouncer
presentations most common.
August
Same as July but there can be hotter
weather. If there is a breeze it is not to bad as big lake water temps keep
heat down. Fish can be a little deeper but still great fishing.
September
Very good on the walleye fishing with fall weather great toward end of
month. As water cools jig fishing starts to come into play again.
October
/ November
Fishing is still good but weather coming into play again Jigs
work best especially in colder water. Combination Hunting /fishing trips
most common. Just a note: You can catch fish in all the months above tolling
or casting plugs and we do that often. But I have found that guiding people
over the years most prefer live bait hover fishing better so I spend more
time with btm/bouncer/crawler/minnow/leeches than the plugs but pulling
plugs is always a good alternative and sometimes can be the best.
Kent Hutcheson
E-mail:
fishinghutch@aol.com
Cell Phone: 605-220-2844