Hutch's Guide Service Fishing Reports

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FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA FOR SEPT 9TH THRU SEPT 22ND 2022

Fall is in the air with cooler temps. Cooler water usually leads to a fall bite and that has been the case both on Oahe and Sharpe with improving catch's coming in. The fishing on Sharpe below Pierre has been good for numbers in around 8 fow on both bouncer minnow or bouncer crawler rigs. Pulling plugs has been working also. Some days making the 15 inch minimum is hard so coming in with limits can be challenging. Catching numbers is usually good. Oahe is improving as fish move out of the deeper water and finding walleye in 20 fow to 30 fow is more common. Smallmouth fishing is improving on Oahe and should get even better with colder days and nights. Bouncer crawler rigs are still the main choice with minnows on bouncer or jigs good also. Look for the cooler water to make minnows the bait of choice. Still busy especially around Pierre so expect busy boat ramps along with busy community spots. I guided the Sederling guys to nice limits and other both repeat and new customers to limits and want to thank all of you. Just great times.

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Hutch

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/LAKE SHARPE PIERRE AREA FOR AUGUST TO SEPT 8TH 2022

Fishing on the big lake (oahe) continues to be spotty around the Pierre area mainly because walleye are being caught in a lot of different depths. Some fish are being caught in back of bays in shallower water and many fish are out on he main lake points much deeper so hunting them is much harder. Lots of smaller walleye along with the bigger fish so mixed bags of big and little fish are common. Different presentations are working but the main stay both on Oahe and Sharpe is still nightcrawler bouncers rigs. Minnows leeches and pulling plugs work also. Lake Sharpe continues to put out lots of numbers of walleye but the 15 inch minimum slot limit is hurting anglers and preventing many to come in short of limits. Most boats are getting plenty of action but struggling to get enough over 15 inch fish to fill bags. Pulling plugs Jigging minnows and leeches are all working but the go to rig is bouncer/nightcrawler spinner combinations. Weather has been hot but looking a head fall is starting to cool things down somewhat. Pierre especially on weekends has been very busy so prepare to experience lots of boat traffic and busy boat ramps. Another way to put that is the Pierre area fishery has certainly been discovered. Smallmouth have been harder to find many days as I think they are chasing suspended bait all over the lake . Salmon fishing is really not my area of knowledge but from what I hear some smaller fish are being caught downrigger fishing but for the most part I think you really have to want to catch a Salmon to chase them. Spotty fishing is for sure the report on them. This is the time of year however that state records get broken so local salmon guys are out trying for that one big one. I would like to thank all my repeat and new customers for your business . Lots of great times. I have been on a short vacation so have been behind on these reports. I will update them more frequently now as the fall fishing starts to bring changes to the fisheries.

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Hutch

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/LAKE SHARPE PIERRE AREA FOR JULY 22 THRU 31 2022

I will start this report the same way I started my last report with. Hot weather is here. Many days the heat index is in the 100's so bring along plenty of water and sunscreen. Getting up early is not a bad idea on some of these hot days as getting on the water early to get off earlier with your fish can be a lot more comfortable way to go. The report for Oahe is similar to the last one. Lots of little 13-inch walleye with the bigger fish harder to come by in most bags. I am not sure if that is due to less numbers of the bigger year class fish or just that the littler fish are eating all the time hence beating the bigger ones to the bait. Whatever the reason it is harder to come in with limits of quality walleye. Lots of catfish and some smallmouth bass two so getting action on the big lake is good as getting bites isn't usually a problem. Just getting bigger walleye is harder. I have been using propeller blades with nightcrawler/bouncer rigs and fishing mostly the 25 to 35 fow depths and coming in with limits but that does mean we are keeping some smaller fish on most days to fill the limits. Minnow rigs leech rigs and pulling plugs all work so if you have a favorite presentation to use try that first. I think if you are just looking for the big ones crank bait fishing for suspended walleye might be the ticket to fewer but bigger ones. On Lake Sharpe action has also slowed down and I think maybe because of the huge amount of bait fish/hatches. It seems like everywhere you go you mark clouds of bait so the fish just have lots to eat making catching harder. Generally speaking, the fish have moved deeper on Sharpe i.e. 25 fow to even 40 fow but don't overlook areas of shallow water that has feeding fish in ten feet or less if hatches of bait are present. This scenario makes finding them much harder now on both lakes. Presentations on Sharpe are the same with nightcrawler/bouncer rigs the favorite. One of the main reasons for the nightcrawler favorite is they are just easier to keep in your boat fresh. Minnows die in the heat real fast if you don't use the right cooler/oxygen combination's so using crawlers is much easier. The fish are biting them, so most guides are going that way now. The other methods work but require more attention to using them with changing water special cooler oxygen set ups etc. a must in the heat. I hesitate to use the term the dog days of summer as it implies a slow bite and actually most days that isn't true. Getting fish is happing but size is hard so if big fishing is what you're after maybe the dog days are here. The lake has been very busy with crowds of fishermen so be prepared on weekends for busy boat ramps and cleaning stations. Thank you to all of my repeat and new customers for coming. I am very lucky to have such great folks to take fishing and create fishing stories. I am having a great career and a whole bunch of great times because of all of you.

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HUTCH

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/LAKE SHARPE PIERRE AREA JULY 4TH THRU JULY 21 2022

Hot weather has been the word lately so I and many guides have been going out early to beat the heat by getting limits early enough to get off the lake. The fishing on Oahe is very spotty with lots of little fish (12/13 inch) around making getting larger fish much harder. This was reflected in the Governors Cup were a 15 inch minimum was required. Many teams struggled weighing only 2 fish so somewhat poor results for a lot of very good fishermen/fisherwomen. The bite for the lake seems to average around 20 to 25 fow on both minnows and nightcrawlers but fish down deep in some areas is producing some bigger fish. Pulling plugs even lead core is also putting some larger fish on picture's . I have been spending quite a bit of time on Sharpe as it seems to be putting out over all more consistent average size walleye with that average many days around 17 inches for the walleye. Lately even on Sharpe we have had to keep some smaller fish to round out limits though. Here I have been using spinner/crawler/bouncer rigs in around 20 fow but some days shallow fish bite quicker but also more little ones shallow now. Plugs minnows all work so if you have a favorite presentation try it. I would like to thank all the customers that I have guided recently. Lots of great times for the most part with some really hot days coming into play. Biting fly’s are around in some areas so spray and long pants along in the boat can save lots of slapping. It is essential to bring and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated now. I have observed heat stroke and it isn't a small thing so precautions to avoid dehydration are really necessary. Lots of sun screen helps two. I will mention again that the GF & Parks are running boat checks so pulling plugs and having all required equipment in your boat can save you ticket money.

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Hutch

FISHING REPORTS LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA JUNE 16TH THRU JULY 2ND 2022

Lots of big walleye coming in on Lake Oahe. You have to go thru a lot of little 13 inch fish to get them but if you land on the right ones some real nice bags are coming in. I had had some real nice days but I also have had just as many with smaller fish so I would describe the bite as a little hit or miss with both minnow presentations and crawler rigs producing most of the catch's however trolling plugs along with leeches are working. Depths on Oahe range from 15 fow out to 35 fow depending on the area you are fishing but a good starting point would be around 20 fow. Sharpe is getting a lot easier to bring home limits of eating size fish as starting on the 1st of July until the 1st 0f September the size limit of 15 inches is off so now to 14 inch fish become fair game. I have been fishing Sharpe off and on and the fishing there is very good for getting limits of fish from 15 to 19 inches with some over 20 inch fish every other day or so. I find bouncer spinner crawler rigs in 10 fow to 20 fow to be very good but all the other minnow combinations along with plug fishing are working. One the spinner rigs I favor love blades (chartreuse/orange beads) to be my choice for crawlers and silver blades with blue beads for minnow rigs. Don't forget that some days just a plain hook rigs works best. Get ready for crowed ramps as I think that over all the years I have been here guiding this year is the most boat traffic I have seen. Fortunately Sharpe is 90 miles long and Oahe is 235 long so Pierre is right in the middle of 335 miles of reservoir water so other than the crowed boat ramps there is plenty of water to fish. I have always recommended hunting down the fish as the fun part of the sport so if you avoid the community fishing and look at the walleye fishing as hunting them usually you will come in with bigger overall catches and if you are like me just a better experience finding spots away from all the boats that are clustered together. All the great walleye fishermen that I know are great at catching the fish but more importantly finding them. It is easier to find a boat than a walleye but not as fun and if you dedicate time to that part of all fishing the reward of knowing you can hunt them down and find them is and was for me worth the time invested. I understand the time factor and the other reasons why group fishing has become so popular now. I do not think anything is wrong with that method of fishing but just not as rewarding. Actually, it is good for all of us that like to hunt the fish as it leaves huge areas of the lakes that are full of fish and very few boats. Once again I would like to thank all my customers both repeat referral and new for your business. You all make my guiding career just great. Hot out now so water, water, water along with an eye to the sky for storms is the word, Bug repellant and if you are going out in shorts throwing a pair of long pants in the boat can save a lot of slapping biting fly's some days .GF&P's are conducting boat checks so have all the required equipment and remember to pull plugs and drain water or you can subject yourself to a more expensive trip. We are having another great year. Lots of people and lots of fish.

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Hutch

FISHING REPORTS LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA FROM MAY 29TH THRU JUNE 14TH 2022

The fishing around the Pierre area on Sharpe has been as good as it gets for both walleye and bass. Very nice size with 17 to 18 inch fish common on Sharpe. Oahe on the lower end has a year class of 13 inchers and they are abundant but finding bigger avg size fish can be tougher. The little fish just grab the bait so quick so going thru a lot of fish is necessary on both reservoirs. On Sharpe most of my catches have been in 10 fow or less and on Oahe bigger fish have been right on the bank but hearing reports of fish being caught out to 20 fow now . Both lakes baits are now crawler rigs but minnows still working along with trolling plugs. I have been pulling propeller blades with bouncers and crawlers mostly. Like the Love blades the best. I have been guiding mostly repeat customers and have just been having a great time with all of them. I certainly wish to thank all of you for making the trips and hope next year I will see you back again. I will mention that on almost every trip this last two weeks my customers and I never fished around any other boats and saw very few in the areas that we fished getting full possession limits of very nice 17 to 19 inch average size walleye on every trip but one. I am mentioning this to let you know that all of the fish aren't just under the big bunches of boats and if you spend some time looking for other areas and hunting the fish both lakes are full of fish. We have lots of boats/fishermen using the area but we have lots of water so doing a little exploring can make for better trips if you do not like crowd fishing. Be ready for some crowded boat ramps though and reservations at popular resorts/ motels can require some planning a head as they are very busy. Boat checks by the GF&PARKS are common Make sure that you have your plugs out and all the required equipment in your boats to avoid unnecessary expenses in the way of fines. Sun screen , bug spray, and a pair of sweat pants to slip on if you wear shorts and run into biting flies are very good things to pack along. Great fishing going now all up and down the river so dig up some worms and come on over.

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FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA FOR MAY 15TH THRU MAY 28TH 2022

Fishing is excellent on Lake Sharpe in many areas and good on Oahe in areas but very hard on the lower end. Most of the walleye being caught on both lakes is in ten fow or less with minnow baits but nightcrawlers are starting to go especially were water temps are in the high 50's. I guided different customers last two weeks getting full possession limits for them with the latest the Roses from Lincoln . Long time repeat customers as were most of the other trips. Had a great time with all of them and would like to thank everyone for your business. A couple of mentions: This memorial day is the busiest weekend I can remember with boat ramps very busy and just lots of people around so I think you can expect to see lots of fishermen /boats around when coming. Many of the resorts are booked for June so preparing a head for a trip is almost essential. GF&PS are actively running boat checks stations around so make sure things like equipment/ plugs pulled and water drained are taken care of. It is starting to be summer so sun screen lots of water bug repellent and in many areas you fish long pants instead of shorts will make for more enjoyable trips. I know shorts are more comfortable but if you witness as many people sitting in your boat slapping biting fly's as I have you will understand the mention. I will post another update after Memorial Day weekend. Have a great one.

Hutch

FISHING REPORTS LAKES OAHE /SHARPE PIERRE AREA FOR MAY 6TH THRU MAY14TH 2022

Fishing on Sharpe is excellent with water temps in many areas in the 50's. Close to Pierre the water is colder with the discharge waters colder. Temps on Oahe are colder on the main lake but starting to warm in the back of river /creek arms making for the bite just starting to go. I guided the party's pictured here to full possession limits to take home over the last 10 days. On a few days weather/wind made things harder. Most of these trips however were limits by two or three in the afternoon. The bite for walleye and bass on Sharpe has been mostly around 10 fow with either minnow jigs or minnow bouncer rigs for me. Tried crawlers but maybe just a little early. This next week they should go. Oahe is still a tougher fish with fish that are being caught are right on the bank pitching jigs/plastic or minnow tipped. As I said in my last report this time of the year weather is a big factor in all trips. Big winds/ storms making some day's lots of work to produce the fish. This early fishing requires keeping an eye to the sky. Overall it looks like a great year again in our area with fish sizes and numbers very good. Lots of bait fish in both reservoir's so a healthy outlook for the summer. We have experienced lots of people and boats in recent history so expect some area's to have busy boat ramps and lots of boats in community spots but with Sharpe a 90 mile long reservoir and Oahe 235 miles long you are can find plenty of places to stay away from crowed spots if you like. Things to bring along : Coolers, Sun screen, bug repellent, rain gear and this time of year you might even bring some warm clothing. Dave Spaid helped me guide the last groups of guys and we had 40 walleye in the two boats by two O'clock two days in a row, I am mentioning this because we never fished around another boat. I am making the point that all of the fish aren't under the big boat groups that you see. If you are willing to do a little looking you might be surprised at how many fish are all over these lakes. I do realize that a lot of what causes community spot fishing is a time factor but finding walleye away from the crowds can be a very rewarding part of the fishing sport. For many of us that spend a lot of time on the water eating fish and catching them is fun but hunting and finding walleye is the best part of any trip. GF&P"S is righting tickets for not pulling boat plugs when you leave the water. It a way to stop transportation of invasive species . It can be costly to forget that. Thank you to all the customers picture above for your business and I hope you all had as good a time as I did.

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Hutch

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA MAY 1ST TO MAY 6TH 2022

I am back fishing on a regular basis so will start updating fishing around the Pierre area. I guided Chack Gladden from the Omaha area to one day of harder fishing then a second day of great fishing sending him home with full possession limits of walleye and 5 nice bass. We caught all of these fish in shallow water 10 fow or less on mostly flasher jigs tipped with minnows. I then fished Jim Walter and his son Nathan from the Des Moines area to full possession limits of walleyes to take home. Fishing mostly the same way with Flasher jigs tipped with minnows, We did catch some on bottom bouncer minnow combinations. Most of these fish came in around 10 fow or less. Water temps around Pierre are in the low 40's and further south around west bend in the upper 40's. Lake Oahe is putting out limits of walleyes for those willing to work hard. The bite on Oahe favors the experienced fishermen and those that know the lake. If you are not familiar with the big lake fishing this time of the year your best bet is wait for the water to warm. Fishing on Sharpe is easier for walleye however Northern fishing is best with pike sets and dead smelt on Oahe. Much tougher for the walleye now but experienced fishermen continue to work out limits in stained water. Temps still lower 40's most places but finding any warmer stained water is the key. on Oahe. I usually start out mentioning that most of the time staying away from the bigger groups of boats and trying to locate fish in less fished areas will produce nicer times, nicer fish, and usually more numbers but in many areas that is very hard to do now days with lots of anglers using our area. Remembering that Lake Sharpe is a 90 mile long reservoir with Oahe 235 miles long. There are lots of areas full of fish and much less boat traffic if you are able to do some research. Limited time trips often mean fishing busy areas and that is fine but exploring both new areas and maybe even new species of fish {Catfish Bass} can lead to some great away from the crowd experience's. In closing the real word this time of the year is WEATHER. Weather watching is probably the most important consideration to take this month {or any month} as it can save you some real bad times. Bringing warm clothes and rain gear count right in there to. Just great to be back on the water with such great lakes to fish and so many nice people to guide.

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Hutch

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA FEB 1ST TO 16TH 2022

Just a brief mid-winter update. Caution is the word with the fishing. We are having a mild winter in the Pierre area with no snow and lots of 40 degree days. There has been open water by the dam and boats are still able to fish Sharpe especially when the corps runs current. The bite on Sharpe fishing in boats has been spotty with the bite late in the day. A friend Mike Kulm and party were out and caught limits last weekend but caught most of the fish around five in the afternoon on jig minnows below the dam. Reports of catches on the ice on Oahe vary also but really watch the ice. I talked to one party fishing the back of the Cheyenne river and they said they drilled holes in the first spot they fished and had eight inches of ice, moved about a half mile drilled and had 3 inches so caution is the word. I would describe the bite in our area as spotty on Oahe too, but for those excellent fishermen limits are coming in. The walleye that are being caught are fat and healthy. We should be looking at a great spring fish and I think the summer fishing should be along the lines of last year but with even lower water unless we get a wet rest of the winter. I have cabin fever already so really looking forward to our great spring bite.

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Hutch

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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.

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Kent Hutcheson
E-mail: fishinghutch@aol.com
Cell Phone: 605-220-2844

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