Hutch's Guide Service Fishing Reports

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2014 Fishing Reports

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Last report and Season Greetings for 2014

It has been a great year again on both Lakes Oahe and Sharpe in the Pierre area. My customers experienced a 99% success catch/limit rate over the last year and I see no reason that shouldn't be the case in 2015. The over all size of the fall walleyes we boated in the last three months on Oahe was very good and the fish all looked very healthy. The Small Mouth fishing was excellent with very good numbers of nice fish. From a guide's perspective it seemed like an abundance of different species of bait fish were all over in Oahe and Sharpe continues to be full of shad etc. so that part of the fishery seems to be very good. I will be speaking at and have my booth at the River City Sports show in Council Bluffs Iowa on the 16th,17th and 18th of January so if you are in the area stop by and visit. I will also be doing other shows so check back after the 1st and I will post the times and shows. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF MY CUSTOMERS FOR YOUR BUSINESS IN 2014 and WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Hutch's Guide Service Hutch

Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for November 2014

I have not been on the water for a few weeks so have not been doing reports and this will be my last report for the 2014 season. Bird hunting has been most of the activity in the Pierre area due to lots of bad weather (wind colder temps etc) making fishing tougher. The bite has been mostly hard work for those boats going out but some good catches are coming in from both Sharpe and Oahe when Indian summer days show up. Pheasant hunting has been very good in the Pierre area this fall and some Geese are showing up so that should get going in the next 2 weeks especially with the weather that has arrived. The size of the walleye this fall was encouraging so I would think we should be able to look forward to a real good spring in 2015. I will start reports again in March and will also post the sports shows I will be both speaking at and have my booth at. I will be at both Omaha and Council Bluffs show along with Rapid City. I also am working on several others and will post them and the dates I will be there at right after the first of the year. I spent the last couple of days hunting the Gary Serbousek party from Colorado (sons Grant Gary and Eric) along with friend Cliff Cliffinginer from Seattle Wa. out at the Steffen Ranch and they shot limits of birds both days. Conditions were less than friendly with blowing snow and dropping temps but they were troupers and stayed after the birds until they got their 30 birds to take home. If I can help you in any way during the off season or to set up ice fishing during the winter months feel free to send me an email or call me.

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Hutch

Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for Oct 7th thru Oct 26th

I have not been on the water for two weeks so I have not been publishing any reports. The bite is still fair to good depending on the weather. Jigs/minnows are the bait of choice. Bird hunting has been excellent with most party's shooting limits of birds. I still have some fishing trips left on the books so will put reports on line as I do them.

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Hutch

Fishing report Lakes Oahe, Sharpe Pierre area for Oct 4th 5th and 6th 2014

I took Mason Fleenor from Ida Grove Iowa and his friend Jim Brehm from the Dunes SD fishing on a couple of windy days. The first day we went on Oahe, caught three walleye and then had to get off the big lake due to weather (Big wind/rain). We decided to fish for catfish on Sharpe below the dam the rest of the day and caught maybe 10 from 3 lbs. to 10 lbs. saving the day. Went back on Oahe for walleye day two in better conditions and got their limit of real nice walleye and 3 crappie. We caught these fish in around 20 fow on minnow/ Bouncer rigs. I am going to take them down to West Bend for a half day of fishing on their way home so will cover that in my next report. A couple of nice guys and we had a great time. Once again the bite around Pierre is good when the weather lets you fish. There has been a lot of wind this past week making for tougher fishing but that comes and goes so if you are planning a trip cross your finger's this time of the year as it is a real factor in the success of every trip.

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Hutch

Lakes Oahe/Sharpe fishing report Pierre area for 1st 2nd and 3rd Oct 2014

Lots of wind. That is really the whole report. When you can access the areas that are holding the fish both on Oahe and Sharpe the bite is decent however fall winds in the 20 to 50 mph range have made for real limited success for most anglers.On Oahe fishing with minnow rigs is starting to be a little more productive than crawlers and that holds true on Sharpe as well. Fishing in depths of 10 fow to 30 feet in areas from the Cheyenne north is the best for walleye and on Sharpe the West Bend area has the edge. A note on the upcoming season pheasant opener. This year looks to be much better over the whole state with GF&P's reporting numbers way up and around the Pierre area I know that is true. It looks like breaking out the shotguns is a real good idea for those wanting to hunt birds. I will be posting these reports less frequently now as the fishing season winds down (weekly) however if there are any major changes I will report them.

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Hutch

Fishing report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area for September 20th thru Sept 30th 2014

I took a week off so I have not been keeping up the reports however I am back on the water now. I guided the Todd Harder group of repeat customers to one day of poor results fishing the Joe Creek area on Sharpe. I went their mainly to get out of 50 mph forecast wind and they did come so we went in early. The next day we fished Oahe getting limits of walleye and a big northern. We caught these fish in around 20 fow on mostly minnow/crawler rigs. I then fished a father son son in law group of guys Don Spencer, Steve Spencer and Mike Morris for a trip once again plagued by real unstable weather conditions with the last day bringing 40 to 50 mph winds. We did have one day of nice weather getting limits of 17 inch avg size walleye and some catfish. Another day had strong winds and we did get walleye but did not limit. Real nice guys that had bad luck with the weather. That brings me to say that on Oahe the walleye, smallmouth fishing is good when the weather is good but if you get big wind/ rain days you can have limited success. Sharpe around Pierre remains spotty with running a lot of water a daily occurrence. I think the fall bite will be very good especially on Oahe but pay attention to forecasts whenever possible.

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Hutch

Fishing Report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre SD area for Sept 18th and 19th 2014

I guided Lucas Ahrens and his friend James Mcgowen from Beaver Crossing and Valipraso, Nebraska for one day of walleye fishing and one day of smallmouth bass fishing. We got limits of both each day with real nice walleye day one along with a big northern and limits of bass to almost 5 lbs. with several over 18 inches and one almost 20 incher. We fished Oahe both days in water depths around 20 feet for both species and caught most of the walleye on night crawler/bouncer rigs and the bass on minnow/bouncer rigs. The walleye were and easy 17 inch avg and so were the bass with all of these fish fat, healthy and showing signs of plenty of food to eat. I am also marking huge schools of small bait fish now even down on the lower end of the lake north of cow creek and up to the bend so barring any unusual happing the lake should be healthier in the future. Most good fishermen that are fishing in the right area's are doing limits on Oahe but due to fishing pressure in some areas it can be challenging. Lake Sharpe is an on again off again fishery so far this fall with nice fish one day and hard hunting the next day. A lot of fishermen over look the smallmouth fishery but from the smiles on the faces of the recent customers I have taken bass fishing, that might not be the best fish to overlook. There are real good numbers of 17 inch to 19 even 20 inch fish available and they are some of the best fighters in the lake. They are also very good eating especially if cooked either fresh or not kept in the freezer to long. The key to finding them is easier as just get around underwater trees anywhere and usually this time of year there will be some around. Hunt for the areas holding the most bait fish to find the walleye.

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Hutch

Fishing Report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre SD for Sept 15th 16th 17th 2014

I guided Colin Schmidt and his buddy from Storm Lake Iowa for a day of small mouth bass fishing on Oahe catching real nice limits of around 3 to 5 lb. bass. Had a real good time on a beautiful fall day with these two guys. NE John had taken them walleye fishing the day before and did well there to so they went home with a nice bunch of fish. I then guided three people from down Kansas way for the Outpost lodge for two days and we put limits of walleye some white bass and some smallmouth in the boat so Tony his wife and father in law all went back with possession limits of fish plus a nice fish meal while they were here. These fish were all caught on Oahe on Minnow/crawler bottom bouncer rigs in around 20 fow. The fish are very healthy fat walleye and so are the bass. Sharpe has still been spotty with some of the better guides managing limits of nice fish around Pierre however it can be tougher fishing some days especially for inexperienced anglers. Minnows are coming into play on both lakes so having a couple of scoops along is a good plan. If you miss the main bite area's on both lakes it can be much harder so try to get good info as to where to fish.

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Hutch

Fishing Report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area for the 11th thru the 14th September 2014

The river around Pierre(Sharpe) is still muddy from recent high water discharges from the dam stirring up silt. That along with run off and wind make conditions unfavorable for anyone that doesn't know their way around. I helped Dave Spaid guide some fellows and struggled all day. Until this settles down either Oahe or the West Bend area are probably better choices for most anglers. One thing that is easier around Pierre is cat fishing and that is excellent from the dam down to the bad river. Dead smelt drifted on around a 1 oz weight works along with many other baits. Nice catfish from 2 to 10 lbs. are common. I then spent 3 days guiding on Oahe getting my customers all limits of nice walleye some northern pike and lots of smallmouth/white bass. Danna Van Dyne, wife Laurie and son Logan are repeat customers and along with friends from Nebraska we caught nice limits of around 17 inch avg walleye. I then spent two days fishing Tony Spader from Sioux Falls and his whole family on Oahe. A great bunch of guys and every one caught fish and had a great time. We spent day one fishing walleye on Oahe then day two fishing smallmouth bass on Oahe with nice weather and in my boat full limits of walleye/bass with a few 20 inchers along with a good number of 18 to 19 inch fish in the bag. The smallmouth avg was and easy 17 inches with several bass around 4 to 5 lbs. We caught all of the above walleye in depths of 15 fow out to 30 fow and the same for the smallmouth. The walleye were about 50/50 on either bottom/bouncer minnow or crawler rigs with many fish coming on spinner rigs. Oahe right now can be challenging for inexperienced anglers or even very good anglers if you miss the main bite so try to get as much good info as you can before you hit the water. Many of the well known fall hot spots are different right now as the water level is close to the all time high. The lake has more bait fish from the little bend boat ramp north to Mobridge. Weather is always a factor in the fall so if you are coming to Pierre hope for the best.

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Hutch

Fishing Report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre SD area for Sept 6th thru the 10th 2014

The fishing on Oahe continues to be very good especially on the nice fall days. Weather is always a factor with fall fishing and if you are planning a trip here hope for the nice days. I guided Lonnie Wann and his group of Agra grow guys(repeats customers for many years) for three days of solid fishing. Guides Dave Spaid, Scott Van Leare, Ne John and Jody Cutler helped me and even with the weather taking a turn for the worst a great time was had by all. Full possession limits of 17 inch average size fat healthy walleye along with some smallmouth bass, northern pike, white bass and catfish were caught along with two nights of walleye for supper .These guys are from Nebraska and Iowa and most of us guides have gotten to know them over the years and really look forward to their annual trip. We all fished Oahe in depths of around 10 fow to 25 fow using bottom/bouncer/ minnow crawler or gulp rigs along with a few of us pulling plugs on the second day in 30 mph wind. On their last day I did take some guys in the group down on Sharpe cat fishing catching 19 big ones (3 to 10 lbs.) by noon. Sharpe is still putting out fish and some days can be very good but remember the 15 inch size limit. That can make coming in with a full bag challenging some days. Minnows /chubs are coming into play more in both lakes Salmon fishing has picked up some but for the most part can still be iffy..All in all if you get favored with nice fall weather and get good info as to were the main bites are( There is more baitfish from little Bend north) you can expect to do well.

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Hutch

Fishing Report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area for Sept 3rd thru the 5th 2014

The fall bite on Oahe is outstanding with most boats that are fishing the right area's coming in with limits of real nice healthy walleye and some smallmouth bass. Also I have been hearing reports of some Salmon being caught on the big lake. Sharpe is still going at West Bend but the 15 inch size limit is making for fewer limits coming in. As always in the fall the weather will start to come into play as it did with the Wheat Growers annual trip. They caught a day of 40 mph wind and that made fishing real tough for them. I guided the last two days for the Outpost Lodge fishing 3 guys from Ord NE and they hit they weather just right along with the fishing. We fished on Oahe both days catching their possession limit of 17 inch avg size walleye with a few over twenty inchers included in the catch. Check the pictures of these fish out to get an idea of how much the lake fish have improved over the summer on fishinghutch.com. We used bottom bouncer/ minnow or crawler rigs fishing in around 25 to 30 fow. Plug pulling and chubs are also working in some area's. A great trio of guys and we had one of those great trips you can have in the fall with 70 degree weather not much wind and lots of fish. All of the fish we caught were healthy fat walleye so that is encouraging indicating lot of bait for them to eat. I am also marking big schools of bait fish in Oahe mostly from around Pike Haven north to the 212 bridge so the fall and next years bite should be much better for a bigger size fish. If the river clears up on Sharpe around Pierre look for the fall migration of walleye to improve catch's there also but it has been tough fishing in the muddy water making Oahe the best choice. Getting good info were to fish on Oahe is very important as you can miss the bite if you center your fishing in the wrong spots. Get were the bait fish are and the stained water is. Primarily from the Little Bend, Cheyenne, Bushs Landing, areas north to the 212 bridge.

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Hutch

Fishing Report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area for Aug 27th thru Sept 2nd 2014

I guided one of my favorite bunch of guys from around Belleville Kansas for three days getting them possession limits of walleye to take home. Steve and Doug Sederlin along with their friend Gary Simmons have been coming up for a lot of years and once again we had some great times. We fished both on Sharpe and Oahe catching the bigger fish on Oahe. The bite down at West Bend is going to be much harder to put limits in the boat now that the 15 inch limit is in effect. I then guided Dick Schutes and his friend Glenn from Iowa for one day staying on the river around Pierre and this was a big mistake as from the Bad river on down was real muddy from recent rains and the bite up to the dam was not good. I think until water clarity clears up and more of the fall fish start to arrive it is better to stay on Oahe. I then spent three days with Bill Lyons and his daughter Mary and his son fishing Sharpe at Big Bend day one and keeping some small fish for eating. The bite was lots of fish in 5 fow on night crawlers . The next two days we spent fishing on Lake Oahe getting their limit each day and also plenty to eat while they were here. The fish we caught were an easy 16 to 17 inch avg. and were all like the walleyes of old on the lake. Big around and full of fat. For anyone worrying about a shortage of bait and size of the fish in the lake take a look at the pictures of these fish. We caught all of these fish in around 25 fow to 35 fow on both night crawler/ Bouncer rigs or Minnow/ bouncer rigs however many presentations including lead core line are working . Creek chubs are also a great bait but a little expensive and I have found over the years that two big minnows on a hook are almost as good. I think the fall bite on the lake is going to be good especially for experienced anglers that know the lake. It seems like there is more bait from the Cheyenne river to Mobridge and if you are coming fishing concentrating your efforts from Little Bend to the 212 bridge in the Pierre area is better because of the bait fish abundance.

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Hutch

Fishing Report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area for August 23rd to Aug 25 2014

Not a lot has changed since the last report. The river (Lake Sharpe) around Pierre still is muddy from rain/wind from Pierre down to Joe creek making fishing harder. West Bend area is still going strong for smaller walleye and now small mouth bass are biting. Oahe from the Cheyenne river north continues to put out limits of very healthy fat walleye some bass and some northern pike. I guided a real nice couple staying at the Outpost lodge to limits of real nice walleye on Oahe. We caught these fish in around 20 fow on btm bouncer spinner crawler combinations. Kevin and Karen Bowen were favored with a real nice almost fall day and a good bite so they went back to Iowa with some good eating and memory's of a great time. The fish on Oahe are full of bait (small shad etc) and are real healthy looking like the walleye of old days on the lake. After the 1st of Sept when size regs go back on Sharpe it is going to be hard for me not to spent much of my fishing on the big lake.

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Hutch

Fishing Report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre SD area for August 18th thru August 22nd 2014

Fishing on Sharpe around Pierre has gotten tougher many days. West Bend is still going with limits common but both places have a lot of smaller fish now and with the 1st of Sept approaching (limit size back to 15 inches on walleye) it will be harder to come in with good catches until the fall bite gets going. Oahe right now probably is a better choice especially after the 1st as size restrictions do not apply on the smaller fish. I along with around 27 other guides have been guiding the CVA group for the Outpost Lodge for two groups of around 75 people. Many guide's fished on Oahe and many on Sharpe. I spent one day at West Bend and two days on the river around Pierre and managed to get limits every day but it was much easier at West Bend. In between the two groups I guided Don Kaelber and Mary Ann from Rapid City to limits of fish on Sharpe but all three days I spent around Pierre were harder fishing. I have been catching the fish on Sharpe on either Bouncer /Gulp or spinner/crawler rigs in around 10 fow. On Oahe most of the guides were getting fish around 17 to 30 fow however there were some bigger weights coming in on lead core line/plug fishing. All in all I think the CVA group are having a great time and it is always good to see them here every year. This company makes a lot of guides, employee's, and customers happy every year including Les Wolfe the owner of the Outpost Lodge. Thank you Central Valley Ag. for the trips.

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Hutch

Fishing Report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area for August 13th thru the 17th 2014

Just finished helping Dave Spaid guide the Capitol Motor's group of repeat customer's spending both days on Lake Sharpe and getting them full possession limits of walleye and a few bass. A great bunch of guys and they had a great time however the bite on Saturday around Pierre was harder work than it has been. Before this group I guided Dennis Brown and his wife Mary from Lena' Illinois on Sharpe also getting possession limits of real nice walleye plus a bonus 22 inch rainbow trout Mary caught. We caught the fish in Pierre in around 10 fow using both Berkley Gulp and spinner/crawler rigs. Once again the first 20 miles of Sharpe can be challenging if the corps is running the wrong current. There is also a lot of dirty/stained water below the bad river presenting adverse conditions in many area's so every day the bite can be harder if the wrong conditions exist. The walleye on Oahe have moved deeper in many area's and catching them down as deep as 50 fow is happing some day's. Smallmouth fishing is still good on the big lake so days that walleyes are harder to find many boats are having fun putting some bass in the bag. Plenty of fly's around so good spray is helpful.

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Hutch

Fishing Report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area for August 5th thru Aug 12th 2014

Fishing around the Pierre area on both Oahe and on Sharpe continues to be about average for both lakes in the month of August. Most boats that know the two lakes are putting limits of walleye along with some smallmouth and northern pike in their boats daily. Both lakes can present challenges depending on weather, water clarity, and the amount of current being run. Size on Oahe still remains smaller however 14 to 15 inch fish along with much less boat traffic can make it a good choice many days. The water discharges from the Oahe dam are now high making for some murkier water all the way down to West Bend. I guided a real nice Grandfather Steve Anderson and his two grandsons from Cherokee Iowa for a day on Oahe catching around 18 fish from depths of 18 feet all the way down to 40 feet on mostly crawler/bouncer rigs. I then (along with guide Dave Spaid) spent two days fishing the SST Software group of six guys. They were ramrodded by both Chad Greenlee and Brett Shaw from Oklahoma, MN, and Iowa. We spent day one catching full limits of walleye and a few smallmouth down at West Bend then spent day two fishing around Pierre on Sharpe. The fish were caught both on flicker shad plugs and bounce/gulp/crawlers in from 8 fow to 10 fow. The average size has gone down at the Bend some days and on this trip we caught nicer walleye around Pierre with one over 20 inch fish and numerous 18 to 19 inch walleye. Just a great bunch of fellows and both Dave and I had a fun time guiding them. Weather and fishing are both stable so not a bad time to visit.

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Hutch

Fishing report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre Area for Aug 3rd and 4th 2014

The bite on Oahe is improving daily as more fish/bait fish are showing up on the lower end of the lake. The fish still are on the smaller healthy 14 1/2 inch size however getting a mixed bag of walleye, smallmouth bass and some northern pike along with a lot less boat traffic and some bigger fish in each daily bag made Oahe my choice for the last two days. I guided Don Smith and his grandson from Mn to possession limits of both walleye up to 18 inches and smallmouth (around a 17 inch avg) along with a nice northern (15 lbs) seeing maybe a half a dozen other boats on the lake. We used nightcrawler/bouncer rigs and also Berkley Gulp/bouncer rigs to catch these fish in around 25 fow to 35 fow. I think the gulp out preformed the crawler's on this trip. Lake Sharpe continues to put out fish with a lot of muddy water almost down to West Bend making the bite tougher some days especially if the corps runs either not enough or too much current. Boat traffic is high so if that is a factor in your fishing Oahe might be a better choice. Fly's are abundant so repellant in the boat is a plus. I use horse stable spray and it helps but is not fool proof.

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Hutch

Fishing report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre Area for July 31 And Aug 1st,2nd 2014

I guided a real nice family of 4 father Brett Bundy and his boys for a one day trip on Sharpe to limits of 16 walleye catching these fish in around 10 fow. We used spinner/crawler rigs and although we worked hard we managed to get all their fish. There is a good amount of boat traffic again around Pierre on Sharpe so if that bother's you Oahe can actually be a better choice as boat traffic is much less. If you fish the right area's fat 14 I/2 inch fish with some 17 to 23 inch fish mixed in are not uncommon for angler's that know the lake. Bait fish north of the little bend boat ramp are all over so that is a key to the fishing. Get in area's of stained water with a lot of bait around and you should do well.

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Hutch

Fishing Report for Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre Area July 25th thru the 28th 2014

I guided the Jon Foxman family for a tougher day on Sharpe but came back and guided the Doug Hays, Doug Kelling and Rex Lovell group of repeat customers for two days on Sharpe spending one day around Pierre and one day at West Bend catching these three of guys full possession limits of walleye, a big catfish and a few bass. We fished around Pierre with spinner/crawler rigs or gulp in around 10 fow and down at the Bend we fished deeper in and around tree beds in 25 fow to 30 fow with bouncer /crawler rigs. Had a great time with these guys as well as Jon Foxman and the next father son team from Le mars, Iowa Rich Ellefson and son Matt. I fished down on Sharpe with them the first day catching a nice limit of walleye and then fished Oahe the 2nd day coming in with on nice 23 inch walleye a few smaller ones along with a couple of bass and a bunch of catfish .We caught these fish in around 35 fow but the bite on Oahe is not good now with smaller walleye the norm. Sharpe for the most part is very good but around Pierre if the Corps runs the wrong amount of current (either very little or to much) even around Pierre can be tougher .Plenty of fly's/bugs around so if you are coming over good repellent well make for a better trip along with plenty of water and sun screen.

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Hutch

Fishing report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area for July 19th thru the 24th 2014

I guided Mike Grahm and his son Storm from the St Paul MN area on Sharpe fishing both days in the Pierre area. Fishing was excellent and we kept limits/possession limits of real nice walleye to 20 inches with a least a 17 inch avg size. We caught most of these fish in around 10 fow fishing either Berkeley Gulp on bottom/bouncers or crawler/bouncer rigs. I then fished the Krutsinger/Fields Group of repeat customers from around Seward NE for two days of limit fishing on Sharpe and one day of smaller walleye /catfish/ Smallmouth fishing on Oahe. A great family bunch and they went home with their possession limit of fish plus a nice fish supper while they were here. We caught the fish on Sharpe the same way as the previous group and on Oahe most of the fish we caught were in around 20 fow on night crawler rigs. The 40th annual Governors Cup tournament results are a reflection on the current bite on Oahe. One hundred sixteen teams fished it keeping 562 fish with an avg of 4.84 fish per boat that weighted an avg of 7.15 lbs per boat. The winners Keller/Hjelm had 12 fish that weighed 19.67 lbs. I know a lot of these guys that fished in this tournament and it was full of a lot of real good fishermen. They did have to weight only fish over 15 inches and I am sure a lot of under 15 inch fish were thrown back but right now these weights are the reason why I have spent more time guiding on Sharpe this year than I have in the past. I do believe you still have a better chance to get a over 25 inch fish on Oahe and bigger Northern. Some days better fishermen are coming in with some nice stringers. There is also a lot less boat traffic on the big lake so if these are things that you favor Oahe is still a good choice. Average fish size is still a little better on most days on Sharpe so if you are looking for that Sharpe is better right now. They are starting to run more power daily so unless we get more rain/wind the river is starting to clean up some.

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Hutch

Fishing Report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area for July 15th thru the 18th 2014

I finished guiding the Allan Soukup group of guys on lake Oahe keeping limits of walleye but once again the size was smaller with some nice ones but also we kept some smaller fish to make a limit. We caught the fish in around 17 fow on crawler/bouncer rigs. I then guided the repeat customer family Denny Kruse, Ti Kruse an Mom Helen from St. Ed NE. for one day on Oahe throwing back smaller fish and keeping enough to send them home with a possession limit as we went down to West Bend day two and caught a nice limit of 17 inch avg size walleye. Once again we caught the walleye in both places on nightcrawler/bouncer rigs with 17 fow the avg depth on Oahe and 30 fow the avg depth on Sharpe. We all had a great time and it is always nice to have the Kruz's up. I then spent a day with Bill Wisnieski and his friend from Colorado on Sharpe staying in the Pierre area. We used Berkeley gulp on Bottom/bouncers to put a nice limit of 17 inch avg size walleye in the boat. Here we fished stained water in around 10 feet staying just a little ahead of the current with the bait. Looks like a heat wave is going to show up next week so water sun screen bug spray are good things to have lots of in your boat. This week end is the annual Governor's Cup Tournament and a lot of very good fishermen will try for the win. It will be interesting to see the results and how the fish are caught. I will try and pass any information about the results in my next report.

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Hutch

Fishing Report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area for July 12th 13th and 14th 2014

I guided repeat customers the Bailey family group with some from down Lincoln NE way and some from MN. for two days down at West Bend and we got limits and possession limits for the group of these great guy's plus some nice walleye meals while they were here. We caught the fish around underwater tree beds for the most part in around 30 fow on crawler/bouncer rigs. I then had the opportunity to take my friend former NE football coach and AD Tom Osborne down to the Bend in some pretty good wind but we caught a good number of fish keeping a limit of walleye throwing some back to get around a nice 17 inch avg size walleye. A side to this trip was some pretty good information and a reaffirmation of a slow salmon bite on Lake Oahe as Tom spent a few days fishing for Salmon catching four fish to around 10 lbs on their first day but then running into zero day. Tom is a very good Salmon fisherman so for the most part this bite continues to be real spotty. Oahe continues to put out fish but a lot of the walleye are smaller. Most boats do come in with various amounts of bigger fish but Sharpe for me still is the better place for an over all avg. size limit. Oahe remains the place to stay out of the crowds though and for better odds of catching the over 25 inch fish. Plenty of fly's /bugs out now and warmer days are the norm so lots of water and a good insect spray are good ideas.

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Hutch

Fishing report for Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area July 9th 10th and 11th 2014

I spent one day guiding on the river in Pierre (Sharpe) 1 day at West Bend (Sharpe) and one day on Oahe catching limits of fish all three days. I spent one day with Steve Bohling and friend from around Lincoln NE. We fished around Pierre and did get limits of walleye that avg around 16 inches fishing with nightcrawler/bouncer rigs in 10 fow. There was not much boat traffic but this was not a week end trip. I then guided the Jeff Bohlken/James Bohlken, Nile Farris/Bob Farris group of guys from NE to limits of walleye at West Bend (Sharpe) and limits of walleye on Oahe. We caught the fish at the Bend in anywhere from 10 fow to 30 fow mostly on crawler/bouncer rigs and on Oahe caught most of the fish on the same rigs fishing in around 20 to 30 fow. The avg size of the walleye at West Bend was around 17 inches and the avg size on Oahe was around 14 inches however they did get one bigger walleye around a 25 incher. The up side to fishing on Oahe is far less boat traffic and we had no trouble fishing alone. Every time we stopped on Sharpe other boats would find and join us. If finding and catching fish with a lot less boat traffic is important to you Oahe is a better choice. It is harder to put together as good as overall avg size fish stringer however but getting a big over 25 inch fish is more likely.

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Fishing report for Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area for July 6th,7th, and 8th 2014

Oahe right now around the lower end of the Lake is challenging. Smaller walleye under 15 inches are more the norm than over 15 inch fish and over 20 inch fish are much harder to get in daily bags. I finished guiding Tim Vogel and his wife from Sioux Falls SD to a limited success day on Oahe coming in with a limit of smaller fish after they had a much nicer day fishing down on Sharpe getting limits of 16 to 17 inch fish. We caught the fish in 20 fow to 35 fow on crawler/bouncer rigs. I then spent two days with the voice of NE Football Sean Callahan his dad Pat and friends Larry, Rod, Keith and Kenneth down at West Bend. With guides Dave Spaid and Scott Van Leare helping we put possession limits of nice 17 inch avg size walleye and some smallmouth bass in all three boats for both days. They also had a couple of real nice fish meals cooked at the Lodge. Just a great bunch of guys from down Nebraska way and everybody had a great time in some real nice summer weather. Most of the fish were caught along tree beds in 25 to 30 fow however we also caught some shallower in 5 fow to 10 fow. We fished bouncer/crawler/ gulp or spinner rigs rigs deep or pulled flicker shad plugs in around 10 fow to 15 fow. Sharpe continues to be the best bite for this size walleye this year. Right around Pierre dirty water from farm island down to around Joe creek continues to make the bite tougher in that area. Having sun screen, bug spray and lots of water in your boat is a real good idea. The fishing pressure in many area's is still high but has come down some after the 4th weekend.

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Lakes Oahe/ Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for June 3rd thru the 4th 2014

A lot of fireworks and a lot of fish as the bite on Sharpe continues to be good and Oahe continues to put out a smaller year class fish for the most part. I took the Alexis Kee family Alexis Gus and Uly fishing for a day on Sharpe then guided the Jim Carlson family from around Gothenberg, Ne. down at West Bend for two days catching limits of fish all three days. These fish all avg well over 15 inches and we kept around a 17 inch avg. size walleye along with some nice smallmouth bass. Most of the fish were caught in 10 fow to 20 fow on crawler/bouncer rigs or gulp/bouncer presentations however you can catch them any number of ways including pulling plugs. It is getting hot out so sun screen and lot of water along with fly/bug spray are real good ideas.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for June 28th thru July 3rd 2014

Weather has been a factor in recent days with rain/wind making fishing much tougher when the weather is a factor. I guided the DSI drywall /Knuth group from Lincoln Ne.to one much tougher day on Oahe with all the guides struggling in lots of rain. We all caught some fish but quit early to get out of the rain. The second day everyone of the boats brought limits of walleye and some smallmouth at West bend on Sharpe. I then guided repeat customer Kurt Jones and sons for one day in big wind (gusts to 50) on the river in Pierre having limited results.We then spent day two at West Bend and once again when the weather was nice caught over 40 walleye and bass at the Bend keeping nice limits of 17 inch avg. size walleye and some real nice bass.A real nice family and the DSI group of guys was great. We caught most of the walleye at West Bend in around 30 fow on crawler bouncer rigs and the smallmouth in around 10 fow on crawlers or gulp.The fishing on Oahe for walleye is still going for numbers of fish however putting larger walleye in the boat is harder. Lots of little walleye but most boats struggle to get many over 15 inch fish. Smallmouth fishing can be good on Oahe and is very good for big smallies on Sharpe.Minnows, leeches, crawlers and pulling plugs are all working.The water level on Oahe is high with the lake full due to reduced discharges and snow rain/ run off.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for June 23rd to June 27th 2014

Fishing around Pierre is going strong on both Oahe and Sharpe with limits of fish coming in the most experienced anglers boats. The average size walleye on Oahe is smaller however most boats have some bigger walleye in their daily limits. Sharpe still continues to put out an average size stringer of 16 to 17 inch fish for most boats around Pierre and down at West Bend. I guided the Runge family from Wisconsin and Deadwood to nice limits of fish at West Bend and then guided some fellows for the Outpost Lodge from Chicago and Nebraska to limits of fish on Sharpe. I then spent 2 days with the Sam Clem group of repeat customers to possession limits of real nice fish on Sharpe fishing one day in the Pierre area (limits but tougher bite) and one day at West Bend with limits before the storm hit at 1:00 o'clock. On this trip I believe one of the guys caught the biggest smallmouth (getting it Mounted) I have caught in my boat at least in SD. A 21 1/2 incher that weighted 6 1/2 Lbs. A real big bass for SD lake's and if it had the girth it would have approached state record status. Sharpe is starting to be known for these bigger size bass and they are a real bonus to walleye fishermen. We caught the fish on Sharpe in 25 fow to 30 fow around tree beds along with the smallmouth on bouncer/crawler rigs and on Oahe we caught most of the fish around 17 fow on the same. In the Pierre area we stayed in around 10 fow.Temps are going up and storms continue to move through so summer is here. Boat traffic is high on both lakes and fishing ramps are busy along with cleaning stations. Sun Screen, Bug spray and lots of water are very good ideas.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for June 18th thru 22nd 2014

I guided the Mike Samuleson group a great bunch of guys from around Hastings/Kearney NE. We spent two days down at West Bend on Sharpe. The bite is good there and we took limits both days throwing many fish back to end up with a nice 17 inch avg size walleye. I then guided the Bill Van Den Top family from around Rock Valley Iowa for one day of fishing on Oahe and one day at West Bend getting limits both days. Both of these groups went home with full possession limits of walleye, and some bass etc. We caught the fish at West Bend in depths around 25 to 30 fow on bouncer crawler rigs or gulp/bouncers. On Oahe we caught numbers of fish (over 50) in 10 fow out to 25 fow using mostly crawler/bouncers. The avg. size walleye we caught was smaller by 3 inches on Oahe compared to Sharpe. Still if you are looking to get a big fish (over 25 inch) I favor Oahe for both Walleye and northern. I also think it is a lot easier to get away from crowds on Oahe. The lake is at over full pool and continues to rise so there is a lot of water to fish. West Bend on weekends is very busy and finding fishing areas crowded is normal. Sun Screen, and bug spray and lots of water make trips better.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for June 10th thru June 17th 2014

The fishing on Sharpe is good where wind and run off rain water has not made the lake too muddy. Basically on Sharpe from the Antelope creek area to the Iron Nations is much harder fishing due to this. West Bend is still putting out limits of nice walleye and the smallmouth bass are going strong now. It is just the opposite on Oahe with fishing harder in gin clear water so looking for stained water is the key to good baskets of fish. Most anglers that know the lakes are coming in with limits of walleye, some northern and now numbers of smallmouth. I guided some anglers from Colorado, and then guided a family of father, son and grandson from Jefferson City Mo. to possession limits of walleye and in the case of the Ed Zagorac group limits of nice smallmouth bass to 4 lbs. We caught most of the walleye at West Bend in around 10 fow or less and on Oahe in 7 fow or less. Stained water (a key to success) is easy on to find on Sharpe but you have to look for it on the lower end of Oahe. Backs of bays where the wind is blowing into, creeks with the wind coming in causing mud lines are all good starting places. Gulp presentations, minnow or crawler rigs and pulling shallow plugs all are working along with leeches. If you are fishing Oahe in the clearer water fishing deeper ( 20 fow to 40 fow ) seems to put more fish in the boat. Oahe limits are still a much smaller avg. size compared to Sharpe but Oahe still remains the best chance at bigger northern pike and the over 20 inch walleye. There is a lot of fishing pressure at the more popular area's and spring/early summer weather is still a factor.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for 7th ,8th. and 9th 2014

I guided runner up NE state football champions the Brett Froendt group of Omaha Westside coach's for three days having a great time and getting all of their possession limits of walleye, some bass and some northern pike along with some real healthy meals of walleye while they were here. We fished from 5 fow to 25 fow on Oahe for two days catching an easy 75 fish a boat day with releasing 13 to 14 inch fish and keeping 15 inch plus the norm. They did manage to get some bigger fish with a 26 incher (Caught in NE John's Guide boat who was helping me) the largest walleye. We used both spinner/crawler rigs, minnow bouncer rigs and some gulp to catch the fish. Oahe is full of the smaller fish this year so if you like a lot of action it is a great destination. The last day we traveled to West Bend on Sharpe as they were going home and did great filling out the remainder of their limits with around a 17 inch avg. size walleye so Sharpe right now is a little easier to put a 3 inch or so better fish in the boat. We caught the fish on Sharpe mostly in 30 fow on crawlers but minnows/ gulp work. There is a lot of boat traffic on both lakes as there always is in June however if fishing around a crowd is not you thing it is easier to find that experience on Oahe. Most of the experienced angler that know the lake(both Lakes) are able to get all the fish they want away from community spots. On Oahe we saw maybe three other boats all day in the area we were fishing and after running away from traffic we fished all by ourselves on Sharpe. I am mentioning this because doing this is becoming more of a challenge every year. I am not opposed to group fishing as it concentrates most of the boats in 10% of the water leaving 90% open thus protecting a huge part of the lake and making for a lot better fishing experience if you like to get away from it all and just not have to look at big groups of boats. A side to this is finding the walleye (sometime's hard) and not just a bunch of boats is what has kept me chasing these fish for many years and the greatest fishermen in my opinion are the ones that can hunt the fish down in every lake were walleye live. Finding a bunch of boats is easy. Finding the walleye is the hard part. I do not mean this in any negative way but just as something for you to try if you find yourself fishing in a crowd as if you can learn how to find these fish by yourself you will have up graded your skills to a level that probably only 10% to 20% of all the walleye fishermen around get to. All of the great walleye fishermen that I have known over the years take particular pride in having developed this ability. It is very often time consuming hence taking the easy way out and group fishing seems to many the right way but smaller avg fish usually is the price tag along with an I am in the parking lot feeling. The lakes are full of fish and I promise you they are not all just under the big groups of boats. Leech's and plug fishing are all working. Just about any way you would like to catch a walleye right now works so if you have a favorite way to fish go for it.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for June 4th 5th and 6th 2014

The weather has been great for the last three days and favored the John Hansen, Chuck Holsapple and Wayne Labart group from Bellevue NE. I had a great time guiding these repeat customers to full limits of nice 17 to 19 inch walleye plus some real nice walleye meals while they were here. Due to muddy access roads we fished the West Bend area (paved road) for all three days catching most of the walleye in around 20 fow on spinner/bouncer night crawler rigs. There is a lot of fishermen using this area but we managed to travel just far enough away from the main community spots to fish for the most part alone and I think this helps in catching just a little nicer size avg. walleye. I will mention the weather as being a big part of every trip even thru the month of June so be prepared for storms moving thru. Paying attention to local forecasts is a good habit. Minnows leeches and jig/plug fishing will all catch the fish right now so if you have a favorite method it should work. Oahe report hasn't changed with the bite being very good (numbers of walleye) but size of the fish is the challenge with many smaller walleye in the lake. Depths from very shallow to 30 fow are holding fish. One key to success is looking for stained/mud line's water as the fish spook easily in the real blue water. Some nice smallmouth are coming in along with some Northern Pike.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for May 30th, 31th and June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd 2014

The fishing on both lakes continues to be very good in all the area's that the recent rains haven't made waters to muddy.An example would be on Sharpe from around Antelope creek down to Joe creek with run off waters and wind making fishing real tough. I guided repeat customers the Larry Jensen/wife/son in law and daughter from Iowa to real nice limits of walleye at West Bend on Sharpe with around a 17 inch avg. size fish possession limit to take home. Just a great bunch and we all had a super time. We caught these fish on mostly bottom/bouncer crawler rigs in around 20 fow. I then guided repeat customers Doctors Rose and Doctor Owen and their wives from Yutan NE to three days of fishing with weather being a factor (wind and Rain) however they went home with full possession limits of walleye along with a few crappie and smallmouth bass plus some real nice walleye meals while here (appetizers cooked by the lodge). We fished the bend for two days getting real nice walleye both days and then we went up on the Cheyenne river arm of Oahe day three catching a lot of fish (over 50) but struggling to find the big ones. We did have some 16 to 18 inch fish but many were in the small 14 inch range so catching a lot of fish and putting them back seems to be the norm on the big lake right now. We fished in around 5 fow to 15 fow. I have been pulling spinner rigs recently because one advantage with this presentation seems to be less fish deep hooked enabling releasing these smaller fish easier. Trolling plugs has this advantage too. If a fish has swallowed the hook to get a live release it is better to cut the line leaving around 6 inches of line attached. I am real lucky to have guided these repeat customers for another year and they are another great group. I have mentioned before that I carry horse stable spray in my boat and as the summer comes there are many days spraying this around in the boat sure makes for a more enjoyable time. Pulling plugs, lindy fishing, leeches crawlers and minnows are all working. Staying away from community spots and major groups of boats will put a nicer avg. size stringer of fish in your boat so as much as possible I try to avoid the crowds. Hunting and finding the walleye for me and many fellows who have spent years on the water like me is the best part of the sport. Catching and eating are great but finding the fish is the art. If you spend more time learning this skill it will pay off for you in many ways. I am not aware of any big salmon bite and it seems like the smallmouth so far have not been mixed in as much with the walleye in many area's. Don't forget the sunscreen and bottled water.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre SD fishing report for May 26th thru 29th 2014

Summer seems to have arrived with daytime temps in the 80's. Fishing is going strong on both Oahe and Sharpe around Pierre with limits of fish the norm for most experienced angler's.The average size walleye on Oahe so far seems to be smaller (13 to 14 inches) however numbers are good and some 17 to 19 inch inch fish in most bags not uncommon. Over 20 inch fish are also usually present in most limits. The avg. size on Sharpe is around 17 inches making for a little nicer over all average stringer. I guided repeats customers The May brothers and there friend for two days of limit fishing. We fished one day in the Cheyenne river arm of Oahe catching over 50 walleye to 22 inch's and some northern/bass. Then the second day since they were going back to NE we elected to go down to West Bend on Sharpe and finished their trip with nice limits of 17 to 19 inch walleye giving them full possession limits to take home along with a real nice batch they had cooked up on night one .Another group of great guys that I really enjoy taking fishing each year. Caught all the fish on Oahe in from 10 fow to 20 fow on spinner crawler rigs and used the same on Sharpe in around 20 fow. I then guided repeat customer Ken Johnson wife Char and their Daughter to some northern/catfishing per their request. We caught some fish but with these 80 degree days the water temps in the back of the feeder creeks is getting to warm and the big concentrations of northern and catfish are starting to move out to the main lake making for less fish hence less action. We had a great time and they are a real nice family however I think going after the walleye now is starting to be a better choice. A lot of presentations are working now with both live bait and plug fishing producing. Crawlers are starting to replace minnows as the best bait but minnows still are very good. Gulp baits are all doing well. I am not in touch with any Salmon bite. Sun screen and bug spray are becoming necessary and for a big fish having a lucky penny doesn't hurt.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for May 21 thru 25th 2014

The weather is starting to be more summer like and so is the fishing with the walleye moving out a little deeper for the most part. The walleye we caught both in the Cheyenne arm on Oahe and at West bend were in around 20 fow however I spent one day fishing below Pierre and here we caught them in around 10 fow. I guided repeat customers Marv Finn and his wife Audrey from Sundance WY to limits of walleye at the bend and per their request I showed them some catfish/northern fishing with slip bobbers and smelt catching around 30 catfish and 2 northern pike. I then guided along with guides Dave Spaid, Scott Van lyre, and Brad Garrett helping me with the Hewitt trucking group (Jamie Hewitt ramrodding) from Ida Grove Iowa for two days of full possession limits of walleye plus some bass and northern's. Just a great bunch of repeat customer's that all of us guides have a great time with. All boats caught around 30 to 40 walleye a day throwing back lots of smaller fish day one and all boats came in with full limits of nice walleye on Sharpe in great weather day two making for a very good trip for these fellows. We caught most of these fish on bouncer/minnow rigs or pulling flicker shad plugs. Some places night crawlers are doing well both on plain hook rigs or spinners. The bite is very good all up and down the river and boat traffic in many area's is heavy especially this Memorial Day weekend. Those boats traveling away from community spots are coming in with nicer stringer's of avg. size walleye so scouting areas that are boat free pays off for those willing to spend the time. The water temps are getting in the 60's some places so faster speed presentations are working(spinners/ plugs). All of the fish we are catching appear to be healthy. I am hearing reports of a lot of walleye being caught that are full of fresh water shrimp so hopefully that bait is getting started here.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for May 18th 19th and 20th 2014

I finished guiding Brad Steed and his friend Rhett Daily two real nice guys from around KC Mo to real nice fish limits of walleye on the Cheyenne river arm of Oahe. They were wanting to take a lot of fish home for a big fish fry so since there is no limit on catfish I took them in the back of a couple of creeks on Oahe and sent them home with over 50 channel catfish and a real nice bunch of Northern pike catching one fish topping 20 lbs two around 17 to 18 lbs and five more we kept around 12 to 14 lbs. We also lost some real big pike as we are catching them on dead smelt in 3 fow that due to rising water is full of weeds. These big fish are tough to turn and when they run they cut even 30 lb test fire line but these two guys had a great time catching them day one and so back we went for another day. We caught all the walleye on minnows or gulp/bouncers in 14 fow to 23 fow. and all the catfish/ northern pike on slip bobbers/smelt very shallow. There is a real good bite on Sharpe from Pierre down to the Big Bend area and on Oahe mostly in feeder creeks in the warmer stained water. Night crawlers are starting to work in all these area's.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for May 15th thru May 18th 2014

Free fishing week end drew a lot of anglers to the Pierre area with boat traffic on Sharpe and the Cheyenne river area on Oahe catching a lot of angler pressure. For the most part most anglers brought in limits of fish but the pressure on well known spawning area's made sharing spots and fish common. I guided a real nice couple Ken Johnson and his wife from Rapid City to nice fish limits at West Bend on Sharpe. I then took repeat customers the Sam Thomas group for two days at the Bend on Sharpe and one day on the Cheyenne arm of Oahe. We got there possession limits of walleye to take home and a real nice fish meal as a bonus. We are catching the walleye on Sharpe in around 10 fow to 17 fow and on Oahe from 10 fow all the way out to 30 fow. Both place's minnows seem to be the bait but crawlers are starting to work and gulp/jigs still is a good choice. I then started my next trip with Brad Steede and his friend from KC on Oahe catching a nice limit of walleye and one big catfish using minnow/bouncer rigs.The boat traffic on Sunday was much less making fishing easier. I would describe the bite both place's as very good but if you are fishing in well know spots around a lot of other boats it can be harder. The walleye are starting to move away from the spawning area's so I am starting to look in area's that have bait/ warm stained water on their route's to summer haunts. Weather is still a big factor.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for May 11th 12th, 13th 2014

I guided the Rod Meier family group Father son and grandson for three days of fishing on Oahe and Sharpe. A nice family and we did very well in spite of in climate weather and some real strong winds all three days . We fished West Bend on Sharpe two days getting full limits of walleye in 20 to 30 mph winds but one day they had winds with gusts to 40 mph and wind warning so we spent that day way in the back of creeks on Oahe to be safe. They caught 5 nice northern pike with two in the 18 lb range and 3 more 14 lb fish. They also threw back a few small northern. We also kept 20 channel catfish to around 7 lbs. We caught the walleye on Sharpe in 6 fow to 17 fow on minnow/bouncer rigs and we caught the northern and catfish on slip bobbers and smelt in 2 fow to 3 fow. They had possession limits of walleye plus big bags northern/catfish to take back to Waverly NE in spite of some not so nice spring winds/rain If you have ever caught big northern and nice catfish in 2 feet of water you know they had some fun. We looked for smallmouth bass also but I think they are still real shallow and we did not do well for them. I am not in touch with any Salmon fishing but I usually hear if some are coming in so I am going to guess that it is not good. The fish are biting but as I have mentioned in all my April /May reports weather is the key for great trips these months. It is hard to plan for it so I just try to beat it with my customers by fishing were it is out of the wind even if it means going after other species (Catfish/Northern etc.) if necessary.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report for May 9th and 10th 2014

The fishing for walleye is still going strong on both Oahe and Sharpe if you get in the right areas. These areas are primarily related to places that have warmer stained water and are close to or on major spawning areas on both lakes. The northern bite is also good along with some smallmouth bass and plenty of catfish I guided one of my favorite repeat customer's The Leonard's from Atlantic Iowa Doc Keith (Dad) son Doug and his son Cooper. We fished Sharpe at the west bend area catching limits of 17 inch avg size walleye both day's along with a few smallmouth. We were done early so the second day we trailered back to Oahe and finished their trip catching some nice catfish. The walleye were caught using bouncer minnow rigs in around 10 fow and the catfish in around 3 fow. on smelt. The water on Sharpe is very muddy from antelope creek to Joe creek so fishing has been mostly from the bluffs in Pierre to the Dam or the West Bend area. On Oahe the main fishing is in the back of any major creeks or rivers that have running water. The fish are for the most part in shallow warm water .I have not heard of many Salmon coming in. Weather is the key this time of the year so prepare for it as best as you can with the right gear. Watch for very muddy roads on the way to some of the out of the way boat ramps if it has been raining hard. If the wind blows I try to pick area's to fish that I can use it or stay out of it.

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Fishing report Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre SD area May 4th thru May 9th 2014

We have had some great spring days weather wise and some not so great ones but the fishing on both Sharpe and Oahe is very good if you get in the right area's. Around Pierre some days have been a little tougher if they are running a lot of current and the water downriver around antelope creek to Joe creek has been muddy due to wind and rain causing the feeder creeks to run muddy however most of the fishermen with knowledge of the area are getting limits. Down river the West Bend area has been going full bore with most anglers getting limits. The spawning area's on Oahe are the same with good numbers of fish coming in. I guided the Denny Vauldt group (Storm Lake IA) father 2 sons and one son in law to possession limits of walleye fishing both in the Cheyenne River on Oahe and at West Bend on Sharpe. Just a great bunch of guys and they got real lucky with the weather and the fishing. I then guided repeat customers Tom Gilbert from Michigan an his friend John to possession limits of walleye on Sharpe in nice weather but then there weather luck ran out and the wind and rain came so we spent a day fishing for catfish and northern pike to get out of the wind. These two guys are real troopers and they stuck out some real adverse conditions. We caught a lot of channel cats keeping 25 nice one's and we also keep 4 nice northern one touching around 20 lbs. and a 18 /17 and 10 pounder. We also lost at least that many with these bigger fish cutting the lines as they make runs threw the weeds. Used slip bobbers and smelt for these fish in around 3 to 5 fow and we used bottom bouncer rigs with minnows or gulp on jigs in around 5 fow to 17 fow for the walleye. In both area's smallmouth are starting to bite. I am not sure about Salmon fishing. Over all the fishing is very good but remember it is May so bring rain gear and warm clothes.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre SD area fishing report for April 25 thru May 3rd 2014

The fishing season is in full swing with the bite very good on Sharpe from Pierre to the big bend area for spawning male walleye and smallmouth bass starting to come on bite. The lake from below the bad river down past the De gray area is muddy from the bad river etc running muddy water from the recent rains and big winds but where you can find clean/stained water you can catch fish. I guided The Jerry Fennel party ( Wisconsin NE and Kc) Jerry, Randy Collasch and Jim Weaver to real nice limits of male walleye for two days. We caught these fish in around 10 fow or less on minnow bouncer rigs. We threw a number of fish back and ended up keeping thirty two walleye with a 17 inch avg size. The wind was up around 20 mph so drifting the spawning reefs worked well. I then went out with my friend Jon Sailer for a quick check of some other area's on Sat and we kept 8 fish for super in some on and off rain but less wind so we used jigs and minnows or gulp. You can catch the fish with bouncers /jigs/ plugs so if you have a favorite way it should work for you if you are anywhere around the spawning ground areas. Lots of boats on Sharpe this week end so that might favor some fishing on Oahe for me but the report for Oahe is more spotty with fishermen that know the lake coming in with limits of walleye/northern but working much harder for them than you have to on Sharpe. Many of the walleye on Oahe are still coming from 25 fow to 35 fow but pitching jigs to the shallows is starting to work and will just keep getting better as the water warms. This is a very good time to come fishing but remember this is spring so you can have some weather issues. Bring rain gear, warm clothes and watch the extended forecasts when planning a trip.

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Lakes Oahe/Sharpe Pierre area fishing report April 15th to 24th 2014

I have not been on the water personally but talking to some of the other guides that I work with I will do a quick report. The bite on Sharpe in the Pierre can be hard some days if current is strong so it is not real consistent. I think the spawn is going both at West Bend and around Pierre so it is mostly male walleye that are being caught. West Bend can be a little spotty too but most experienced fishermen are coming in with limits but working for them some days. Lake Oahe is about the same with northern fishing good from the bank and walleye fishing also spotty. I heard about some limits up on the Cheyenne river but they also involved all day fishing. Jigs and gulp/minnows or bouncer minnow rigs are the bait of choice but pulling plugs works. Thirty fow on the big lake seemed to be the starting point. I am not sure about any Salmon report and small mouth are still spotty also. I will start to publish reports after May 1st on a every two or three day basis.

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Hutch

Lake Oahe/Sharpe fishing report Pierre area April 7th thru April 13th 2014

It looks like most of the ice is off of both Sharpe and Oahe. Most of the boat ramps are now in however if using some of the more remote ramps you might check with GF&Ps first. The wind is still blowing a little ice to shore by the dam etc. but after this week end it should be all gone. Most fish cleaning stations are still closed and probably won't get open till all the frost in the ground is gone. I fished a few days with guide Dave Spaid to see what is going on and we caught limits both at west bend on Sharpe and around downtown Pierre. I then guided a real nice couple Ron and Angie Blank and there Dog Bo to a real nice limit of fish at West Bend on Sharpe. We caught these fish with Jigs or bottom bouncers tipped with minnows in around 20 to 25 fow. We fished around spawning areas keeping male fish with about an 17 inch avg. size. Fishing was excellent and we ended up throwing fish back after we had a nice bunch for eating. We then spent some time fishing around Pierre catching some maybe a little bigger avg. size fish but they were running big current making the bite tougher as the day went on. The weather was great with 60 to 70 degree days and they went back to The Big Pine campground that they own in Custer with a nice possession limit plus a real nice fish meal of fresh walleye while they were here. The spawn is just about ready to go on Sharpe and should be in full swing by next week end. I found some 50 degree water in the back of bays on Sharpe. Lake Oahe water temps are much colder and any fishing there will be for pre spawn fish for a while. I think GF&Ps should have some of the more used fish cleaning stations open soon. Weather is the key for this time of year fishing so keep an eye on forecasts or have a real nice pair of long johns as temps can go either way for a little while longer. I have no Salmon reports yet but there should be some fishing for them going on now as the ice around the dam is mostly gone. They have been catching rainbow trout stockers at the marina below the dam. Smallmouth fishing is spotty. It is great to be back on open water.

Hutch's Guide Service

Hutch

LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA FISHING REPORT APRIL 1ST TO 7TH 2014

If you have cabin fever like me it is time to go fishing. Spring is slow to get here this year but fishing is good weather permitting so I will start putting fishing reports out for 2014. All of these reports thru April and May will mention the weather as that is a big part of any trips you make to Oahe/ Sharpe in these Spring months. Put another way, cross your fingers because you can get those beautiful spring days or some real nasty ones this time of the year. That being said the plus side for those that are willing to chance weather is some of the best fishing of the year especially for big fish. (Catch and release female walleye full of eggs). Cabela's came to town over the weekend for the first tournament of the year (held on Lake Sharpe) and the catches reflected that with an almost 12 lb. walleye in the bag of the tournament winners and a couple of other 10 lb. fish being weighed in. The over all weight in this tournament was around a 2 1/2 lb. avg. walleye with all teams just about bringing in limits. Most of these fish were catch either jigging or pulling plugs in the 1st 15 miles of the river. I started the season with my friend Jon Sailer putting the boat in for two hours on Sunday. We fished right in front of a boat ramp on Sharpe in off and on rain and caught a nice limit of 16 to 19 inch male walleye using jigs tipped with minnows. We had enough for supper so when the next rain started we trailered out. I believe that it is better for the life of the fishery in the lake to catch and release female walleye this time of the year. Especially the big one's as they are full of eggs. It also gives someone else a chance to put that fish of the year in the boat for picture's. Several of the pre spawn staging areas on Sharpe are loaded up with boats (community spots) on weekends and nice days but if you do not like that kind of fishing there are miles of water all the way down to the West Bend area on Sharpe putting out fish. I know that in the weekend tournament many of the places in the top ten were from way down river by competitors finding areas to fish with no other boats around so if you do not like fishing in the middle of a lot of boats you do not have to if you are willing to travel a little ways. Jigs and lindy rigs with minnows/gulp or pulling plugs (rattle baits like flicker shads) are the best producers and the fish can be anywhere from the deeper 20/30 foot holes to right up in 1 foot of water this time of the year. It looks like Sharpe should be an excellent fishery this year and Oahe might have a shortage of big fish (over 26 inchers) but should be full of nice eaters in the 14 to 16 inch range and should be another great destination for both walleye and smallmouth fishing. The big lake (Oahe) is still iced over but starting to break up. I will post ice out on Oahe as soon as it happens for early trippers and that looks like in the next 6 to 10 days or maybe sooner depending on the wind and weather.

Hutch's Guide Service

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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