Fishing Reports

The last week has been a little tough fishing on Big Stone Lake.  In the last day, we have seen more bluegill and crappie come in.  It seems like smaller bait and tackle have been working the best.  4 mm has been the size that has been working.  Early morning from 6am to 8am and later in the afternoon 4pm to 7pm has been the best time to fish.  We also have been seen quite a few northern get caught.  Fisherman have been using sucker minnows for the northern. - Schmidt's Landing, submitted January 30, 2025

Schmidt's Landing, Big Stone City:  605-432-6911, www.schmidtslanding.com

Walleyes 13-17 inches on the north east end of the lodge 22-32 ft of water.  Buckshots with minnow heads seem to be best.  Few perch as well.  Getting some eyes up by the dairy on the north end, off the ledges and points.  - The Galley Hotel, Bar, Restaurant & Guide Service, February 13, 2025

East side is best access.  Big heaves run along the west side.  Walleyes have been good from 1/2 hour before sun up until around 9:30am.  Rippin raps have been good in black with silver accent with a minnow head.  White with pink accents are also good with shiners.  Perch are pretty easy to find, but have been hard to get them to bite.  Small glider bait with minnow head and spoons with multicolor spikes and white spikes seem to be best. - Dakota Lakes Lodge & Bait, February 4, 2025

Dakota Lakes Lodge & Bait, Webster:  605-345-LAKE, www.Facebook.com
The Galley Hotel, Bar, Restaurant & Guide Service, Webster:  www.thegalleyhotelbarandgrill.com, 605-345-9989

Despite extreme cold temps, fishing pressure remains steady.  Most houses have been in middle of lake in appx. 11'.  However, with extended warmer temps forecast in near future, houses also setting up in 7-9'.  Increased inflows will start over the weekend, creating good conditions for a shoreline bite near these inlet areas.  You can use 2-lines on Traverse, tip-ups with minnows for walleyes, chubs for northerns, also jigging for panfish near rock piles have been producing a variety of fish.  - Wing N Fin Resort, submitted February 17, 2025

Wing N Fin Resort, Browns Valley, MN:  605-237-8323, www.wingnfintraverse.com

Chasing perch with the guides on these cold days.  Once you find them, you will have fun.  Looking ahead to a beautiful weekend with much warmer temps.  Pike fishermen had a good time this last week bringing home some northern for ma to pickle.  If you are willing to put the time in, you can be successful on a huge variety of lakes up here in north east SD.  Ice depths are way over 20 inches now.  Still watching for heaves and new developments on all lakes with extreme fluctuations in the temperatures.  Fish while you can. - Lynn Lake Lodge, submitted February 19, 2025

Lynn and mid Lynn - some walleyes not sure where on the lakes.  Getting a few perch out in the basins. - The Galley Hotel, Bar, Grill & Guide Service, submitted February 13, 2025

Lynn Lake Lodge, Webster:  605-237-0309, www.lynnlakelodge.com
The Galley Hotel, Bar, Grill & Guide Service, Webster:  605-345-9989, www.thegalleyhotelbarandgrill.com

Getting some limits of perch on the north end around flag hill.  27-28 ft of water.  South end out of Konago 27 ft of water.  Tungsten jigs with red spikes.  Getting some keeper eyes as well in same depth.  South Waubay has some perch limits but have to move a lot.  Fish are little spooky about noise. - The Galley Hotel, Bar, Restaurant & Guide Service, February 13, 2025

The Galley Hotel, Bar, Restaurant & Guide Service, Webster:  605-345-9989, www.thegalleyhotelbarandgrill.com

A lot of people showing up Thursday and Friday with the nicer weather coming in.  It's not hard to get around on the lakes with some snow, but not much.  The ice is in the upper 20's with the range of 26-30 inches.  Still need to be aware of risky pressure ridges and culvert areas.  The walleye on Bitter remains good.  Get there early in the morning or evening.  A lot of 13-14" to sort through, but you can come out with the 14-17" fish.  A handful of perch scattered as well.  Didn't hear too much on Waubay.  The perch are in the deep water more towards the middle of the lake. – Sportsman’s Cove, submitted February 21, 2025

Recent cold weather has made the bite tougher.  We are still catching good numbers of perch & eater walleye.  Pike bite is good with some opportunities for spearing. - Fish Hunter Guide Service, submitted February 20, 2025

Clear Lake - bluegills fair to good out in the basins as well as crappies.  West Stink - fair to good for walleyes 12-27 ft. along the breaks.  Some perch out in the basin.  Dry Lake #2 - some perch and eyes with a few crappies out in the basins.  Watch the heaves and do not cross them!  Ice seems to be 18-22 inches depending on where you are.  Seeing truck traffic and ice castles out.  Bring an extension if you're fishing out of an ice castle.  Not all lakes have safe ice.  Been hearing some lakes change quite a bit in thickness.  Do no drive close or ever heaves!  - Galley Hotel, Bar, Restaurant & Guide Service, submitted February 13, 2025

Fish Hunter Guide Service, Lake City:  605-448-5751, www.fishhunterguideservice.com
Sportsman's Cove, Webster:  605-345-2468, www.sportsmanscove.net
The Galley Hotel, Bar, Restaurant & Guide Service, Webster:  605-345-9989, www.thegalleyhotelbarandgrill.com