Open water in NE SD lakes

[KINGTROLLER]

Just wondering approx. when some of the lakes in the Waubay area will be open enough to put a boat in them. Also if anyone is fishing offshore in that area. Hoping to go down there Easter weekend.

[Eyez]

Dunno about waubay, but kampeska's been open since wednesday and pelican's been open for about a week now. Waubay may take a bit longer, but it shouldn't be more than a week or so with the rain and warm weather plus the wind today.

Dusty

[spudhauler]

I called the Grenville Sportmart and was informed that Waubay was totally open as of Monday afternoon. Work permitting I may give it a try Thursday afternoon.

[percherman]

Spud: Thats great news!!! Let us know how you do.

[sdstatekid]

Went up to Waubay for the afternoon, fished from 1-5, my uncle had to leave at 5, otherwise we might have done better. Slow, 3 bites the whole time. 2 14-15 inch eyes, and 1 got off next to the boat, about the same size, maybe a little bigger. Water temp. was 44-45 degrees. Tried everything, jigging, bobber fishing, and casting cranks, they just didn't want to bite.

[spudhauler]

My report is about identical to sdstatekid. Very slow, caught 2 that went 15" and they were not milking yet. I talked to 2 other boats, one got skunked for 3 hrs and the other picked up 3 in 5 hrs. Maybe we were a little too early? Water temps around 44. Oh well it was a good day to be on the water.

[gorrilla]

I just got back, we pounded them again. 40+ fish in 3-9 fow pitching jigs on rocky points. All between 13.7 and 18.5 inches except for the one 26" (released too). Lots of fun.