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Eastern South Dakota Ice Fishing

by Chris Tuckner on 03/22/2009

Typical SD slough walleye
I just returned from my first trip tp the Waubay area in search of my first South Dakota walleye. It didn't disappoint! We didn't really tear it up, but we really had a great time! We rented a farm house in lake country, and it was spectacular! We had 9 guys and didn't feel crammed at all. It was surrounded by sloughs and ponds everywhere! Some had fish, and some didn't. Some of our crew had been out there previously and knew which ones did. And armed with some information we had gotten from some IDO folks who were from the area or had recently been there...we were off! First off let me start by saying that we hit the snow goose migration at it's peak! My GOD did we see geese! We should have been hunting instead of fishing!


This moose made my day!
We started the trip by paying a visit to Waubay. We had heard it was slow...but slow didn't do it justice! It was flat out DEAD! I got one walleye, and our crew got a few that were too small to keep. I did keep a 15"'er and this enormous crappie that taped out at 14.5" and went over 2 pounds! It hit a Custom Jigs and Spins Diamond jig and small minnow. I thought I was reeling in a bass! The lake conditions were favorable for 4 wheelers, so we punched holes all over that lake! I don't know where the fish went! But we couldn't buy any action. So about 2 PM we were off to "Wilson's Slough." You won't find it on any map, and only 9 people know it's location. Driving by this body of water, you would NEVER in a million years guess there are walleyes of this caliber in this "Slough." We commenced to making swiss cheese of the surface with whirling augers that looked like a well orchestrated two stroke dance! Man those boys cut some ice!


Borbob with a couple of SD
Piggies
We were fishing a drop ledge by some still standing timber. We worked an area from 5 to 10 feet. It didn't take long for Bobby Miller (BurBob here on IDO) to connect with a 19.5" fatty on a jigging spoon and minnow head. This fish CRUSHED the spoon with a vengance, and Bob's 32" rod he purchased from Dean at Evert's was doubled over to it's limits! One of the gang sprung into action and got his LX5 out of the hole, and assisted on getting the fish out and onto the ice. Shortly after, Bob Iced number two, and then I got into the act! We had a few other guys get into the act as the evening went on. All in all we ended up with 7 walleye that night. A far cry from last year, but such is the case when fishing. You just never know how the fish are going to act and react.


Nick Zarbo finaly hits
paydirt!
The last day was a challenge. We tried in vain to get to Cattail/Kettle. we took a series of wrong turns and at one point ventured down a "Road" on the GPS but turned out to be a long driveway...and at the end of that driveway was an ANGRY farmer and his son who didn't appreciate our misguided adventure. We apologized profusely to no avail and left hastily. We weren't about to be detered by some crabby old curmudgeon so off we went...to another dead end road! And Another!!! Finally we decided we would again head back to Wilson's Slough. We ended up the day with only three walleyes, but had a lot of fun "Playing on the lake." PS, if there are any good welders out there, Jami Ritter may want to talk to you about his Honda bumper! (Couldn't resist!) Anyways, these fish were a lot of fun to target and catch! The group of guys made it even that much more fun! Everyone took turns at meals and we got by very cheap!!! Nobody went hungry, that's for sure! (Sauger, I want that chili recipe!)
So until next year...So long ice fishing! Bring on the soft water!

Location : South Dakota
Water Body : Waubay area
Species : walleye
Technique : ice fishing


Chris Tuckner

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#766427 - 03/22/09 09:47 PM

Like I mentioned, the snow geese and Canadians were well represented. One set of snows even "Decorated" Sauger's LX5 yesterday. One shot is BurBob fishing in the sticks, and Chris Reuter of Hastings with a nice fish as well. And MAN! Those SD sunsets are beautiful!

1237776246_Burbobinsticks.JPG1237776268_lx5andeyes.JPG1237776281_Reuter.JPG1237776294_Snows1.JPG
1237776306_snows2.JPG1237776320_tuckSDEye.JPG1237776327_SDSunset.JPG
1237776246_Burbobinsticks.JPG

Jack Naylor

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#766452 - 03/23/09 12:33 AM

Great trip Tuck,
but think your Post should be titled, "Eastern SD Ice Fishing"
better keep your GPS on and ready.

See you on the Open water.
Jack

--------------------
USA- Home of the Free, Because of the Brave !!
Blue Max Taxidermy 30 Years Experience
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Aspire To Inspire, Before You Expire

Chris Tuckner

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#766506 - 03/23/09 08:23 AM

Realized that this morning Jack! Hahahaha! Brain fog! No wonder we couldn't find the lake!

chomps

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#766548 - 03/23/09 09:31 AM

no wonder you guys got lost! great report been seeing the snows and blues stagging around here while that nasty blizzard was going on a week and a half ago, pretty amazing site to see a cloud start to move, try to guess the number of geese in that cloud.

--------------------
Pete

BurBob

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#766586 - 03/23/09 10:14 AM

I need a day off after a vacation like that
Fishing was a bit slower than years past but in all a good clown show....I mean trip

SAUGER

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#766748 - 03/23/09 02:34 PM

Quote:

I need a day off after a vacation like that
Fishing was a bit slower than years past but in all a good clown show....I mean trip



I second that!!!what a gong show!I'm still sore from laughing for three days straight... and P.S. I'm sorry liver.

Kooty

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#766768 - 03/23/09 03:01 PM

You ding dongs couldn't find a lake out there?? I can't wait to get back to Waubay. There is a great bite in August for big fish.

How much ice did you guys have?

--------------------
I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.

John

Suzuki

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#766782 - 03/23/09 03:19 PM

Nice hat Tuck...

--------------------
Mike

Chris Tuckner

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#766810 - 03/23/09 04:15 PM

Quote:

You ding dongs couldn't find a lake out there?? I can't wait to get back to Waubay. There is a great bite in August for big fish.

How much ice did you guys have?



Oh, we found the lake! Drove all the way around it except the Park where you can get on! I wasn't navigating.

As far as the hat Mike....No sunburn here! The rest of the guys weren't as lucky.

Kooty, ice was about 24" or more...but the shorelines are going fast.

Blackstad

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#766845 - 03/23/09 05:34 PM

Good job guys.
So did Wilson catch any, or was he the guy that pissed the farmer off?

--------------------
I've found out that fat guys are not that good at hiding from paintballs. But I can set a hook really well!!

Bret Clark

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#766849 - 03/23/09 05:47 PM

Awesome read and pics Tuck

I have know doubt the crew had an adventure..... and then some

--------------------
Bret Clark - IDO Ice Pro Staff
"Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway."

Wilson1984

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#766860 - 03/23/09 06:04 PM

Quote:

Good job guys.
So did Wilson catch any, or was he the guy that pissed the farmer off?



I saved the day when the farmer came out! I caught a few fish. The weekend was filled with a lot of searching, but we caught some great looking walleyes! And for the first time on a fishing trip I finished a case

Chris Tuckner

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#766863 - 03/23/09 06:05 PM

Quote:

Good job guys.
So did Wilson catch any, or was he the guy that pissed the farmer off?



Wilson "Never" caught a fish!

Reuter ticked the farmer off! What a shock!

Suzuki

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#767138 - 03/24/09 09:41 AM

Hard to believe someone would be so angry for accidently going up their drive. Ticks me off just thinking about it.

--------------------
Mike

BurBob

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#767171 - 03/24/09 10:24 AM

The guy had his grain semi stuck in the mud and was trying to pull it out with a tractor. I don't think he was having a good day to begin with, plus I think he was jealous of Ron's mustache

1237908410_1237776281_Reuter.JPG

SAUGER

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#767200 - 03/24/09 11:30 AM

Ron Jeremy

Kooty

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#767211 - 03/24/09 11:48 AM

Quote:

Hard to believe someone would be so angry for accidently going up their drive. Ticks me off just thinking about it.



Let's see how you react when 4 car loads cheeseheads show up and need to turn around in your yard.

Besides who wouldn't be jealous of a stache like that!!

--------------------
I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.

John

BurBob

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#767216 - 03/24/09 12:03 PM

Quote:

cheeseheads

Easy on the insults.
It was a marked section road that someone put a slough on they otta watch were they park their ponds out there

Kooty

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#767232 - 03/24/09 12:27 PM

Minnesotans in SD = Cheeseheads in Mn

Yes, either way it's an insult.

--------------------
I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.

John

Suzuki

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#767288 - 03/24/09 03:00 PM

Quote:

Minnesotans in SD = Cheeseheads in Mn




Minnesotans in SD = Clean underwear in SD.

--------------------
Mike

Kooty

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#767294 - 03/24/09 03:17 PM

Just cuz they can fish two lines, year round, doesn't mean they wear underwear.

--------------------
I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.

John

Chris Tuckner

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#767373 - 03/24/09 08:14 PM

I think all that two line fishing is what caused the "Great Fish Crash of '08/'09 on Waubay."

Kooty

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#767552 - 03/25/09 08:17 AM

I told you to call if you wanted a spot on Waubay to catch fish. That clear water has got to make it a low light/night bite primarily. I can't wait to get back out there and take another crack at them.

--------------------
I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.

John

Blackstad

Re: Western South Dakota Ice Fishing

#767995 - 03/25/09 10:22 PM

Did Wilson drill his own holes? Or sneak in. He said he put down a case over the weekend?? He must of been drunk all weekend.

--------------------
I've found out that fat guys are not that good at hiding from paintballs. But I can set a hook really well!!



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