Region 3

      Outdoor Report

             February 15, 2012

 

Aurora County                                    

Jeff Martin

Fishing report: Anglers are reminded to use caution on the ice as ice thickness and quality can vary greatly across the same body of water.

 

       Wilmarth: A few small bluegill. One report that ice conditions are varrying greatly across the lake.

       Patten Dam: No report

   

 Hunting report: Cottontail Rabbit and Tree Squirrel seasons run to the end of the month. Predator hunters are reporting tough luck due to the lack of snow and warm temperatures in the area. Hunters, Fishermen and Trappers remember that 2011 licenses have expired and you will need a 2012 license to hunt fish or trap.

 

Beadle County

Chris Kuntz

       

 Fishing Report: Don’t Forget the 2012 License

   Lake Byron: Ice has opened up. Use Extreme Caution

 

   Cavour Lake: Ice has opened up. Use Extreme Caution

 

         James River: Ice is unsafe.

 

 

 Hunting Report: Rabbit and squirrel end on the 29th of Feb.

 

 

Bon Homme County                                            

Todd Crownover

 

 Fishing Report Ice conditions are very unstable.  The bays on the Missouri River are still unstable with the constant change in currents and temperatures.  Be smart, use caution if going on ice.

 

 

    Hunting Report:   Unit 2 Goose season is officially closed.  Remember that mink/weasel season ended January 31st.  There is still plenty of time to trap. Rabbit and squirrel end on the 29th of Feb.

 

 

 

Brookings County

Jeff Grendler

 

Fishing Reports:  Fishing is starting to hit a mid winter slump but there is always the opportunity to catch some fish. 

 

Lake Albert  Some walleyes are being caught.  Most walleyes are of the smaller size with a few able to be took home.

 

Lake Poinsett: There has been an on again off again bite on the north end of the lake with some nice walleyes being caught. Northerns are biting good on the north part of the lake also.  Some perch have been caught around the lake.  Be careful of open/thin ice. 

 

     East Hwy 81 ponds:  A few walleyes.  Some small perch. Bite has been slow.

 

Brush Lake:  The bite has really slowed down.  Still able to find a few perch here and there.

 

    Goldsmith:  No activity.

 

    Campbell: No activity.

 

Sinai:  A few perch still being caught with some in deep water.  Some reports of crappie and bluegill.  Walleye bit has been slow. Be aware of ice.

 

     Hendricks: Walleyes have really slowed down now.

 

Ice conditions remain unstable.  On one lake you may find 12 inches and the other you may find 7-8 inches.  Some lakes have opened up and have since frozen back over with only a skim of ice on top.  Anglers need to use caution.

 

Hunting Report: No activity.  Rabbit and Squirrel end Feb 29th

 

 

 

Clay County

 Tony Stokely

 

 Fishing Report: No activity.

 

 

 

   Hunting Report: No activity. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Davison County

Andy Petersen

 

Fishing Report. - Be safe on the ice, thickness varies on all the area lakes.

 

 Lake Mitchell – Some panfish being caught around the Sportsman’s Club.

 

                       James River – No fishing use.

 

                       

     Hunting Report:  

-The cottontail rabbit and tree squirrel seasons are open until Feb 29, 2012.  This is a great time to get the youth in the outdoors.

 

-This time of year is also a good time to do some coyote calling.  Hunters need a license to hunt coyotes and can not chase coyotes with snowmobiles.  Coyote calling is tuff this winter with little snow and nice weather.

 

 

Hanson County

Andy Petersen/Matt Talbert

 

 

Fishing Report:   Be safe on the ice, thickness varies on all the area lakes. No fishing activity observed.  With upcoming nice weather be aware of spots opening up.

 

Lake Hanson – No Report.

 

                      Ethan Dam – No Report

 

                     James River – No Report

 

 

      Hunting Report:   

-The cottontail rabbit and tree squirrel seasons are open until Feb 29, 2012.   This is a great time to get the kids outdoors and still do some hunting.

 

-This time of year is also a good time to do some coyote calling.  Coyote hunters are reminded to secure permission while hunting.  Hunters need a license to hunt coyotes and can not chase coyotes with snowmobiles.

 

 

Hutchinson County      

Brian Humphrey

 

Fishing:    No activity.  Poor ice conditions are still existing on area lakes.  Use caution if going out.  

 

 

 

Hunting:  Predator hunting is still being a little difficult.  Coyotes not reacting to the calls.

 

 

 

Jerauld County

Jeff Martin

 

Fishing Report: No fishing activity observed.

Anglers are reminded to use caution on the ice as ice thickness and quality can vary greatly across the same body of water.

 

   Hunting Report :  Cottontail Rabbit and Tree Squirrel seasons run through the end of the month. Predator hunters are reporting tough luck due to the lack of snow and warm temperatures in the area. Hunters, Fishermen and Trappers remember that 2011 licenses have expired and you will need a 2012 license to hunt fish or trap.

 

Kingsbury County 

Shane Van Bockern

 

Fishing Reports : BEWARE ICE CONDITIONS. STILL AREAS OF OPEN WATER.

 

 Lake Thompson-  the fishing bite has really slowed down.  It is hit or miss from day to day. Just remember ice thickness still is variable form place to place.

  

            West 81-  Slow for walleye and perch.

 

            Lake Whitewood –  No activity

 

            Lake Henry –  Slow for walleye and perch.

 

            Lake Albert- Fair for smaller walleye.

 

  Hunting Report:  Minimal hunting activity going on.  Still time to get out and do some rabbit or squirrel hunting.

 

 

 

Lake County

Cody Symens

 

           

Fishing Report : Be advised that the ice conditions remain inconsistent throughout Lake County

 Brant Lake: A few anglers fishing on the southwest side, relatively slow.

 

  Lake Madison: More anglers getting out.  Some nice fish coming out of the lake.

 

   Lake Herman: Slow, minimal angling pressure.

 

   Hunting Report:  The recent snow cover provides ample opportunity to test your luck at coyote hunting.  Help out your local landowners and harvest a couple coyotes. 

 

 

  

Lincoln County                                                                                   

Jeremy Roe

 

Fishing Report: Please use caution while ice fishing. Remember to get your 2012 Fishing Handbook

Lake Alvin- Some crappies coming through the ice, but need to move around and find them.

 

Lake Lakota- Slow

 

Hudson Pond- No activity.

                                                

  Hunting Report : Minimal hunting activity.  Fur trapping and some predator hunting occurring in the areas. Rabbit and squirrel hunting open tell Feb 29th.  It’s a great time to get the youth outside and enjoy some more hunting opportunities.  Remember mink/weasel season is now closed.

 

 

McCook County       

Matt Talbert                                                         

 

Fishing Report : Pay attention to changing ice condition with some of the recent weather.

 

 Lake Vermillion – Anglers fishing below the spillway are catching the occasional small walleye and carp. A few northern pike have been caught through the ice across the lake.

.

Island - Anglers have had been catching a few small perch and the occasional keeper, they have also been catching the occasional walleye on the south side.

 

       Hunting Report:  Coyote hunters are reminded to secure permission while hunting.  Pay attention to rules and regulations.

 

 

 

 

Miner County                                                                            

Evan Meyer

Fishing Report: No report.

. 

                                                                 

 

 

   Hunting Report :  Reminder to coyote hunters, review regulations!

 

 

 

Minnehaha County                                                                                  

Jeremy Rakowicz/Shawn Wichmann/Jared Hill

 

Fishing Report : With the nice weather be careful when on the ice.

 

Family Park:  Fisherman are having fair luck from day to day.  Catching trout limits around the dock.

 

Scott Lake:  Minimal activity

 

        Twin Lakes:  Mainly a night bite and also some walleyes coming out of the deeper waters.

 

                    Beaver:   Minimal Activity.  Be Careful of ice conditions.

 

                    Island Lake:  some small perch still being caught starting to hit the mid winter slow time

 

                    Wall Lake:  No activity

 

                    Big Sioux River :    Minimal activity.  

 

  

 

Hunting Report:  Minimal activity. Be sure to read up on coyote hunting and trapping regulations.  Squirrel and rabbit hunting open tell the 29th of Feb. 

 

 

Moody County

Chad Williams

                                                         

Fishing Report: Be careful ice conditions can very.  Anglers are venturing out on the ice. Some Fishing is  occurring on Brandt Lake but be careful for areas and thin ice.

Hunting Report:  Predator / varmint hunting, small game – cottontail rabbit / squirrel are still open tell Feb 29th.  Please refer to your hunting handbook for dates.

                             

Trapping:   There are plenty of coyotes around and eager landowners waiting for hunters and trappers to contact them.  Lots of opportunities out there just need to ask permission.  Trappers are encouraged to contact their local Conservation Officer to report any trap theft or trap tampering. Remember that mink/weasel season is now closed.    

 

 

Sanborn County                                                                               

Evan Meyer

 

Fishing Report: No Report           

     

 

 

Hunting Report:  No Report.

 

 

Turner County                                                                        

Brian Humphrey

Fishing Report : Very few anglers out on the lakes.

 

 

  

 

Hunting.  Some trapping activity still being observed.  Coyote hunters are having a tough season with minimal snow and cold weather.

 

 

 

 

Union County                                                               

Tony Stokely/Jeremy Roe

 

 

Fishing Report  McCook lake ice is still unstable but has some activity. No activity on rivers.

 

 

 

  Hunting Report:  No activity

 

 

 

Yankton County                                                                               

Sam Schelhaas

Fishing Report

Marindahl:   No Activity observed.  There are spots of open water and thin ice. 

 

Lewis and Clark:    There has been a little fishing activity in the Marina.  Use caution.

 

 James River:  No report 

 

 Lake Yankton:   Ice is unsafe be on the lookout for open spots.  A majority of the lake is open due to nice weather. No fishing activity.

 

Missouri River:  The Corps of Engineers is still running 22,000 cfs out of the dam.  There has been some walleye activity as of late, but it has been slow. 

 

Hunting Report:  Minimal hunting activity in area some trappers and predator hunters in the area.  People are still out hunting squirrel and rabbit, season ends Feb 29th.Make sure to read the regulations and get permission for the property. 

 

 

 

 

Region 3 Update

       Trapping: Be sure to look at Regulations and Season dates.  Muskrat trappers have been having good luck since they can get onto sloughs easy.  Mink/Weasel is now off season.

       Hunting: Still chances for some shooting sports. Cottontail and tree squirrel end Feb 29.  Unit 2 Goose hunting is now closed.  Spring snow goose season is now open.

         Fishing: Ice is still unstable on many lakes and in many areas. Be safe travel with friends and watch for open water and thin ice.  More ice fishing is occurring around Madison, Brandt, and Thompson.

        All tree stands have to be off GFP/Public ground by February 15th.

        DON’T FORGET TO PICK UP YOUR 2012 FISHING HANDBOOKS!!!

       GET YOUR  NEW 2012 LICENSE!!!!