Hutch's Guide Service

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Fishing & Hunting South Dakota's Lake Oahe & Lake Sharpe

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Hutch's Guide Service Fishing Reports


Fishing Report Lakes Oahe /Sharpe Pierre Area December 2023

This isn't a true fishing report but just an opportunity to wish all of my customers both new and repeat a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I will be guiding again next year so if you are planning on coming to Oahe you can book your dates at any time if you haven't already. A great year this year with state record for walleye broken twice and more numbers of both big fish and the overall walleye population very good. Next year should be exceptional . Once again MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hutch's Guide Service

Hutch

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA SEPTEMBER 15TH THRU 23 2023

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA SEPTEMBER 15TH THRU 23 2023

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA SEPTEMBER 15TH THRU 23 2023

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA SEPTEMBER 15TH THRU 23 2023

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA SEPTEMBER 15TH THRU 23 2023

Fishing is very good on both lakes with the fall bite in full swing. I have been guiding both repeat customers and new customers and sending everyone home with full possession limits of walleye plus some other species. The Steve Sederlins bunch of guys along with Jeff Hupkas bunch just great examples of some of my favorite repeats and fishing for them was possession limits and some meals while here. Sharpe is a numbers game with the 15 inch limit coming into play but most days you can expect to catch your limits You will have to throw back plenty of 14 inchers. Depths here are still 5 fow to 10 fow around Pierre with nightcrawler bouncer rigs or pulling plugs the main presentations. Look for Jig /minnow rigs starting soon as the water cools. Oahe is a little more spotty but the good fishermen are doing very well with both smallmouth bass and walleye. The fish are starting to come up to depths around 15fow to 25 fow so are becoming more catchable in the big lake. Here bring minnows especially for the bass but crawlers are still working. Casting jigging spoons and even pulling plugs are also producing. As usual this time of the year weather is starting to come into play but for a while these real nice fall days are around. Beating the weather that is coming soon and coming fishing is a good plan. Once again I would like to thank all of my both repeat and new customers for your business and look forward to more trips with you.

HUTCH'S GUIDE SERVICE

Hutch

FISHING REPORT PIERRE AREA LAKES OAHE/SHARPE FOR LAST OF AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER 4 2023

FISHING REPORT PIERRE AREA LAKES OAHE/SHARPE FOR LAST OF AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER 4 2023

FISHING REPORT PIERRE AREA LAKES OAHE/SHARPE FOR LAST OF AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER 4 2023

Lots of boats around for the labor day weekend . Busy ramps and busy community spots. I think most boats did well as the bite on both lakes remains good. Weather is still hot but fall is around he corner so cooler days should be coming . I have been guiding both repeat customers and new ones on both Oahe and Sharpe and except for the last trip to Sharpe full limits for everybody and full possession limits to take home. The problem on Sharpe isn't catching walleye now it is getting enough over the 15 inch slot limit to go home with limits. I think for the most part you should be able to do that if the corps runs the right amount of current around Pierre You can hit days were you catch 25 fish or more and only keep maybe 6 or 8 though. Fish on Sharpe are still shallow in around 5 fow to 7 fow. I am going to spend more time on Oahe now as the 15 inch limit doesn’t come into play and the bite is okay. Some of the walleye are starting to be caught in 18 to 30 fow so that makes finding /catching them easier. There are still lots of fish down deeper on Oahe but as the water cools expect finding them shallow more often. The bait I have been using is still crawler spinner bouncer on both lakes but going out with minnows a board is not a bad idea. I brought them a long on the last two trips but crawlers were putting most of the fish in the boat. Smallmouth are scattered all over the lake from chasing bait on the surface down to suspended bait deep so that bite is tougher. I am not sure about the salmon bite but think it is still spotty. As usual the bite is going to keep getting even better as cooler nights bring the water temps down .We should have a great fall bite as both lakes have both great bait and fish populations. Thank you once again to all both my repeat customer and my new ones. Just great times.

HUTCH'S GUIDE SERVICE

Hutch

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA AUGUST 15TH TO 21 2023

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA AUGUST 15TH TO 21 2023

Hot weather is the norm so be prepared to get early morning starts to try to get off the water before the afternoon heat. I just finished helping Dave Spaid guide the thunder basin ford group along with a lot of other guides. Ramrodded by Vic Jr this is one of all of us guides favorite groups. They have been coming from Gillette or many years. We fished the river around Pierre with very good results with limits of walleye for everyone. Most of the fish were caught on crawler/spinner bouncer rigs in around 5 fow to 7fow. There are less weed around this year so the bite is a little earlier than normal . A lot of these fish were in the 14 inch range and right now there is no size limit so limits are easier. I do think when the size limit of 15 inches returns September 1st catching limits will be more challenging on Sharpe. Oahe continues to put out fish but requires more hunting so is a harder lake to fish. Fish are deeper with 25 to 35 fow a good starting point. Bringing minnows along is a good idea. Jigging raps are also a good bait if you know how to use them. As always as the fall comes and water temps drop Oahe will be much easier to fish. Colder water tends to bring the fish shallower . I would once again like to thank all my great repeat customers . We have had a lot of great catches and a lot of great times . This time of the year lots of water is essential to prevent serious problems with heat stroke so keep that in mind.

HUTCH' S GUIDE SERVICE

Hutch

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE /SHARPE PIERRE AREA FOR JULY 15 TO AUGUST 1ST 2023

Hutch's Guide Service Fishing Reports

Hutch's Guide Service Fishing Reports

Hutch's Guide Service Fishing Reports

Hutch's Guide Service Fishing Reports

Hutch's Guide Service Fishing Reports

Hot weather along with good fishing is generally the word. I have been behind on these reports but will start to post them more frequently. I have been guiding both some great repeat customers along with some new ones and have been getting both limits and possession limits daily. The bite on Oahe is good but some days hunting the fish is harder than on Sharpe due to lots of bait. If you get in the right areas though limits are common. The fish seem to be around 20fow to 35 fow and crawler bouncer rigs are the main baits but minnow rigs leech rigs are all good. Sharpe especially in the west bend area has been a little easier to find fish. Depts are mostly the same from 20 fow to 35 fow and crawler spinner rigs the most popular but minnows leeches are working to . Most of the west bend bite is centered around the off shore reefs. Hearing report of fish being caught in Pierre on the bluff also. There is just a lot of bait fish on both Oahe and SHARPE so the fishery outlook is very good. These really hot days require a lot of water drinking to prevent dehydration ie leading to heat stroke so plenty of liquid along is a must. Flys aree very bad in some areas so bug spray is good also.

HUTCH'S GUIDE SERVICE

Hutch

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA JUNE 1ST TO 10TH 2023

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA JUNE 1ST TO 10TH 2023

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA JUNE 1ST TO 10TH 2023

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA JUNE 1ST TO 10TH 2023

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA JUNE 1ST TO 10TH 2023

The fishing all up and down both Oahe and Sharpe is as good as it gets. A great year going on and most fishermen are coming in with limits of walleye, smallmouth some northern and plenty of catfish. I just got done fishing the Darin Davis group of repeat customers one of my favorites and we got full possession limits of walleyes smallmouth bass and lots of catfish so these guys went home with lots to eat along with cooking fish every night they were here. Mike Kulm helped me with this group and everyone had a great time. The weather cooperated but we did get some hot days. The fish on Oahe are very shallow as the water is rising daily. One of the keys is to pitch jigs/plastic into the flooding clover but we caught them other ways specifically bouncer crawler/ bounce minnow rigs very shallow .We fished Oahe every day and now I started guiding Dan Skirvin from Ida Grove Ia. And his son today and we had full limits nice walleye before noon beating some rain coming in. Again we caught these fish either pitching jigs or very shallow crawler bouncer propeller blades. Five fow or less worked best. Both lakes seem to be full of nice healthy fish this year so I anticipate another great year. For sure lots of water and sun screen along with bugs spray are good to have in your boat. One thing I have noticed in the past few years is an increase in the overall usage of the lakes in the Pierre area and all ups and down the river so be prepared for busy resorts, busy boat ramps and cleaning stations when you come this way. Fortunately we have a lot of water full of fish so for the most part once you are on the lakes you can find plenty of places to fish both with boats or without boats. I would like to thank both my new customers and my repeat customers for your business and the great times we are having.

HUTCH’S GUIDE SERVICE

Hutch

LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA FISHING REPORT MAY 21 TO THE 27TH 2023

Hutch's Guide Service Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe

Hutch's Guide Service Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe

Hutch's Guide Service Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe

Hutch's Guide Service Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe

Hutch's Guide Service Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe

Fast and furious bite on both lakes with the water warming is basically the best way to describe the bite. I have been guiding daily with some of my favorite customers the Rose party and the beck party along with some new customers and we have filled limits and possession limits for all the groups. At first we were catching most of the fish in 5 fow or less but lately they are moving out to around 8 fow to 14 fow with nightcrawler propeller blades or spinner minnow blades equally effective. In Many areas pulling plugs is very good. Sharpe from Pierre all the way down to west bend is great but catching numbers is necessary to get limits of over 15 inch fish. Fortunately most experienced anglers are doing that. Oahe has started to go especially in areas that you can find warmer stained water. The wind has been blowing lately but even with that as a factor we have been catching numbers of fish. Both Lakes are very busy so expect boat ramps that are full and lots of traffic at our great fish cleaning stations. Summer is here so lots of water sunscreen fly repellent are items that make for better trips. Both lakes are putting out very nice fish and it looks like another great year for the fishing around Pierre or for that matter all up and down the system .As usual periodically I will mention that most of us guides that have spent years on the water look at the walleye as great eating fish and fun to catch but the real sport is hunting them down and finding them. The best walleye fishermen I know are very good at that and it takes practice to achieve that part of your fishing. It is not hard to run your boat into a community spot with 20 other boats as boats are much easier to find than fish but catching lots of fish in a spot that you found because you spent the time to learn the art of the hunt is very rewarding. You will also earn the respect of the best fishermen on the Lake and the people in your boat when they realize you are good at finding the fish. That is really true with most species. Watch the weather this time of the year as storms can pop up quick. Thank you to all my recent customers . Some great times.

HUTCH’S GUIDE SERVICE

Hutch

FISHING REPORT LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA FOR MAY 12TH THRU MAY 18TH 2023

Hutch's Guide Service

Hutch's Guide Service

Hutch's Guide Service

Just got done guiding the Ken McEwen and STEVE TYLER group of repeat customers . Just as great a group of guys that I have. Dave Spaid Scott Van Liere and Mike Kulm helped guide this group from different parts of the country Everyone got full limits of nice walleye with a 27 incher the largest . Everyone went home with full possession limits. Great weather all three days and great fishing. Lake Sharpe is going great. You do have to go thru numbers of 14 inch fish to get limits of over 15 inchers but most experienced anglers are coming in with limits along with lots of small mouth bass. Depts vary with most fish being caught from 5 fow to 10 fow but we caught fish out as deep as 30 feet. Spinner /minnow spinner crawler rigs pitching jigs shallow or even pulling plugs work but there is a lot of floating stuff in the water making plug pulling harder. Oahe is still much harder in the Pierre area due to both colder water and muddy water running in from creeks and rivers like the Cheyenne. We stayed on Sharpe for this trip but did hear of a few nice catches on the big lake with those being mainly smallmouth/northern. Lots of boats/anglers out but s usual community spots concentrate the majority but you might remember that all the fish in the lake aren't under those 30 boats you see following each other. The lake is full of fish so if you do a little looking you can find fish without the boat traffic. We caught 90 per cent of our limits every day without a single boat in sight . Harder to do now days as fishing pressure is much more but if you like finding walleye as the main part of the sport as most of use guides do it is rewarding to know when you find lots of fish away from the crowds. Remember to pull your boat plugs to avoid a hefty fine when leaving the ramps and remember this week end is free fishing week end . Sun Screen and Bug spray along with plenty of water to drink are good things to bring along.

HUTCH'S GUIDE SERVICE

Hutch

FISHING REPORT FOR LAKES OAHE/SHARPE PIERRE AREA MAY 1ST THRU MAY 8TH 2023

Hutch's Guide Service Fishing Reports

Back to work for me. I am glad to be back on the water especially with a great bunch of guys like the group ramrodded by Rich Grable from Rapid that I am guiding. The group (REPEAT CUSTOMERS) are from all over with Brookings SD And Ute Iowa being home for some. For the most part the weather is cooperating and so are the fish. Limits of walleye with some small mouth /northern every day so this group is going home with full possession limits of nice fish. The bite on Sharpe is in full swing with the spawn about half over. Water temps up to 55 degrees can be found. We caught most of our fish on bouncer/minnow rigs but pitching plastic/jigs and pulling plugs all work. Most of the fish are in ten fow or less and relating to the spawning reefs. So are the boats and there are lots of them so you can fish in community spots with lots of company or do some exploring and find fish a way from the crowds. Lake Oahe is much harder with cold water being the main cause. Temps in the 40's in many areas but 50 degree water can be found. If you want to fish mostly by yourself this is the lake but no boats also means not many fish in the bags. Fish are still deeper but warm weather should improve the fishing as the water warms. It is looking like another great year on Sharpe and I think Oahe will be better in many areas. Oahe is a harder lake to find the fish due to many factors. Bait fish that can be deep water species and shallow shad bait spreading the walleye into different water columns but if big fish hunting is your thing Oahe is more likely to produce. I will post periodic reports this summer in the hope the information will help you out with your trips.

HUTCH'S GUIDE SERVICE

Hutch


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.


Kent Hutcheson
E-mail: fishinghutch@aol.com
Cell Phone: 605-220-2844


Hutch say's...
Kent Hutcheson

The 2023 open water fishing season is here. Once again a big thank you to my 2022 customers for your business last year and in years past. You can scroll thru the catch's/reports tab above for previous years and see a lot of happy faces and also around a 100 % walleye limit success story. The thing I am the most proud of is the amount of repeat customers that you will see if you scroll back over the years. This is a real good indication of the kind of fishing/hunting we have in the Pierre area along with supporting my decision to start my guide service here years back. Just a lot of great memory's with a lot of great folks.

Lake Oahe could be a little slower and more challenging on the lower end of the Lake. Walleye numbers appear to be less from basically the Cheyenne down to the dam but the further up river you go numbers of both bait and fish improve. To me this probably means I will spend more time fishing north of Pierre on Oahe, Most of the walleye/smallmouth fishing should be good for the good with most guides and experienced anglers doing well. Water levels should be high and that will help hopefully with a smelt run this year. Bait fish continue to be good on Oahe but a smelt run would really help the over all fishery.

Lake Sharpe this year. Plenty of shad again makes this another great year on the small lake. There should be plenty of over 15 inch walleye around making limits for the anglers spending time on the water very good. Smallmouth fishing should continue to be excellent however average size will be better on Oahe. Catfishing on both lakes will be great for those spending the time to fish for these guys. They are an under fished alternative and can make for a great mixed bag experience. Northern and white bass make for more eating fish limits on both lakes.

I will continue to post the fishing catch's/reports pages as soon as I get on the water with an average up date every 3 days in the hope that this feature will help those of you who are planning trips. I will give general info on area's we are fishing ,depths we are fishing, and baits that are working along with picture's of the size fish we are catching. My hope is that you can use this feature to help you in planning a trip or saving some time in hunting the fish.

Lake Oahe/Sharpe in the Pierre area still continues to be one the best location's for the quality of fishing/hunting that is here for those coming from Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, even eastern Colorado and eastern Wyoming. We also see a lot of Wisconsin Minnesota angler's over here so we hope you will come our way. There are also many other things to do while in Pierre. Information on my things to do tab will show some of these.

If you need a licensed experienced ( 30 plus years and USCG CAPTAIN) guide service please give me a call or send and email and hopefully we can do a trip together sometime.

Hutch's Guide Service

Hutch

Everything South Dakota

U.S.C.G. Master Captain
U.S.C.G. Master Captain ref #2976405 and
Commercial Assistance Towing License