FISHING

GF&P looks into rebuilding Rosehill Dam

After Mother Nature released a torrent of rainfall resulting in breach of Rosehill Dam on the evening of July 29, 2010, the question on the minds of many people who enjoyed the outdoor recreational opportunities at the quiet, pristine location in southeastern Hand County is: “Will the dam be repaired or replaced?”

By Press Release , September 01, 2010

Opinion: Fishing for big pike can be rewarding

A continuation of last week’s column, today I’ll conclude the recent road trip to Pickle Lake, Ontario, Canada, and the subsequent fly-in to Kwinigans Lake by eight Wagner-area anglers. After my last Kwinigans adventure, I told myself that if I ever return, I would put down my walleye rig, as much fun as it is, and make a concerted effort to take some of the lake’s large northern pike. That is exactly what I did, even though many of the big pike that have been caught in the past came on small jigs by walleye anglers.

By Roger Wiltz , July 21, 2010

Opinion: The ‘Magnificent Eight’ head to Canada

We were munching fresh, pan-fried walleye during a shore lunch when someone yelled, “Moose!” A cow and calf were frolicking in the water off an island a quarter-mile southeast of us. Some of the guys jumped into a boat and sped toward the duo for pictures. One of our boats had earlier observed woodland caribou. A boreal paradise surrounded us.

By Roger Wiltz , July 14, 2010

Several area boat ramps still closed after heavy rains

After heavy rains hit the state in mid June, many boat docks around the area were closed and remain closed due to high water.

By Sports staff , July 14, 2010

Area boat ramps still closed due to high waters

After heavy rains hit the state in mid June, many boat docks around the area were closed and remain closed due to high water.

By Sports staff , July 07, 2010

Opinion: My closer-to-home ‘bucket list’

One of my favorite old T-shirts has a picture of a venerable Bass-o-reno on the back. Across the front it says, So Many Lures — So Little Time. These words seem profound. The “bucket list” concept, or things to do before it’s too late, isn’t new to this column. I’ve talked about it before, and I occasionally think about running out of time before I get to try these things. Some are within two days’ drive, and I want to talk about them today along with a few that are practically on our doorstep! International Falls and the Rainy River are an easy day’s drive. In April, large sturgeon are spawning in the river, and they love night crawlers.

By Roger Wiltz , July 07, 2010

Opinion: Flooding’s effect on the fish

My fishing boat, though Spartan in nature, has a live well under the center seat. There are no pumps or batteries. When I want to keep a fish, I lift the lid on the center seat, pull the plug in the bottom of the chamber, and watch it fill with water to the same level as the waterline outside the boat. The water constantly circulates. At the end of the outing, the live well drains when I crank the boat onto the trailer. I remove the fish and replace the plug. It is pure simplicity that does nothing but work!

By Roger Wiltz , June 30, 2010

Some local boat ramps still closed due to high water

Several boat ramps around the area are still closed due to high waters. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department has an update list of the status of the boat ramps on its website, sdgfp.info.

By Sports staff , June 30, 2010

Opinion: Antlers — worth the price of the hunt?

I don’t really want to tell you about this, for I made a fool of myself the other day, and risked injury to Betsy on top of it. I was going fishing, and I asked Betsy, fresh from hip replacement surgery, to come along. She was hesitant as my little john boat didn’t have a seat with a backrest. Like always, I had a solution. We’ll take a plastic lawn chair with us, and put it in the boat for her.

By Roger Wiltz , June 23, 2010

Several boat ramps still closed due to high waters

Many boat ramps around the state and around the area were closed last week after the state received several inches of rain.

By Sports staff , June 23, 2010

Opinion: Catfish are where you find them

Catfish are the most under-utilized, unappreciated fish in our South Dakota reservoirs. They get big, they fight with abandon they never quit — and they are good on the table. What more could we ask of a fish? With the catfish spawn close at hand, they are now in shallow water and very vulnerable. Though I’ve caught them in shallow water on sandy or muddy bottoms during the spawn, what happened last Monday was a new experience. Vern and I were fishing from my 14-foot john boat. We were almost against the rip-rap bank on the face of Fort Randall Dam fishing for smallmouth bass and walleyes.

By Roger Wiltz , June 16, 2010

Allen duo wins Poormans fishing tournament

Thanks to a weekend full of rain, the Poormans Fishing Tournament was the only sporting event in Mitchell that went off without a hitch this past weekend.

By Sports staff , June 14, 2010

Cabela’s to host kids fishing derby Saturday at pond

Cabela’s and the Pheasant Country chapter of Pheasants Forever are hosting a kids fishing derby Saturday at the Cabela’s pond.

By Sports staff , June 04, 2010

Opinion: Stay informed about wildlife diseases

Imagine crazed mule deer chewing and pulling their own hair out, leaving their hides red with sores. Close examination reveals exotic louse chewing on the skin. The misery ends during the winter when freezing temperatures and pneumonia spell the end for the tormented deer. We are talking about DHLS, or Deer Hair Loss Syndrome.

By Roger Wiltz , June 02, 2010

Opinion: We have heroes among us who care for loved ones all year long

On the afternoon of May 17, fishing partner Jerry and I towed his boat over to White Swan. A more perfect afternoon I haven’t witnessed. Warm but not hot, with modest wrinkles on the surface of a blue expanse that stretched to the hazy green hills of Gregory County. And we had it all to ourselves.

By Roger Wiltz , May 26, 2010