Fishing Report

February 3, 2012

We are still experiencing a very mild winter here in the midwest. Yesterday the thermometer topped out at 50 degrees.  We have some open ice under the bridges at this time. Had a customer comment last night that he is going to have to get the boat out again. Unreal! The ice that we do have is not very stable. It is getting pretty dark in color which means it is thin and soft in areas. If you do venture out, use extreme caution. The fishing has been pretty good the past couple of weeks again with nice fish being caught. We are back to limits and a lot of fish in the 20+ inch range. We did have a short spell where it had slowed down but now it has picked back up.

If this winter is any indication, the spring and summer season should be a good one. Make your plans now to set aside a couple of weekends or weekdays to come to Mobridge to fish this summer. We look forward to seeing you this year. 

January 3, 2012

Here it is a new year and we have something new to report. The Missouri river is NOT froze over. Unfortunately this is not good. The Mobridge Tourism Committee's annual ice fishing tournament is in jeopardy of not being able to fish. The committee is having a meeting on January 5th to decide what measures to take. As we have been told, the dates will not change. It would be nearly impossible to change the dates. Contestants, volunteers and such have made plans and requested days off to be here. The committee will have the safety of the contestants at the forefront of their plans. Please check the mobridgeoutdoors.com site as well as the facebook link for information as to the committees plans after they meet on Thursday. 

Now, having said that, the fishing has been very good. There has been shore fishing taking place as well as some taking boats out. Reports of many large fish being caught are common with 22 to 26 inch fish being almost the norm.

December 12, 2011

This past week we had some cold nights with the temperatures dipping below zero. We now have a sheet of ice on Lake Oahe. If the temperatures remain under the freezing mark during the evenings & nights, the ice should remain.  I did see the first ice fisherman at the bait shop on Saturday so the itch must be there. 

The fishing has been really pretty good. Had a guy that was taking his john boat out and sliding it over the ice to the open water. He was having excellent luck with most of the fish over the 20" mark.  This hopefully will make for great ice fishing.

December 2, 2011

This fall has been a very good one for fishing. Those brave souls that are still venturing out on the water are having tremendous success. Limits are bountiful and big fish, I mean big fish are being caught. Reports of 4, 5 and bigger fish are abundant. 

We are starting to see some ice in the bays, so it will not be long before the river will be froze over. The annual ice fishing tournament in January should be another great event. The tourney is full but if this fall is any indication, this winter should be a great year for ice fishing. Currently the hot spot is around the singing bridge which is normally the spot during the winter. Give us a call to make your plans to come on out. Hope to see you this winter.

October 26, 2011

As most people in the area are Pheasant hunting, there are still some that are having some great success fishing. The fall bite has been really good with some really nice limits being caught. One fisherman had really good success this past weekend. On Saturday, Steve Rowe went out by himself and caught his limit in just over a couple of hours with his over 20" fish being a big 5 1/2 pound Walleye.  Just to show that he knew what he was doing, Steve went out again on Sunday and brought in another limit with this time his over 20" was a 31 inch, 9 lb. Walleye.

October 10, 2011

Registration for the 2012 Chamber Tourism Ice Fishing Tournament opened on Monday October 3rd at 6:30 am on-line and walk-ins at 7 am. The field of 450 teams were full at 7:11am. JUST 41 MINUTES to fill the Guinness World Record ice fishing tournament. It is too bad that we are no able to accommodate more guest at that time of the year. The committee realizes that there are many many more that would like to participate. Maybe they will find a way to let a few more in.

Fishing remains pretty good. We have had warm temperatures up to this past weekend. We do expect to remain in the 60's & 70's for the next few weeks. This should allow the fish to start moving back up to shallower waters. The reports that we have heard in the past week to 10 days is that they are back in the 15 to 25 foot range. All baits seem to be working, just not on the same day. One day spinners & minnows seem to be the hot item then the next day it will be jigs and crawlers or a different combination. There is still quite a bit of activity on the water and there is time for you to get out yet this fall and get that final catch. Give us a call to reserve your room today.

Now is the time to come out to Mobridge and Lake Oahe. The weather has been good, the fishing great and the hospitality is as friendly as ever. We look forward to seeing you. Give us a call to make your arrangements today. 

For a complete fishing report on whole Missouri River system in SD, check out the SD Great Lakes Association fishing report at http://www.sdgreatlakes.org/report/

We extend our thoughts and prayers to those that are effected by the flooding below the dams in both North and South Dakota. The extent of the damage is unknown at this time but it will be sever. It is unfortunate that this was not addressed last fall and winter by the Corp of Engineers. It is a situation that the severity of could have been limited much more than it has.

Reminder, the Worlds Largest ice fishing tournament is scheduled for January 14, 2012 here in Mobridge. Over $125000 in cash and prizes was awarded last year. See the Mobridge Chamber Tourism Committees website for more information. http://www.mobridgeoutdoors.com/

Below are some pictures and information on the annual Ice Fishing Tournament held this past January.

Great prizes and a great time was had by all. Check out the dates for next years registration opening up in October of this year. Remember, only took 13 hours to fill this year so be ready. Check out the details on mobridgeoutdoors.com. More & more great prizes and giveaways planned for the coming year.

Check out the Tourism's summer fishing tournament as well. Same format. Great prizes for just entrying the tournament. Fun time, great fishing, friendly people. What more could you want.

Call us know to make your reservations, we look forward to seeing you. 

Who says all the big Walleyes are gone in Lake Oahe at Mobridge???? 

This 9 pound 30"  Walleye was caught on November 6th, 2009 just north of Mobridge along the west side of Lake Oahe in the Cuthead area. It was caught in approximately 40 foot of water using a 1/2 ounce bottom bouncer with a spinner.  It was a cool day, about 50 degrees and not much wind. A great day for fall fishing.  So just to dispel the rumors, we are still one of the best places to catch walleye and to have a great time doing it. Make your plans now to visit Mobridge next spring, summer & fall for your chance at that BIG WALLEYE.

Great Access, Great Fishing, Great Hospitality, Great Accommodations, Great Staff, What more is there?

Give us a call now and make plans to visit us. 

Check our web site or give us a call on our toll free number, 888-884-3641, and we will give you the current update. 

Walleye limits have changed this year to 4 per day of which one can be over 20" and 8 in possession.

Make plans now to head out to Lake Oahe at Mobridge and enjoy a great experience fishing.

Log on or give us a call on our toll free number as we will update this report with changing conditions throughout the winter.

You will have a great experience at the Wrangler Inn & Windjammer Sports Bar.

Wrangler Inn

Mobridge, located on the shores of Lake Oahe, is known as one of the top walleye fishing areas in the nation.  In addition, anglers will find trophy northern pike and an abundance of white bass, catfish and other game fish.

In the spring, Mobridge is the best location on the entire Oahe Reservoir for landing rainbow smelt during their annual spawning run.  Smelt fishermen come from all over the Upper Great Plains to haul in literally gallons of the tasty little fish.  The state has also added Chinook Salmon to Lake Oahe, and the Mobridge area is one of the hot spots during early fall spawning run.  Summer or Winter, fishing is fun in the Mobridge area because Lake Oahe provides room for you to fish miles from any other fishermen.

For more fishing information please feel free to visit www.state.sd.us/gfp