Well, I made it back to the Pollock area on Monday to get my kids on the ice.  Both kids were able to catch a couple of fish, but the bite had slowed considerably since Saturday.  They still had a ball and were able to enjoy a great meal later at the West Pollock resort.  Bob and the staff were excellent with Samantha (4) and Beau (3).  They are still talking about the pizza and ice cream.  The fish that did bite that day came in 45 plus fow.  We were unable to move to much, but we just didn't mark the fish we had found on Saturday.  On Tuesday, I went out of Swan Creek for the fifth time this winter..  I was really hoping to break the streak that I had set of being skunked everytime. And that we did, but they were not all the targeted species.  Actually, very few of them were, but the action was better than I expected.  We started the day with 3 huge white bass, then a 16 in sauger, more white bass, and then an 18 in smallmouth.   Not your typical day ice fishing on Oahe, but the action was appreciated.  We caught a couple more white bass and then a couple of catfish before we headed in at noon.   We came back out at 3 o'clock and fished till dark....several more whitebass and catfish kept my kids busy all afternoon and right at dark we did catch one more 18 in sauger.  We went out the last two mornings and had mixed bags again, but each day only one or two walleyes/saugers were caught.  Most of these fish were caught jigging in 35 - 40 fow.  We did not try set lines, but I believe that it would have worked.  I am just enjoying fishing fifteen minutes from home no matter what kind they are.  It is really hard getting used to not seeing another fishermen, track, old ice holes or any other sign of life in an area that normally gets a lot of traffic.  Hopefully this is a good sign that the bite is moving down river a little, but i'm not sold quite yet.  If I had to catch walleyes, I would still head to the West Pollock area.     

Thursday found us back on the ice on the upper middle portion of Lake Oahe.  The fishing is still excellent, though we did have to move twice to get on the fish.  More walleyes today, but still the majority were saugers.  Average length was 15 to 18 inches, with our friend Ronnie T. catching a 22 inch sauger on his 79th birthday.  One of the largest differences from 4 days ago, was that there were more fish caught in under 20 fow than over 30 fow.  Still no major preference in jigs, but we used mostly Pro Tackle 3/8 oz jigmasters.  Color seemed to not make a difference.  Travel conditions improved on the ice, but the travel is still by far the hardest part.  Will have another report beginning of next week! 

Fishing on the middle portion of Lake Oahe was excellent over the weekend.  Limits were filled within a few hours of arriving to our destination.  Average size of the saugers and walleyes were 16 to 22 inches.  Over two-thirds of the fish caught on Friday and Saturday were better than average saugers.  A few catfish and northern pike were also caught.  Presentation used was ProTackles' jigmasters, 3/8 ounce.  Color of the jig did not seem to matter.  Depth was 22 to 35 f.o.w.,   By far one of the strongest bites that I have seen all year.

Fishing on the middle portion of Lake Oahe on Friday was slower, but Saturday with weather conditions improving, the bite followed.  We had a large group and ended up a few shy of the daily limit.  The size was down somewhat from the past week, however the action was greatly appreciated.  Most fish came jigging in 25 to 40 f.o.w.  Jigmasters and jigging raps were the most effective.  Weather conditions worsened on Sunday and Monday again...hoping to get out Thursday again.

test