OT - SD Missouri River Smelt Run

[Uplandhuntr]

I saw another thread about smelt dipping and it got me thinking.  Does anyone dip on Oahe in the spring, or is the population low enough that it isn't worth the effort?

I'd like to give it a try, wouldn't need a lot....couple of fish frys with the neighbors and maybe a bag or two in the freezer for pike fishing.

I know it varies by conditions, but when do they typically run on Oahe?  End of April?  Are there spots that offer better dipping than others?  Do a lot of people do it?

I see the limit is 5 gallons, so there must be enough available to get those quantities?  I would only need half of that probably.

I'm always up for a new adventure, this sounds like a lot of fun (except all the cleaning... ).

Let me hear from you guys that have done a little dipping!!

Uplandhuntr

[ice dawg]

I haven't gone for smelt personally. but I know guys that do. We don't have to dip here as we can use seines and guys have told me that it doesn't take long to fill a five gallon bucket. I would contact Bridge City Bait in Mobridge and ask them about the best times to go there.

[corny13]

I havent dipped smelt in years in Oahe but back in the  late 80's did several years up in North Dakota at Beaver Bay.  It was a blast!  Fried Smelt right on the shore still wiggling!  As I remember it was best the further North you went!  I would suspect Pollack would be ok.  Call Bob at West Pollack resort and ask! Or come up to ND.  The date of the run depends upon the ice breakup.. Some years I did it the second week of April.  If we flood as much as last year though doubt you will find them.

[Uplandhuntr]

Thanks Corny,  I would guess run off is going to be pretty heavy....how does that affect the run?

[Uplandhuntr]

Thanks Dawg, does a guy have to do up to Mobridge to find them, or can you hit a feeder creek closer to Pierre?

[corny13]

Up stream in Northern Oahe I think you will have problems this year.  When I was successful, it was the late 80's when there was a drought starting....lake levels were lowering a bit, lots of small gravel/.sand areas with little debri in it.   As the water level is 20ft higher that it was last year this time the edge of the water in northern oahe is full of decaying brush, small cottonwoods etc.  You need a clear sand/small pea size gravel beach to be able to net successfully. Again thats why Id call Bob and ask if anyone was successful last year up at pollack he will also tell you if you call if success if occuring up there.   YOu will need certain equipment, Long handled smelt net, spotlite,waders, Lantern, portable turkey fryer to fry up your catch, beer.  Maybe a big seine with a couple buddys.  I did it with my kids solo, with a long smelt net, would sit in the edge of the water on a bucket with net in the water and headlamp would see a school of smelt  swim over it laying flat then lift up.  some guys would put a holder out in the water with the lantern on.  A big spotlite would work best.

[ice dawg]

Thanks Dawg, does a guy have to do up to Mobridge to find them, or can you hit a feeder creek closer to Pierre?

I have never done any smelting, so you might be better off calling one of the bait shops in Pierre to talk to someone that knows about it. I only live 100 miles from Mobridge so I usually only hear about that area.