Black Hills Lakes

[druthrbfishn]

What is happening in the hills? I am considering going with my son to Deerfield or any other lake that has any action next weekend. We fished Deerfield last year and caught decent trout. This was a change for me as I had never caught a trout before, always ice fished the plains stock dams or Lake Oahe in the summer. What about Newell or Orman? Any information would be appreciated.

[nodakbassmaster]

Don't know about Newell but Orman has about 10' feet of open water around the edges of the ice I hear Deerfeild is doing pretty good this year too...

[druthrbfishn]

Thanks NoDak, Not much activity on the west side of the river according to the posts. Maybe the internet service is too slow out here!! I don't think there is a safe place to fish in my area. Hope the ice holds out in the hills a couple of weeks. I think Deerfield has good ice , I heard 24" a couple of weeks ago. They should at that elevation.

[nodakbassmaster]

there's more than a few areas around here that are good for ice. PM me with what you want to fish for and where you are and I can give you more info

[Traxion]

Newell was slow for me.  Decent ice, 11" or so.  I was marking fish like crazy, and getting bit, but couldn't hook anything.  Small gills I assume.  I didn't fish for anything else other than perch and gills.  I was using maggots and the smallest Gez worms and FB's, but just couldn't do much.  Everyone else on the lake left early, so I don't think they caught much either.  Orman is still bad around the edges.  Hope this helps.

[Bauger]

So traxion you fished Newell Lake with not much luck  Newell Lake had good ice fishing for northerns and perch a couple of years ago for me. I ice fished twice last winter with only one small northern. Then tried open water and nothing. Whats your opinion of why fishing at Newell Lake sucks?

[Traxion]

Well, the low water doesn't help, it's easily 6' down.  I know some guys who have done OK there, but nothing special.  Still some perch to be had, a few walleye, and some northerns.  Seems like there are a lot less small northerns in the lake these days.  The GFP has been stocking bass in there pretty steadily the past few years.  I guess they put some walleye in this year so hopefully one will see a few more fish.  What caught my eye on the lake surveys was the bluegills, looked like good numbers and OK size.  Seemed like I was getting taken by real small fish, I could feel the bite but just could not catch one.  Compared to a few years ago, the ice fishing has been wayyyy slower.  Don't know if the bass are more prevalent or what, but it sucks that a nice lake like that is so slow.  Not like we have a ton of options out here either.  Any word on Bear Butte, is it still way low??  Used to catch some decent perch and crappie out of there before it went down.

[Bauger]

The guys that you know have done ok, was that this year and what did they catch?
Speaking of the bluegills in Newell, I have only caught one, it was 9 inches long, that was a few a years ago. I know the walleyes in Newell are supposed to be nice sized. I've only caught one saugeye it 16.5 inches. Once again it blows me away why Newell has slow fishing. Won't go there again till I'll here a good report. As of Bear Butte I have not heard anything. I wouldn't waste my time going there till it refills. The last time I fished was the summer of 2004 and it was only 4-6ft deep, have not fished it since. I used to love that lake, I would always a few perch, a couple crappie, some nice bluegills, lots of bullheads, and some chunky northerns.The last time I drove by it was about 4 weeks ago on the way up to Orman and it looked darn near dry, maybe of foot at the deepest. If anything I would call the game and fish to see if there is any fish left in it. Heard anything on Orman.Like you said Traxion there are not a ton of options left out here.

[Kodiakman]

I havn't been able to get out the last few weeks but I've heard people have been catching perch at Sheridan lake jigging in 30-40FOW with maggots.

[Traxion]

Orman is still very crappy around the edges.  It is filling which is nice, but bad for ice fisherman because it is only making the open water surrounding the lake even wider.  The guys I knew were there this year.  They caught a FEW fish, I don't know if I would call it great.  A couple decent perch and bluegill, a walleye, and some northerns.  I know one other time they went they caught a dozen or so 2-3 pound northerns.  I am going to try it again one more time, it's about the only option.  I stuck in one spot last time I was out, I'd like to move a bit more this time.  There were quite a few people out there last time though.  Two iceboats or sailboats as well.  Nice enought guys to talk to, but they got wayyyyy too close for me.  I wasn't overly happy.  I fished BB two years ago, 5' was about all I could find.  Picked up a bunch of small perch.  Doubt it's worth it like you said.  Like I keep saying, Keyhole is looking to be the next option.

[nodakbassmaster]

Bear Butte is supposed to be pretty full of northern as well... I think it was last year GF&P doubled the northern limit on that lake to try and weed some out!

[hawgerdawger]

Is the ice holding up on the lakes in the Hills? Wouldn't mind driving up there for a day next week if it's safe. It's gonna be a heck of a long wait in between if I don't get on some ice this winter.