South Dakota walleye fishing, as well as in North Dakota, is a bit difficult at first because there are certain hotspots where you’ll find these deepwater predators, while many other areas will seem to be completely uninhabited by the fish. Knowing how to target them and where they will be during a giving season will make your South Dakota walleye fishing trip a lot more fun and fruitful.

First of all, know that, in the dead of winter, walleye will prefer to feed around sundown, so this will give you an idea of when you want to be at the lake with your bait in the water for feeding time. This time of day causes the temperatures to drop considerably, and walleye have a penchant for cold waters. Especially if you are an ice fisherman, you’ll find that this time of year and this time of day bring the utmost excitement to your life, knowing that your best opportunity to reel in a monster is at hand.

In South Dakota, walleye fishing is best found on smaller waters and natural lakes, such as Devils Lake. Get out to this location just after the lake freezes for the best opportunity. However, you can certainly find walleye here throughout the winter, with some sized up to nine pounds and more, large for the species any way you look at it. Beside being sure to get to the lakes at the right time, you should be aware that a good bait presentation can make all the difference in the world. Some of the top anglers in South Dakota will use a lure without any bait and jig it. However, minnow seem to provide the best approach, using the head just off the bottom of the lake.

One trick to finding your catches is to stay at one hole, looking for the aggressive fish, using the dead stick method. This means keeping the bait completely still and waiting for the walleye to bite after staring it down. In this case, you might want to tip a lure with either a full minnow or a minnow head, using something like a small slip-bobber with a plain gold hook. Other anglers take the opposite approach to fishing, opening and fishing many holes. The biggest problem with this method is that it’s like playing sports, and the physical aspect of it can wear you down quickly. It can also be frustrating if you drill several holes with absolutely no luck.

The word powwow was not originally used by the Native Americans. All tribes have their own word for this type of gathering, of course, but just as an example the Dakota Sioux call the gathering a Wacipi (pronounced Wa chee pee), meaning dances. There are some very good dances at Reservations throughout South Dakota. Places like the Crow Creek Reservation, the Lower Brule, Sisseton, Pine Ridge, and the Rose Bud Reservation-to name a few-hold annual powwows or wacipi. The Crow Creek Reservation is near Chamberlain SD bordering the Missouri River. The river is really beautiful in that area and one can take a scenic drive along the river all the way to Pierre (the state capitol of South Dakota). The people who live at Crow Creek are some of the most friendly people I have ever met. The area is one of the poorest counties in the United States but the tribe still manages to host their own free Wacipi (powwow) every year.

Powwows begin on a Friday and end on a Sunday-normally allowing three whole days of interesting drum-pounding fun. Usually there is a parade for the opening day and the opening ceremonies at the arena begin with all the people who will dance entering the arena in their respective groups and categories. There is even a group of veterans and an honorary veterans’ ceremony held at each Wacipi. Each time the powwow breaks for lunch or dinner there is a new grand entry upon returning to the arena. Free lunch and dinner is provided for the guests who attend the powwow. Some of the finest Indian fry-bread you will ever eat is served with the meals. Somehow, no matter how many people show up, there is always enough food for everyone and all seem to enjoy the powwow meals. Vendors also provide a variety of food for sale for those who want to sample the Indian tacos, hamburgers, roasted corn, and other items. There are plenty of drinks such as fresh squeezed lemonade or free coffee at the powwows.