SOUTH DAKOTA’S LAKE THOMPSON – LOW WATER WALLEYE ROUND-UP
By Matt Walsh
Times change and so has the water level. During the high water period northeast South Dakota experienced just a few
years ago, walleye fisherman enjoyed a phenomenal shallow water bite on Lake Thompson. From mid May through June
emerging weeds and spawning carp in shallow back bays attracted huge numbers of walleyes into these areas. Taking
advantage of the abundant cover and young of the year prey the walleyes were hungry and aggressive consequently
making them easy pickings.
Now most of the back bays are too shallow to reach by boat. Of course the walleyes have adapted to the changing
times and water levels by relocating out to the main lake where access to deeper water provides food and security.
Understanding how the lower water level has effected the walleyes seasonal locations and feeding habits will help the
angler roll with the changes. As with all change there are new challenges and opportunities. A “good news bad news”
proposition.
A Good News/Bad News Proposition
First the bad news - gone are the “good old days”
when thousands of walleyes were confined to the relatively
small 5-8 foot deep bays when simply ticking the tops of
weeds with crankbaits put walleyes in the boat. Since the
early summer bite has moved out to the main lake the
walleyes have access to deeper water giving the fisherman
more options than just which shoreline to cast. The
walleyes tend to move from deeper water up to the shallows
to feed and then drop back down to deeper water. As a
result locating the easy to catch shallow water walleyes has
become much more difficult. Sure, conventional wisdom
such as “playing the wind” or fishing at sunrise or sunset
will help tilt the odds in your favor. However, under many
circumstances locating these feeding shallow water walleyes
has become a matter of timing. Unless you have “time to
burn” it might be worth considering other options.
The good news, Lake Thompson has limited deep-
water structure so the walleyes have fewer location options. Due to lower water levels, the number of productive shallow
water areas has been diminished, squeezing the walleyes
into concentrated areas where mid depth and deeper water
structure exists. Fewer spots with less water to cover
equals less time spent trying to locate the walleyes. For
example with deeper water levels in past years pitching jigs
into the partially submerged trees, brush, and back bays on
the lakes southeast corner would take the better part of a
day to thoroughly cover. Today with only a small portion
of the entire southeast section deeper than three feet.
The likely walleye holding areas can be fished in an hour
or two.
Mid Depth Structure - Submerged Road Beds
Much of the water that produced quality vegetation in years past is now covered with a foot or two of water. As a
result walleyes have adapted to the next available structure in slightly deeper water, submerged roadbeds. One of the well-
known roadbeds known as Two Mile Road is located on the southern third of the lake. Two Mile Road runs from east to
west all the way across Lake Thompson. The top of this old gravel road varies from 3-8 feet with the north side dropping
into the lakes deeper water. Two Mile Road acts as a holding spot for walleyes that tend to move into the lakes shallower
south end at night to feed. Walleyes will be positioned on top of the road or in the ditches, which constitutes a 3-5 foot
drop off before falling off into the deeper water.
To cover the roadbed quickly, long line crankbaits. Position the boat up on top of the road then down the drop off. If
the walleyes are concentrated in a specific area stop and pitch jigs on top of the roadbed and let the jig work its way down
the drop off. Look for partially submerged trees along the roadbed these are walleye magnets. Often the walleyes will be
near the roadbed in the deeper in the 10-12 foot water. Trolling crankbaits or pulling spinners work well in this situation.
Stock Dams
Old stock dams litter the bottom of Lake Thompson creating humps and holes. In the early summer period check with
your electronics the stock dams located closer to shore, which provides the walleyes with a short distance to move up to
the shallows to feed.
Using your electronics note where the walleyes are positioned on the hump of the stock dam this determines the walleyes
activity level and which technique should be used. If the walleyes are on top of the hump or suspended just off the drop
they are feeding and active. Slip floats with live bait, set at the depth of the top of the hump is deadly. Anchored up wind
from the stock dam allow the slip float to work its way over the top of the hump and just past it, allowing the suspended
walleyes the opportunity to come up a smack your bait.
If the walleyes are at the base of the hump or in the hole of the stock dam the walleyes are less active. In this situation
live bait rigs or jigs worked vertically should be the technique of choice. Work this presentation slowly practically “dead
sticking” the presentation. Keep a constant watch on your electronics these walleyes constantly move up and down the
hump of the stock dam adjust the depth and presentation accordingly. Often the walleyes on the stock dam will just
disappear. In this situation the walleyes are in route to the closest shallow feeding area or they have dropped off into the
lakes basin what we call the Abyss.
The Abyss – Open Water Trolling
There is almost always walleyes (some of the biggest ones in the system) in the lakes mud basin. The problem is there
are miles of water to cover. The problem is compounded by the fact that most of these walleyes are so tight to the
bottom it is not unusual to catch these walleyes with out marking them on your electronics.
On most days trolling the basin area near structure is the best starting point. If boat control near the structure is
compromised due to wind, divide the lake in half either north and south or east and west based on wind direction. If the
wind in blowing out of the west at a pretty good clip set up a trolling pass starting in the northwest part of the basin and
head east trolling with the wind until you run out of basin. If no fish were caught head west again and start the pass
further to the south eliminating unproductive water until an area or depth emerges as productive.
The Abyss is leadcore country, which allows smaller crankbaits to reach the 18-22 foot depth levels. Again, the key is
to get within inches of the bottom and get the walleyes to react. Constantly adjust the depth of the crank bait to the
changing depth levels and speed of the boat. Pump the rod occasionally to trigger bites and make sure the lure is running
free of debris. Open water trolling on Lake Thompson is a “hands on” technique putting out four planer boards and going
for a cruise will catch some fish but is not nearly as effective as constantly “working” the leadcore.
Practice CPR
Although the recent drop in the water levels has diminished some of the shallow locations of just a few years back, the
walleyes have adapted buy using other somewhat limited structure Lake Thompson has to offer. With a good population
of big fish (5 lb to 10 lb) these walleyes are vulnerable. Please practice CPR (catch, photo, and release) to insure Lake
Thompson’s future walleye population . Good Fishing!
Author Matt Walsh guides on Lake Thompson and is owner/operator of The Walleye Wrangler Guide Service. To learn
new techniques or book a trip on Lake Francis Case/Lake Thompson contact Matt at www.walleyewrangler.com or
605.359.8699
By Matt Walsh
Times change and so has the water level. During the high water period northeast South Dakota experienced just a few
years ago, walleye fisherman enjoyed a phenomenal shallow water bite on Lake Thompson. From mid May through June
emerging weeds and spawning carp in shallow back bays attracted huge numbers of walleyes into these areas. Taking
advantage of the abundant cover and young of the year prey the walleyes were hungry and aggressive consequently
making them easy pickings.
Now most of the back bays are too shallow to reach by boat. Of course the walleyes have adapted to the changing
times and water levels by relocating out to the main lake where access to deeper water provides food and security.
Understanding how the lower water level has effected the walleyes seasonal locations and feeding habits will help the
angler roll with the changes. As with all change there are new challenges and opportunities. A “good news bad news”
proposition.
A Good News/Bad News Proposition
First the bad news - gone are the “good old days”
when thousands of walleyes were confined to the relatively
small 5-8 foot deep bays when simply ticking the tops of
weeds with crankbaits put walleyes in the boat. Since the
early summer bite has moved out to the main lake the
walleyes have access to deeper water giving the fisherman
more options than just which shoreline to cast. The
walleyes tend to move from deeper water up to the shallows
to feed and then drop back down to deeper water. As a
result locating the easy to catch shallow water walleyes has
become much more difficult. Sure, conventional wisdom
such as “playing the wind” or fishing at sunrise or sunset
will help tilt the odds in your favor. However, under many
circumstances locating these feeding shallow water walleyes
has become a matter of timing. Unless you have “time to
burn” it might be worth considering other options.
The good news, Lake Thompson has limited deep-
water structure so the walleyes have fewer location options. Due to lower water levels, the number of productive shallow
water areas has been diminished, squeezing the walleyes
into concentrated areas where mid depth and deeper water
structure exists. Fewer spots with less water to cover
equals less time spent trying to locate the walleyes. For
example with deeper water levels in past years pitching jigs
into the partially submerged trees, brush, and back bays on
the lakes southeast corner would take the better part of a
day to thoroughly cover. Today with only a small portion
of the entire southeast section deeper than three feet.
The likely walleye holding areas can be fished in an hour
or two.
Mid Depth Structure - Submerged Road Beds
Much of the water that produced quality vegetation in years past is now covered with a foot or two of water. As a
result walleyes have adapted to the next available structure in slightly deeper water, submerged roadbeds. One of the well-
known roadbeds known as Two Mile Road is located on the southern third of the lake. Two Mile Road runs from east to
west all the way across Lake Thompson. The top of this old gravel road varies from 3-8 feet with the north side dropping
into the lakes deeper water. Two Mile Road acts as a holding spot for walleyes that tend to move into the lakes shallower
south end at night to feed. Walleyes will be positioned on top of the road or in the ditches, which constitutes a 3-5 foot
drop off before falling off into the deeper water.
To cover the roadbed quickly, long line crankbaits. Position the boat up on top of the road then down the drop off. If
the walleyes are concentrated in a specific area stop and pitch jigs on top of the roadbed and let the jig work its way down
the drop off. Look for partially submerged trees along the roadbed these are walleye magnets. Often the walleyes will be
near the roadbed in the deeper in the 10-12 foot water. Trolling crankbaits or pulling spinners work well in this situation.
Stock Dams
Old stock dams litter the bottom of Lake Thompson creating humps and holes. In the early summer period check with
your electronics the stock dams located closer to shore, which provides the walleyes with a short distance to move up to
the shallows to feed.
Using your electronics note where the walleyes are positioned on the hump of the stock dam this determines the walleyes
activity level and which technique should be used. If the walleyes are on top of the hump or suspended just off the drop
they are feeding and active. Slip floats with live bait, set at the depth of the top of the hump is deadly. Anchored up wind
from the stock dam allow the slip float to work its way over the top of the hump and just past it, allowing the suspended
walleyes the opportunity to come up a smack your bait.
If the walleyes are at the base of the hump or in the hole of the stock dam the walleyes are less active. In this situation
live bait rigs or jigs worked vertically should be the technique of choice. Work this presentation slowly practically “dead
sticking” the presentation. Keep a constant watch on your electronics these walleyes constantly move up and down the
hump of the stock dam adjust the depth and presentation accordingly. Often the walleyes on the stock dam will just
disappear. In this situation the walleyes are in route to the closest shallow feeding area or they have dropped off into the
lakes basin what we call the Abyss.
The Abyss – Open Water Trolling
There is almost always walleyes (some of the biggest ones in the system) in the lakes mud basin. The problem is there
are miles of water to cover. The problem is compounded by the fact that most of these walleyes are so tight to the
bottom it is not unusual to catch these walleyes with out marking them on your electronics.
On most days trolling the basin area near structure is the best starting point. If boat control near the structure is
compromised due to wind, divide the lake in half either north and south or east and west based on wind direction. If the
wind in blowing out of the west at a pretty good clip set up a trolling pass starting in the northwest part of the basin and
head east trolling with the wind until you run out of basin. If no fish were caught head west again and start the pass
further to the south eliminating unproductive water until an area or depth emerges as productive.
The Abyss is leadcore country, which allows smaller crankbaits to reach the 18-22 foot depth levels. Again, the key is
to get within inches of the bottom and get the walleyes to react. Constantly adjust the depth of the crank bait to the
changing depth levels and speed of the boat. Pump the rod occasionally to trigger bites and make sure the lure is running
free of debris. Open water trolling on Lake Thompson is a “hands on” technique putting out four planer boards and going
for a cruise will catch some fish but is not nearly as effective as constantly “working” the leadcore.
Practice CPR
Although the recent drop in the water levels has diminished some of the shallow locations of just a few years back, the
walleyes have adapted buy using other somewhat limited structure Lake Thompson has to offer. With a good population
of big fish (5 lb to 10 lb) these walleyes are vulnerable. Please practice CPR (catch, photo, and release) to insure Lake
Thompson’s future walleye population . Good Fishing!
Author Matt Walsh guides on Lake Thompson and is owner/operator of The Walleye Wrangler Guide Service. To learn
new techniques or book a trip on Lake Francis Case/Lake Thompson contact Matt at www.walleyewrangler.com or
605.359.8699
| Gerry Beck demonstrates that low water can concentrate big walleyes making them easy pickings. Photo courtesy of The Walleye Wrangler Guide Service. |