Weather forecast for the upcoming week is 80s most every day – perfect weather to hit the river! Fishing continues to be good and not much has changed as far as bait anglers are using and the depth that they’re fishing. You might consider coming mid-week if you can to avoid crowds.

Lake Oahe

In the Pollock area fishing is really good with minnows and crawlers being used by anglers in anywhere from 3 to 15 feet and some fishing up to 25 ft. – although most fishing is still being done in shallow water. A few anglers are still pulling plugs. With the shallow bite, the shore fishing has been the best in years. Northern are still coming in along with smallmouth bass and crappie.

At Mobridge there is still a really good bite with anglers using jigs and minnows in 5-30 feet of water. A few anglers are still using crankbaits, with all baits working. Shore fishing is still great around Mobridge – in fact they seem to be doing as well from shore, or better than those using a boat. Fish seem to be biting almost everywhere around the Mobridge area.

At Akaska  fishing is going very well and hasn’t slacked off at all. Anglers are using jigs and minnows with some using Lindy rigs and minnows. A few anglers are starting to use crawlers. Depth is shallow to around 35 feet – but shallow seems to work better. Limits are coming in and the fish are looking very good.

At Gettysburg  the bite is good with anglers fishing in around 10 to 30 feet – again, using jigs and minnows with some starting to use crawlers – all bait seems to be working here too. The smallmouth population is excellent and the bite is on!

Around Spring Creek / Cow Creek the walleye bite is still good from the Oahe Dam into the arm of the Cheyenne River in around 5-35 feet. Anglers are using jigs and minnows or Lindy rigs and a shiner with some starting to use crawlers. Northern are still biting here as they are on the entire river system. They are still pulling in salmon below the Oahe Dam! White bass and smallmouth are starting around this area too.

Lake Sharpe

Fishing on all of Lake Sharpe is still excellent from the Oahe Dam down to West Bend and on to Big Bend Dam. You’ll have to do some sorting of fish, but there are plenty to catch. All areas seem to be good – the stilling basin, bluffs, Farm Island, or Antelope Creek. Main bait being used is Lindy rigs with a shiner or a jig and minnow. Fishing in the Stilling Basin is still excellent. Catfish, northern, smallmouth and white bass are also being caught.

Walleye are being caught in shallow to about 15 feet or more. Some anglers are doing well pitching jigs into the shallow water. Anglers are starting to use crawlers here too. Take your time on Sharpe – new sand bars are all over, so it may not be what you remember.

At West Bend the fishing is going really well using jigs and minnows or shiners with crawlers starting to be used here too. Some anglers are pulling plugs against the current. The walleye are looking excellent. Smallmouth and white bass are going well in this area.

Around Big Bend Dam on Lake Sharpe there is a very good smallmouth bite. Walleye are mainly on the flats and points. Anglers are using bottom bouncers and minnows, with some anglers starting to use crawlers.

Francis Case

Around Chamberlain  fishing is excellent from the Chamberlain Bridge to the Big Bend Dam. A good area seems to be from Boyers to the dam. Fishing is also good around the bridges and on down Francis Case. Anglers are using jigs & minnows in 5 -30 feet depths. Shore fishing has been very good in this area also.

In the Platte  area the fishing results are getting better with limits coming in. Again Jigs and minnows seem to work best, with some still pulling plugs. The smallmouth bite is going well – in the bays and shallow waters – and from shore.

At the Pickstown - Wagner – Lake Andes area fishing is still excellent below the Fort Randall Dam, with anglers pulling plugs or using jigs and minnows. Above the dam, the North Point area and up has limits coming in. Anglers are using jigs and minnows and some still pulling plugs in around 4-15 feet. Shore fishing is excellent all over this area too. Good reports have been coming in on the small mouth bass, northern, perch and crappie bite below the dam. Some crappie are dinner plate size! Anglers can catch just about everything.

Prairie Dog Bay and South Shore have new large parking lots by the boat docks – check them out!!

Around Lewis & Clark Lake walleye are being caught on jigs and minnows.

On the Missouri River walleye are being caught on jigs and minnows and trolling. Anglers are catching white bass on minnows and they are catching catfish on worms, minnows or stink bait.

Springfield Area – anglers are catching walleye on jigs & minnows and are trolling.

On Lake Yankton crappie are being caught using minnows. Also, a good bite on bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish.

*Please remember that the fishing conditions on the Missouri River change constantly and this report is simply a guideline – a snapshot in time.*

For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing Lake Oahe, please call West Pollock Resort, 605-889-2448; Kemnitz MoRest Motel in Mobridge at 605-845-3668. At Akaska call Akaska Bait Shop at 605-649-7847. Call Bob’s Resort at 605-765-2500 or South Whitlock Resort at 605-765-9762 in Gettysburg. On the lower end of Lake Oahe, call Spring Creek Resort at 605-224-8336, Outpost Lodge at 605-264-5450 and Lake Oahe/Lake Sharpe call Carl’s Bait Shop at 605-223-9453. On Lake Francis Case, contact Cedar Shore Resort at 605-734-6376 or Platte Chamber of Commerce at 888-297-8175 and Circle H Motel in Lake Andes at 605-487-7652.

See Saturday’s Aberdeen American News newspaper for more details.

2012 Attendance Report

Texas had to overcome a late deficit to force overtime. Trailing 3-2 in the third period, Jordan Lovick tied the game 4:36 into the period. St. Louis scored three second-period goals to take a 3-2 lead into the final period.

Texas goalie Frederick “Hunter” Leisner, who played two seasons for Aberdeen, saved 19 of 22 shots. His squad had a 38-22 advantage in shots on goal. Leisner, who was traded to Texas in late January, was in goal for 29 Aberdeen wins and made 2,471 saves in 78 games.

Texas        1-1-1-1—4
St. Louis 0-3-0-0—3
First Period: 1, Texas, Marc Biggs (Jack Prince, Lucas Whelan), 1:52.
Second Period: 2, St. Louis, Joe Kalisz (Josh Dangel, T.J. Sherman), 16:33; 3, Texas, Mitchell McPherson (Drew Mayer), 5:40; 4, St. Louis, Stephen Bopp (Kalisz, Drew Kariofiles), 4:36; 5, St. Louis, Kariofiles (Bopp), 2:42.
Third Period: 6, Texas, Jordan Lovick (Michael Hoy, Jackson Leef), 5:34.
Overtime: 7, Texas, Justin Greenberg (Prince, Lucas Whelan).
Goalies: Texas, Frederick Leisner (22 shots, 19 saves); St. Louis, Spencer Viele (38 shots, 34 saves).
Attendance: 1,823.

The North American Hockey League championship game is tonight at 7:30 tonight at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas.

It is between St. Louis and Texas for the Robertson Cup. The goalie for Texas is former Aberdeen Wings player Hunter Leisner (above in American News photo by my teammate John Davis).

In two seasons with the Wings — he was traded to Texas in late January, Leisner was in goal for 29 Aberdeen wins and made 2,471 saves in 78 game.

Tonight’s game can be watched live on FASTHockey.

Bob was the NSU’s men’s basketball coach when NSU went to its only NCAA DII Elite 8 in school history. See the historic 1998 NSU win over Brookings to send the Wolves to the Elite 8. Ryan Miller (older brother of Mike Miller of the Miami Heat) scored 45 to lead the Wolves:

First half of the game:

http://schurz.co/82hwhe

Second half of the game:

http://schurz.co/u2aje3

The Class B wrestler of the year from Redfield-Doland is headed to South Dakota State.
Redfield native Ben Gillette is a two-time state champion who went 187-14 during his high school career. He is an academic standout as well as a gifted musician. Gillette also was a rare four-time member of the American News All-Area Wrestling Team.
“It is great to get a top South Dakota kid to stay home,” new SDSU coach Chris Bono said. “I think he is excited to wrestle in front of his home fans.”

SDSU
Former Jackrabbits who played in at least one National Football League regular-season game:

Weldon Erickson (1922, Minneapolis)
John Beasey (1924, Green Bay)
Weert Englemann (1930-33, Green Bay)
Ray Jenison (1931, Green Bay)
Israel Ginsberg (1935, Boston)
Alfred Arndt (1935, Pittsburgh, Boston)
Paul Miller (1936-38, Green Bay)
Mark Barber (1937, Cleveland)
Robert Pylman (1938-39, Philadelphia)
Doug Eggers (1954-57, Baltimore; 1958, Chicago)
Jerry Welch (1955-56, Calgary)
Dominic Klawitter (1956, Chicago)
Ellendale native Pete Retzlaff (1956, Detroit; 1956-66, Philadelphia).
Wayne Rasmussen (1964-74, Detroit)
Ron Meyer (1966, Pittsburgh)
Jim Langer (1970-79, Miami; 1980-81, Minnesota)
Lynn Boden (1975-78, Detroit; 1979, Chicago)
Bill Matthews (1978-81, New England; 82-83, New York Giants)
Chuck Lowen (1980-84, San Diego)
Bruce Klostermann (1986-89, Denver; 1990-91, Los Angeles Raiders)
Mike Busch (1987, New York Giants)
Brian Sisley (1987, New York Giants)
Doug Miller (1993-94, San Diego)
Adam Timmerman (1995-98, Green Bay; 1999-06, St. Louis)
Adam Vinatieri (1996-05, New England; 2006-, Indianapolis)
Steve Heiden (1999-01, San Diego; 2002-09, Cleveland)
Josh Ranek (2002, Dallas)
Scott Connot (2004-06, Kansas City)
Mitch Erickson (2010, Seattle)
Casey Bender (2010, Cleveland)
Danny Batten (2010-, Buffalo)
Colin Cochart (2011, Cincinnati)

USD
Former Coyotes who played in at least one National Football League regular-season game:

Frank McCormick (1920, Akron, 1921, Cincinnati, the first South Dakotan to play professional football)
Gene Vidal (1925, New York Giants, Washington)
Ordell Braase (1957-68, Baltimore, two-time All-Pro)
John Sanders (1974-76, New England; 1977-79, Philadelphia)
Duke Schamel (1985, Los Angeles)
Mike Slaton (1986, Minnesota; 1987, New York Jets)
Aberdeen native Robb White (1988-89, New York Giants; 1990, Tampa Bay)
Jamel White (1999, Indianapolis; 1999, Cleveland; 2004, Tampa Bay; 2005, Detroit)
Matt Chatham (2000-05, New England; 2006-07, New York Jets)
Josh Stamer (2003-07, Buffalo; 2008, Tennessee; 2009, Cleveland, Buffalo)
Filip Filipovic (2002, Dallas; 2003, San Francisco; 2004, Minnesota; 2005, Philadelphia; 2006, Houston; 2007 Chicago)
A.J. Schable (2006, Arizona)
Stefan Logan (2009, Pittsburgh; 2010-, Detroit)

NSU
Former Wolves who played in at least one National Football League regular-season game:

NSU does not have any lists of former NFL players. However, I know Ronnie Cruz played 19 games for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005 and 2006 and became a starting fullback. He also was on the practice squad in 2004. His career ended to injuries in the preseason with Dallas in 2008. I don’t know of any other players out of NSU who played in at least one National Football League regular season game.

AUGIE

My friend,  former American News teammate and Bristol native Todd Anderson has sent me the Augie list so here it is. Thanks Todd:

Les Josephson (1964-1974, Los Angeles Rams)
Karl Mecklenburg (1983-1994, Denver)
Tom Brown (1987, Cincinnati)
Corbin Lacina (1994-97, Buffalo; 1998, Carolina; 1999-02, Minnesota; 2003, Chicago)
Miller native Bryan Schwartz (1995-1999, Jacksonville)
Kevin Kaesviharn (2001-2006, Cincinnati; 2007-08, New Orleans; 2009, Tennessee)

Am I missing anyone from any of the colleges?

South Dakota-born players who have played or are playing in the NFL with player name, birth city, years played, position, games played (databasefootball.com):
Mark Barber, Alpena, 1937, FB, 5.
Frank Bausch, Marion, 1934-1941, C, 77.
James Bausch, Marion, 1933, FB-HB, 7.
Christian Bentz, Artas, 1920, T, 1.
David Bernard, Jefferson, 1944-1945, FB-QB, 13.
Erwin Bishop, Winner, 1962-1969, G-OG-OT, 110.
Ordell Braase, Mitchell, 1957-1968, DE, 156.
Michael Busch, Huron, 1987, QB, 2.
Ryan Christopherson, Sioux Falls, 1995-1996, FB-RB, 19.
Joseph Crakes, Platte, 1932-1933, E, 9.
Benjamin Derr, Turton, 1920-1921, HB, 6.
John Dutton, Rapid City, 1974-1987, DE-DT, 185.
Douglas Eggers, Wagner, 1954-1958, LB, 54.
Wuert Engelmann, Miller, 1930-1933, FB-HB-QB, 44.
Barry French, Chamberlain, 1947-1951, G-T, 25.
Neil Graff, Sioux Falls, 1974-1977, QB, 29.
Chad Greenway, Mount Vernon, 2007-Present, LB.
Carroll Hardy, Sturgis, 1955, HB, 8.
Larry Jacobson, Sioux Falls, 1972-1974, DE-DT, 34.
Raymond Jenison, Avon, 1931, T, 2.
Frank Kelley, Tyndall, 1927, HB, 8.
Robert Kennedy, Sandpoint, 1946-1950, B-FB-HB-LB, 53.
Paul Laaveg, Sioux Falls, 1970-1975, G-OG-T, 72.
Ben Leber, Vermillion, 2002-Present, LB.
Roy Longstreet, Sioux Falls, 1926, C, 1.
Clarence Manders, Milbank, 1939-1947, B-FB-HB, 74.
John Manders, Milbank, 1933-1940, E-FB-HB-T, 93.
Brady McDonnel, Rapid City, 2002, TE, 5.
Taylor Mehlhaff, Aberdeen, 2008, K, 3 (scored 18 points with New Orleans Saints).
Paul Miller, Platte, 1936-1938, HB-QB, 32.
Maurice Nipp, Yankton, 1952-1956, G-OG, 25.
Jay Novacek, Martin, 1985-1995, TE-WR, 158.
Urban Odson, Clark, 1946-1949, T, 44.
Forrest Olson, Vermillion, 1927, FB-G, 3.
Craig Puki, Deadwood, 1980-1982, LB, 39.
Duane Putnam, Pollock, 1952-1962, G-OG, 121.
Robert Robertson, Pine Ridge, 1942, HB, 11.
Robert Scholtz, Watertown, 1960-1966, C-OT-T, 81.
Bryan Schwartz, Miller, 1995-1999, LB, 55.
George Slagle, Canton, 1926, G, 1.
Ernest Smith, Spearfish, 1935-1939, G-T, 41.
Michael Steponovoch, Lead, 1933, E, 1.
Robert Stransky, Yankton, 1960, OHB, 14.
Charles Tollefson, Elk Point, 1944-1946, C-G, 16.
Rodney Tweet, Madison, 1987, WR, 2.
Norman Van Brocklin, Eagle Butte, 1949-1960, P-QB, 140.
Eugene Vidal, Madison, 1921, FB, 1.
Adam Vinatieri, Yankton (Rapid City Central graduate), 1996-Present, K.
Harry Webber, Elk Point, 1920-1923, E, 2.
Thomas Welter, Yankton, 1987, OG-OT, 3.
Robb White, Aberdeen, 1988-1990, DE, 23.
Richard Wildung, Scotland, 1946-1953, G-T, 74.
William Winter, Milbank, 1962-1964, LB, 33.
|DRAFTED IN TOP 3 ROUNDS|
A list of South Dakotans with NFL ties (high school or college) who have been selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft (Argus Leader):
John Dutton (Rapid City), DL, Nebraska, 1st round (fifth overall), 1974, Baltimore Colts.
Urban Odso n (Clark), OT, Minnesota, 1st (ninth overall), 1942, Green Bay Packers.
George Amundson (Aberdeen, born in Pendleton, Ore.), RB, Iowa St., 1st (14th overall), 1973, Houston Oilers.
Chad Greenway (Mount Vernon), LB, Iowa, 1st (17th overall), 2006, Minnesota Vikings.
Larry Jacobson (Sioux Falls), DT, Nebraska, 1st (24th overall), 1972, N.Y. Giants.
Lynn Boden (Osceola, Neb.), OG, SDSU, 1st (13th overall), 1975, Detroit Lions.
Bryan Schwartz (Miller), LB, Augustana, 2nd, 1995, Jacksonville Jaguars.
Dan Dworsky (Sioux Falls), C-LB, Michigan, 2nd (15th overall), 1949, Green Bay Packers (Dworsky also was a 1949 first-round pick of the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference — a shortlived rival pro league to the NFL).
Clarence “Pug” Manders (Milbank), RB, Drake, 2nd, 1939, Brooklyn Dodgers.
Bob Stransky (Yankton), RB, Colorado, 2nd, 1958, Baltimore Colts.
Ben Leber (Vermillion), LB, Kansas St., 3rd, 2002, San Diego Chargers.
Carroll Hardy (Sturgis), RB, Colorado, 3rd, 1955, San Francisco 49ers.
Les Goodman (Port Jefferson, N.Y.), RB, Yankton College, 3rd, 1972, Atlanta Falcons.
Steve Heiden (Rushford, Minn.), TE, SDSU, 3rd, 1999, San Diego Chargers.
John Kohler (Boston), OT, USD, 3rd, 1969, Denver Broncos.

READY TO RACE
The South Dakota horse racing season will start at 1 this afternoon (Saturday) at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre.
Races there will continue at the same time Sunday, April 28-29 and May 5-6. Races then will move and continue at 1:30 p.m. at the Brown County Fairgrounds May 12-13, May 19-20 and May 27-28 in Aberdeen.

YANKTON COACHING CHANGE
Randy Gross has resigned after 10 years as head coach and 27 years with the Yankton High School boys’ basketball program.
“The responsibility of a head coach will wear you down,” Gross told Veblen native and Yankton Press & Dakotan sports editor James D. Cimburek. “After 10 years, I felt it was necessary to step aside and recharge my batteries.”
Gross will remain as a teacher and will serve as seventh-grade boys’ basketball coach. Yankton sophomore coach Chris Haynes will replace Gross. Haynes is a 2002 graduate of Winner High School and 2006 graduate of Dakota Wesleyan University.

HURON OPENER
Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron will host its season opening auto races at 7 tonight (Saturday). Kent Arment, who won his 500th career feature race last season, of Aberdeen is the defending champion in the Late Model and Modified divisions. Details: dakotapromotions.com.

OAHE SPEEDWAY
The quarter-mile National Hot Rod Association drag strip Oahe Speedway will kick off its 2012 season Sunday with its Shootout Races.
The speedway is 14 miles north of Pierre on South Dakota Highway 1804. Details: oahespeedway.com.
Winning class championships at the speedway in 2011 were Duane Soper (Street Trophy class) of Gettysburg; Jonathan Huse (Jr. Dragster Minor) of Onida; the Rapid City duo of Rick Meier (Super Pro) and Carly Ellingson (Jr. Dragster Major); and Pierre residents Randy Hirsch (Pro), Chris Boom (Motorcycle/Snowmobile), Travis Falcon (Sportsman) and Stephanie Holm (High School).

FREE USD FOOTBALL
The free University of South Dakota spring football game will begin at 1 this afternoon (Saturday) in the DakotaDome at Vermillion.

John Papendick is the managing news-sports editor for the American News. Readers tell and email him with stuff plus he reads all the daily newspapers in South Dakota on a daily basis. Reach him at jpapendick@aberdeennews.com. Blog: aberdeensports.net/inthehuddle.