Sakakawea Smallmouth Population

[DerHornen]

Is the Sak smallmouth population still as strong as it was a couple of years ago? We used to bycatch a lot of bass while targeting walleye, and sometimes have really good luck when we were actually targeting bass. Sometimes it was annoying because the bass were the smaller bait stealing variety. I haven't spent much time targeting bass this year, but when I have I didn't have much luck. I also haven't caught any while targeting walleye. Is it just a coincidence or is anyone else experiencing the same thing?

FWIW, I'm typically fishing between Nishu/Renner Bay to the west and Douglas/Hazen bay to the east on Sak.

 

[H82bogey]

Last week at the Gov's Cup, we caught a bunch. If that would have been a bass tournament, I liked our chances.

 

[Eyewarrior]

Prefishing for gov cup we caught 5 or 6 that were just shy of whopper club

 

[guywhofishes]

Prefishing for gov cup we caught 5 or 6 that were just shy of whopper club

technique?

 

[Riggen&Jiggen]

There is still plenty in the lake. I caught several prefishing and during the tourney. If I were to target them go into douglas bay. Any where there are trees in the water.