Looking for tips/hints and Camping Info on Gavins Point for the holdem clan?

**holdemplyer** · 08-19-2008, 03:03 PM

It's been a dismal year for the family and I to get out camping. The wife and I decided that we HAVE to get at least one camping trip in. We've decided on going to Gavins Point Dam on the weekend after labor day and state fair.

Anyone have any good tips on where to camp that would be close to fishing from shore?

tips on how to fish, species isn't an issue with my girls, or me for that matter. Looking through old posts, i see that gar can be abundant, and they've never caught one of those, Alyssa's the only one who's been with me for a drum. A smallie would be nice for me.....

Thanks,
Alex

jetdriver1 · 08-19-2008, 03:30 PM

Greetings and Salutations

My lovely wife and I stayed in a Wiegand (sp?) cabin at the State Park on the Nebraska side in June for her suprise birthday trip. The campgrounds look great for RV's and Tents. It is not too far from Gavins. And the jetties are right there at the park if you want to fish Lewis and Clark Lake. The river channel gets pretty close to shore there. Additionally, the creek near the marina is supposed to be good for catfishing. I didn't do much fishing then--had more important things to do.

The marina also looked like a great spot to fish. Also, the folks that run the park and the park convenience store were very helpful with fishing advice.

Tip: There was lots of wild turkey and deer to see at the west end of the park around sunset.

Hope this is helpful.

Best Fishes,

Jet

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buglem · 08-19-2008, 03:30 PM

What kind of camping? Primitive? Do you want showers, etc.? If primitive and shore fishing is what you are looking for, you could camp on the Nebraska side of the river right by the boat ramp. Good shore fishing there but definitely primitive...

thedarkarcher · 08-19-2008, 03:31 PM

i've camped on the ne side and its not bad if its not crowded. try cut skipjack for cats, or worms will provide multi-species and lots of entertainment for the young uns, jerkbaits will get smallmouths, whites and northerns..good luck!

**holdemplyer** · 08-19-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buglem

What kind of camping? Primitive? Do you want showers, etc.? If primitive and shore fishing is what you are looking for, you could camp on the Nebraska side of the river right by the boat ramp. Good shore fishing there but definitely primitive...

It'd be primitive camping. That sounds great Kev.. errr, calvin, eerr, Buglem.....

Jet, Archer, thanks for the advice!

Evenflow · 08-19-2008, 03:40 PM

If you want to catch a big drum up there, use crawdads for bait.

buglem · 08-19-2008, 03:43 PM

LOL!

Like I said, easier if you don't put the name in the post...

One thing, it is a pay campground and a little pricy for primitive. I think it was around $10 or $15/night but like darkarcher said, not too bad if it's not crowded.

Coop · 08-19-2008, 04:50 PM

There's also Chief White Crane across the river on the SD side, or the Cottonwood campground operated by the corps. White Crane has nice SD maintained facilities, and both are on lake yankton which is a pretty decent lake for bass, cats, and gills.

clucker · 08-19-2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coop

There's also Chief White Crane across the river on the SD side, or the Cottonwood campground operated by the corps. White Crane has nice SD maintained facilities, and both are on lake yankton which is a pretty decent lake for bass, cats, and gills.

I 2nd the nomination...

obert · 08-19-2008, 07:18 PM

If you want great primitive sites try the circle on the far east end of Weigand or go past wiegand/burbach and right before you hit the gravel road into the nest, there will be miller creek. One of my fav. primitive spots. Bloomfield area isn't bad either.

Fish Recycler · 08-20-2008, 12:26 AM

Where's Eric?

I've long wanted to fish Gavin's so I'll look forward to your report, holdem!

Huskeron · 08-20-2008, 09:43 AM

Since you're bringing the youngins I would stick to a campground on lake yankton or Lewis and Clark. Fishing the river below the dam is very tough with the current and numerous rock snags.

I camped at Tailwaters (NE side just below the dam) a few years ago with my buddies. There is an awesome campsite at the east end. Its on a small point with a great view of the river. We caught a lot of smallies, white bass, and rough river fish. But my friends wont go back because of all the tackle they lost to the "rock bass".

Jim

Eric · 08-20-2008, 11:21 AM

There is free primitive camping on the south side, I doubt it should be too crowded once labor day has passed. In the last couple weeks just shorefishing I have caught every fish species that has been mentioned in this thread and more, but my recent techniques are not gonna make for a good family trip(unless your family are some real troopers). PM if you'd like to see my most recent pics. Things are gonna change a bit between now and your trip time, but I can give you the best info I've got the week before you go.

I'd suggest checking out the park in Yankton, it has a pretty decent playground for the kids as well as a kids only fishing lake with big cats and carp. This is a great place to get a kid tied into a big fish, let me know if you want to check this place and I'll explain how to fish it. Lots of ducks and geese, the kids can bring some bread or popcorn and feed 'em.

DO NOT MISS the aquarium, it's free! Go over the dam and maybe a mile or less to the east, it will be on the south side of the road. The hatchery is right behind it, and the family might like to check out the holding ponds. I am not sure if september is too late for that though? The baby paddlefish are pretty cool.

**holdemplyer** · 08-20-2008, 11:31 AM

Thanks everyone for the info!

Eric...

Playground.... Park, Aquarium, holding ponds, ducks and geese to feed, you've made their trip already!

08-19-2008, 03:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
holdemplyer Director Join Date: May 2007 Location: hunting for Kenzies MA gill!!! Certified Youth Fishing Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 2,413 Thanks: 105 Thanked 137 Times in 79 Posts	Looking for tips/hints and Camping Info on Gavins Point for the holdem clan? It's been a dismal year for the family and I to get out camping. The wife and I decided that we HAVE to get at least one camping trip in. We've decided on going to Gavins Point Dam on the weekend after labor day and state fair. Anyone have any good tips on where to camp that would be close to fishing from shore? tips on how to fish, species isn't an issue with my girls, or me for that matter. Looking through old posts, i see that gar can be abundant, and they've never caught one of those, Alyssa's the only one who's been with me for a drum. A smallie would be nice for me..... Thanks, Alex __________________ And one of the Disciples of the Float Tube said, Feb. 22nd, 2009, there shall be open water. So it was said, so it shall be.

08-19-2008, 03:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
jetdriver1 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: May 2008 Location: Papillion, NE Posts: 213 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Greetings and Salutations My lovely wife and I stayed in a Wiegand (sp?) cabin at the State Park on the Nebraska side in June for her suprise birthday trip. The campgrounds look great for RV's and Tents. It is not too far from Gavins. And the jetties are right there at the park if you want to fish Lewis and Clark Lake. The river channel gets pretty close to shore there. Additionally, the creek near the marina is supposed to be good for catfishing. I didn't do much fishing then--had more important things to do. The marina also looked like a great spot to fish. Also, the folks that run the park and the park convenience store were very helpful with fishing advice. Tip: There was lots of wild turkey and deer to see at the west end of the park around sunset. Hope this is helpful. Best Fishes, Jet </IMG></IMG></IMG></IMG> __________________ Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do! Last edited by jetdriver1; 08-19-2008 at 03:32 PM. Reason: Added Tip.

08-19-2008, 03:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
buglem 2008 Catch & Continue 2nd Runner Up Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Elkhorn Posts: 345 Thanks: 8 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	It depends... What kind of camping? Primitive? Do you want showers, etc.? If primitive and shore fishing is what you are looking for, you could camp on the Nebraska side of the river right by the boat ramp. Good shore fishing there but definitely primitive... __________________ One of you turds is about to get smacked in the mouth! - Texas Ranger

08-19-2008, 03:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
buglem 2008 Catch & Continue 2nd Runner Up Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Elkhorn Posts: 345 Thanks: 8 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	LOL! Like I said, easier if you don't put the name in the post... One thing, it is a pay campground and a little pricy for primitive. I think it was around $10 or $15/night but like darkarcher said, not too bad if it's not crowded. __________________ One of you turds is about to get smacked in the mouth! - Texas Ranger

08-19-2008, 07:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
obert Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: W. Omaha Posts: 1,734 Thanks: 33 Thanked 27 Times in 19 Posts	If you want great primitive sites try the circle on the far east end of Weigand or go past wiegand/burbach and right before you hit the gravel road into the nest, there will be miller creek. One of my fav. primitive spots. Bloomfield area isn't bad either. __________________ God bless the USA... www.bowfishnebraska.org

08-19-2008, 03:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
thedarkarcher Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lincoln Posts: 939 Thanks: 103 Thanked 54 Times in 40 Posts	i've camped on the ne side and its not bad if its not crowded. try cut skipjack for cats, or worms will provide multi-species and lots of entertainment for the young uns, jerkbaits will get smallmouths, whites and northerns..good luck!

08-19-2008, 03:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Evenflow Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Omaha Posts: 276 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	If you want to catch a big drum up there, use crawdads for bait.

08-19-2008, 04:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
Coop Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Omaha Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	There's also Chief White Crane across the river on the SD side, or the Cottonwood campground operated by the corps. White Crane has nice SD maintained facilities, and both are on lake yankton which is a pretty decent lake for bass, cats, and gills.

08-20-2008, 12:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
Fish Recycler 2007 NEFGA Angler Of The Year Finalist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Council Bluffs, IA Posts: 1,298 Thanks: 14 Thanked 48 Times in 25 Posts	Where's Eric? I've long wanted to fish Gavin's so I'll look forward to your report, holdem! __________________ You can be a Fish Recycler too...let 'em swim. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-20-2008, 09:43 AM	#12 (permalink)
Huskeron Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NW Omaha Posts: 232 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Since you're bringing the youngins I would stick to a campground on lake yankton or Lewis and Clark. Fishing the river below the dam is very tough with the current and numerous rock snags. I camped at Tailwaters (NE side just below the dam) a few years ago with my buddies. There is an awesome campsite at the east end. Its on a small point with a great view of the river. We caught a lot of smallies, white bass, and rough river fish. But my friends wont go back because of all the tackle they lost to the "rock bass". Jim

08-20-2008, 11:21 AM	#13 (permalink)
Eric Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belden Posts: 418 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	There is free primitive camping on the south side, I doubt it should be too crowded once labor day has passed. In the last couple weeks just shorefishing I have caught every fish species that has been mentioned in this thread and more, but my recent techniques are not gonna make for a good family trip(unless your family are some real troopers). PM if you'd like to see my most recent pics. Things are gonna change a bit between now and your trip time, but I can give you the best info I've got the week before you go. I'd suggest checking out the park in Yankton, it has a pretty decent playground for the kids as well as a kids only fishing lake with big cats and carp. This is a great place to get a kid tied into a big fish, let me know if you want to check this place and I'll explain how to fish it. Lots of ducks and geese, the kids can bring some bread or popcorn and feed 'em. DO NOT MISS the aquarium, it's free! Go over the dam and maybe a mile or less to the east, it will be on the south side of the road. The hatchery is right behind it, and the family might like to check out the holding ponds. I am not sure if september is too late for that though? The baby paddlefish are pretty cool.

08-20-2008, 11:31 AM	#14 (permalink)
holdemplyer Director Join Date: May 2007 Location: hunting for Kenzies MA gill!!! Certified Youth Fishing Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 2,413 Thanks: 105 Thanked 137 Times in 79 Posts	Thanks everyone for the info! Eric... Playground.... Park, Aquarium, holding ponds, ducks and geese to feed, you've made their trip already! __________________ And one of the Disciples of the Float Tube said, Feb. 22nd, 2009, there shall be open water. So it was said, so it shall be. Last edited by holdemplyer; 08-20-2008 at 11:38 AM.

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