BWO Fisheries Science

BWO Fisheries Science Blue Wing Outdoors is where big fish dreams meet big fish science. Created by Drs.

Katie and Brian Graeb, BWO is a fisheries and wildlife management business that takes the next step in applying our research on private and public lands.

09/04/2026

This long and lean female walleye was from our initial electrofishing survey of a lake that used to have walleye reproducing naturally, and used to have great fishing. It likely had a winter kill a few years ago, and now there’s just a few fish from each year class left. There’s plenty of minnows in the lake, but this 27” female definitely could use some more substantial forage, with of course the “gold” standard in South Dakota being yellow perch.

09/03/2026

We doubt we have a bunch of “The Notebook” connoisseurs here, but for those who are, boy do we have a treat for you. In the movie, Noah asks Allie “what do you want?” and she says “it’s not that simple!”. Most people think the scene is about love and relationships but actually, it’s about building a fishery. Noah wants her to make a decision if she wants an easier life, with plenty of fish to catch, or a much harder time of fishing for that elusive trophy catch. Of course, it isn’t that simple, but the point stands. When you commit to doing a females only trophy pond, fishing isn’t going to be nothing but smiles and tight lines. They’re going to be full of food, you’ll have lots of competition, and their numbers slim pickings. But, for those who just want that potential of greatness, female only trophy ponds can be one of the most rewarding, challenging projects for both us and the owners who take it on. All jokes aside, we’d love to talk trophy bass with anyone who’s interested in understanding what it really takes to grow the big ones in their backyard.

08/27/2026

Of course BWO Fisheries Science isn’t a hobby, it’s a business who aims to provide the best fisheries management that science and research can deliver. But beyond that, fishing isn’t a hobby for us. It’s all consuming. When we aren’t working a pond or lake, we are on our own fishing excursions. When the holidays come around and we have a chance to travel, we are checking off the bucket list, like sight fishing reds on the fly. Fish are friends, and food, and a whole way of life.

These clips were from testing out one of our new shock boxes. These fish could use a little more food, but very healthy. There’s both largemouth and smallmouth in this lake, with great results.

08/26/2026

When you’re looking to grow truly trophy class bass, you can’t have enough food, and you absolutely can have too many bass that causes competition in the lake. We want to keep good age class structure, but at the end of the day sometimes culling is necessary to make sure those trophies can pack on the pounds. And the silver lining is the fish fry after a cull 🎣

08/07/2026

Releasing a good looking, healthy walleye after a shocking survey in South Dakota. This beauty was full of energy, ready to be caught by the landowner another day.

08/03/2026

We will be there when your lake needs management, rain or shine. Or in this case, day or night! Electrofishing under the lights 🎣

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PO Box 132
Willow Lake, SD
57278

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