SD Missouri River Fishing Report

We’re almost out of the dog days – FISH ON!
Coming up August 24-25th is the ND Bass Nation Championship held at Indian Creek Recreation Area (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/indian-creek-recreation-area/) . Happening over the same dates is the SD EWS 2024 Showdown in the Platte Creek Recreation Area (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/platte-creek-recreation-area/) . Find more fishing tournaments and outdoor events on the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks website (https://gfp.sd.gov/events/) .

Forecasted temperatures for this week are in the mid to upper 80s. Looks like Wednesday may have some scattered thunderstorms. Weather leading into the weekend will likely have cloudy skies. Overall, nice weather!

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team

The water levels on Lake Oahe are high and full, but the Oahe dam has begun releasing water again into Lake Sharpe. Check with USACE (https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Missouri-River-Dams/Oahe/)  for release times and also with SD Game Fish & Parks (https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/fa1e6cd335d8425183944b9f1a03e01e/page/Ramps/) for boat ramp information.

Near Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/) and Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/) , the bite has definitely slowed with the cold front that occurred last week. Still able to catch a limit of fish but definitely having to put the time in to do it. Anglers are still using bottom bouncers with crawlers and spinners. Depth has been between 20-30 feet.

Around Akaska (https://oahewings.com/?y_source=1_OTk3NzA2Ny03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D) , the bite continues to get a little tougher for the eater-sized fish. There seems to be no consistent pattern; start the day by searching with electronics until you find some fish, then try to catch them quickly. Once you find them, they won’t be there for a long time. Anglers are looking on the main river points in 25 -30 feet of water. Bouncers with a plain hook or a small spinner seem to be the best. Minnows will be starting again soon!

In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (https://www.cityofgettysburgsd.com/) , from the last three days weather has started to change the direction for fishing. Overall fishing is still good and about 80% of anglers are still getting their limits. Anglers who typically fish the northern locations have been moving a little further down the system, mostly fishing South Whitlock area bays and up north to Dodge Draw on the west side of the river. Depth has been shallow between 7-10 feet but some areas 40 feet. Using crawlers and the occasional minnow.

Around the Cheyenne River, Spring Creek (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/spring-creek-recreation-area/)  & Cow Creek (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/cow-creek-recereation-area/)  area, fishing is deep 30-40 feet. Using red  beads seems to help with presentation. Salmon fishing has been good. Some hot locations have been between Agency Creek and down in the main channel.

Salmon Update on Oahe
The report is pretty much the same so you can refer to last week’s update:
What started as a slow week on the water really fired up at the end. There were some outstanding days for salmon. Still plenty of really nice sized fish coming in this year. A couple of the biggest fish this week weighed in at 16.3 and 17.8. Expecting to see several 20lbs+ fish in another month or so. Overall, the situation is pretty much the same as it has been most of the year. Depth at 60-80 ft, with a few from the 85-100 range. It pays to spread your lines out until you get dialed in on the depth the fish are at. Color choice is inconsistent. Using mostly greens and yellows; others have reported a good bite on blues. Water temps are still unstable, cooling then warming up and fish on the move constantly. In spite of the difficulties with the water, it appears most people are finding salmon.

For the Pierre (https://pierre.org/) /Fort Pierre (https://www.visitfortpierre.com/)  area, Lake Sharpe on the upper end has been a bit better. Depth has varied from 6-10 feet. Average walleye size has been between 15 – 17 inches with smaller fish mixed in too. Focus predominately on the larger flats as fish transition back up the reservoir.

West Bend (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/west-bend-recreation-area/)  please refer to last week’s update:
The area is producing some limits at all depths, with some fish being caught at around 25-35ft on most days. Some fish can be caught in shallower places if it’s windy.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-francis-case/

For Chamberlain (https://www.chamberlainsd.com/) , refer to last week’s report:
The area remains tough. Fast water below Bing Bend Dam is producing fish at night. Some scattered limits caught from Crow Creek to Big Bend dam. Depth is running 20-30 ft. Using bottom bouncers, spinners, and crawler.

In lower Lake Francis Case near Geddes (http://www.geddessd.org/) , crank baits and night crawlers are still the best combination to put walleye in the boat. Depth has been between 28 – 35 feet. Fishing has been best on mud flats and in trees.

Around Bonesteel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/) , please refer to last week’s update for the area:
Fishing has picked back up especially when there has been wind. Catching a few over the trees using nightcrawlers and jigs.

The areas of Lake Andes (https://lakeandesinn.com/) , Wagner (https://www.cityofwagner.org/)  and Pickstown (https://www.pickstown-sd.net/)  had a beautiful week on the Missouri River. Fort Randall Dam and Pease Creek areas offered great fishing, especially with fewer anglers around. The serene beauty of the area continues to impress, with hardly any crowds. Walleye were the stars of the show, as usual. The bite was strong, especially in the early mornings and late evenings. Catfish are still biting well, and a few impressive Northern Pike were caught.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

No new report for the Yankton (https://www.visityanktonsd.com/)  area from our angler contacts, but please be aware there has been major flooding in the southeast part of South Dakota. Check the SD Game, Fish & Parks Facebook for the latest updates.

Please note – this report is a snapshot in time and changes can occur quickly. We suggest you call one of our members listed above – they can be very helpful with what is happening along the river. That way you’ll be assured of a great trip!

Questions about boat ramp access? Check the SD Game, Fish & Parks (https://sdgfp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=79c3f941ae6c4abbbc6ac4b6987a06f5) interactive map. You’ll have to zoom in to the ramp you want to look at, and the information is regularly updated. It’s a great resource!

Help slow the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species! Check out the Game, Fish & Parks (https://gfp.sd.gov/) web site for detailed info on the regulations. They are very specific so you’ll want to be sure you’ve read the regulations. If you love to fish the Missouri River in South Dakota, please do your part to keep the reservoirs free of aquatic invasive species.

Have some great photos from your time on the water? South Dakota Missouri River Tourism would love to share them as part of our weekly Fishing Report update on our social media. Send your Mighty MO river photos to info@sdmissouririver.com and we’ll be sure to give you a shout out! Also, be sure to like us on Facebook for up to date information in the Missouri River Region.