SD Missouri River Fish & Game Report

Fishing on the Fourth

The summer weather is in full force in Central SoDak, and anglers are seeing peak season fishing on the whole river. Temperatures for the week will be high 80s and 90s, pushing 100, with some chance of storms over the weekend. Given the heat, and the mostly clear skies, fish are active and biting in many places, and right now is one of the best times to put in your boat.

With the July 4th weekend, the river will be busy around towns and popular boat ramps, especially in the afternoons. Be aware of full ramps and busy waters during the entire weekend if you plan to cast your line.

While you’re enjoying Independence Day festivities, pack some sunscreen, drink that water, and go have fantastic days out on the river!

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team

Subscribe to the Missouri River Tourism Newsletter (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/newsletter-signup/)
In the Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/)  and Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/)  areas, the MoRest Motel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/morest-motel/)  shared they are having the best bite they’ve seen so far this year. Anglers are catching really good numbers of very nice-sized fish 12-16 inches. Best presentation has been bouncers and spinners baited with crawlers.

Around Akaska, the area continues to be a hotspot for anglers. Refer to last week’s report as conditions have remained the same:
The bite is on and anglers are finally making it look easy. In the past week people have done great catching really nice walleye. The bite moved up in depth, so people are fishing a little shallower right now. Most fish are coming in under 10ft. The best working presentation has been bottom bouncers and crawlers, scattering a few minnows in there. Many are not traveling far at all to find fish and staying in the Swan Creek (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/swan-creek-recreation-area/) area, which is producing well. It’s a great time to visit Akaska!
Reported from Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)

Fishing on Northern Lake Oahe
Photo Courtesy of Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)
The 2025 AFTCO Walleye Throwdown in Akaska, held alongside South Dakota Walleye Classic & Festival (https://sdwalleyeclassic.com/) , is introducing an exciting new format this year – one lucky angler has the chance to reel in $10,000! The grand prize goes to the angler with the heaviest walleye weighed in over the two-day event. See rules and registration here (https://www.aftco.com/pages/2025-aftco-walleye-throwdown) .
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , conditions are very similar, refer to last week’s report:
South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)  shared anglers are catching really healthy & fat walleye. However, presentation has been a fairly mixed bag. Anglers are using all flavors of live bait, minnow & crawlers, and some leeches. Some are still using a plain hook, but the bait shop is seeing an uptick of spinners and propellors. Limits have been attainable for the area. Seeing more anglers starting to go south of the bridge and around Stove Creek, otherwise many are still heading towards Dodge Draw and Swift Bird. Same depths as last week starting fairly shallow 5-8ft all the way up to 23ft.

Excellent Days on the Water
Photo Courtesy of South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)
Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  is expecting a nice week on the water. Catfish can be caught in the creek from shore using crawlers. To catch walleyes, crawlers, minnows and leaches are all being used. Smallmouth are spawning right now, and will likely pick back up later in the season. Some are picking up northern pike in the bays.
For the Spring Creek (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/spring-creek-recreation-area/)  & Cow Creek (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/cow-creek-recereation-area/)  areas, The Outpost Lodge (https://outpostsd.com/)  shared there is lots of competition on the water, and it will only get busier going into the 4th of July weekend. Depths depend on the direction of the sun. By high noon, fish have dove down to 15ft. Worms and cranks are working the best right now. Try Cow Creek, the Sully Flats, and Agency, but pay attention to the direction of the wind.
Prospt Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKF59NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQY1o3MDVVVk13MFd1ZlREAR5XKiPHMtl4AiPzaaSVimieC6OfbJNHtoSyEfHxcHlJSGznPPzE0kYp1vHJXg_aem_Hb8X78kEvNlB0YoQo-zgwg)  agree the Cow Creek and Spring Creek area is hot, with fish all over the system. Concentrate on main points of larger bays, though the back of bays also have a lot of fish. Depths are 10-30ft. Bouncer with crawler and jig raps are catching well. Plenty of healthy 20-22 inch fish can be caught, with a nice number of 14-19 pounders as well.
Successful Salmon Trips on Lake Oahe
Photo Courtesy of Prospt Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKF59NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQY1o3MDVVVk13MFd1ZlREAR5XKiPHMtl4AiPzaaSVimieC6OfbJNHtoSyEfHxcHlJSGznPPzE0kYp1vHJXg_aem_Hb8X78kEvNlB0YoQo-zgwg)
Salmon Update on Oahe
The Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  shared they had an outstanding week for catching salmon! Depths have been at 55-70ft. Yellow and green excelled, with white and blue also attracting good numbers. FF caught the majority of fish, but spoons are still effective. Overall the fish have been on the smaller side, 6-8lbs, but big fish can be caught on a daily basis, between 17-21lbs. Salmon fishing is in one of its highest months of the year, now would be a great time to try it!

Salmon Fishing on Lake Oahe
Photo Courtesy of Oahe Salmon Guide Service (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKz0NBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFIUDRtaTFINTJtYUNxRmJiAR6kpmSeD_MOQHSrYZkNSAdLwU_fx5YOUoZSDssX_2K4VSPu2PB0z33P4epGuQ_aem_PJWahM83JNnj_95krGoFCw)
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-sharpe/
In the Pierre (https://pierre.org/) /Fort Pierre (https://www.visitfortpierre.com/)  area on Lake Sharpe, Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/) reported weather impacted water on both lakes, but still saw great fishing happening. Rain made Lake Sharpe muddy south of Pierre along the main water channel, making fishing tough. In Pierre, around Hipple Lake in the Farm Island Recreation Area (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/farm-island-recreation-area/)  still has a good bite, with good numbers of 15-17 inchers along with many smaller fish. Use a plain slow death hook and crawler. Farther south of Pierre, West Bend continues to be a popular spot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB3-w-1wKqo
Lip Ripper Guide Service
Missouri River Fishing Report 6/22/25 Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe (Pierre Area)
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-francis-case/
In Chamberlain (https://chamberlainsd.com/) , Allen’s Missouri River Guide Service (http://www.allenshillside.com/) shared there are lots of fish to be had in the area. Best presentation has been bouncer with minnow or crawler.
In the Platte (https://www.platteareachamber.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKz2cpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFIUDRtaTFINTJtYUNxRmJiAR7JDGXayyW4VCy_4DMCuwhhkqwS9ZKtUjJVnU4Fc6MitTvYmXAI9pZxChPXgA_aem_7iwzGAbvbzclSuv9zWunxQ) area, aside from some storms, Lake Francis Case is producing and anglers are having a good time out on the water.
Reported from the Platte Creek Lodge & Guide Service (https://www.plattecreek.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKz2iZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFIUDRtaTFINTJtYUNxRmJiAR7oScl9s3B4ra9iQeM9hZ9HimoXaWCW1UdcoFxbUf6IwtecSGblwd7txoeKkA_aem_uqVNMaprdd0mW_ovc9cN5Q)

Great Fishing Out In Platte, SD
Photo Courtesy from Platte Creek Lodge & Guide Service (https://www.plattecreek.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKz2iZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFIUDRtaTFINTJtYUNxRmJiAR7oScl9s3B4ra9iQeM9hZ9HimoXaWCW1UdcoFxbUf6IwtecSGblwd7txoeKkA_aem_uqVNMaprdd0mW_ovc9cN5Q)
From the Geddes area, refer to SD Outfitters Unlimited’s (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  last report:
Walleye fishing on lower Lake Francis Case has never been better and there are lots of fish 15-24 inches. Angler have been trolling deeper between 20-30ft. Presentation has been using jigs over trees and jig raps. Also using bottom bouncers with slow death and spinners working in 15-18ft all over.
In the Bonesteel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/cities-and-communities/bonesteel/)  area, Ed with Pavel’s Walleye Camp (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/)  says the bite has been good in 5-20ft, using crawlers on a slow death hook. Fishing on the flats and the points, with windy days helping to stir up the fish.
No updated report for the Lake Andes (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/cities-and-communities/lake-andes/) , Wagner (https://wagnersd.squarespace.com/fort-randall-dam) , and Pickstown (https://pickstown-sd.net/) areas, see the last report from Lake Andes Inn & RV Park (https://lakeandesinn.com/) :
Walleye fishing is steady both above and below Fort Randall Dam. The bite picked up near Pease Creek with anglers finding success at 10–17 feet using minnows or crawlers. Small-mouth bass were active on the shore, hitting plastics and crank baits. Above the dam, trolling and jigging produced good numbers.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

The Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/) shared a hot bite and hot weather are going on in the Yankton (https://www.visityanktonsd.com/)  area. Fish are searching for cooler water, going deeper or into the chutes. Walleye are on the move looking for food sources, hanging out on the weed lines where the bugs are. Jigs with crawlers and leaches are working well in chutes and along deep breaks. Trolling Salmo hornets or Berkley Money Badgers has been effective all spring, and likely will be effective all summer. Lots of quality fish in the system right now, caught from the dam to the west end. River channel breaks will hold fish into the fall, but there will be tough days, especially when shad fills the system. Focus on finding fish in clean water, and the warmer the weather gets, the more the fish will bite.
Fantastic Fishing on Lewis & Clark Lake
Photo Courtesy from The Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/)
https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/outdoors/fishing/

Lake Oahe

·         Kemnitz MoRest Motel in Mobridge at 605-845-3668

·         Oahe Wings & Walleyes at 605-230-0280

·         Bob’s Resort in Gettysburg at 605-765-2500

·         South Whitlock Resort in Gettysburg at 605-765-9762

·         The Outpost Lodge in Pierre at 605-264-5450

·         Oahe Salmon Guide Service in Onida at 605-691-9020

Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe

·         Lip Ripper Fishing in Pierre at 402-689-9947

·         Hutch’s Guide Service at 605-220-2844

·         South Dakota Walleye Charters at 605-366-1875

Lake Francis Case

·         Allen’s South Dakota Fishing & Hunting at 800-435-5591

·         Platte Creek Lodge at 605-941-1679

·        Missouri River Lodge & SD Outfitters Unlimited at 605-680-3877

·         Lake Andes Inn Motel & RV Park at 605-418-9888

Lake Lewis and Clark

·         The Walleye Guys in Yankton 402-499-4936
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://experience.arcgis.com/experience/fa1e6cd335d8425183944b9f1a03e01e) 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.
Thanks for reading our Fishing Report!