SD Missouri River Fishing Report

2025 SD Governor’s Cup is here!

The 2025 South Dakota Governor’s Cup will take place this weekend July 19-20 launching from the Spring Creek Recreation Area (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/spring-creek-recreation-area/) . Annually hosted by The Fishing Crew (https://thefishingcrew.com/) , the weekend includes the 2nd Annual SD Lt. Governor’s Cup Kids Fishing Tournament, taking place Saturday, July 19, from 9am-1pm at the Spring Creek Marina. Stay up-to-date on fishing tournaments through The Fishing Crew (https://www.facebook.com/TheFishingCrew) Facebook page.

We are looking at partly to mostly cloudy skies all week. Temperatures will sit in the mid 80s to upper 90s. Keep an eye out for potential windy days.

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team
Subscribe to the Missouri River Tourism Newsletter (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/newsletter-signup/)
In Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/)  and Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/) , the MoRest Motel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/morest-motel/)  shared the bite in the area continues to be great. Anglers are catching really nice limits of fish. Best presentation has been using bouncers and spinners. Depth has changed a little to 15-25 feet of water.

Around Akaska, the fishing is still good but has gotten a little slower; however, it had to slow up from the fantastic prior week. For the most part, people are still getting their limits. Anglers are pulling catches from 12-20 feet, mostly using crawlers. Starting to catch quite a few catfish and smallmouth mixed in with the walleye.
Reported from Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)
The 2025 AFTCO Walleye Throwdown in Akaska, get ready for an epic showdown of angling skills at Lake Oahe. Two days filled with fierce competition, great company, and of course, plenty of walleye fishing. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this event is perfect for all fishing enthusiasts. So grab your gear and get ready to reel in the big one! Registration July 25th 1pm-7pm. See rules and registration here (https://www.aftco.com/pages/2025-aftco-walleye-throwdown) .

Reader Submission – Nice walleye, bass and Catfish!
In the beautiful town of Akaska, fishing by New Evarts and Swan Creek.
Stayed at Mansland Lodges.

In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)  shared they had a good week of fishing, weather and all. Fish quality is nice and healthy. Fish are a little deeper right now so you may need to cover more area. Walleye on average has been about 20 feet, though some have been catching them in shallows as low as 8 feet. Scoping for big walleyes will put you in about 40-50ft. Sutton Bay has been a good area but anglers have been fishing within a 10-mile radius north and south of Gettysburg. Using leeches and crawlers as live bait, crawlers preferred. Catching smallmouth and catfish from shore. Had great numbers from the Tom and Matt Hill Memorial Walleye Fishing Tournament, see results here (https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1138721851620244&set=a.393772286115208) .
Big Beauty on the Water
Photo Courtesy of South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)
Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  shared the area is doing good. Anglers did well in the Tom and Matt Hill Memorial Walleye Fishing Tournament, with the winning team catching a 14.54lb walleye. Fish are spread out a little more and walleye have been a little deeper around 30-35ft with water temps changing. Presentation has been minnow, leeches, and crawlers using bottom bouncers. Anglers pulling plugs are doing better, also jigging over trees for the big fish. Catfish have been back in the creek areas.
Prospt Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKF59NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQY1o3MDVVVk13MFd1ZlREAR5XKiPHMtl4AiPzaaSVimieC6OfbJNHtoSyEfHxcHlJSGznPPzE0kYp1vHJXg_aem_Hb8X78kEvNlB0YoQo-zgwg)  shared bite is still good, though some days are better than others. Seeing a lot of 20-22 inch fish. Fish are all over the system, seems like you can pick any area you want and find fish. 15-25ft is about where you’ll find the best numbers bite. Using half a crawler and bouncer is working best and producing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7w8jGZcl5Q
Lip Ripper Guide Service
Special Lake Oahe Report: Previewing the 2025 South Dakota Governor’s Cup

Salmon Update on Oahe
The Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  shared overall the fishing remains strong! The week started out on fire and dropped off a little at the end. It’s been a daily hunt as water temps continue to change often and the fish are not content to stay in an area. Depths are about the same, 65 – 75ft is best, though you can catch some at 60 – 80. Active colors have become more inconsistent. It’s still yellows, blues and greens, but preference changes day to day. Most have switched over to all FF, not so much spoons. The size of the fish remains incredible!
Young salmon angler showing how it’s done!
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 please refer to last week’s report:
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.
Excellent Fishing in the Oahe Downstream
Photo Courtesy from West Bend (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/west-bend-recreation-area/) Campground Hosts Bill & Anne Sherman
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/) ‘s report is about the same as last week. Expect the catch to get hard with bait starting to hatch in the system. Lots of limits are still being caught. Guides and groups at Hillside are doing well! Spinner and crawler are working best.
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 boats are catching some really nice fish! Depth for walleye has been 20-40ft using crawlers. Lots of smallmouth bass in the area.

Guided Trips in Bonesteel
Photo Courtesy from Pavel’s Walleye Camp (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/)
In 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, Lake Andes Inn & RV Park (https://lakeandesinn.com/)  shared the fishing around Fort Randall Dam was solid last week! Anglers had great luck with walleye, especially around 17-28ft, using minnows, crawlers, and bottom bouncers. Trolling and jigging both worked well. Smallmouth bass were hitting along the shorelines on crankbaits and plastics, and a few crappies and bluegill showed up in the shallows.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

For the Yankton (https://www.visityanktonsd.com/)  area, The Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/) shared the bite is excellent and they had another great week guiding on Lewis & Clark Lake. A couple slower days but overall a decent week. Lots of bait fish and mayflies in the system now so time to modify your presentation and locations to get the bites.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKLkzPsYxHM
The Walleye Guys
Lower Lake Francis Case Live Scoping

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!