SD Missouri River Fishing Report

http://www.allenshillside.com/
Storms Are Out, the Sun is Back!

From the Chamberlain-Oacoma area, the ever-popular Allen’s Hillside Motel & Missouri River Guide Service (http://www.allenshillside.com/)  sponsors this week’s report. Allen Motel and Guide Service is notably located right off of the I-90 in Chamberlain, hosting many groups small or large to enjoy a day on the river. Their experience is legendary in these parts, and their family-owned operation has long been in the business of serving anglers and families from all over the country. Good times are sure to be had on this stretch of the Missouri in South Dakota, whether you come for a weekend or a week, and now is a great time in summer to do some fishing!

If you didn’t see final numbers from the 51st SD Governor’s Cup over the weekend, you can visit The Fishing Crew’s Live Leaderboard (https://thefishingcrew.com/sd-governors-cup-live-leaderboard/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLrdP1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYUnFZcnZJZW0zUHBoNlZTAR4c4LDY5rygRGKLdWmoAtvbDkMZx_hhiFRrt2ADSFLQr0HzPfwZZH2Zv1vy0Q_aem_rE_YnlSKMcOOU_auj_1cIw)  and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheFishingCrew) for details. Congratulations to Beau Schilling and Ben Beadle on an outstanding win and total weight of 61.51lbs! Nick Harrington with Lip Ripper Fishing describes the full weekend event and record-breaking weights here (https://midwestliprippers.com/2025/07/20/2025-south-dakota-governors-cup-shatters-record-tournament-weights/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLrdA9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYUnFZcnZJZW0zUHBoNlZTAR7floSBhc-565wtAYcWq5ZL3XyIYKh_gCxdYGsXt3l3k90AH-ObRJoaQEaexg_aem_PVRtu0wkpQqv5zp6OSO5Mw) .

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 recent storm systems over the weekend made fishing more sporadic. Anglers are still catching limits of really nice fish, but you’ll have to work harder to find them as the fish have scattered. Most days, the depth is between 20-25ft, other days have been at 25-35ft. Presentation is still mostly bouncers and spinners with crawlers.

Around Akaska, the bite definitely got a lot tougher. There are plenty of fish around, but getting them to eat is another story. The fish being caught have been deeper at 30ft. Slowing way down (0.5mph) with a plain hook seems to be producing the best. Still catching other species like catfish, small mouth, and a few other fish. So there is still action, but the walleye have been a lot harder to come by.
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. Registration July 25th 1pm-7pm. See rules and registration here (https://www.aftco.com/pages/2025-aftco-walleye-throwdown) .
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)  reported they similarly had a slower week like many other locations due to weather, but are noticeably picking back up as the skies clear. Depths are at 14-20ft on average, 40-50ft for the large walleye. Sutton Bay has been a good area but anglers have been fishing within a 10-mile radius north and south of Gettysburg. Fishing is good in the bays. Using leeches and crawlers as live bait, crawlers preferred.
Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  shared the area has seen a lot of recent rain but anglers are still catching fish with mostly the same presentation. Fish are a little deeper right now 10-30ft. Catching catfish, small mouth, and walleye. Small mouth have been a little more active lately with the 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 the bite on Lake Oahe has been a little stingy; with warmer, stable weather, the bite will come back again soon. Fishing is good shallow, inside of 15ft, but the best bite is in 27-35ft.
Salmon Update on Oahe
The Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  shared the two heavy storms and a major cold front disrupted things, but salmon were still biting some. The target depth has remained steady at 80-85ft. Most action has been 65-75ft. The fish continue to move around quite a lot, making them hard to stay over top of. This past week they weren’t as willing to bite even when they were found. FF has been the ticket; plugs, spoons and meat have only been landing a few fish. Color has been blues, greens, and yellows, but you need to cycle them consistently even during the day. Size has been the most impressive aspect of this season, with 19-20 pounders being caught once or twice every week.

Lake Oahe producing Impressive Salmon
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/)  if you are fishing Lake Sharpe here are some angling tips for summer fishing from Lip Lipper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/) :

The West Bend area is a favorite spot for many anglers. Down in this area, the reservoir begins to act like a lake as opposed to the river qualities of the upper end. Bottom bouncing the large flats in this area is an excellent way to put a great number of fish in the boat throughout the day. Pulling .8″ Mack’s Lure Smile Blades and nightcrawlers is often the perfect amount of attraction to entice walleyes feeding heavily through the summer months.
Trolling crankbaits in the stilling basin can produce very good fish as well. Shad will often congregate in this area. Larger walleyes follow these schools and are liable to chase suspended crankbaits. Trolling #5 and #7 Rapala Shad Raps, Berkley Flicker Shads or similar can be the ticket to success.
LaFramboise Island and Farm Island offer different habitat and type of fishing. Along LaFramboise Island, the lack of current allows heavy weed growth not seen in most of the reservoir. Bottom bouncing with Smile Blades and crawlers in 7-10ft can produce excellent fishing at times.
Throughout the heat of summer, the bulk of the fishing will take place in the lower third of the reservoir. Walleyes spending the winter and spring in the upper third of the reservoir will transition their way down and spend the summer in this area. Therefore, fishing in the West Bend area and near the face of the dam is often the best options in summer. There will be a certain number of fish that stay in the upper end of the reservoir, primarily within the Oahe Dam tailrace. Fishing in this area can be good through most of the summer, particularly as the sun goes down in the evening. Tying a #9-#11 Floating Rapala to a 1 1/2 oz bottom bouncer and floating in the current can not only produce good numbers of fish, but very large fish as well.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-francis-case/
http://www.allenshillside.com/
In Chamberlain (https://chamberlainsd.com/) , Allen’s Missouri River Guide Service (http://www.allenshillside.com/)  reported the bite is slowing but still some fish are being caught on spinners and crawlers. Depth has been between 15-25ft with some fish being caught in 10ft occasionally.

Guided Trips on Lake Francis Case
Photo Courtesy of Allen’s Hillside Motel & Missouri River Guide Service (http://www.allenshillside.com/)
In the Platte (https://www.platteareachamber.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKz2cpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFIUDRtaTFINTJtYUNxRmJiAR7JDGXayyW4VCy_4DMCuwhhkqwS9ZKtUjJVnU4Fc6MitTvYmXAI9pZxChPXgA_aem_7iwzGAbvbzclSuv9zWunxQ)  area, Lake Francis Case had somewhat of a tough week, but the Platte Creek Lodge & Guide Service (https://www.plattecreek.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKz2iZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFIUDRtaTFINTJtYUNxRmJiAR7oScl9s3B4ra9iQeM9hZ9HimoXaWCW1UdcoFxbUf6IwtecSGblwd7txoeKkA_aem_uqVNMaprdd0mW_ovc9cN5Q)  saw anglers are still catching fish.
From the Geddes area, SD Outfitters Unlimited’s (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  shared that fish have moved much deeper and crank baits have been working best with a live scope and jig raps. Depth has been deep, mainly 38-55ft Some of the nicer fish are in the 50-60ft range, but it is challenge to get them in the boat. Anglers using live bait have been struggling.

Great times on the Water
Photo Courtesy of S (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/) D Outfitters Unlimited & Missouri River Lodge (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)
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 it’s about the same for the area. Refer to last week’s report:
Boats are catching some really nice fish! Depth for walleye has been 20-40ft using crawlers. Lots of smallmouth bass in the area.
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 fishing last week wasn’t too impressive. The hot weather, heavy rains, and frequent thunderstorms really took over the area. Last week’s report will be relevant for this week as the weather calms down:
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, please refer to last week’s report:
The Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/)  reported 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=koQFZuVESr0
The Walleye Guys
ICAST 2025: New Gear, Products, and Brands

http://www.allenshillside.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!