SD Missouri River Fishing Report

http://www.allenshillside.com/
Fall fishing and weather are just around the corner!

As we dream of cooler weather, the 26th Mobridge Ice Fishing Tournament (https://mobridge.org/ice-fishing-tournament?fbclid=IwY2xjawMQSARleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiRjBzb2Z5aVV5RkwwZjloAR4efKS4zxJ-yac0D403J9jJ5P8mWwnxraA28-I4MMRFlEgUek3__eaa2JnR8A_aem_8vP2T7oMusqFWEkZiL9uZA)  has opened their 2026 Ice Fishing Tournament Prize Package Raffle. This event is annually hosted by the Mobridge Area Chamber of Commerce. Two of their big prizes is a Polaris Ranger and CAN-AM 550, $25 per chance. The 1st name drawn gets choice, and does not need to be present to win. Purchase Tickets Here (https://mobridge.formstack.com/forms/prizepackageraffle?fbclid=IwY2xjawMQRtVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiRjBzb2Z5aVV5RkwwZjloAR4_iKOhWPQgBG0zMQ-XKwSiW_Tw9GvD-k4UdDpVrAHqXTQar-FQpbCJivwRXQ_aem_afeLPfaHJ4XHsuYAJ4drfw) . The 2026 Mobridge Ice Fishing Tournament & Expo will take place between January 15th-17th.

Weather over the new few days will likely lead us into triple digits. But besides the heat, it should be a good week in Central Sodak to get out for fishing. It won’t be long until cooler days are here.

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team
Indian Creek RA in Mobridge (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/indian-creek-recreation-area/)
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 fishing has gotten pretty tough in the area. Limits have been harder to come by. Fish have been in 25-30ft. Mostly using bouncer and crawlers, and trolling crank baits. This month, the National Walleye Tour (https://outdoorteamworks.com/trail/nwt/schedule/)  announced the 2026 NWT schedule, and Lake Oahe will once again be part of the tour in Mobridge, May 20-21st 2026.

Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  shared the big fish are not too hard to catch. Jig raps over deep trees are producing some giants, but the eater-size fish are hard to come by right now. There are lots of catfish, and you can catch them about everywhere you look. But all in all, the bite is pretty slow.

Big beauties on Lake Oahe
Photo Courtesy of Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)  reported good fishing and things picked up from the weekend. The Lake Area Walleye Club (https://fb.watch/Bz3B5GZd0b/) produced some really great numbers as well. Anglers using live bait worm, minnow, and leeches. Jigging has been 4-30ft. Around the bridge some have been about 40-55 ft jigging over the trees. Most are catching walleye and smallmouth; catfish are in the bay areas.

Best Things South Dakota listed the Whitlock Bay Supper Club (https://www.facebook.com/whitlockbaysupperclub) as one of the best mom-and-pop restaurants in the state. Nostalgic homemade meals are part of their daily specials, offering large portions and a salad bar at a great price. Stop by after you park the boat for the day for a filling, delectable meal.
Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  shared things have not changed much in the area. Please refer to last week’s report:
Somewhat slower in the area, and limits are kinda spotty. However there were quite a few anglers coming up from the Spring Creek area with some good tournament numbers of smallmouth bass. The bass in the area have been fairly shallow and up in the rocky places; you can fish for them off the docks. Walleye have been much deeper between 30-35 ft. Anglers have had to try hard with a variety of methods to catch them. Many are using heavier bottom bouncers between 2-3oz and jigging over the trees.
From Prospt Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKF59NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQY1o3MDVVVk13MFd1ZlREAR5XKiPHMtl4AiPzaaSVimieC6OfbJNHtoSyEfHxcHlJSGznPPzE0kYp1vHJXg_aem_Hb8X78kEvNlB0YoQo-zgwg)  on Oahe, please refer to last week’s update:
Best number bite seems to be pretty deep between 35-45ft. Some days are better than others but you can catch your fish all over the system right now. When you find an active bite, you really want to stay on it as long as possible as there’s no guarantee the next stop will produce. Presentation has been slow depth hook with a half crawler.
Salmon Update on Oahe
The Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  shared salmon fishing had another tough week. The first part of the week was decent but the end of the week was a grind. Depth is holding around 70-80ft, with some success at 90ft when water temps were creeping up. FF still continues to be best. Color preferences are all over the place.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-sharpe/
In both Pierre (https://pierre.org/) /Fort Pierre (https://www.visitfortpierre.com/)  areas, please refer to last week’s report:
Prospt Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKF59NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQY1o3MDVVVk13MFd1ZlREAR5XKiPHMtl4AiPzaaSVimieC6OfbJNHtoSyEfHxcHlJSGznPPzE0kYp1vHJXg_aem_Hb8X78kEvNlB0YoQo-zgwg)  shared the Lake Sharpe bite is pretty good, and you can go just about anywhere on the breaklines with a bouncer and crawler and find fish – the key is finding where the better fish are located as there’s a ton of small fish. Best bite seems to be 7-10ft, although some days you might have to try inside of 6ft to find them. There’s a lot of perfect eating fish in the system at 15-17 inches. The bite will only continue to get better going into the fall.

Last week’s report from Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/) :
Fishing is very hit and miss on Lake Sharpe. The primary bite is in the stilling basin, where trolling crankbaits has produced the most fish. There is a significant amount of forage in the stilling basin, mostly gizzard shad, and that means fish are extremely well fed. Covering water with crankbaits has been the highest percentage option, but the bite is good one day and slow the next! Traditional crank options, #5 and #7 Shad Raps in the color purple, remain one of the top options. Whether trolling crankbaits or spoons, no one is immune from the hit and miss nature that comes with targeting walleye surrounded by forage in the stilling basin. Fortunately, when the bite is slow in the
stilling basin there is still good fishing to be had on the river!

The best bite is fishing in 6-10 ft along the major flats, targeting areas that feature rolling topography or “dunes” under the water. Fish are sitting in these areas and ambushing forage as it comes by. This means when it’s a #4 Colorado blade and nightcrawler behind a bottom bouncer, they’re often willing to bite!

Throughout the entire system, there remains a great number of fish 12-17 inches, with a good number of fish between 14-15 inches. These make for great action and great eaters, especially for it being the heat of the summer. There is no shortage of forage in the system, but when you find active fish they’re often willing to eat a bit more!

Further down river below the Pierre (https://midwestliprippers.com/plan-your-trip-to-pierre/)  area, anglers targeting the West Bend and Iron Nation recreation areas are reporting fish present. The trend of a great number of fish continues to be the case all along the reservoir.

Lip Ripper Fishing took a look at a new wrinkle; trolling light, flashy spoons behind heavy 10-ounce torpedo weights. This is a tactic that is common on Lake Erie, but not so common on Lake Sharpe. Fortunately, this can produce fish on the Missouri River too!  Check out Nick’s YouTube video Mixing It Up For Mid-Summer Lake Sharpe Walleye (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlf8eGtSMyo)
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/)  reported things are about the same last week. Anglers are working hard to get a limit. Experience on the river really makes a difference, plenty of fish being brought in from guides who know the area and Hillside anglers are doing well. Walleye are on the move, so what works one day might not work the next. Depth has been between 10-30ft depending on the day. Crawlers are still working the best.
From Geddes, SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  has no new report this week and you can refer to last week’s update:
Fish on lower Lake Francis Case stayed about the same as last week. In the morning hours the fish seem to be more catchable, keeping real deep between 40-55ft. The fish definitely drop off later in the day around 70-90ft. Fort Randall Dam is also producing some nice walleye in fast water on swim baits.
For the Bonesteel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/cities-and-communities/bonesteel/)  area, Pavel’s Walleye Camp (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/)  shared it was a good week on the river. Fishing with bottom bouncer in 25ft with a slow death hook is producing the best.
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/)  has reported nothing new for the area, please refer to last week:
Last week’s fishing started slow, but steady adjustments soon paid off. By experimenting with depths and presentations, anglers found fish holding in shallower water. Electronics were key in locating active schools, and once the right area and setup were dialed in, persistence was rewarded with a consistent bite. Covering water and staying flexible proved to be the winning strategy.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

For the Yankton (https://www.visityanktonsd.com/)  area the The Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/)  shared the perch biting is picking up and walleye are around if you can pick them out from the crowd of drum fish.

Catch the latest Reel Talk Podcast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgYzTa0PFRs) with Brian Bashore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgYzTa0PFRs
Co to Pro with David Landsteiner
Reel Talk Podcast 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!