SD Missouri River Fishing Report

https://www.sdmissouririver.com/
Labor Day Opportunities for Fishing & Camping

Weather seems to be cooling off the river! In Central SoDak, this week’s temperatures aren’t too hot, hovering around the mid 80s and possibly dipping into the upper 70s. Friday and Saturday have possible stray thundershowers. But overall, it’s looking to be a nice Labor Day weekend for riverside fun at your favorite campground.

We will not publish a new Fishing Report next week on September 1st in observation of Labor Day.

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 that tough fishing continues in the area. Still using the same presentation as last week, mostly using bouncer and crawlers, and trolling crank baits. Fish have been in 25-30ft.

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 that it’s been somewhat of a rollercoaster for the last month. Some days have produced really well, others not so much. The most recent days were on the better side. Anglers have moved back to the to deeper water 30-35ft. Mixing in a few minnows but crawlers are still the main bait. Still catching piles of catfish along with a mixture of small walleyes. Swan Creek, with an 8-mile radius, has been the main area of focus.
https://www.southwhitlock.com/
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)  shared not much has changed. Refer to last week’s weeks report: 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.
Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  shared things are about the same as last week. Catching a little bit of everything but not a whole lot. Walleye have been much deeper between 30-35ft. Anglers are going over the deep trees and live-scoping for them; others are casting from shore. It’s possible that salmon are moving a little bit north as it’s getting closer to spawning time. Smallmouth is still going and catfish are everywhere.
From Propst Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKF59NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQY1o3MDVVVk13MFd1ZlREAR5XKiPHMtl4AiPzaaSVimieC6OfbJNHtoSyEfHxcHlJSGznPPzE0kYp1vHJXg_aem_Hb8X78kEvNlB0YoQo-zgwg) , the lower end of Oahe is producing nice fish using live bait. Most are still fishing in that 35-45ft range but there are good fish to be caught inside of 20 feet.
A Good Start to Monday!
Photo Courtesy of Propst Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/)
Salmon Update on Oahe
The Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  shared that salmon fishing has finally turned a corner! The bite picked up on Tuesday and has remained consistent, plus some really good days. For now, the bigger fish are still hard to come by. Other than the ability to catch higher numbers, the report is still the same as it has been most of the summer. Depth is primarily 60-80ft with an occasional fish coming from 90. Divers, coppers and riggers are all producing fish. The fish are very indecisive as far as color. Greens, blues, yellows and white are all producing. It’s an FF bite primarily.
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, Propst Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKF59NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQY1o3MDVVVk13MFd1ZlREAR5XKiPHMtl4AiPzaaSVimieC6OfbJNHtoSyEfHxcHlJSGznPPzE0kYp1vHJXg_aem_Hb8X78kEvNlB0YoQo-zgwg)  shared that Lake Sharpe has stayed the same with a consistent bite of small fish and fish off the flats in 6-9ft of water pulling bouncer and 1/2 crawler. You can add things on like a smaller Colorado blade or a smiley blade if you prefer.

In the Pierre area (https://midwestliprippers.com/plan-your-trip-to-pierre/) , Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/)  shares the late-summer bite continues to hold steady. During August, the best bites can be had bottom-bouncing along the large flats near Fort George, trolling crankbaits in the stilling basin, and jigging in early morning and late evening along the Pierre/Fort Pierre bridges. The tailrace is likely going to pick up in the evenings as well.

Some key points to remember when you’re making up your baits is that there are a lot of gizzard shad and forage in the system right now, making it a competitive bite – you’ll want your bait to stand out in the water, so pick bright colors like white, orange, and pink, and lean towards the larger blades. The catch is going to be a lot of 12-15 inchers, scattered around the water. The large fish are moving north while temperatures drop from peak summer heat.

The stilling basin will have fewer, but better quality fish, with more opportunity to catch the 15-19 inch bracket, though there are even more gizzard shad in this area. Trolling crankbaits is an effective way to target walleye as they rise and descend in the water column. Mirroring gizzard shad is best done with a #5 Berkley Flicker Shad, with Purple Tiger being the best color. A #5 Rapala Shad Rap in Purpledescent is a good option as well.

Bite windows at the stilling basin and tailrace are very tight; fish will often bite for 15-30 minutes then stop. This makes staying on the high percentage areas, as opposed to covering water, the most effective strategy. The amount of forage is so great that fish do not need to feed for long!

In the tailrace, near the bridges, and along La Framboise causeway, casting crankbaits with a #7 Rapala Shallow Shad Raps or #11 Husky Jerks are the most productive.
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 that fish have gotten finicky. Presentation has been key to producing walleye. Using spinner and crawler is still the best, no certain depth. Fish are chasing forage and gizzard shad in the system right now, so it’s a little different day to day.
Young anglers in Chamberlain!
Photo Courtesy of Allen’s Missouri River Guide Service & Hillside Motel (http://www.allenshillside.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMZcjhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhQlRPeUhHRWVPbHFDT2ZQAR4fDIOSVY5LvfZBWoUUfJ1sdBIds5Q4sx1OXL7CjDPGFVH1e4u8UcTrwjPQiw_aem_vHRLFc1bKVhnZSUQWDZyBQ)

In the Platte (https://www.platteareachamber.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMZcRhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhQlRPeUhHRWVPbHFDT2ZQAR4fDIOSVY5LvfZBWoUUfJ1sdBIds5Q4sx1OXL7CjDPGFVH1e4u8UcTrwjPQiw_aem_vHRLFc1bKVhnZSUQWDZyBQ) area, Platte Creek Lodge & Guide Service (https://www.plattecreek.com/) shared that fishing is finally picking back up with the cooler temperatures coming on. When the weather shifts to fall in the next month, it should continue to get better.
From Geddes, SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  reported that in the Pease Creek area the bite has been good all week with lots of fish to be found at 20-25ft. They are biting on slow death with night crawlers, or pulling flicker shads. Where you find the bait fish, you will find biting walleye. At the Fort Randall Dam, walleye continue to bite early in the morning and late evening. Many are dam-slamming with rapalas or using white plastic gulps or jigs. Good luck!

Nice catches from Geddes!
Photo Courtesy of SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)
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/)  reported not much has changed, refer to last week’s report: A good week on the river. Fishing with bottom bouncer in 25ft with a slow death hook is producing the best.
Great Crew from Missouri Valley Iowa!
Photo Courtesy of Pavel’s Walleye Camp in Bonesteel (https://www.facebook.com/walleyecamp)
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 cooler temperatures over the weekend and into the coming week are making for very pleasant fishing conditions on the river and lake. Anglers had good success targeting walleye in about 30ft, especially when using live bait like minnows.

In addition to walleye, anglers are also finding catfish and smallmouth bass biting steadily. The mix of species and the comfortable weather have made for some really enjoyable days out on the water.
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 the latest report: Perch biting is picking up and walleye are around if you can pick them out from the crowd of drum fish.

Get prepared for fall fishing on Lewis and Clark Lake with Brian Bashore on the Reel Talk Podcast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgYzTa0PFRs) talking about the fall perch bite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCV6EhErS5Q

Fall Walleye Fishing on Lewis & Clark Lake
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!