SD Missouri River Fishing Report

https://www.plattecreek.com/
CAST ‘N BLAST on the Missouri River!

The best on the water and in the field experiences happen in Central South Dakota! For the next three weeks we will be highlighting fishing charters that provide both Cast ‘n Blast opportunities!

Our sponsor this week, Platte Creek Lodge & Guide Service (https://www.plattecreek.com/) , is located on the stunning waters of Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River, and perfectly positioned to hunt the abundant prairies around Platte, SD. Platte Creek Lodge hosts those looking for fantastic birds, a solid haul-in of fish, and a relaxing river retreat in their fully-furnished lodging, with room to bring friends and family. No crowds, no hustle – just the best fishing and hunting you can have amidst the remarkable beauty of the river valley. In the Fall, fish will be biting and migrating a final time before winter, so now is the perfect opportunity to fit in your last trip of the year.

Central South Dakota is anticipating thunderstorms and rain midweek. However, over the weekend, you can expect partly cloudy skies and lower chances of rain for fishing opportunities.

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/)  report the bite continues to be extremely tough. Finding fish and bait with electronics has not been an issue, but getting them to bite has been nearly impossible. Fish have been in 10-15ft on some days, 30-40ft on others. Once the water temps cool down some, the bite should kick back into gear.

Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  shared angling for walleye have been pretty tough. Catfish, on the other hand, are easy to catch, spot locking in between 40-60ft and using jig and crawler. Walleye have been coming from 30-40 ft, using a bouncer and a crawler.
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)  shared fishing has been fairly slow in the area. There’s still a variety of species being caught however, including lots of catfish, small mouth, and perch, but walleye have been hard to come by. Live bait is 50/50 between crawler and minnow. The area is anticipating a good fall fishing season to come!
The Salmon Spawn Gets Closer!
Caught south of Parker Pascal on Lake Oahe. 31in & 12.5lbs
Photo Courtesy of South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM1QwZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVc1dxazRES2NIRHFLOE51AR4HEoVv-nXBsDRUY1Wjz7Ml9dl6B3fd455feg-rslQA_LOjtNwItJzromRMPA_aem_MgpaCtSZBDuMVN6x7Hy9bg)  in Gettysburg
Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  has no new report. Refer to 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.
On the southern end of Lake Oahe, the Outpost Lodge (https://outpostsd.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM1JLBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVc1dxazRES2NIRHFLOE51AR4c8S5vf9nKn7w6xpvUJkM-N3nCDejpTMGL1mvY40ncnt1GigED9etI5ffbcQ_aem_bW2PIlR1dnZIwBPS6OHxHQ)  shared playing the weather has been important. Dead calm has been quiet; walleye chop works. Worms have worked best but minnow are starting. Plugs have been hot. 6-15ft on cloudy days, 20-25ft on sunny days. Sully Flats to the Cheyenne River have been the best locations on the south end. The most important strategies have been playing the wind and choosing the right bait.
Propst Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM1HgVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVc1dxazRES2NIRHFLOE51AR6tSU_R0gdF7_AZzZmfXlxsslZMZLLfMjbFtD_1n7EnbOni12Oe7DLz1dHTvQ_aem_J3dCh8yfS3YSP1u0oxyv_w)  shared that the bite’s a little slower on Lower Oahe right now, but if you can find any wind-blown areas, you can scratch your fish out from the top zone. Fish are all over, some in 10-15ft, others in 25-35ft. There are also a lot of fish that are still really deep, past 40ft. The Cheyenne River area has been most consistent lately.
Salmon Update on Oahe
The Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  shared the past week’s salmon bite stayed really consistent. Walleyes have also gone very deep and can be caught while hunting salmon. Fish are at 60-80ft down. Coppers, divers and riggers are all producing. Temps have been on the high side, but fish have stayed active. FF has still been the best with spoons and plugs pulling a few. Blue, green, yellow and black were all good at some point during last week. Most fish are still looking pretty good. A few of the males are getting darker, but there’s still some time before the full spawn.

For those interested to learn more about the West Whitlock Bay Salmon Spawning Station (https://gfp.sd.gov/whitlock/) , be sure to follow on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WestWhitlock) for updates. SD Game Fish & Park typically opens the Salmon Hatchery around the first or second week of October. During this time, guests and groups are welcome to visit the station, where they will have presentations about salmon spawning on Lake Oahe.
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=IwY2xjawM1HgVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVc1dxazRES2NIRHFLOE51AR6tSU_R0gdF7_AZzZmfXlxsslZMZLLfMjbFtD_1n7EnbOni12Oe7DLz1dHTvQ_aem_J3dCh8yfS3YSP1u0oxyv_w)  and Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/)  shared similar reporting for Lake Sharpe. The heavy rains over the weekend made the waters completely muddy, but there are fish to be caught off the flats in 6-8ft. There are a ton of small fish, so take a ruler to determine your keepers are at the 15 inch. They are anticipating it will take a couple weeks for a less tough bite to return.

You can also refer to Nick’s latest video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzCa6ARicy4) .
Reader-Submitted Photo of Walleye Catch on the Missouri River, SD
Thanks Timothy Mueller!
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 getting keepers has been tougher. Depending on the day, some boats are doing well, some not as much. Waiting for the fall weather to really help move the bite along, as summer weather hangs on. Presentation is still spinner and crawler, or pulling lead core. Last week, anglers were chasing fish in all different depths.
https://www.plattecreek.com/
In the Platte (https://www.platteareachamber.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMZcRhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhQlRPeUhHRWVPbHFDT2ZQAR4fDIOSVY5LvfZBWoUUfJ1sdBIds5Q4sx1OXL7CjDPGFVH1e4u8UcTrwjPQiw_aem_vHRLFc1bKVhnZSUQWDZyBQ) area, Platte Creek Lodge & Guide Service (https://www.plattecreek.com/) shared fishing has been picking up and they had some great days on the water last week. Depth is at 6-18ft; using bottom bouncers, minnow/crawler or crankbaits.

Late Summer Guided Trips on Lake Francis Case
Photo Courtesy of the Platte Creek Lodge & Hunting Guide Service (https://www.plattecreek.com/)
From Geddes, SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  has no new report. Refer to last week:
In the Pease Creek area, the bite has been good 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.
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 that not much has changed again from last week, but fishing is fair. The river is full and the water is cooling down. The full Fall Bite will soon turn on.
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 no new report. Refer to last week:
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.

Reader-Submitted Photos from Platte Creek, SD
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/)  please refer to last week’s report:
Cooler temps are settling in and fish are on the move. Changing weather conditions like the switch from summer to fall cause a lot of inconsistency in fishing. There are fish all over the system right now, some deep and some shallow, but getting the right ones to bite can be a challenge. Taking what the day gives you is the best option until a seasonal pattern emerges. Currently, the perch bite on Lewis & Clark Lake is worth targeting. White Bass are also a fun species to go for as they are schooled up and chasing bait. Walleye seems to be the most consistent up-river as those fish are less affected by the changing temps and they will soon start to move back into the lake, making for an excellent fall bite. If you are into Live scoping, it may be the best tool to use so you can pick out the species you want to target while avoiding all the Drum, which are always biting. There is a ton of bait in the system right now and it isn’t going to change anytime soon. Getting away from high-bait
areas can help you find a good bite, but switching up your bait will also attract fish. Sometimes you just have to keep trying different things until something works.
https://www.platteareachamber.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMn1PhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF3Y1d2Q3JsZGhId3V5eTRlAR7s-https://www.plattecreek.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

·        Skipper Bros Guiding at 605-892-7777

·        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!