SD Missouri River Fishing Report

http://www.allenshillside.com/fishing/
Wings and Fins on the Missouri River

Clean waters and open prairies in the Chamberlain area bring many hopeful sportsmen every year to relax and engage their hunter instincts out in nature. In the business for decades, Allen’s Missouri River Hillside Motel and Guide Service (http://www.allenshillside.com/fishing/) has provided day after day of great casting and blasting. Individuals, groups, and families are all welcome to venture out into the captivating Missouri River valley landscape for a good time – there’s no group too small or too big! Allen’s has the experience and service record to provide every one of their hunters or anglers with an enjoyable trip on the water or in the field. Book early! Reservations go fast with this trusty charter service.

This week looks like the perfect weather for all things outdoors in Central SD, with mostly clear skies forecasted for every day except Sunday. SD has officially opened the 2025 Grouse Season: view details on Ruffed Grouse (https://gfp.sd.gov/ruffed-grouse/) , Sharp-tailed Grouse and Prairie Chickens (https://gfp.sd.gov/prairie-grouse/)  on the SDGFP website.

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/)  has no new report, please refer to the most recent update:
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, there are no new reports, please refer to last week’s:
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 things are about the same as last week. Some anglers have caught really nice walleye in the bays. Salmon fishing picked up some last week, but success is still hit and miss day by day. The salmon are very nice quality as spawn hasn’t taken full effect. Depth has varied depending on the type of lure you’re using. Pull plugs in more shallow ranges, and use jig raps deep over the trees. Overall, anticipating nice fishing with the cooler weather approaching.
Proud Angler Walleye! 11lbs 4.8oz – Great job!
Photo Curtesy of South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)
From Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  please refer to last week’s report:
Anglers are beginning to see a few more salmon caught in the shallower areas casting from shore and long lining. Boats this past week seemed to have a little harder time with salmon. Some walleye anglers are having luck finding large ones using jigs over trees. Live bait worm and minnow in 25-30ft have been the best method.
On the southern end of Lake Oahe, you can refer to the Outpost Lodge (https://outpostsd.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM1JLBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVc1dxazRES2NIRHFLOE51AR4c8S5vf9nKn7w6xpvUJkM-N3nCDejpTMGL1mvY40ncnt1GigED9etI5ffbcQ_aem_bW2PIlR1dnZIwBPS6OHxHQ) ‘s report from last week:
Salmon fishing has been excellent. They have a new salmon guide, Long Hair Guide Service, who has availability this season. The walleye bite has slowed down with only a few still catching giants. Bass fishing has been top notch, with some bag limits of 25# for your 5. Pike fishing has also been great! Go for deeper than 30ft and you will see the magic. The Stockman’s Tournament will start Friday night with a rules meeting and fishing all weekend. The grouse hunting this year will be the talk of the decade! The Outpost Lodge has found several open spots on the shoreline via public hunting access and are seeing tons of birds; get your dog and come on out. The Outpost Lodge has dinner specials every night, featuring local Meire Meats all-beef patties for hamburgers. Cabins are available with fall rates!
Propst Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM1HgVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVc1dxazRES2NIRHFLOE51AR6tSU_R0gdF7_AZzZmfXlxsslZMZLLfMjbFtD_1n7EnbOni12Oe7DLz1dHTvQ_aem_J3dCh8yfS3YSP1u0oxyv_w)  reported that Oahe conditions are the same as last week; some days are way better than others. The reaction-style, forward-facing sonar bite is 35-65ft and is the most consistent bite. Otherwise you can refer to last week’s reporting:
Some days are better than others. Finding windblown areas has been the key to fish under 20ft. Once you find a biting pod, you’ll want to get your work done as the bite window varies from 20 minutes to 5. Getting bites in the boat right now is critical to having a successful day as opportunities are fewer this early in the season. They are catching fish on a 2oz bottom bouncer with a bead and slow death, also using a half a crawler or a Berkley 4in gulp crawler. There is a deeper Jig Rap bite out past 20-60ft using forward facing sonar – it seems the best bite has been using more of a light jig cadence. Other baits being used include a Berkley Finisher or a Shiver minnow. New baits like the Berkley Rawler Jig or the Berkley PowerBait Power Vibe are some to add to the tackle box for catching Oahe walleyes.
Salmon Update on Oahe
The Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  shared the salmon bite is holding pretty well. It was more up and down this week with the spawn moving along. Target depth has changed slightly, covering 60-90ft. Most are smaller, chrome fish coming from the deeper end, and an occasional spawner coming in from the higher end.
It’s still advantageous to diversify your spread. FF is still producing, but spoons continue to get better. A few fish are showing up in the Whitlock area, but it appears to be pretty slow at the moment.

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 the 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)  updated that things haven’t really changed. Needing less 90 temp days. Lake Sharpe is fishable if the wind isn’t blowing up stream. There isn’t a lot of current right now, so when it’s calm, the water produces. However, if the wind’s blowing upstream, it stirs it all back up. Go to the deeper channel areas to catch fish. The fish are running very small in the 14 inch range, so you have to go through quite a few fish to get your keeper 15 inches and over.

Last week’s reporting for Lake Sharpe: heavy rains last week caused the Bad River to dump insane amounts of mud and debris into the main river. The culverts in town also muddied the river, creating some turbidity even within the normally clear areas of the reservoir. Navigating Sharpe for the foreseeable future will require a lot of attention; trees are hung up everywhere. Sharpe will likely not clean up very fast. A lot of debris and silt will catch on the sand bars and anything else it can attach to, and once the Oahe Dam releases more water, it stirs Lake Sharpe up again. It will take a few weeks to clear up proper for the upper portion of Sharpe.

This has put a great deal of the top fall fishing spots out of play.
The tailrace area was mostly void of walleyes, though there were some smallmouth bass. The bite in the stilling basin has also been extremely slow. Patience will be the name of the game with Lake Sharpe. With no rain forecast for this week, hopefully the current flow can clean up the reservoir and improve the bite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig9TVL1FDn0
Lip Ripper Fishing
Lake Sharpe Report 9/21/25
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-francis-case/
http://www.allenshillside.com/fishing/
In Chamberlain (https://chamberlainsd.com/) , Allen’s Missouri River Guide Service (http://www.allenshillside.com/)  reported that guides are still doing decent most days. The bite has been the same. Boats on their own have had mixed reports. Needing fall temps to bring the water temp down as the water is still over 70 degrees. Walleye are very healthy with lots of bait. The area is seeing a lot of birds as they gear up for pheasant season. It’ll be a busy Fall.

Not a group too small or too big for Allen’s in Chamberlain!
Photo Curtesy of Allen’s Missouri River Guide & Hillside Motel (http://www.allenshillside.com/fishing/)
In the Platte (https://www.platteareachamber.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMZcRhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhQlRPeUhHRWVPbHFDT2ZQAR4fDIOSVY5LvfZBWoUUfJ1sdBIds5Q4sx1OXL7CjDPGFVH1e4u8UcTrwjPQiw_aem_vHRLFc1bKVhnZSUQWDZyBQ) area, Platte Creek Lodge & Guide Service (https://www.plattecreek.com/)  reported that the fishing is continuously picking up. Catching fish jigging and using bottom bouncing around 11-14ft. Pulling crankbaits has also been been a good presentation.
Beautiful Day for a Guided Trip in Platte
Photo Curtesy of Platte Creek Lodge (https://www.plattecreek.com/)
From Geddes, SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  shared there’s a good jig rap bite starting! Depth has been between 14-18ft using cranks, best presentation has been trolling flicker shads.

Group Trips off Lake Francis Case near Geddes
Photo Curtesy 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 Fall fishing is picking up and looks like the area is going to have a good bite!
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 conditions remain much the same as last week, with anglers seeing steady action. Out in the fields, turkeys and pheasants are showing up in good numbers. It looks like it will be an awesome hunting season!
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 Fall is in the air, though some days are still hitting 80s-90s. Water temps are still in the low 70s but they won’t be for long, and with less daylight each day, walleye are migrating to fall locations and starting to put on the feedbags as egg development has begun. Expect this fall season to be one of the best ones yet, with great numbers of fish in the system and several fish over 20″ already showing up in the past two weeks.  As water temps drop, the fish will begin to search out those deeper breaks and continue to chase bait, which is plentiful, so being around fish when the bite window presents itself is crucial.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXJK2PkQ_dA
The Walleye Guys
Two Time National Walleye Tour Champion, Tom Huynh

http://www.allenshillside.com/fishing/
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!