SD Missouri River Fishing Report

https://www.sdmissouririver.com/
Ladders are out and the Salmon Spawn is on the agenda!

Exciting news! The first Salmon Spawn will be held Tuesday, October 14th, starting tentatively around 9am. Depending on how many fish are in the tanks, the spawn will go to about 10:30 or 11am. Once the spawn is done, the state-contracted vendor will sell the salmon in the parking lot. To learn more about the Whitlock Bay Salmon Spawning Station (https://gfp.sd.gov/whitlock/) visit SD Game Fish and Park’s website.

Next Monday will be the last fishing report for the season. Over the winter we will highlight Ice Fishing season and 2026 fishing expectations in a special preview. The regular fishing report will start back up in May 2026, running spring to fall, and ending with the salmon spawn in October.

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, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  shared that this week was more of the same unfortunately. They were a few fish caught pulling crank baits in 35 – 45ft, but it is no runaway bite. The bait bite is pretty much nonexistent. Using forward facing sonar and jigging will produce a few fish as well, but the bite is overall tough.
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)  shared that the walleye are really slow right now, and there have been some windy days. That being said, anglers are still catching a few. Salmon is picking up from the shore and some boaters are getting lucky using crocodile spoons. Catfish are a big hit in the area. Try early morning and evening hours.
Another Proud Angler at South Whitlock Resort! 14lbs 4oz
Photo Curtesy of South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)
Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  shared anglers are catching salmon from shore. Walleye haven’t been hot and heavy, but anglers are landing some here and there presenting over trees. Using live bait and starting at 25-30ft, work your way out to deeper waters 50ft and more for the big ones with jig raps. Live bait is minnow and worm. Anglers are catching small mouth in shallower waters and some walleye too.
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. 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 limited change in the report. The salmon are getting a little tougher to find and the walleyes remain deep. Almost all the action is coming from 60-75ft. Coppers and riggers get the most hits. Oahe Tackle Co spoons have been the most productive. FF were taking a few hits. Orange, yellow, green and red are the colors of choice.

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.

Angling in Salmon Season
Photo Curtesy of Oahe Salmon Guide
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. Last week still had a lot of hot days. Lake Sharpe is fishable if the wind isn’t blowing upstream. 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.

Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/) shared on the tough bite on Lake Sharpe: The bite on Lake Sharpe (https://midwestliprippers.com/2020/02/25/lake-sharpe-profile/)  continues to be greatly impacted by the flooding event from the Bad River that took place several weeks ago, but things are beginning to clear up, and the bite is slowly recovering. The river has been cleared of debris and we are just dealing with dirty water. Above Antelope Islands seems to have clearer water, and areas where water is flowing.

The bite is slow, but persistent anglers who vary their presentation and cover water can still catch fish. Trolling crankbaits is an effective way to cover the most water, and is now possible due to lack of vegetation floating in the column. Small baits like the #5 Berkley Flicker Shad (https://midwestliprippers.com/2025/01/12/tackle-profile-berkley-flicker-shad/)  are most effective. Bottom bouncing with larger, #4, brightly colored Colorado blades are the best way to get bites in the dirty water, and can coax more neutral fish to bite.

Oahe Dam Tailrace has some fish, but the bite itself is slow. The bulk of the pressure is on the west side, with a few fish on the east side.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVk8TIXO4eo
Lip Ripper Fishing
Tackling a Tough  Fall Bite on Lake Sharpe
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 the area is finally getting some cooler weather. Anglers hope the cooler temps will cause the fish to school rather than scatter. Guides are still doing well most days. But it definitely takes some time and a lot of moving around to get fish.
Wings and Fins in Chamberlain
Photo Curtesy of Allen’s Guide Service & Hillside Motel (https://www.facebook.com/allensmissouririverfishing)
No new reports from the Platte (https://www.platteareachamber.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMZcRhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhQlRPeUhHRWVPbHFDT2ZQAR4fDIOSVY5LvfZBWoUUfJ1sdBIds5Q4sx1OXL7CjDPGFVH1e4u8UcTrwjPQiw_aem_vHRLFc1bKVhnZSUQWDZyBQ) area, please refer to last week’s report:
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.
No new reports the Geddes area, please refer to last week’s report:
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 the fall bite is coming on jigs and crank baits in deeper water, and some are being caught on bottom bouncer in 20ft.
Nice Walleye in Bonesteel, SD
Photo Curtesy of Pavel’s walleye Camp (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/)  shared fishing season is slowly winding down. The weather is beautiful, and dedicated anglers are managing to reel in some nice catches. Activity is definitely quiet compared to peak weeks, but there’s excitement left for those willing to get out and try their luck.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

No new reports for the Yankton (https://www.visityanktonsd.com/)  area, please refer to the last report: 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.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!