Missouri River Fishing Report

High Temperatures Change Fishing Patterns

It’s going to be a real South Dakota heat wave this week, so now is the time to stick to those morning and evening hours. If you’re headed out in the afternoon, bring plenty of water, wear lightweight, sun-protective clothing, and take breaks in the shade when possible. Boaters should also keep an eye on engine temperatures and be prepared for busy ramps during the cooler parts of the day.

Weekend Weather Report for Pierre & Fort Pierre this weekend: Friday, expect another hot summer day with highs around 101F,  southeast winds around 5-10mph, and a slight chance of isolated evening thunderstorms. Saturday looks equally high at 101F, but calmer 5mph winds should allow for excellent boat control and keep the fish moving enough to stay hungry. Sunday will hopefully be slightly cooler with highs around 97F under mostly sunny skies, and a light southeast wind between 5-10mph.

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team
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In Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/)  and Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/) , the MoRest Motel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/morest-motel/)  shared things have stayed nearly the same as last week’s report. The fishing remained good this last week. Most fish have been down 10-16ft in the tributaries and 20-30ft on the main lake. Still catching fish using traditional bouncer and spinner/propeller with crawler. Trolling crankbaits have also been very productive.
Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  reported the bite continues to be good. It seems the bite windows are a little shorter than they were previously but anglers are still mostly getting limits. Depths vary more than usual. When you have some wind you can get them shallow in 7-10ft. On calmer, hotter days, they tend to slide down to 20-40ft. Bouncers and crawlers are still the best producers.

Coming up soon! The 2026 AFTCO Walleye Throwdown returns to Akaska for its second year in partnership with the South Dakota Walleye Classic (https://www.facebook.com/sdwalleyeclassic) , bringing even bigger prizes and an expanded tournament-style format.
https://sdwalleyeclassic.com/info.php?fbclid=IwY2xjawRu2CBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFwd0wxUjVsTFdWMDNXRWVEc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHu28Pj0vYBDzTFWPsiagnu7TZD8GkyzCHxHhF86quyXYlSUY4iYo3eYmaAwM_aem_RM4nEMYPBjmULMnd6Qnq2Q
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)  reported that angling is still good both north and south of the bridge and everyone is happy with the size of fish this season. Heat is going to be the largest factor this upcoming week, so get your fishing in early. Limits are attainable, although you might not fill them as fast as recently. Shallow fishing has been 8ft and deeper fishing has been between 20-25ft. Catching nice small mouth and walleye. Presentation has been leaning more into worms and leeches over minnows.

Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  shared the area saw a lot of activity for the Tom and Matt Hill Memorial Walleye Fishing Tournament (https://www.facebook.com/tomandmatthillmemorialwalleyefishingtournament)  with some sizable weigh-ins! The rest of the anglers had a great week catching 25-30ft with any presentation – the fish were hungry!
Full Boat Ramp!
Photo Courtesy of Bob’s Resort in Gettysburg (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063507372306)
Salmon Update on Oahe
Kevin Thibodeau with the Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  reported it has been an amazing year! A 20-pounder was boated this past week. FF has been very strong, with some coming in on meat and slider spoons. Greens, blues, whites and yellows are all working. The 60-90ft range remains productive. Downriggers, divers and coppers are all producing. Temps are high, but the fishing is good!

Salmon in Cow Creek Recreation Area
Photo Courtesy of Oahe Salmon Guide Service (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577021757404)
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-sharpe/
Nick Harrington with Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/)  reported Lake Sharpe has been slow this year. Fortunately, there’s still time to end the year strong, and Lake Sharpe has traditionally offered very good late summer and early fall fishing.

The most consistent fishing has been the West Bend area. Anglers are finding both walleye and smallmouth bass, and while the bite has been generally slower since a red hot start, this area should continue to produce for the next several months.

Further up river, the stilling basin of the Oahe Dam historically has a good late summer bite that begins in mid-July and carries into the fall. Bottom bouncing can produce, but trolling crankbaits is usually the better option.

By August, it will be time to check the flats below Farm Island down towards Stoney Point, Fort George, and De Grey. This bite is usually underway by mid-August, and continues to get better throughout September and October. In about a month, fish should move back up river, and hopefully set up for a strong fall!

Similarly, August is when fish move into the Oahe Dam tailrace area in good numbers, with more fish showing up in September and October. As fishing picks up on the flats, this means fish are on their way to the Oahe Dam and a great fall bite from both the boat and shore can be in the making!

The Complete Guide to Fishing on Lake Sharpe (https://midwestliprippers.com/2026/02/08/the-complete-guide-to-fishing-on-lake-sharpe/)  – by Nick Harrington
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-francis-case/
In Chamberlain (https://chamberlainsd.com/)  there is not an updated report. Please refer to last week’s information:
Allen’s Missouri River Guide Service (http://www.allenshillside.com/)  shared that the end of June sees anglers having a tougher time getting keepers, but are managing. On July 1st, the size limit comes off for walleyes in Lake Sharpe, meaning anglers will be able to keep those smaller 14.5 inch fish.
Skipper Bros Guiding (https://www.skipperbrosguiding.com/)  on Lake Francis Case has no new updates. Refer to last week:
Fishing has stayed about the same as last week, but seeing more fish transitioning into summer patterns, many going to deeper water but some are staying shallow. Fish are starting to look healthy with the mayfly hatch in their bellies. People have been catching keeper walleyes as shallow as 10ft and as deep as 50. The fish are scattered all throughout the reservoir. There are lots of little fish being caught, and many species as well.
Joel Vasek with SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  shared that anglers are doing very well on Lake Francis Case; however the bite is tough during the middle part of the day. Lots of fish are biting at 15-25ft on crank baits and night crawlers.

Walleye Up on Lake Francis Case
Photo Courtesy of SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)
For the Bonesteel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/cities-and-communities/bonesteel/)  and Whetstone Bay area, Ed Pavel from Pavel’s Walleye Camp (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/)  said the fish have moved to deeper water catching them on bottom bouncers, leeches, and crawlers, or crank bait. A wind sure helps the bite move. Now that the middle of summer is passing, it’s time to start looking at booking your fall fishing trip!
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, Mark Schofield with Lake Andes Inn & RV Park (https://lakeandesinn.com/)  shared Lake Francis Case and the Fort Randall Dam area has been good, but anglers are working for their fish. The easy spring pattern is giving way to a more typical summer bite, with walleye spreading out across shallow flats, rocky shorelines, main-lake points, deeper breaks, and suspended structures.

Above Fort Randall Dam on Lake Francis Case, bank anglers are finding some walleye shallow, especially when the wind is pushing bait onto shoreline breaks, points, and rocky banks. A jig and minnow can still produce when pitched along the shore line, particularly early and late in the day, or under windy conditions. However, more fish are being caught deeper, with many anglers working the 14-25ft range and even deeper depending on location and time of day.

Bottom bouncers remain one of the better choices. Minnows, crawlers, and slow-death rigs are all worth having ready, and pulling crankbaits along rocky shorelines and flats is a good way to cover water and find active fish. If the bite slows, change speed, depth, or bait before assuming fish are gone.

Below Fort Randall Dam, anglers should continue to focus on current seams, riprap, eddies, and slower pockets near moving water. A jig tipped with a minnow remains a dependable setup below the dam. Shore anglers should keep the bait near bottom and work slowly, especially around rock and current breaks.

Smallmouth bass are also active around rocky areas, points, and bluff structure. Protected coves and quiet shoreline pockets are still worth checking for panfish. A small crappie jig worked slowly around brush, rock, or shaded shoreline cover can pick up crappie and bluegill.

Best bets this week: bottom bouncers with minnows or crawlers for walleye, jig and minnow along shoreline structure, crankbaits on rocky shorelines and flats, and small crappie jigs in protected coves. The fish are there, but this is a week where moving, adjusting, and covering water will beat sitting in one place too long.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

The Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/)  in the Yankton area shared that despite the hot weather fishing has been excellent with limits of walleye coming in daily. You have to work for them a bit, picking off a few at each spot, so keep moving. The catfish bite is on fire as well. Weekends are best with minimal boat traffic.

You can also refer to last week’s report:
Water temps have risen to the low 80’s and the fish are eating. There is a lot of bait in the system but the fish are still feeding. Look for walleye in the river channel targeting 18-25’fow depth as well as shallow humps and weeds near the channel. Jig and crawler as well as trolling small crankbaits such as a Salmo hornet. Fishing up river is also excellent all summer as many of these walleye seek out cooler water with current up stream. Those fish will be hit or miss but should stick around until October.

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

The Walleye Guys
Seaguar PEX8

https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/outdoors/fishing/

Lake Oahe

·         Kemnitz MoRest Motel in Mobridge at 605-845-3668

·         Oahe Wings & Walleyes in Akaska at 605-230-0280

·         Bob’s Resort west of Gettysburg at 605-765-2500

·         South Whitlock Resort west of Gettysburg at 605-765-9762

·         The Outpost Lodge north of Pierre at 605-264-5450
·         Angry Walleye Guide Service at The Outpost Lodge at 605-321-3807

·         Oahe Salmon Guide Service in Onida at 605-691-9020

·         New Evarts Resort in Glenham at 605-762-3256

·         Pike Haven Resort north of Pierre at 605-264-5465

Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe

·         Lip Ripper Fishing in Pierre at 402-689-9947

·         Propst Professional Anglers in Pierre at 605-222-1621

Lake Francis Case

·        Allen’s South Dakota Fishing & Hunting at 800-435-5591

·        Platte Creek Lodge at 605-941-1679

·        Pavel’s Walleye Camp in Bonesteel at 402-340-0033

·        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!