SD Missouri River fishing report

It was an amazing turnout at Spring Creek RA, and the tournament weekend saw new records set! Winners Beau Schilling and Ben Beadle’s first single-day catch weighed in at 33.27lbs, the highest recorded weight for a single day with a six-fish bag. Their total winning weight was 58.02lbs. Tyson Keller and Duane Hjelm scored second place with 44.77lbs, and Brett Vinzant and Bill Kunze from Nebraska landed third place with 43.82lbs. See all the final results in the following video, posted on The Fishing Crew’s Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1YmfZ29ADh/
SD Governor’s Cup Final Weigh-in

Weekly Weather Forecast for Pierre & Fort Pierre:
This week is expected to be cooler than last, but still breaking into the 100s on some days. Chances of storms and showers center in the middle of the week. Smoke and smog from Canadian forest fires are expected to drift down into South Dakota, making the air less clear than usual. Friday is expected to be cooler than Saturday or Sunday, which may get back to 100+ degrees on both days. The entire weekend is forecasted to be mostly free of clouds. Wind will vary, with strong 20mph winds on Saturday, 14mph winds on Friday, and much weaker winds on Sunday at only 6mph.

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 even in the extreme heat the bite stayed really strong. Catching quality limits of fish. I0-20ft in the tributaries and 20-30ft on the main river body. Still having best luck using spinners and crawlers behind bottom bouncers. Trolling crank baits has also been very effective. Overall, there has been little boat traffic in the area.
Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  reported the bite is great. It’s that time of year when fish are on the move, and when you locate them, they are hungry. The Moreau River was really good early this week but the boat pressure definitely slowed that bite down. Anglers then found good success on the main lake points and humps. Depth changes constantly, but a great starting point is around 20ft.

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/) , there is no new report from South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/) . Please refer to last week’s report:
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/)  has no new report. Please refer to last week:
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!

In the Spring and Cow Creek Recreation areas, the Outpost Lodge reported a lot of people are making their catches north of the Oahe Dam. People are spearfishing on points with great success. Many big fish were caught this weekend for the SD Governor’s Walleye Cup Tournament.
Salmon Update on Oahe
Kevin Thibodeau with the Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  reported this past week was on the slow side. 70-90ft has been the most productive zone. Water temps have finally stabilized. The FF bite still remains the best. Meat took a few fish as well. Sliders paired with the Strike Assist has proven, yet again, a deadly combo. The best spoon patterns and colors are still all over the place so be sure to cover your bases until the fish say otherwise. Despite the slow week, the bite was pretty good. There’s still plenty of good fishing ahead.
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 on the SD Governor’s Cup held this past weekend. Lake Oahe has proven over the years to be a trophy walleye factory. There were multiple fish greater than 10lbs, the largest weighing in at 13.5lbs, and with 12-pounders in the mix as well there was no shortage of trophy walleyes crossing the scales. A strong number of fish between 17-19 inches in excellent condition padded the slot fish portion. South Dakota law only allows one walleye over 20 inches per angler, which makes these results that much more impressive. A significant number of small “overs” (fish longer than 20 inches) were also released as anglers sought to catch their biggest overs possible. Anglers reported great numbers of fish between 20-23 inches, which are generally 4-6 lbs. See the full report. (https://midwestliprippers.com/2026/07/19/2026-south-dakota-governors-cup-full-results/)
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 a lot more bait fish are showing up which makes bite windows smaller. There is still fish to be caught; minnows, crawlers and pulling cranks have been the best go-to’s. Depth has been all over, from as shallow as 10 to as deep as 45.
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/)  has no updated report. Please refer to last week:
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.
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/)  has no new report:
The fish have moved to deeper water and you can catch them on bottom bouncers, leeches, and crawlers, or crank bait. Wind helps the bite move. Now 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 fishing this past week around Lake Francis Case and Fort Randall Dam has been fair to good, but anglers are having to move and adjust. The hot summer weather pattern is in place, with walleye spread across shoreline breaks, rocky banks, points, bluffs, flats, and deeper structure.

Above Fort Randall Dam, some walleye are still being caught shallow, especially when wind is pushing bait into the shore line, points, and rocky banks. A jig and minnow remains a good choice early and late in the day, or when conditions push fish tight to shore. More fish are being found deeper now, with many anglers working the 14-25ft range and adjusting from there.

Bottom bouncers with minnows or crawlers continue to be one of the better ways to cover water and find active walleye. Slow-death rigs and spinner presentations are also worth trying when fish are scattered. Crankbaits can produce along rocky shorelines, flats, and main-lake edges, especially when anglers need to cover more water.

Below Fort Randall Dam, focus on current seams, riprap, eddies, and slower pockets close to moving water. A jig tipped with a minnow is still a dependable setup. Shore anglers should keep the bait near bottom and work it slowly through likely holding areas without using more weight than necessary.

Smallmouth bass remain a good option around rocky banks, points, and bluff structure. Protected coves, quiet shoreline pockets, and backwater areas are also worth checking for panfish. A small crappie jig worked slowly around rock, brush, shade, or shoreline cover can still pick up crappie and bluegill.
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 have no new report. Refer to last week:
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.

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!