SD Missouri River Weekly Fishing Report

Summer Heat Doesn’t Stop the Fun

It has been a scalding few weeks, but anglers and fishermen are still going out on the water and finding those keepers! This weekend, the AFTCO Walley Throwdown in Akaska brought teams to the river for a hot few days hunting big walleye from Swan Creek to West Whitlock. The winning walleye was 13.85lb. See the SD Walleye Classic Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/p/South-Dakota-Walleye-Classic-100081865050385/) page for more news, and Midwest Fish Tournaments website (https://midwestfishtournaments.com/live-leaderboard/) for all the final results.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1557977175728685
Congratulations Brady Thelen of Huron! Winner of the AFTCO Walley Throwdown

Weekly Weather Forecast for Pierre & Fort Pierre:
More storms and high temps are coming on the front end of the week, with calmer weather expected for the later half and into the weekend. Monday – Wednesday all have chances of rain; the coolest days are expected to be Thursday – Saturday. Winds thankfully won’t be roaring, kept between 10-14 mph. Haze from Oregon, Washington, and Canada fires has moved in, and is predicted to stay for the week.

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 the bite in the area has slowed. Water surface temps are bumping 80°. Still managing to catch limits of quality fish, but you have to be willing to put in the time. Catching most at 30-40ft with bouncers and crawlers.
Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  reported the bite got a lot harder with super hot temperatures and calm, windless days. Anglers are finding some success but it’s been tough putting limits together. Catching fish from 6ft in the bays and the Moreau river, 30-40ft on the main lake.

The 2026 AFTCO Walleye Throwdown happened this weekend in Akaska for its second year in partnership with the South Dakota Walleye Classic (https://www.facebook.com/sdwalleyeclassic) . See the action on their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/p/South-Dakota-Walleye-Classic-100081865050385/) page.
https://www.facebook.com/p/South-Dakota-Walleye-Classic-100081865050385/
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 their latest 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 their latest report:
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 (https://outpostsd.com/)  has no new report. Refer to last week:
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 during the SD Governor’s Walleye Cup Tournament.
https://www.southwhitlock.com/
Salmon Update on Oahe
Kevin Thibodeau with the Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  reported it was another slow week. Fish can be caught everyday, but in low numbers. Depth has stayed the same, 60-80ft. The best bite is in the coldest water you can find. The usual green, blue and yellow spoons have all been working. White was the best color at the end of the week. Still getting occasional fish on the Strike Assist sliders, but FF reigns as the hottest bite.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-sharpe/
Nick Harrington with Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/)  reported the summer heat is at full blast on Lake Sharpe, and the fishing is picking up! Fish are continuing to work their way up the reservoir, reaching the stilling basin and tailrace area. Cooler water and ample forage will entice fish into the area and hold them through the fall. Though fishing was slow in spring and early summer on Lake Sharpe, the reservoir can produce a great late summer bite that gets even better throughout the fall, and all signs are pointing towards this.

An abundance of forage has fish well fed, which is producing fairly pronounced bite windows and patterns. Fish have easy meals and are not actively feeding, so dropping the bait directly in front of their nose is key for success. Emulating the gizzard shad has been the best strategy. A #7 Berkley Flicker Shad is the best bait, and Blue Frost is a top color. Other good colors include Jester and variations of purple. The Berkley Money Badger is also proving effective, particularly when fished near bottom.

Oahe Dam Stilling Basin: from the end of July and into August, the stilling basin tends to produce excellent fishing, and this year is so far no different. There is a very strong number of quality fish in the area.

Pierre/Fort Pierre Bridges: pitching jigs early in the morning is most effective, and anglers targeting the morning and evening hours are going to be most successful. Trolling crankbaits, particularly in the evenings, can also be effective.

Farm Island, Ft George, De Gray: the bite in the large flats below Farm Island down towards Fort George and De Grey LUAs generally begins in early August and runs through the fall. Bottom bouncing these large flats is typically most effective.
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/)  has no new updates. See last week’s report:
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 reports the lake is in full swing during the dog days of summer! There are tons of bait fish right now, leaving the fish well-fed with plenty of food. Everywhere you go you’ll see bait fish, and most of your target species will need to be triggered to bite. There’s lots of fish in the shallows chasing shad around; pulling cranks shallow has therefore been producing plenty of fish. Rip jigging and pulling bouncers is also a go-to presentation.
Joel Vasek with SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  has reported Lower Lake Francis Case’s bite has slowed with the summer heat. Fish are moving deeper and deeper, showing themselves to be inconsistent with most patterns. Anglers are doing best in 15-25ft with either flicker Shadd crank baits or slow death with nightcrawlers.
Nice Hauls 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/)  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 not much has changed since the last report, so you can refer to last week:
The hot summer weather pattern is in place, with walleye spread across shoreline breaks, rocky banks, points, bluffs, flats, and deeper structure. To find the fish, anglers are having to move and adjust.

Above Fort Randall Dam, shallows are producing, 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. Fish are also deeper at 14-25ft. 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 reports that despite lots of recent boat traffic, the water remains very clean and clear. Water temperatures are in the 80s. Walleye are scattered all over the system and they are biting. Dodging storms has been the theme over the past month, putting the fish in a funk on some days and making it lights out on others. Weather typically become more stable later in July and throughout August.

Mark Schofield with Lake Andes Inn reports walleye fishing is good near Gavins Point Dam on the main lake, and on the river channel ledges.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Ip3a0GRxM
Reel Talk Fishing Podcast
Off Shore Tackle with Nick DeShano
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!