South Dakota Weekly Missouri River Fishing Report

Fall Weather & Salmon Migration

As fall weather arrives, salmon anglers continue to experience a productive September fishing season. Anglers are reporting continued success targeting salmon, with fish remaining in good condition and providing quality table fare. The West Whitlock RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/west-whitlock-recreation-area/) Salmon Spawning Station is scheduled to open to the public in October during the salmon migration period. The station will accommodate school tours and share opportunities for the public to purchase salmon.

October opening dates will be dependent on salmon migration timing and weather conditions. Because conditions can change throughout the season, visitors are encouraged to contact the station in advance to confirm dates, hours, and availability before traveling to the facility. For current information regarding station operations, please contact: 605-223-7681
* Thursday October 8th
* Thursday October 15th
* Wednesday October 28th
* 1st Week of November

We encourage anglers to take advantage of the remaining fall fishing opportunities as salmon continue their seasonal migration. Continued changes in weather and water conditions are expected to influence fish movement and activity throughout the month.
Weekly Weather Forecast for Pierre & Fort Pierre: The forecast available shows a cooler fall pattern developing, with wind becoming an important factor to monitor. Make sure to check your local weather resources closer to this weekend!

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team
Subscribe to the Missouri River Tourism Newsletter (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/newsletter-signup/)

During the fall of 2025, a total of 340 salmon returned through the fish ladder, while an additional 439 salmon were collected through boat electrofishing efforts. Through these collection efforts, South Dakota collected an estimated 1.2 million salmon eggs. North Dakota provided additional support to the regional stocking program by contributing approximately 740,000 salmon eggs.

It is important to note that not all collected eggs will ultimately result in stockable fish. On average, approximately one-third of the salmon eggs collected are expected to hatch and survive to the stocking stage.
In Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/)  and Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/) , please refer to last weeks report from MoRest Motel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/morest-motel/) :
Mayfly numbers are high in the area. Fishing has been very tough, with a few days of lucky breaks. Depth is in that 20-40ft range, with some days being best shallow at 10-15ft. Using bouncers with spinners and crawlers and/or trolling crank baits have been best.
Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  reported that anglers are still working hard to put fish in the boat. There are days when it seems to get better and then it goes right back to a struggle. The area saw a couple good days pulling crank baits in the shallow water water 6-12 feet. There’s been some good days pulling cranks in 32-25 feet. Overall, the best thing to do is stay versatile and just keep trying different tactics. Hopefully with the colder nights we still start to see a fall run.
https://www.southwhitlock.com/
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , please refer to South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/) ‘s last update: The bite has improved somewhat. Depth has been shallow, 8-20ft near Stove Creek and over trees; 11-20ft near Bob’s. Live bait is working, half a crawler. Generally, things are shaping up for fall fishing.
Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  shared they’re still catching fish in the area, but nothing hot as the fish are spread out this time of year. Seeing anglers catch walleye, catfish and small mouth. No salmon in the area yet, but should start seeing them come through soon. Presentations have been pulling plugs, using crawlers, and casting over trees. Depth has been about 24-50 feet.
18lb salmon from the Cow Creek area. Photo curtesy of The Outpost Lodge (https://outpostsd.com/)
Salmon Update on Oahe
Kevin Thibodeau with the Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  reported the bite continues to be hanging in the decent range. A couple tougher days due to the weather, but overall not too bad. After the recent winds temp has pushed down a bit which has expanded the target zone. Depth was 60-90 ft down towards the end of the week. FF continues to produced the best bite. Spoons have dropped off some this week. Plugs still pulled a few fish. This week was no different as far as color, all the usual colors performed at some point. There’s not too much season left!
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/
Nothing new for Lake Sharpe this week. Refer to last week’s report:

Nick Harrington
with Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/) :

Late Summer into Fall Fishing

The fishing was slow in the spring and early summer on Lake Sharpe, but the reservoir produces a great late summer bite that gets even better throughout the fall, and all signs are pointing towards a great fall bite!

Stilling Basin & Tailrace: There is a very strong number of fish present in the area, and the fish are in outstanding condition. Putting bait right in front of fish is crucial as fish are well-fed on forage and not actively feeding. Get your depth dialed in and drop bait right on top of them — bites will often follow. Emulating the gizzard shad is the best strategy. A #7 Berkley Flicker Shad does this well, and Blue Frost is a top color. Other good colors include Jester, as well as variations of purple. The Berkley Money Badger is also proving effective, particularly when bottom-fishing.

In-Town Bridges: Pitching jigs in the early morning is most effective, as well as trolling crankbaits in the evening.

Lake Sharpe Flats: Fish will be moving through the large flats below Farm Island, Fort George and De Grey. Here, bottom bouncing is most effective. This bite generally begins in early August and continues through October.

Find Nick on Lake Oahe
Finding Fish Faster with onX Fish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrvgaQgmdso
Late Summer Madness on Lake Oahe
https://gfp.sd.gov/
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-francis-case/
No new reports from the Chamberlain (https://chamberlainsd.com/) , area, please refer to last week’s report:
Allen’s Missouri River Guide Service (http://www.allenshillside.com/)  shared there is a lot of bait in the system which has produced very healthy fish. The bait, though good for the fish, aren’t always good for the fishermen. If you catch the bite windows, any angler can do pretty good. Same summer techniques. Spinner/crawler or pulling cranks. Reminder size limit for Lake Francis Case and Sharpe starts September 1st.
No new reports from Skipper Bros Guiding (https://www.skipperbrosguiding.com/)  on Lake Francis Case, please refer to last week’s report: The bite is tough and there’s lots of bait, although it is very possible to catch limits. It just takes some precision whether you’re jigging, cranking or pulling bouncers. Today is the last day of no minimum length on walleye which will make it more difficult for guys to get their limits after September 1st. The good news is the walleye always make a run up north about this time of year, which means they’re burning more calories and eating more food, increasing the chance of running into a good bite!
Joel Vasek with SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  said there is a lot of bait all over Francis Case. Fishing with crankbaits has been most effective between 25-45ft. Fish seem to be biting best in the morning and evening.
No new report from the Bonesteel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/cities-and-communities/bonesteel/)  and Whetstone Bay area, please refer to last week’s report: Ed Pavel from Pavel’s Walleye Camp (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/)  reported fishing is picking back up. Presentation has been jig and minnow at 20ft. Anglers are also catching them on crank baits and doing well in the same depths.
Lower Missouri River Fishing Report – Fort Randall / Lake Francis Case / Lewis and Clark / Gavins Point

From 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 over the past week on the lower Missouri River has been fair to good, but anglers are still having to work for their fish. There is a lot of bait in Lake Francis Case right now, which is good for growing healthy walleye but can make the bite tougher for fishermen. Bite windows have been best in the morning and evening.

Above Fort Randall Dam on Lake Francis Case, walleye are scattered from wind-blown shore lines, points, rocky banks, and coves out to deeper structure. Jigging, cranking, and pulling bottom bouncers can all work, but precision matters. Crankbaits have been one of the better options in the 25- to 45-foot range, especially when fish are holding deeper.

Around Bonesteel and Whetstone Bay, fishing has been picking back up. A jig and minnow around 20 feet has been producing, and anglers are also catching fish on crankbaits in similar depths.

Below Fort Randall Dam, focus on current seams, riprap, eddies, and slower water close to moving current. A jig tipped with a minnow remains a dependable setup. Shore anglers should keep bait near bottom and work current breaks slowly.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

For the Yankton Area and Lewis and Clark Lake , Mark Schofield reported that farther downstream toward Lewis and Clark Lake and Gavins Point, walleye remain scattered across main-lake humps, river-channel ledges, points, and deeper structure. Live bait rigs, bottom bouncers, and crankbaits are still the best tools for covering water.

Best bets this week: crankbaits on deeper breaks, bottom bouncers with crawlers or minnows, jig and minnow around 20 feet, and small crappie jigs in protected coves. It can still be a good week on the river, but this is not automatic fishing. Move, adjust, and fish the better bite windows.
https://gfp.sd.gov/
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!