Missour River Fishing Report

Summer weather is heating up the bite!

Temperatures are forecasted to rise throughout this week into the upper 90s, maybe even reaching 100 some days in some areas. Sunny, calm days are ahead of us, making this the perfect time for anglers to try their luck and relax out on the water while the wind and rain gives us a break!

This week’s Missouri River Fishing Report is sponsored by South Whitlock Resort, where you can fish and hunt in the breath-taking landscape of Lake Oahe. The resort can accommodate large groups and RVs, providing all the essentials for an outdoors excursion with an onsite convenience store and restaurant.

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team

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Near Pollock and Mobridge, the report for the area has not changed. Please refer to last week’s report:
With the constant weather and wind changes has slowed down the bite. Anglers are still able to reach limits. Use electronics to locate your fish. Depth has ranged from 5 – 35 feet. 15-20 feet seems to be best. Bouncers with spinners as well as crawlers are still the best presentations. Around Akaska, this last week was a lot tougher for most people. The fish on the main river are easy to mark with electronics but not so easy to catch. Despite the challenge, anglers who tough it out and put their noses to the grindstone are coming in with decent catches. The fish are scattered high and low in water depth. You can catch some in shallow areas all the way up to 35 feet. The big thing is covering a lot of water, and fishing where you mark them. The best presentation has been bouncers with a crawler. Some days a plain hook works great, and the next day fish want a spinner. The bite overall is okay, but you’ll have to adapt each day to what they want.

In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg, the fishing has been good despite tough weather days. Some really nice-sized eater fish are coming in right now. It’s a morning bite, starting fairly early. Anyone fishing after 10am is going to put in more work. There is all the catfish you could want in the area, along with walleye, smallmouth, and some northern. Walleye have been 16-18 inches on average. Depth has been 15-20 feet, sometimes up to 25 feet. Anglers are using crawlers, leeches, plugs, jigs, spinners. If you are looking for lodging or an RV camping spot to fish the Whitlock Bay area, check out South Whitlock Resort for a great fishing vacation.

Salmon Update on Oahe
We’ve had the first really good week this year, despite water conditions not stabilizing and scattered fish. Every day starts off hunting for the area and depth they’re in. This week, try between 45-65 and 70-85 feet, using electronics. Occasionally you can catch them on spoons. Color has varied some but blues and greens have been working best. Quite a few anglers have been out over the last few days and most are having success, with many nets in the water. Many fish 8-10lb range being caught with 11-12lbs being fairly common. With the rising water level, there is some trash floating around, including trees large enough to cause some damage. Be careful out there and keep your eyes open!

For the Pierre/Fort Pierre area, the bite on the lower end has good quality of fish, but it is very slow and you need work for them. Little Bend to Sutton Bay is probably the best on the reservoir in terms of both size and numbers currently. Lake Sharpe continues to have its best bite in Hipple Lake and down at West Bend.

West Bend area is producing fish at around 25-35 feet on most days. Some fish are caught in shallower places if it’s windy.

Nice Catches from West Bend Recreation Area
Photo curtesy of campground host, Bill Sherman

For the Chamberlain area, some are limiting in the area between Crow Creek and Big Bend Dam. Depth is 10-20 feet, depending on the wind. Nightcrawlers are the bait of choice and some are pulling crank baits.

In lower Lake Francis Case near Geddes, the fish are spread out. A lot of them are in the 15-25ft range. There are very large fish in the 35-40ft range. Most of the walleye are biting nightcrawlers or flicker shad cranks.

Around Bonesteel, the bite was good this week, either in shallow with night crawlers and leeches, or out over the trees with crank baits. Fish are healthy! Water is covering the boat ramp so you may get your feet wet getting onto the dock or launching your boat. The high water makes things just a bit more difficult.

In the area of Lake Andes, Wagner and Pickstown, fishing above the dam and at Pease Creek has been fantastic again! Overall so far, July has been far more successful than June. Anglers are enjoying a great variety of catches and an impressive amount of success. Catch highlights included crappie, smallmouth bass, catfish, perch, trout, and even walleye, although the walleye are a little shorter at the moment, with all other fish being large and of good size, making for some very satisfied fishermen. The bait that works best is spinners, minnows, and nightcrawlers. Lots of wildlife are out and about on Lake Francis Case; deer have been spotted along the shore, and turkeys running on the hills.

No new report for the Yankton area from our angler contacts, but please be aware that there has been major flooding in the southeast part of South Dakota. Check the SD Game, Fish & Parks Facebook for the latest updates.

Beach Updates
Both Gavin’s and Midway beaches at Lewis & Clark RA, as well as the beach at Lake Vermillion RA, have reopened. The road on the east side over the secondary spillway at Lake Vermillion has also been reopened.

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 in Geddes at 605-680-3877

· 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 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 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!

Missour River Fishing Report

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