SD Missouri River Fishing Report

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Good things come to those who bait.
Much of the Missouri River Fishing Report has stayed the same this week. As we are nearing the winter lull, we’d like to thank our readers for staying connected with us throughout the ’24 fishing season. October 21st will be our last fishing report for the year, with an update or two for Ice Fishing in January before we resume again in full in Spring of 2025. If there are new locations on the Missouri River system you would like to see in our fishing report, please send us an email at info@sdmissouririver.com.

Upcoming Missouri River Events:
* West Whitlock Salmon Spawning Station will be up and running soon! The first spawn is scheduled for October 10, the second spawn October 17. Spawns start at 9am and salmon can be purchased after the spawn has ended.
* Trunk-or-Treat: on October 12 from 3-5pm, the Lewis & Clark Recreation Area Welcome Center will host Trunk-or-Treat (https://gfp.sd.gov/events/detail/3525/) . There will be crafts, games, hayrides, trick-or-treating, and a chili cook-off.
* Lake Francis Case Fall Walleye Tournament: on October 12-13, the 4th Annual Lake Francis Case Fall Walleye Tournament (https://gfp.sd.gov/events/detail/3040/)  is happening at the Arrowwood Resort in Oacoma.
* Halloween Hike: La Framboise Island will have a 1-mile Halloween Hike (https://gfp.sd.gov/events/detail/3277/)  on October 27. Candy, prizes, a photo booth, and smores will be provided by local sponsors!

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team

Subscribe to the Missouri River Tourism Newsletter (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/newsletter-signup/)
The water levels on Lake Oahe are high and full. Check with USACE (https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Missouri-River-Dams/Oahe/)  for release times and also with SD Game Fish & Parks (https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/fa1e6cd335d8425183944b9f1a03e01e/page/Ramps/) for boat ramp information.

Near Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/) and Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/) , please refer to last week’s report:
Fishing has been inconsistent. One day yields great results, while the next day is quiet and uneventful. Most fish are coming from 10-15ft. Using bottom bouncers with spinners and crawlers. Minnows have also worked well.

Around Akaska (https://oahewings.com/?y_source=1_OTk3NzA2Ny03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D) , the report this week is about the same as last. Water temperatures are dropping pretty fast so that should speed things up. The big fish bite is still going good.
Last week’s report: The Bite is not fast and furious, alternating between pretty slow and decent. The area saw a couple good days pulling crank baits, resulting in some trophy-sized fish along with several keepers. Pulling the main lake structures in 30-40ft is best, using large baits. Both snap weight and lead core line are working, trolling slow.
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (https://www.cityofgettysburgsd.com/) , anglers who have been out have had some decent luck and fish are nice. Fishing depths for shallow water have been around 8 feet, using live bait. Depths for bigger fish are 20-40 feet, using artificials. Not too many salmon are being caught, but those that are landing them have caught good quality. The area needs some good weather days with little to no wind for the bite to improve.
Awesome catches from the South Whitlock area!
Photo courtesy of South Whitlock Resort (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/south-whitlock-resort/)
At the Cheyenne River, Spring Creek (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/spring-creek-recreation-area/)  & Cow Creek (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/cow-creek-recereation-area/)  area, the fishing outlook hasn’t changed. Please refer to last week’s report:
Fishing is good. Anglers are catching at 8-5ft using worms. Antelope Creek has been a good location. Anglers have also been hitting up the Oahe Dam tailraces after dark. Depth has been anywhere from 15-55ft and around rocks using Rapala Shad. Coming up October 11-12, The Outpost Lodge (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/the-outpost-lodge/)  in Cow Creek will be hosting comedian & hypnotist Elijah Edwards for two evening of entertainment and awesome food! Check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063768241686)  page for more details.
Salmon Update on Oahe
No news on the Salmon front! Please refer to last week’s report:
Similar to other areas, good days are intermingled with slow days. Coming high winds will stir the water again and scatter fish. Spoons are still favored: green/chrome, green/blue, and mountain dew are the best colors. FF colors are the same, green and yellow. Depth has been all over between 40-80ft. Some are catching fish at 100ft.
A walleye catch!
Guided Salmon Trips on Lake Oahe
Photo Curtesy of Oahe Salmon Guide Service (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/oahe-salmon-guide-service/)
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-sharpe/
In the Pierre (https://pierre.org/) /Fort Pierre (https://www.visitfortpierre.com/)  area, please refer to last week’s fishing report:
Hot days have scattered fish around the flats. This area is seeing the most action around Stoney Point and down to Fort George boat launch, with the most effective method being bottom bouncing with crawlers at 6-12ft. Due to heavy boat traffic, you will likely want to find more secluded spots. Covering more water and thus more fish will give you the best chance for getting bites. Larger, higher-quality fish can be caught around Hipple Lake at Farm Island Recreation Area, trolling crankbaits.
https://youtu.be/NNHZYuahkKs

** Missouri River Fall Fishing Report 9.29.24 – Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/2024/09/08/missouri-river-fall-fishing-report-9-8-24/)
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https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-francis-case/
For Chamberlain (https://www.chamberlainsd.com/) , right now the fishing has been stable in the area. While the traditional fall bite hasn’t started yet, overall the Chamberlain area has improved some and anglers are catching. Depth has mostly been between 15-25 feet using spinners with either minnow or crawlers. Pulling crank baits also works. Successful anglers are catching fish sized between 15-19 inches.
In lower Lake Francis Case near Geddes (http://www.geddessd.org/) , temps are now in the high 60s and walleye are starting to move shallower. All fish seem to be in a better mood this past week with walleye sitting between 10-20 feet and biting. Lots of smallmouth bass are in the area as well.
Guided Fishing Trips on Lake Francis Case
Photo Curtesy from SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/sd-outfitters-unlimited-missouri-river-lodge/)
Around Bonesteel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/) , picking up on mostly jigs and some crank baits. All docks are still open for a while; the river is slowing down and the pool is getting lower. Still anticipating some good fishing coming up for the area.
In Lake Andes (https://lakeandesinn.com/) , Wagner (https://www.cityofwagner.org/) , and Pickstown (https://www.pickstown-sd.net/)  vicinity, fishing’s been about the same. Strong winds have kept fishing activities at bay. Here’s hoping for calmer weather ahead! Please refer to last week’s report:
It’s heating up again on the water. More anglers are trying their luck above and below the dam. Over at Pease Creek the walleye were biting, even if most were on the smaller side, with some pulled in from as deep as 90ft on a bottom bouncer with worm. Catfish and drum are still hitting hard, and perch and trout are coming in steady too.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

No new report for the Yankton (https://www.visityanktonsd.com/)  area from our angler contacts. Gavin’s Point Dam is currently at minimum releases. Check the SD Game, Fish & Parks Facebook for the latest updates.

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 (https://sdgfp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=79c3f941ae6c4abbbc6ac4b6987a06f5) 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!