SD Missouri Fishing Report

http://www.allenshillside.com/
Fishing – Before It’s Back to School!

If there is one thing we recommend, it’s to sneak in one last fishing trip before school starts again. There are no better memories than the ones you spend with your family out on the river and in nature!

As the summer season comes to an end and the fall season approaches, it’s time to pay attention to the salmon spawn and restocking program at West Whitlock Recreation Area. Spawning season is between September-October and is managed by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (https://gfp.sd.gov/whitlock/) . During that time, guests are invited to visit the hatchery to learn more about the salmon on Lake Oahe. It’s another great opportunity for families to get involved in fishing and conservation efforts!

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 fishing report is pretty much the same for the area, so refer to last week’s update: the bite definitely slowed down over the course of the week. You can still scratch out a limit of quality fish, but you’ll have to work for it. Mostly using bouncers and spinners with crawlers to catch fish. Trolling crank baits has also been effective. Between 25-35 feet has been our best depths.

Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  shared the bite was better this week. The fish are always moving, but when you find them you do well. They had a much easier time this week getting limits. The focus is on shallow water in the bays and the Moreau River. 6-12ft was the best. Anglers are pulling bouncers and spinners for the most part, but also had a good result running small crank baits in the shallows. Covering lots of water is the best plan of action.
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)  reported that fishing has been about the same as last week. Limits are there if you have the time to work for them. Anglers using live bait are between 17-20ft with crawlers (preferred), and some minnows. Jigging has been 40-60 ft, pulling plugs such as flicker minnows and reapers. Most are catching walleye and smallmouth; catfish are in the bay areas.

Best Things South Dakota listed the Whitlock Bay Supper Club (https://www.facebook.com/whitlockbaysupperclub) as one of the best mom-and-pop restaurants in the state. Nostalgic homemade meals are part of their daily specials, offering large portions and a salad bar at a great price. Stop by after you park the boat for the day for a filling, delectable meal.
Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  shared things have been somewhat slower in the area, and limits are kinda spotty. However there were quite a few anglers coming up from the Spring Creek area with some good tournament numbers of smallmouth bass. The bass in the area have been fairly shallow and up in the rocky places; you can fish for them off the docks. Walleye have been much deeper between 30-35 ft. Anglers have had to try hard with a variety of methods to catch them. Many are using heavier bottom bouncers between 2-3oz and jigging over the trees.
On Oahe, Prospt Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKF59NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQY1o3MDVVVk13MFd1ZlREAR5XKiPHMtl4AiPzaaSVimieC6OfbJNHtoSyEfHxcHlJSGznPPzE0kYp1vHJXg_aem_Hb8X78kEvNlB0YoQo-zgwg)  reported the best number bite seems to be pretty deep between 35-45ft. Some days are better than others but you can catch your fish all over the system right now. When you find an active bite, you really want to stay on it as long as possible as there’s no guarantee the next stop will produce. Presentation has been slow depth hook with a half crawler.
Salmon Update on Oahe
The Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  shared right now the bite is tough for salmon, but a bad day can be followed by a good day. Last week, the bigger fish started showing up on the weekend. The productive depth has remained constant at 65-80ft. That could change going forward; a large mass of warm water has moved into the area over the last few days. Colors change daily. FF remains the best presentation. There’s still a lot of time left in the season for a better bite to come around again, so stay tuned!
Guided Salmon Trips on Lake Oahe
Photo Courtesy of Oahe Salmon Guide Service (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKz0NBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFIUDRtaTFINTJtYUNxRmJiAR6kpmSeD_MOQHSrYZkNSAdLwU_fx5YOUoZSDssX_2K4VSPu2PB0z33P4epGuQ_aem_PJWahM83JNnj_95krGoFCw)
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/)  areas, Prospt Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKF59NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQY1o3MDVVVk13MFd1ZlREAR5XKiPHMtl4AiPzaaSVimieC6OfbJNHtoSyEfHxcHlJSGznPPzE0kYp1vHJXg_aem_Hb8X78kEvNlB0YoQo-zgwg)  shared the Lake Sharpe bite is pretty good, and you can go just about anywhere on the breaklines with a bouncer and crawler and find fish – the key is finding where the better fish are located as there’s a ton of small fish. Best bite seems to be 7-10ft, although some days you might have to try inside of 6ft to find them. There’s a lot of perfect eating fish in the system at 15-17 inches. The bite will only continue to get better going into the fall.

Last week’s report from Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/) :
Fishing is very hit and miss on Lake Sharpe. The primary bite is in the stilling basin, where trolling crankbaits has produced the most fish. There is a significant amount of forage in the stilling basin, mostly gizzard shad, and that means fish are extremely well fed. Covering water with crankbaits has been the highest percentage option, but the bite is good one day and slow the next! Traditional crank options, #5 and #7 Shad Raps in the color purple, remain one of the top options. Whether trolling crankbaits or spoons, no one is immune from the hit and miss nature that comes with targeting walleye surrounded by forage in the stilling basin. Fortunately, when the bite is slow in the
stilling basin there is still good fishing to be had on the river!

The best bite is fishing in 6-10 ft along the major flats, targeting areas that feature rolling topography or “dunes” under the water. Fish are sitting in these areas and ambushing forage as it comes by. This means when it’s a #4 Colorado blade and nightcrawler behind a bottom bouncer, they’re often willing to bite!

Throughout the entire system, there remains a great number of fish 12-17 inches, with a good number of fish between 14-15 inches. These make for great action and great eaters, especially for it being the heat of the summer. There is no shortage of forage in the system, but when you find active fish they’re often willing to eat a bit more!

Further down river below the Pierre (https://midwestliprippers.com/plan-your-trip-to-pierre/)  area, anglers targeting the West Bend and Iron Nation recreation areas are reporting fish present. The trend of a great number of fish continues to be the case all along the reservoir.

Lip Ripper Fishing took a look at a new wrinkle; trolling light, flashy spoons behind heavy 10-ounce torpedo weights. This is a tactic that is common on Lake Erie, but not so common on Lake Sharpe. Fortunately, this can produce fish on the Missouri River too!  Check out Nick’s YouTube video Mixing It Up For Mid-Summer Lake Sharpe Walleye (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlf8eGtSMyo)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhu8XMALGfE
Lip Ripper Fishing
Lake Sharpe Fishing Report | August 3
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 that this August has been typical. Fishermen with lots of knowledge of the lake area are doing okay with catching limits. Walleye are on the move, so what works one day might not work the next. A few fish being caught in 10ft or less but most in the 20-35ft range. Using spinners and crawlers. Lead core is producing some also.

School’s of Fish before School’s Back In!
Photo Courtesy of Platte Creek Lodge & Guide Service (https://www.plattecreek.com/)
From the Geddes area, SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  shared the fish on lower Lake Francis Case stayed about the same as last week. In the morning hours the fish seem to be more catchable, keeping real deep between 40-55ft. The fish definitely drop off later in the day around 70-90ft. Fort Randall Dam is also producing some nice walleye in fast water on swim baits.
Family Fishing on Lake Francis Case
Photo Courtesy of S (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/) D Outfitters Unlimited & Missouri River Lodge (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)
For the Bonesteel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/cities-and-communities/bonesteel/)  area, please refer to Pavel’s Walleye Camp (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/) ‘s last update: fishing was good this week using bottom bouncers in 25ft of water. Catching all sizes of fish, and the wind sure helps. Lots of bait fish are showing up in the system.
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, Lake Andes Inn & RV Park (https://lakeandesinn.com/)  shared last week’s fishing started slow, but steady adjustments soon paid off. By experimenting with depths and presentations, anglers found fish holding in shallower water. Electronics were key in locating active schools, and once the right area and setup were dialed in, persistence was rewarded with a consistent bite. Covering water and staying flexible proved to be the winning strategy.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

For the Yankton (https://www.visityanktonsd.com/)  area, please refer to the latest report:
The Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/)  reported the bite is excellent and they had another great week guiding on Lewis & Clark Lake. A couple slower days but overall a decent week. Lots of bait fish and mayflies in the system now so time to modify your presentation and locations to get the bites.
Family Fishing on Lewis & Clark Lake
Photo Courtesy of The Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/)
https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/outdoors/fishing/

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 & SD Outfitters Unlimited 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://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!