SD Missouri River Fishing Report

https://www.platteareachamber.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMn1PhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF3Y1d2Q3JsZGhId3V5eTRlAR7s-dzRo7_hKMvSOXL7Krt7aORFWVPDppdYTJ7nyU8_zHgI1g2l9BPLuC_5UA_aem_3svpWpKYobkA8Zl2B7GAOA
September brings a new fishing season!

We are excited for this week’s sponsor, the Platte Area Chamber of Commerce (https://www.platteareachamber.com/) ! The small town of Platte is one of South Dakota’s most favored fishing locations on Lake Francis Case, due to its outstanding habitat and natural beauty. Off the water, visitors can enjoy Platte’s robust downtown, amazing state parks, and local events like HayDaze (https://www.facebook.com/events/1290270799401752) . Platte is host to their own annual fishing tournament (https://www.platteareachamber.com/about-1) , and on May 1-2 of 2026, the chamber will host its 30th. Registration will open February 1, and with over 20K in payouts, spots are expected to sell fast.

Weather for Central South Dakota is going to be warm for most of the week, with chances of rain and storms on the weekend.

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team
Subscribe to the Missouri River Tourism Newsletter (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/newsletter-signup/)
Platte Fishing Tournament in Platte Creek RA
Photo Courtesy of the Platte Area Chamber of Commerce (https://www.platteareachamber.com/)
In Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/)  and Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/) , the MoRest Motel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/morest-motel/)  has no new report. Refer to last week:
Tough fishing continues in the area. Still using the same presentation as last week, mostly using bouncer and crawlers, and trolling crank baits. Fish have been in 25-30ft.

The National Walleye Tour (https://outdoorteamworks.com/trail/nwt/schedule/)  announced the 2026 NWT schedule, and Lake Oahe will once again be part of the tour in Mobridge, May 20-21st 2026.

Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  shared the bite is inconsistent. Fish have been deep and shallow, biting on different kinds of bait. Stay alert to your electronics and if one method fails, try another one.
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)  has no new report.
Last week’s report: Good fishing and things picked up from the weekend. The Lake Area Walleye Club (https://fb.watch/Bz3B5GZd0b/) produced some really great numbers as well. Anglers using live bait worm, minnow, and leeches. Jigging has been 4-30ft. Around the bridge some have been about 40-55 ft jigging over the trees. Most are catching walleye and smallmouth; catfish are in the bay areas.
Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  has no new report. Refer to last week:
Catching a little bit of everything but not a whole lot. Walleye have been much deeper between 30-35ft. Anglers are going over the deep trees and live-scoping for them; others are casting from shore. It’s possible that salmon are moving a little bit north as it’s getting closer to spawning time. Smallmouth is still going and catfish are everywhere.
On the southern end of Lake Oahe, the Outpost Lodge (https://outpostsd.com/)  shared fishing is tough until you find where the fish are hanging out. The lake is changing and bait in the system is plentiful. Fishing 6-20ft has been the range of depth as walleye are sitting on the bottom. Worms and plugs have worked best. Agency Creek up to the 212 bridge by Whitlock Bay has been a great area to fish. Salmon have been plentiful.
A Good Start to Monday!
Photo Courtesy of Propst Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/)
Salmon Update on Oahe
The Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  shared the bite has dropped off some, largely because of significant winds on several days. Despite the weather, anglers are landing salmon consistently. Most days, fish are 60-80ft down, but 90-100ft during and after windy days. Water temps should continue to improve. FF remains the better approach. Spoons and plugs are also fairly consistent right now. Many different colors work, but greens have been standing out a bit more.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-sharpe/
In both Pierre (https://pierre.org/) /Fort Pierre (https://www.visitfortpierre.com/)  areas, Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/)  shares their report for Lake Sharpe, and their latest video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzCa6ARicy4) . Rainy weather washed out debris and mud from the Bad River, making Lake Sharpe waters very murky and hard to fish. The fish are still present, but not in the mood to bite. Boats have been trying areas above the Bad River as a result. It is a morning/evening bite at the bridges, and the stilling basin can be fished by trolling and bottom-bouncing.
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 report. Refer to last week:
Fish have gotten finicky. Presentation has been key to producing walleye. Using spinner and crawler is still the best, no certain depth. Fish are chasing forage and gizzard shad in the system right now, so it’s a little different day to day.
Young anglers in Chamberlain!
Photo Courtesy of Allen’s Missouri River Guide Service & Hillside Motel (http://www.allenshillside.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMZcjhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhQlRPeUhHRWVPbHFDT2ZQAR4fDIOSVY5LvfZBWoUUfJ1sdBIds5Q4sx1OXL7CjDPGFVH1e4u8UcTrwjPQiw_aem_vHRLFc1bKVhnZSUQWDZyBQ)

https://www.platteareachamber.com/about-1
In the Platte (https://www.platteareachamber.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMZcRhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhQlRPeUhHRWVPbHFDT2ZQAR4fDIOSVY5LvfZBWoUUfJ1sdBIds5Q4sx1OXL7CjDPGFVH1e4u8UcTrwjPQiw_aem_vHRLFc1bKVhnZSUQWDZyBQ) area, Platte Creek Lodge & Guide Service (https://www.plattecreek.com/) shared they had some great days on the water last week. Depth is at 6-24ft; crankbait with spinners and crawlers have worked.
From Geddes, SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  has no new report. Refer to last week:
In the Pease Creek area, the bite has been good with lots of fish to be found at 20-25ft. They are biting on slow death with night crawlers, or pulling flicker shads. Where you find the bait fish, you will find biting walleye. At the Fort Randall Dam, walleye continue to bite early in the morning and late evening. Many are dam-slamming with rapalas or using white plastic gulps or jigs.
Nice catches from Geddes!
Photo Courtesy of SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)
For the Bonesteel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/cities-and-communities/bonesteel/)  area, Pavel’s Walleye Camp (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/)  reported not much has changed again from last week, but fishing is fair. The river is full and the water is cooling down. It won’t be long until the full Fall bite turns on.
Great Crew from Missouri Valley Iowa!
Photo Courtesy of Pavel’s Walleye Camp in Bonesteel (https://www.facebook.com/walleyecamp)
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/)  has no new report. Refer to last week:
Cooler temperatures over the weekend and into the coming week are making for very pleasant fishing conditions on the river and lake. Anglers had good success targeting walleye in about 30ft, especially when using live bait like minnows. In addition to walleye, anglers are also finding catfish and smallmouth bass biting steadily. The mix of species and the comfortable weather have made for some really enjoyable days out on the water.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

For the Yankton (https://www.visityanktonsd.com/)  area, the Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/)  report cooler temps are settling in and fish are on the move. Changing weather conditions like the switch from summer to fall cause a lot of inconsistency in fishing. There are fish all over the system right now, some deep and some shallow, but getting the right ones to bite can be a challenge. Taking what the day gives you is the best option until a seasonal pattern emerges. Currently, the perch bite on Lewis & Clark Lake is worth targeting. White Bass are also a fun species to go for as they are schooled up and chasing bait. Walleye seems to be the most consistent up-river as those fish are less affected by the changing temps and they will soon start to move back into the lake, making for an excellent fall bite. If you are into Live scoping, it may be the best tool to use so you can pick out the species you want to target while avoiding all the Drum, which are always biting. There
is a ton of bait in the system right now and it isn’t going to change anytime soon. Getting away from high-bait areas can help you find a good bite, but switching up your bait will also attract fish. Sometimes you just have to keep trying different things until something works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCV6EhErS5Q

Fall Walleye Fishing on Lewis & Clark Lake
Reel Talk Podcast The Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/)

https://www.platteareachamber.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMn1PhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF3Y1d2Q3JsZGhId3V5eTRlAR7s-dzRo7_hKMvSOXL7Krt7aORFWVPDppdYTJ7nyU8_zHgI1g2l9BPLuC_5UA_aem_3svpWpKYobkA8Zl2B7GAOA
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!