SD Missouri River Fishing Report

First Fishing Report of the Year is Here
Open House & Free Fishing Weekend is too!

Welcome back to another season on the water! As spring settles in and the Missouri River begins to wake up, we’re excited to kick off our first fishing report of the year. Conditions are changing daily, fish are getting active, and anglers from across the region are once again finding their way to one of the finest fisheries in the country.

Before we get into the latest river conditions and fishing updates, we want to give a special thank you to our sponsors at South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (https://gfp.sd.gov/) for their continued support of outdoor recreation, fisheries management, and access opportunities across the state.

The Missouri River corridor is home to many outstanding state parks that offer excellent camping, boating access, hiking, and family recreation. Whether you’re launching before sunrise, spending the weekend on the water, or simply enjoying the scenic views along the river, South Dakota’s state parks help make the Missouri River experience second to none. Open House & Free Fishing Weekend (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/calendar/view/open-house-and-free-fishing-weekend/) happens this coming weekend May 15-17th.

We’re looking forward to another great season and can’t wait to share what’s happening on the water each week.
Let’s get fishing!
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team
Subscribe to Our Missouri River Travel Newsletter (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/newsletter-signup/)
In the Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/)  and Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/)  area, the MoRest Motel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/morest-motel/)  reported today the bite has been somewhat slow. The up and down temperatures have definitely taken a toll on consistency. Fish have been in 10-15 feet; best presentation has been using jigs and minnow, or bouncers with minnow and crawlers. Anticipated temps for this month should kick things into gear a little more.

The 2026 National Walleye Tour (https://outdoorteamworks.com/trail/nwt/registration/) (NTW) takes place May 20-21 on Lake Oahe in Mobridge. Registration is still open to anglers.

Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  shared the season is starting like it always does. The fist are on the cusp of firing and it seems like any day anglers should start seeing things get good. They are catching a few, but no big numbers yet. Using jigs with minnows or plastics seems to be working the best. There is plenty of big fish in the system. Water temps right now are in the low to mid 50s so it should start going any day.

The 2026 AFTCO Walleye Throwdown returns to Akaska for its second year in partnership with the South Dakota Walleye Classic (https://www.facebook.com/sdwalleyeclassic) , bringing even bigger prizes and an expanded tournament-style format. Anglers who register by June 30, 2026, will receive a $200 AFTCO gear pack-getting the full value of their entry fee back!
https://sdwalleyeclassic.com/info.php?fbclid=IwY2xjawRu2CBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFwd0wxUjVsTFdWMDNXRWVEc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHu28Pj0vYBDzTFWPsiagnu7TZD8GkyzCHxHhF86quyXYlSUY4iYo3eYmaAwM_aem_RM4nEMYPBjmULMnd6Qnq2Q
Beautiful Northern Pike on Oahe Lake
Photo Curtesy of Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)
From Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  in the Gettysburg  (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) area, Frank Smith updated that things are slowly moving and picking up. Right now the area is mainly catching small mouth bass, catfish, and northern. Not much walleye to report on yet, but that should improve with the upcoming warmer weather. Bait presentation for small mouth has been pitching jigs, soft bodies, plastics, and minnow. Depth has been pretty shallow: anything 15 feet or under.
Also in the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)  shared similar reports and that really good fishing action is likely about a week away with water temperatures needing to warm up and winds needing to die down. Anglers are catching small mouth in the 4-5lbs range.
On the southern end of Lake Oahe, the Outpost Lodge (https://outpostsd.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM1JLBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVc1dxazRES2NIRHFLOE51AR4c8S5vf9nKn7w6xpvUJkM-N3nCDejpTMGL1mvY40ncnt1GigED9etI5ffbcQ_aem_bW2PIlR1dnZIwBPS6OHxHQ)  reported that it’s a slow roll, and waters have been cold. Boat ramps are slowly filling up and fishing is starting, but no angler is guaranteed success. Bass is the main bite right now. Between West Bend filling slot limits, and Lake Oahe leaving the mystery up to the angler, the challenge will be competition with bait fish. Outpost Lodge guided groups start this week, which should give a good sampling of what is catchable soon.
Oahe Salmon Season – Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)
The week started off strong, but dropped off quite a bit at the end. Fish are scattered, and there have been several calm, flat days. The best depth this week was around 30ft. 150 copper produced the best, with riggers and divers also producing a few. It’s still an all spoon bite for salmon. Color will be green one day and yellow the next. A lot of wind this week should aid water temperatures.
Pure Silver on the Line
Photo Curtesy 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/
Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/) shared fishing on Lake Sharpe (https://midwestliprippers.com/2020/02/25/lake-sharpe-profile/)  right now is very hit and miss. Fish are essentially done with spawning activities and have shifted completely to finding food sources. This means fish are constantly on the move as they transition down the reservoir.

Best spots are in the West Bend Recreation Area, which has historically always been the case in the post-spawn period.

There is good fishing to be had in the Pierre (https://midwestliprippers.com/plan-your-trip-to-pierre/)  area, mostly between Farm Island Recreation Area and De Grey Lakeside Use Area. Fish are using the large flats, as well as areas of submerged timber, to stop as they work their way down the reservoir.

Fishing is best between 8-12 feet, with that 9-10 feet holding the most fish. Trolling crankbaits allow anglers to cover water and contact these active fish. The best baits right now are #5 Berkley Flicker Shads (https://midwestliprippers.com/2025/01/12/tackle-profile-berkley-flicker-shad/)  and #5 Rapala Shad Raps (https://midwestliprippers.com/2025/01/17/tackle-profile-rapala-shad-rap/) .

Over 1,300 Fish Logged So Far in Midwest Walleye Challenge for South Dakota (https://midwestliprippers.com/2026/05/10/over-1300-fish-already-recorded-in-south-dakota-midwest-walleye-challenge/)

Anglers Atlas, host of the Midwest Walleye Challenge (https://www.anglersatlas.com/event/895/2026-south-dakota-walleye-challenge) , has released the first round of results for the event. South Dakota accounts for nearly half of all walleyes submitted. Out of 3,000 walleyes submitted across five states, 1,367 have come from South Dakota, as well as the largest average size. The Midwest Walleye Challenge runs through June 28th, and there is still time for anglers to join the event and submit their catches!
Submitted catch data is used by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks’ biologists to improve fishery management across the state!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPcJTpacYB8&t=14s
Lip Ripper Fishing
Discussing Post-Spawn on Lake Sharpe
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 fishing has been decent. After the recent spawn, the smaller fish have taken over and you’ll need to sort through a lot of fish to get keepers. Bait presentation has been minnows, crawlers, and pulling crankbaits.
Crew from Newton, IA in the SS Minnow!
Also released a 6lb Drum and 3lb bass over 18 inches (biggest was 19)
Photo Curtesy of Allen’s Guide Service & Hillside Motel (https://www.facebook.com/allensmissouririverfishing)
Skipper Bros Guiding (https://www.skipperbrosguiding.com/)  on Lake Francis Case reported that fishing has been good so far this year with good eater-sized walleye and really nice bass. Skipper Bros are headed to Mobridge for a couple of weeks and plan to dig a little more into the the northern bite of the system. Overall, the season is starting well!
Out of Bonesteel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/cities-and-communities/bonesteel/)  and Whetstone Bay area, Pavel’s Walleye Camp (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/)  shared that fishing has been good and getting better every day. Most fish are being caught in shallow to more average ranges between 6-30 feet of water. But you can catch them just about any way you want right now using jig, minnow, bottom bouncers, worms or crankbaits.
Eyes On the Prize!
Photo Curtesy of Pavel’s Walleye Camp (https://www.facebook.com/walleyecamp)
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

The Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/)  in the Yankton area shared reports about Lower Francis Case Lake and Lewis & Clark Lake:

The spring bite is picking up on the lower end of Lake Francis case. There are still several fish around the Chamberlain area but that will soon begin to dwindle as many of these fish migrate south for the summer. Fishing from Platte to the dam is a great place to catch some very healthy and possible trophy-sized walleye. Hard to beat trolling cranks on the flats and pitching jigs to the shore line for the month of May before these fish move to deeper water. Don’t be afraid to use plastics such as ripple shad, jerk shad and many others as this is an efficient way to put walleye in the boat. Small cranks like a #7 Flicker minnow or Flicker Shad are deadly when trolling. Use your side scan to find pods of fish on shallow flats adjacent to deeper breaks.

On Lewis & Clark the lake bite is starting to pick up with water temp warming slowly. The fish are done spawning in the lake but there are still a few stragglers upriver. The numbers and health of fish looks excellent, so expecting good things this spring. The walleye are staged near their typical spring locations and are going to be on fire any day. Shorelines, flats, and humps are the ticket for these spring walleye until the water temps get into the 70s. Trolling cranks such as Mondy Badgers, Salmo Hornets and Flicker Shads are the ticket. Pitching jigs to the shoreline can produce epic days when the weather is cooperating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lycadqlp8Ps
The Walleye Guys – Reel Talk Fishing Podcast
A Family Tradition with Chad and Beau Schilling

Recreation Areas on the Missouri River

https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/west-pollock-recreation-area/

https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/okobojo-point-recreation-area/

Lake Oahe
Cow Creek RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/cow-creek-recreation-area-/)
Indian Creek RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/indian-creek-recreation-area/)
Okobojo Point RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/okobojo-point-recreation-area/)
Spring Creek RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/spring-creek-recreation-area/)
Swan Creek RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/swan-creek-recreation-area/)
West Pollock RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/west-pollock-recreation-area/)
West Whitlock RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/west-whitlock-recreation-area/)

Lake Sharpe
Farm Island RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/farm-island-recreation-area/)
LaFramboise Island Nature Area (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/laframboise-island-nature-area/)
Oahe Downstream RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/oahe-downstream-recreation-area/)
West Bend RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/west-bend-recreation-area/)
https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/farm-island-recreation-area/

Lake Francis Case
Buryanek RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/buryanek-recreation-area/)
North Point RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/north-point-recreation-area/)
North Wheeler RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/north-wheeler-recreation-area/)
Pease Creek RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/pease-creek-recreation-area/)
Platte Creek RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/platte-creek-recreation-area/)
Snake Creek RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/snake-creek-recreation-area/)

Lake Lewis & Clark
Lewis and Clark RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/lewis-and-clark-recreation-area/)
Randall Creek RA (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/randall-creek-recreation-area/)

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 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

·         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

·        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!