SD Missouri River Fishing Report

Overall, this week’s report indicates that angling up and down the river is picking up, and hot spots for walleye, bass and more species are producing!

Something we’d like to highlight this week is the multi-generational opportunities and traditions being built on the Missouri River. Throughout the season, our guides welcome families spanning three, even four generations, all sharing time on the water. From grandparents teaching young anglers their first cast to families celebrating another year of tradition, the stories and smiles are always just as rewarding as the fish caught. The Missouri River remains a special place where memories are made, time-honored activities are passed down, and days spent together becomes the catch of a lifetime.

Weekend Outlook from the Oahe Dam:  Warm, summer-like conditions are expected across central South Dakota this weekend. High temperatures will reach the upper 80s with mostly sunny skies and generally favorable boating conditions. Winds are expected to remain manageable, providing good opportunities for anglers on Lake Oahe & Sharpe. Overall, weather conditions should support excellent fishing and recreation throughout the Missouri River region.

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team
Subscribe to the Missouri River Tourism Newsletter (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/newsletter-signup/)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570432786303
CONGRATULATIONS!
14th Whetstone Bay Walleye Tournament Winners (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570432786303)
A total tournament weight of 35lbs 12oz
In Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/)  and Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/) , the MoRest Motel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/morest-motel/)  shared the bite was really good this last week, with great numbers of quality fish. Anglers have been catching mostly in 5-10ft using bouncers and spinners with crawlers.
Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  reported the bite is really good. The Swan Creek RA area has been a decent spot. The best action is in less than 12ft of water with bottom bouncers and crawlers. Using more smiley blades and propellers now in a variety of colors, keeping speed at 1-1.3 mph.

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 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
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)  says things are definitely picking up as the system continues to move down the river. Rising temperatures help. Anglers have been shallow between 3-13ft jigging to the shoreline, using minnows, worms and propellers.

Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  also in the Whitlock Bay area shared things are starting to pick up. Most action has been produced north of the bridge and back in the bays. Although the true summer season has not arrived quite yet, limits are being met. Seeing most anglers in 10ft and keeping shallow. Anglers are buying everything at the bait shop to try, with many pulling plugs and using leeches. Good weather will move the system further down the river and it won’t be long till we start seeing stronger fishing action south of the bridge.
On the southern end of Lake Oahe, the Outpost Lodge (https://outpostsd.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM1JLBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVc1dxazRES2NIRHFLOE51AR4c8S5vf9nKn7w6xpvUJkM-N3nCDejpTMGL1mvY40ncnt1GigED9etI5ffbcQ_aem_bW2PIlR1dnZIwBPS6OHxHQ)  has no new report. Refer to last week:
Scuba Mike has been seeing fish at about 6 feet; some are finding them even more shallow. Minnow and worm are both working. Water in the main lake has been warmer than even some of the bays. People are catching fish between 25-30 ft on the main lake.
Salmon Update on Oahe
Kevin Thibodeau with the Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  shared the salmon report remains pretty much the same as last week. Anglers are dealing with a very wide band of good water which he believes is keeping the fish spread out. That and the very large amount of baitfish. Averaging around 3 to 5 hits a trip, so it is a little on the slow side. There has been many nice-sized fish coming in, 11-13lb, with a few larger. It’s almost exclusivity a FF bite right now. The best colors have been the blues and greens still. 40-60 ft was again the most productive depth range. By looks of the fish, we may have several fish in the high teens to low twenties this summer.
Salmon in Cow Creek Area
Photo Courtesy 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 Lake Sharpe (https://midwestliprippers.com/2026/02/08/the-complete-guide-to-fishing-on-lake-sharpe/)  has been very up and down this year. Reported by anglers and creel surveys, one day the bite is very good and nearly every angler reports limits, the next day the bite is poor and no limits are brought in (creel surveys are conducted by GFP fisheries staff, interviewing 120 anglers).

This is due to a number of factors. The flows from the Oahe Dam have been variable, and so have wind and water conditions. The bite improves when water is released from Oahe Dam, and slows down when releases decrease. This is true particularly for fishing in the Pierre (https://midwestliprippers.com/plan-your-trip-to-pierre/)  area.

The other factor, and probably the largest, was an abundance of smelt that came through the Oahe Dam and filled the upper end of Lake Sharpe. The number of smelt was the highest observed in quite some time, which had fish well fed and not seeking food.

Fishing in Hipple Lake (https://midwestliprippers.com/2026/02/10/the-complete-guide-to-fishing-on-hipple-lake/)  is picking up, though still hit and miss. The walleyes being caught are of excellent quality. Both trolling crankbaits and bottom bouncing can be effective on any given day. Crawlers are most effective when bottom bouncing.
Fish full of Smelt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ9rcjqoAYw
Lip Ripper Fishing
The Details of Bottom Bouncing for Walleye on Hipple Lake
Lake Sharpe
https://www.anglersatlas.com/event/895/2026-south-dakota-walleye-challenge
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:
Fishing has remained the same. Running 15-25 ft at Crow Creek and 7-15 ft at White River. Presentation has been using bottom bouncers, spinner and crawler or minnow. Crank baits also are working. Anglers can catch a fair amount of shorts to find keepers.
Skipper Bros Guiding (https://www.skipperbrosguiding.com/)  on Lake Francis Case updated the area has been experiencing a good bite! The fish are in their typical early summer transition from shallow to deeper, cooler water. Both minnows and worms are working, as well as trolling. Walleye being caught as shallow as 3ft and as deep as 50ft, so adjusting to conditions in each area is important to find and catch fish. The reservoir has a huge population of 7-14 inch size fish which is a good sign for the coming years. The fish seem to be a little skinnier than average, possibly due to a lack of food, so everyone is looking forward to shad reproduction and good bug hatches soon.

Nice string of Walleye!
Photo Courtesy of Skipper Bros Guiding (https://www.skipperbrosguiding.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawST2j1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETI3WU5RMDA5WUdhd09Yb1NHc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhe4MxxkL5tYmxZl6gCRLbXZudz5jfdamfzpr5yH6j1AiEYj2pYNSMhDXrxX_aem_OatGWY5O9X7RwDS_-48dFQ)
Joel Vasek with SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  shared for the Pease Creek area, the bite is really strong between 14-18ft, with bottom bouncers, spinners, nightcrawlers and minnows all working. Lots of fish biting up and down the lake. Your bigger fish are starting to move between 25-30ft and guys are catching them with all different styles. Overall, it’s been a great bite!

Fishing Groups out on Lake Francis Case
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/)  shared that the area fishing is good about any way you like to fish in 15-20 feet of water.
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, Mark Schofield with Lake Andes Inn & RV Park (https://lakeandesinn.com/)  shared fishing this past week has been good, but not automatic. Anglers are finding walleye throughout the system, though boat pressure and changing conditions have made the bite more inconsistent the farther south you go. The best advice remains simple: stay mobile, keep changing presentations, and do not sit too long on dead water.

Above Fort Randall Dam on Lake Francis Case, walleye are being caught along shallow flats, shore line breaks, points, bluffs, and rocky shorelines. Fish are showing up shallow in some areas, especially from about 5 to 15 feet, but anglers are also finding fish deeper, down to roughly 35 feet. Around the Pease Creek stretch, bottom bouncers with minnows, crawlers, and slow-death rigs have been working well in 14-19ft. Some crankbait action is also showing up along rocky shorelines in the low 20ft range.

A jig and minnow is still a dependable choice, especially when pitching toward the shore line, wind-blown banks, points, and bluff edges. Bottom bouncers with crawler or minnow are probably the safer bet when covering water. Small crankbaits are also worth pulling across shallow flats and along rocky edges when fish are scattered.

Below Fort Randall Dam, anglers should continue to focus on current seams, riprap, eddies, and slower pockets close to moving water. A jig tipped with a minnow remains a good setup below the dam. Shore anglers should keep the bait near bottom, but avoid using more weight than necessary. A natural presentation usually outfishes dragging heavy tackle through the rocks.

Smallmouth bass action has been strong around the Pease Creek area, with topwater and swimbaits producing. Protected coves, backwater pockets, and quieter shoreline areas are also worth checking for panfish. A small crappie jig worked slowly around rock, brush, or shoreline cover can still pick up crappie and bluegill.

Best bets this week: bottom bouncers with minnows or crawlers for walleye, jig and minnow along shoreline structure, crankbaits on rocky shorelines and flats, and small crappie jigs in protected coves. The fish are there, but this is a week where moving and adjusting will beat waiting them out.
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 that fishing is hot on Lewis & Clark Lake and should carry on this way. Walleye can be caught just about anywhere right now on the lake using live bait or troll cranks.
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

Lake Francis Case

·        Allen’s South Dakota Fishing & Hunting at 800-435-5591

·        Platte Creek Lodge at 605-941-1679

·        Pavel’s Walleye Camp in Bonesteel at 402-340-0033

·        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!