South Dakota Missouri River Fishing Report

Not much has changed overall from last week, but conditions are improving and fish activity is picking up across the system. One area with increased action is Whitlock Bay, where anglers are reporting more consistent catches and greater fish movement south of the bridge. As water temperatures rise and seasonal patterns develop, opportunities should increase in the coming weeks.

Weekend Outlook from the Oahe Dam: Weekend weather conditions across the Missouri River look favorable for anglers once again. Friday will bring warm temperatures in the mid 80s with partly sunny skies and manageable winds. Saturday remains comfortable with highs near 80 and increasing cloud cover. Sunday will be slightly cooler, with highs in the mid-70s and a chance for scattered showers. Overall, anglers on Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe can expect good conditions for getting on the water throughout the weekend in the Pierre and Fort Pierre areas.

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team
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In Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/)  and Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/) , the MoRest Motel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/morest-motel/)  shared that fishing is really good. Several presentations are working well: bouncers with crawlers and spinners, and trolling crank baits. Best depths have been 5-15ft, and some days as deep as 25ft.
Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  has no new report. Refer to last week:
Chad 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/)  has no new report. Refer to last week:
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/)  shared the area had a really good Friday, and fishing has been decent with a lot of limits caught. Fish have moved further down the system and anglers are headed both directions off the bridge and into Stove Creek. Depths change between 10-12ft and 24ft. Presentation has been almost anything; night crawlers, minnow, and leeches. Catching walleye, small mouth, and all the catfish you want.
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 continuous north-west winds have done some damage to the water column. Warm water down deep has slowed the fishing down. On good days, the fishing has been good. Depth is between 50-70ft. Blues, greens and some yellow are producing fish. FF still has the best bite. There’s some quality fish coming in for this time of year.
Big Salmon Day!
Photo Courtesy of Oahe Salmon Guide Service (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577021757404)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3gCEaYLjmg&t=2s
Lip Ripper Fishing
Selecting Crankbaits for Lake Oahe with Tom Tom’s Guide Service
Lake Oahe Special
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-sharpe/
Nick Harrington with Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/)  shared Lake Sharpe (https://midwestliprippers.com/2026/02/08/the-complete-guide-to-fishing-on-lake-sharpe/)  has no new report for Lake Sharpe this week. However, he has a Lake Oahe Special this week.

Reported fishing 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.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/)  shared snaring the right fish is getting a little tougher, which is normal for this time of year. Both guides and crews fishing on their own is a mixed bag. Staples working well; bottom bouncers, spinner, minnow, crawler, or pulling cranks. Depths have varied with walleye chasing a plethora of bait.
Skipper Bros Guiding (https://www.skipperbrosguiding.com/)  on Lake Francis Case updated that fishing is still really good for the area! People have been catching keeper walleyes as shallow as 10ft and as deep as 50ft. The fish are scattered all throughout the reservoir. There are lots of little fish being caught and many other species as well.
Joel Vasek with SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  shared that Pease Creek area has an efficient report. The walleye are snapping and taking nightcrawlers. Anglers can’t go wrong right now, just go fishing and you’re going to catch some fish at 10-15 feet.

Big Days & BIG SMILES 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 fishing has been great 16-28ft of water with slow death hook and night crawlers. The minnow bite has slowed down. Small mouth and white bass bite is good. Stay on the windward side if you can, these winds have been tough these past few days.
Nice string for this crew!
Photo Courtesy of Pavel’s Walleye Camp (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, Mark Schofield with Lake Andes Inn & RV Park (https://lakeandesinn.com/)  has no new report. Refer to last week:
The 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 has no new report. Refer to last week:
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!