SD Missouri River Fishing Report

Summer is here with the hot weather! Temperatures are forecasted to be high all week for the Missouri River, with some chances for rain, cloud cover, and wind.

With hotter days, the bite is getting really active up and down the river. Anglers are hopeful for some great days and great limits.

From July to August on Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case, there are no minimum length restrictions on walleye. Lake Oahe and the stretch of Missouri River below Fort Randall Dam have their own restrictions all year. All limits still apply.

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 the bite has been really good with the more consistent weather. Most fish are caught in 12 – 16ft using bouncers with small blades and crawlers. With warmer weather coming, the bite will improve. Right now the water temperature is in the high 60s, cool for this time of year.
Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  reported the bite has started to fire up again. Anglers are succeeding more. Depths range depending on location, but fish are spread out and willing to bite. The Moreau River has produced nice fish in shallow water this past week at under 10ft in the bays. Main lake fish are deeper, 25-40ft. Jig raps, bouncers, crank baits, everything is working right now, even a simple jig and crawler. With the amount of bait that has been in the system, the fish are in great shape.

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. Please refer to last week:
A lot of anglers are heading north of the bridge. Sunday weather was preventative for anglers, but prior to that things had been really good. Fish have moved a deeper, between 15-20ft. Bait presentation right now hasn’t been consistently one thing, but many anglers are using gold, silver, and purple propellers. Live bait has been minnow and crawler, with leeches really starting to go.

Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  shared no new report. Refer to last week:
The area had a very good, busy weekend packed with anglers and catching lots of fish. Boat ramps and river points have seen a lot of activity so the fish have been pushed a little deeper which is normal with the river traffic. Depth has been about 24ft. Fish are taking about anything, they just need to be hungry for it. Boaters are headed north and south of the bridge.
Salmon Update on Oahe
Kevin Thibodeau with the Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  has no new report, refer to last week:
Overall anglers had a good week, hauling in 4+ fish per day, with the average weight of a fish about 10lbs. It’s a mainly FF bite with a few fish coming on spoons. Blue, green and yellow continue to produce the best. There’s still a lot of warm water down deep. With less northerly wind in the forecast, the water column should stabilize. The depth has a wide range, 50-85ft.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-sharpe/
Nick Harrington with Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/)  has no new report. Please refer to last week’s report:
Fishing on Lake Sharpe (https://midwestliprippers.com/2026/02/08/the-complete-guide-to-fishing-on-lake-sharpe/)  continues to be tumultuous. Overall, fishing has been tough. When the bite is good, anglers are catching good numbers of 12-14inchers as they work to get their keepers.

The fishing on Hipple Lake has slowed down dramatically, and while quality fish can still be caught, it’s very tough. When they bite, they bite in groups.

West Bend continues to produce fish, but the bite is much slower and you will have to sort through a lot of small fish to find keepers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-xvdvy6Fx4&t=271s
Lip Ripper Fishing
Deep Diving Tips for Trolling Crankbaits on Lake Oahe
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 that the end of June sees anglers having a tougher time getting keepers, but are managing. On July 1st, the size limit comes off for walleyes in Lake Sharpe, meaning anglers will be able to keep those smaller 14.5 inch fish.
Skipper Bros Guiding (https://www.skipperbrosguiding.com/)  on Lake Francis Case has no new updates. Refer to last week:
Fishing has stayed about the same as last week, but seeing more fish transitioning into summer patterns, many going to deeper water but some are staying shallow. Fish are starting to look healthy with the mayfly hatch in their bellies. People have been catching keeper walleyes as shallow as 10ft and as deep as 50. The fish are scattered all throughout the reservoir. There are lots of little fish being caught, and many species as well.
Joel Vasek with SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  shared that Pease Creek area fishing has a really strong bite. 14-18ft depths, using bottom bouncers, spinners, nightcrawlers and minnows. Lots of fish are biting up and down the lake. Bigger fish are moving deeper, 25-30ft.
Walleye Fishing 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/)  and Whetstone Bay area, Ed Pavel from Pavel’s Walleye Camp (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/)  has seen wind and rain slowing down the catch. Limits are being caught in 20 – 30ft with bottom bouncers and nightcrawlers or leaches. Some fish are being caught over the trees. Lots of just under 15inch fish are being caught.
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 their latest report:
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 the bite on Lewis & Clark Lake has been tough. Storms have muddied the waters and lots of bait fish and mayflies are flooding the system. After the 4th, the bite should pick back up. Catching lots of smaller walleye. The weed bite is picking up for the eater-sized walleye.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kttP9MaHQQ
The Walleye Guys
Cody Rahder Guide with New Evarts resort
https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/outdoors/fishing/

Lake Oahe

·         Kemnitz MoRest Motel in Mobridge at 605-845-3668

·         Oahe Wings & Walleyes in Akaska at 605-230-0280

·         Bob’s Resort west of Gettysburg at 605-765-2500

·         South Whitlock Resort west of Gettysburg at 605-765-9762

·         The Outpost Lodge north of Pierre at 605-264-5450
·         Angry Walleye Guide Service at The Outpost Lodge at 605-321-3807

·         Oahe Salmon Guide Service in Onida at 605-691-9020

·         New Evarts Resort in Glenham at 605-762-3256

·         Pike Haven Resort north of Pierre at 605-264-5465

Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe

·         Lip Ripper Fishing in Pierre at 402-689-9947

·         Propst Professional Anglers in Pierre at 605-222-1621

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!