SD Missouri River Fishing Report

The Dog Days of August are Upon Us

The dog days of summer have officially arrived with the month of August bringing on the heat. Overall, fishing opportunities are still going strong. As water temperatures climb, fish are settling into their late-summer patterns, making early mornings and evenings the prime times to get on the water. The Lower Missouri River body is very active right now with healthy and nice-sized walleye, but there is a decent amount of bait fish in the system. Be sure to “match the hatch” with your bait size to stay competitive!

State Park Highlight: West Whitlock Recreation Area (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/west-whitlock-recreation-area/)

Whether you’re chasing walleye along the channel edges, targeting smallmouth and largemouth bass around rocky structures, or enjoying a relaxing day with family on the Missouri River, West Whitlock RA continues to showcase why it’s one of South Dakota’s favorite recreation destinations. In the fall, the West Whitlock Salmon spawning station is open for visitors to learn about the restocking program, and to buy Oahe chinook salmon. It’s a great time of the year to visit!
https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/west-whitlock-recreation-area/
West Whitlock RA Swim Beach (https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/west-whitlock-recreation-area/)
Weekly Weather Forecast for Pierre & Fort Pierre:
Overall, conditions look favorable for boating and fishing with the biggest challenges being the heat rather than wind or widespread storms. The best fishing activities will likely be around sunrise and the late evening. Keep an eye on the sky Friday and Saturday afternoon for potential thunderstorm development. Sunday, with 94-degree highs and mostly sunny skies, looks to be the most comfortable day on the river.

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team
Subscribe to the Missouri River Tourism Newsletter (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/newsletter-signup/)
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 in the area is pretty much the same as last week but the action is a little slower. Water surface temps are bumping 80°. Still managing to catch limits of quality fish, but you have to be willing to put in the time. Catching most at 30-40ft with bouncers and crawlers.
Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  reported that things are still good, but anglers need to stay versatile as the fish are always moving. The fish in the bays and tributaries are staying shallow between 8-12ft. The wind and water color really seems to move them around a lot. The main lake fish have slid deeper. Focus there in the 30-40ft range. The old faithful presentation, a bouncer with a crawler, is working best.
https://www.southwhitlock.com/
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , there is no new report from South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/) . Please refer to their latest report:
Angling is still good both north and south of the bridge and everyone is happy with the size of fish this season. Heat is going to be the largest factor this upcoming week, so get your fishing in early. Limits are attainable, although you might not fill them as fast as recently. Shallow fishing has been 8ft and deeper fishing has been between 20-25ft. Catching nice small mouth and walleye. Presentation has been leaning more into worms and leeches over minnows.

Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  has no new report. Please refer to their latest report:
The area saw a lot of activity for the Tom and Matt Hill Memorial Walleye Fishing Tournament (https://www.facebook.com/tomandmatthillmemorialwalleyefishingtournament)  with some sizable weigh-ins! The rest of the anglers had a great week catching 25-30ft with any presentation – the fish were hungry!
Salmon Update on Oahe
Kevin Thibodeau with the Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)  reported the slower part of salmon fishing is ending. Slow-grind days are fewer and the good days are pretty good! FF is the most productive; spoons and Brads are catching a few. Meat has not been producing. Greens and yellows were best this past week. The fish are still being mighty picky. What works one day may not work the next. Temperatures in most locations seem to be holding well at 85ft.
Salmon in Cow Creek Recreation 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/
Nick Harrington with Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/)  reported the summer heat is at full blast on Lake Sharpe, and the fishing is picking up! The reservoir can produce a great late summer bite that gets even better throughout the fall, and all signs are pointing towards this.

An abundance of forage has fish well fed, which is producing fairly pronounced bite windows and patterns. Fish have easy meals and are not actively feeding, so dropping the bait directly in front of their nose is key for success. Emulating the gizzard shad has been the best strategy. A #7 Berkley Flicker Shad is the best bait, and Blue Frost is a top color. Other good colors include Jester and variations of purple. The Berkley Money Badger is also proving effective, particularly when fished near bottom.

Oahe Dam Stilling Basin: from the end of July and into August, the stilling basin tends to produce excellent fishing, and this year is so far no different. There is a very strong number of quality fish in the area.

Pierre/Fort Pierre Bridges: pitching jigs early in the morning is most effective, and anglers targeting the morning and evening hours are going to be most successful. Trolling crankbaits, particularly in the evenings, can also be effective.

Farm Island, Ft George, De Gray: the bite in the large flats below Farm Island down towards Fort George and De Grey LUAs generally begins in early August and runs through the fall. Bottom bouncing these large flats is typically most effective.

Find out what you need to know about this late summer bite on
Lake Sharpe in the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzwI_ElgyP8&t=16s
Fumbling into Lake Sharpe Walleye
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 anglers are catching some but it’s all about timing with the biting windows. Fish are healthy and there is lots of bait in the system. The old summer tactics are working with spinners and crawler on bouncers, or pulling crank baits.
Skipper Bros Guiding (https://www.skipperbrosguiding.com/)  on Lake Francis Case reports it was a great week on the river! There is a significant amount of bait fish everywhere, which makes for a tougher bite than the rest of the year overall. There are plenty of fish in the system and they are healthier-looking than earlier this year. Most are scattered and chasing baitfish. Cranking, bouncing or jigging is productive for eater-sized walleye, but you’ve got to earn your catch right now during the dog days of summer. It’s not easy out there. If you’re a catfish enthusiast, the catfish are done spawning and are gathering in big numbers to feed heavily. If you’re lucky enough to find one of these post-spawn megaschools of catfish, hang on because you’re in for a fun bite.
Joel Vasek with SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  has reported between Pease Creek and Ft. Randall Dam, the bite has picked up and fish are now active above and below the dam. Depth has been 35-55ft on the lake with cranks or spinners and crawlers. The Ft. Randall Dam area has a lot of fish biting in the fast-moving water.

Fort Randall Dam – 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/)  briefly updated that fishing with crank baits and live bait fishing has been better with the cooler temperatures.
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 not much has changed since the last report, so you can refer to last week:
The hot summer weather pattern is in place, with walleye spread across shoreline breaks, rocky banks, points, bluffs, flats, and deeper structure. To find the fish, anglers are having to move and adjust.

Above Fort Randall Dam, shallows are producing, especially when wind is pushing bait into the shore line, points, and rocky banks. A jig and minnow remains a good choice early and late in the day, or when conditions push fish tight to shore. Fish are also deeper at 14-25ft. Bottom bouncers with minnows or crawlers continue to be one of the better ways to cover water and find active walleye. Slow-death rigs and spinner presentations are also worth trying when fish are scattered. Crankbaits can produce along rocky shorelines, flats, and main-lake edges, especially when anglers need to cover more water.

Below Fort Randall Dam, focus on current seams, riprap, eddies, and slower pockets close to moving water. A jig tipped with a minnow is still a dependable setup. Shore anglers should keep the bait near bottom and work it slowly through likely holding areas without using more weight than necessary.

Smallmouth bass remain a good option around rocky banks, points, and bluff structure. Protected coves, quiet shoreline pockets, and backwater areas are also worth checking for panfish. A small crappie jig worked slowly around rock, brush, shade, or shoreline cover can still pick up crappie and bluegill.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

No updated reports for the area, refer to last week’s.
The Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/)  in the Yankton area reports that despite lots of recent boat traffic, the water remains very clean and clear. Water temperatures are in the 80s. Walleye are scattered all over the system and they are biting. Dodging storms has been the theme over the past month, putting the fish in a funk on some days and making it lights out on others. Weather typically become more stable later in July and throughout August.

Mark Schofield with Lake Andes Inn reports walleye fishing is good near Gavins Point Dam on the main lake, and on the river channel ledges.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJPRBZS5tjk
Reel Talk Fishing Podcast
The Walleye Guys – Things to Know
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!