Navigate South Whitlock Resort & all your favorite water destinations with the Missouri River Lake Map Series
This week’s Fishing Report is proudly sponsored by South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/) , located west of Gettysburg on beautiful Lake Oahe. This family-owned resort offers a variety of accommodations, including full-hookup campsites, motel rooms and cabins. Their onsite convenience store has everything you need for your time on the water, including bait, tackle, fuel, groceries, boat batteries and souvenirs.
South Whitlock Resort is also proud to be a holder of the Missouri River Lake Map Series. Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts can stop by the resort to pick up their Missouri River Lake Maps and get the local information they need to make the most of their time on the water.
Other resort amenities include a shower house, laundromat, boat ramp, playground, picnic shelter and supper club. Whether you’re looking for adventure, a great day of fishing or a relaxing getaway, South Whitlock Resort welcomes you!
https://www.sdmissouririver.com/plan/navigating-the-waters/
https://www.southwhitlock.com/
Proud Angler with Walleye at South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/) !
9lb 8oz | 33 1/2″
Weekly Weather Forecast for Pierre & Fort Pierre: It’s shaping up to be a FAIR to GOOD weekend. Friday is looking to be a little unsettled, breezy with thunderstorms, especially earlier in the day. Saturday is forecasted to be the best day overall to try and get your catch. Should be a cooler day, cloudy and humid, around 80 degrees, but comfortable and fishable. Sunday could be unsettled again with possible showers in the morning and thunderstorms later.
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 fishing has slowed into the super tough category. 25-40 feet has been the most productive depth, but limits are hard to come by.
Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/) reported this week’s fishing was inconsistent. There would be several days of struggling, then a day would be great. But for the most part the bite is tough. Fish are around 28 – 35ft on the main lake, 6 – 12ft in the Moreau branch. There is a decent crank bait bite on the main lake, and if you’re pulling bigger baits you’ll still be at the same depths. Bouncer and crawler is still the best presentation. Lots of catfish and some small mouth bass will keep you busy.
https://www.southwhitlock.com/
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , the South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/) . reports the bite was a little off. Best areas were shallow depths 8 – 10ft over rocky areas and submerged trees. The average fish size was 2 – 2.5lbs. If you’re looking for bigger, you’ll need to hunt deeper at 25 – 30ft. Bass fishermen at Whitlock bay are finding the bite tough as a large amount of bait fish populate the system. Using artificial lures basically only works if you are able to find schools of fish and bring your lure right through them. Best areas include Sutton Bay, Bush’s Landing and the mouth of the Cheyenne. Walleye fishermen are going all over and managing to catch fish, either north or sticking close to Whitlock Bay and Stove Creek.
BIG Walleye Day caught by the 212 Bridge
13lb 11oz | 31″ 3/4
Photo Courtesy of South Whitlock Resort (https://www.facebook.com/southwhitlockresort) in Gettysburg
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 bite remains to be more on the slow side. It hasn’t been bad, but more inconsistent. Overall, fish size has been on the smaller side recently, though you can still land the occasional large salmon. Nothing has really changed as far as depth or presentation. Depth is 60 – 80ft in most locations, some areas may be slightly deeper. FF has been the best. Color is still all over and changing almost daily.
Large Salmon off Lake Oahe
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/) has no new report for Lake Sharpe. See the latest:
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.
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/) has not shared a new report. Please refer to last week’s:
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, the bite is a little tough with all the bait fish around. It seems to be a better jig bite on the south end of the reservoir. There’s lots of bait, catfish, drum, and smaller-eater walleyes near the bridge area. Both jigging and trolling seem to be working equally well. It’s possible to get limits of decent fish!
Joel Vasek with SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/) has reported between Pease Creek and Ft. Randall Dam, the last few days has seen the bite remain steady. Fishing deep 30-55ft with crank baits has been best all the way to Ft Randall Dam.
Nice Limits 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/) reported fishing has picked up with the river cooling down. Nice fish are being caught in the 30ft range on gigs, crank baits and some live bait. Pease Creek to Ft Randall Dam seem to be better-producing areas. Either early morning or late afternoon seem to be the best times.
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 over the past week has been fair to good, but anglers should expect a true late-summer pattern to emerge. Walleye are still being caught, but the fish are spread out from shallow wind-blown banks to deeper main-lake structure. This is a week where moving, adjusting depth, and changing presentations will matter more than sitting on one spot.
Above Ft Randall Dam on Lake Francis Case, anglers are finding walleye shallow when wind pushes bait into the shore line, points, rocky banks, and protected cove areas. A jig and minnow can still produce in those conditions, especially early and late in the day. When the shallow bite slows, slide out and work deeper breaks, flats, channel edges, and rocky structure.
Bottom bouncers with crawlers or minnows remain one of the better ways to search for walleye. Slow-death rigs, spinner rigs, and crankbaits are also good choices when fish are scattered. Crankbaits can be useful along rocky shorelines, main-lake edges, and flats where active fish are moving with bait.
Below Ft Randall Dam, focus on current seams, riprap, eddies, and slower pockets close to moving water. A jig tipped with a minnow remains a dependable presentation. Shore anglers should keep bait near bottom and work slowly through the current breaks without using more weight than necessary.
Farther downstream toward Lewis & Clark Lake and Gavins Point Da,, expect walleye to relate more to main-lake humps, channel ledges, points, and deeper structure. Bottom bouncers, live bait rigs, and crankbaits are good tools for covering water and locating active fish. The bite can change during the day, so watch wind, current, and bait movement.
Smallmouth bass remain a good option around rocky banks, points, bluff structure, and riprap. Protected coves, backwater pockets, and quiet shoreline areas are also worth checking for panfish. A small crappie jig worked slowly around brush, rock, shade, or shoreline cover can still pick up crappie and bluegill.
Best bets this week: bottom bouncers with crawlers or minnows for walleye, jig and minnow along wind-blown shore line structure, crankbaits on rocky banks and flats, and small crappie jigs in protected coves. The fish are there, but this remains a move-and-adjust bite, not a sit-and-wait bite.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/
No updated reports for the area, refer to the latest:
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.
Reel Talk Fishing Podcast
The Walleye Guys – Things to Know
https://www.southwhitlock.com/
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!
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