SD Missouri River Fishing Report

Ladders are Out – Salmon Spawn is on!

Exciting news! The first Salmon Spawn of the season took place on Thursday, October 8th! Anglers interested in attending can find key salmon spawn dates and additional details on the SD Game, Fish and Parks website (https://gfp.sd.gov/whitlock/) .

Next Monday will be the final fishing report of the season. Over the winter, we’ll highlight ice fishing and preview what anglers can expect for the 2027 fishing season. The regular fishing report will return in May 2027, covering the season from spring through fall and wrapping up again with the salmon spawn in October.
All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team

Subscribe to the Missouri River Tourism Newsletter (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/newsletter-signup/)
For the Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/)  and Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/)  areas, Brent Kemnitz shared from MoRest Motel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/morest-motel/)  that fishing is the same: pretty tough. 30-35ft depths, trolling crankbaits. Limits are hard to come by.
Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)  reported there is a little bit of fall bite starting. The guys jigging are getting a few fish, but not much consistency. Fish seem catchable one day and vanish the next. The trolling bite is a little more stable. A variety of crank baits at working depths of 30-35ft seems to be the most consistent. The river areas closest to Swan Creek, a few miles in either direction, are producing the best.
https://www.southwhitlock.com
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)  shared some positive news: anglers are catching some really nice walleye, and they’ve seen good salmon numbers this weekend. Overall, walleye are deep and scattered. Boaters are catching the big ones 60-80ft on the main lake, 40ft if they are throwing over the trees. Some are fishing shallow and from the shore with nightcrawlers, minnow, and jig raps. Anglers looking for salmon are casting from shore using crocodile spoons. Salmon can be caught back in the bay areas but most are being caught just below South Whitlock from the shore. Early morning hours are best. Recently, a salmon angler caught a 30-inch walleye casting with spoons.
Youth fishing at South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com) !
Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  reported overall the area has been fairly slow, but anglers are catching some. Bigger walleye can be found in deep waters. Salmon is starting to show up in the area, but have not fully taken off. Catfish and smallmouth bass are great to target right now.
Salmon Update on Oahe
There is no new report for salmon-angling on Lake Oahe, see the last report from Kevin Thibodeau with the Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/) :
Salmon are being drawn up from 60-80ft down, almost all on FFs. At this point in the season, a decent shallow bite is possible. Many colors are working right now, and one will work just as productively as another. FF is still coming out ahead. Strike Assist sliders on riggers are pulling in their fair share of fish as well.
Kevin’s 2026 Salmon Season Review
It was a lights-out banger of a season! Kevin saw the best, most consistent fishing this year over all other years. Spring started strong, continuing well into the first 2 weeks of May, where it slowed till about mid-June. It picked up again with an extremely good, consistent bite through early July. Though the bite cooled off from this highest peak, it remained good up till early August. The shad hatch had been remarkably successful, plus the smelt population was doing well, thus creating a harder catching environment at that time. FF was the prime bite throughout most of the season.

Thanks SD GFP for the outstanding Salmon program on Lake Oahe!

Whitlock Salmon Spawning Station (https://www.facebook.com/WestWhitlock)

The salmon spawning station at West Whitlock Recreation Area is open! Salmon spawning operations usually continue through the month of October depending on weather and water conditions.

During the fall of 2025, a total of 340 salmon returned through the fish ladder, while an additional 439 salmon were collected through boat electrofishing efforts. In total, South Dakota collected an estimated 1.2 million salmon eggs. North Dakota provided additional support to the regional stocking program by contributing approximately 740,000 salmon eggs.

It is important to note that not all collected eggs will ultimately result in stockable fish. On average, approximately one-third of the salmon eggs collected are expected to hatch and survive to the stocking stage.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-sharpe/
For the Lake Sharpe report, Nick Harrington with Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/)  finds fishing to be a bit all over the place in terms of where to find fish, and what fish you do end up finding. Casting shallow crankbaits for walleye is the best way to end a pheasant hunt, or deal with a Nebraska football loss! Watch Nick’s full quick Lake Sharpe Update (https://www.facebook.com/reel/1111492351422159) .

West Bend Recreation Area Boat Launch Seeing Improvements
The West Bend RA boat launch is closed until early December while the marina is being dredged. This is a much needed improvement that will make the ramp ready to be enjoyed come the 2027 open water season. There’s also a couple campground improvements taking place as well!

Lake Survey Reports
2026 Lake Survey Reports are being completed around this time, and will be published closer to winter and ice fishing season. When they are published, they are automatically uploaded to the Fisheries Report Viewer (https://apps.sd.gov/GF56FisheriesReports/) . They can also be found in the onX Fish app. Reports are also shared at SD GFP’s public meetings in winter.

Pheasant Season
South Dakota’s traditional Pheasant Season Opener is this Saturday the 17th! With the ongoing fall fishing season, a trip to Central SoDak can include both wings and fins! See
Nick Harrington’s quick update (https://www.facebook.com/reel/1903766513937724)  for the pheasant season.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-francis-case/
Reporting for the Chamberlain (https://chamberlainsd.com/)  area, Allen’s Missouri River Guide Service (http://www.allenshillside.com/)  shared the cooler weather has more fish moving up into the Chamberlain area. This summer has been a long one, and everyone has been waiting for the true fall bite. It’s not real good quite yet, but there is some fish to be caught. Sharpe has been consistent, but walleye right now are finicky – they’ll make you look good one day, then let you down the next. Still fishing with summer presentations: bouncers with crawlers (yes, crawlers in October!), minnows, and pulling lead core.
Skipper Bros Guiding (https://www.skipperbrosguiding.com/)  on Lake Francis Case said fishing has been good! There’s lots of bait and water temps are dropping which will just get the fish more fired up to feed heavy to pack on some weight for the winter. Both minnows and worms have been working, but it will likely transition to more of a minnow bite this week.
Joel Vasek with SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  said the water temperature is dropping and the fish are getting active. Francis Case has been hot this last week. Large groups are catching their limits!
From 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 that shallow fishing was very good this last week in 5-25ft of water. Using jigs and crawlers, or just jigging.
Lower Missouri River Fishing Report
Fort Randall / Lake Francis Case / Lewis & Clark / Gavins Point
From 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 that fishing over the past week has changed very little. Overall the lower Missouri River has been fair to good, but anglers are still having to work for their fish. There is a lot of bait in the lower part of Lake Francis Case right now, which is good for growing healthy walleye but can make the bite tougher for fishermen. Bite windows have been best in the morning and evening.

Above Fort Randall Dam on Lake Francis Case, walleye are scattered from wind-blown shorelines, points, rocky banks, and coves out to deeper structure. Jigging, cranking, and pulling bottom bouncers can all work, but precision matters. Crankbaits have been one of the better options in the 25-45ft range, especially when fish are holding deeper.

Around Bonesteel and Whetstone Bay, fishing has been picking back up. A jig and minnow around 20ft has been producing, and anglers are also catching fish on crankbaits in similar depths.

Below Fort Randall Dam, focus on current seams, riprap, eddies, and slower water close to moving current. A jig tipped with a minnow remains a dependable setup. Shore anglers should keep bait near bottom and work current breaks slowly.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

No new report from the Yankton Area and Lewis & Clark Lake, please refer to last week:
Brian Bashore with The Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/) shared fall fishing is one of the best times of the year, producing cooler temps, less boat traffic, and a chance to get true trophy-sized walleye. Last fall, much of Midwest fishing didn’t take off as water temps didn’t drop until late November. But it looks like this fall will be different. Typically the bite tends to pick up mid-October as the reduction of daylights hours and changing temps trigger the walleye to put on the feed bag. Right now, temps are in the low 70s to upper 60s, and are expected to stay cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1UlqKYoxHg
The Walleye Guys | 2026 NWT AOY, Beau Schilling
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!