Missouri River Fishing Report | DRGNews

http://www.allenshillside.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFMS-xleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHR2F9z8YMeLhfZOrTYoTVHMf_MMEEAnv0vVCzDwg5Y8v3PVN_xTz1L06xg_aem_GLNonPkVbE2U1zH-YEgHBg
Plenty of wind and rain, but it won’t be long!
Blustery, wet weather has held off anglers from getting on the water this past week. Many locations have slowly improved moving into spring season, while some locations are consistently reporting the same conditions.

This week, expect more rain with temperatures staying in the 60s. As weather plays a critical role in a successful fishing trip, we encourage visitors to check with local weather resources and fishing guides when planning.

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team

Subscribe to the Missouri River Tourism Newsletter (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/newsletter-signup/)
From the Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/) and Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/)  areas, the MoRest Motel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/morest-motel/)  has seen a few opportunities to get out on the water between bouts of wind and rain. Right now, expect to put in the time to grind out a limit of fish. Presentation has been jigs/minnows and Lindy’s behind bouncers. Depths have varied from day to day. Some days fish are in super shallow areas 2-10ft and other days they are in 15-25ft.

Around Akaska (https://oahewings.com/?y_source=1_OTk3NzA2Ny03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D) , they are starting to get a decent bite. The weather has made it difficult, but anglers are catching fish in the Swan Creek area. Pulling crank baits in 28-32ft is working. Some have been able to reel in big walleye along with keeper sizes. Likely a good bite using jigs/minnow, but weather has made that almost impossible to try.
Reported from Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)
REEL nice walleye in Swan Creek Area
Photo Courtesy of Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/)

https://www.southwhitlock.com/
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (http://cityofgettysburg.com/) , South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/) reports remain similar to last week with tough luck from the wind and weather. Anglers have been casting from shore. So far smallmouth and catfish have been present besides walleye.
Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  shares angling is slowly picking up despite the wet weather. Anglers are getting a few from shore including walleye, bass, and northern. Depths have been shallow, bait has been mainly minnow. North of Gettysburg area, anglers are throwing jigs. A 24-inch walleye was caught from shore, so there’s decent sizes out there. Once the weather cooperates, it won’t take long for the season to turn on high.

Below the Cheyenne River, fishing has remained similar and you can refer to last week’s report:
The Outpost Lodge (https://outpostsd.com/) shares Lake Oahe has been a little slow rolling in the Spring Creek (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/spring-creek-recreation-area/)  & Cow Creek (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/cow-creek-recereation-area/)  areas, but shallow fishing is the name of the game right now. Minnows are key and every warm day brings closer the best days Lake Oahe has to offer!
Guided Fishing Trip – Photo Courtesy of Oahe Salmon Guide Service (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/)
Salmon Update on Oahe
The Oahe Salmon Guide (https://www.oahesalmonguideservice.com/) saw a slow week on the water, with extreme northwest winds. Temps were consistent from the surface down to 60ft. Fish came on FF and spoon. It looks like a more stable weather pattern coming midweek. With any luck, the fish will fire back up.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-sharpe/
In the Pierre (https://pierre.org/) /Fort Pierre (https://www.visitfortpierre.com/)  areas, please refer to last week’s reports for Lake Sharpe:

Prospt Professional Anglers (https://propstprofessionalanglers.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKF59NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQY1o3MDVVVk13MFd1ZlREAR5XKiPHMtl4AiPzaaSVimieC6OfbJNHtoSyEfHxcHlJSGznPPzE0kYp1vHJXg_aem_Hb8X78kEvNlB0YoQo-zgwg)  says the bite on the river is fun! Once you find an active pod, it’s nonstop action. Start with small crank baits to search for them, then switch to jig and minnow once you hit a good spot. 9-12ft is the ticket right now.

Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/) shares the fish are
constantly on the move! Mid-summer like temperatures have encouraged greater movement with water temperatures creeping into the 50s and fish scattering along the entire reservoir. As is the case every spring, anglers continue to target the traditional locations within town including the stilling basin, Marion’s Gardens, and the other sandbars along the bridges. Pitching jigs continues to be the primary option.

Further downriver, fish continue to filter through the reservoir, making the bluffs inconsistent. When fish are there, it’s often in great numbers, and occasionally in great sizes as well. However, fish will be there one day, and gone the next. Even further downriver, West Bend has been an active area with many boats reporting similar bite conditions.

Staying on fish has been difficult. Targeting depths between 8-11ft has been the most consistent, particularly along contours adjacent to the main channel. Using long passes, trolling crankbaits, and moving up and down the river will help you score fish.

Overall, there is a great number of fish between 14-18 inches in the system, with many right at the 15-16 inch mark, and there has been ample action taking place all along the reservoir. It has been an excellent spring!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmiFCLo526U
Lip Ripper Guide Service
Secrets Revealed: Spring Walleye Fishing on Lake Sharp

https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-francis-case/
In Chamberlain (https://chamberlainsd.com/) , please refer to last week’s report:
Allen’s Missouri River Guide Service (http://www.allenshillside.com/) shares that limits of fish are being caught in the area and you’ll have to sort through a lot of short fish. Most boats are fishing from Chamberlain to the Big Bend Dam, between 10-25ft. Starting to catch some fish using crawlers and spinners; pulling leadcore on cranks is also working.
Nice catches in Platte – Photo Courtesy of Platte Creek Lodge & Guide Service (https://www.plattecreek.com/)
Fishing in the area is reported good as long as wind cooperates
From the Geddes area, please refer to last week’s report:
SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)  says: Lower Lake Francis walleye continues to bite with bottom bouncers/minnow/crawlers. Playing around with depths between 10-17ft for starters. Smallmouth bass bite has been good on plastics and hard baits over the southern part of the lake.
https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/
Windy day but still getting lots of fish!
Photo Courtesy of SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)
Around Bonesteel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/cities-and-communities/bonesteel/) , we have not heard any changes in the local report, please refer to last week:
Ed with Pavel’s Walleye Camp (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/) says Lake Francis Case is seeing action with the settling weather. Walleye are caught with crank baits, jig and minnow, jig/nightcrawlers, and bottom bouncers. Fish are scattered between shallow and deep waters down to 40ft. Overall, fish are healthy and abundant, and the small mouth bite is awesome right now.
For 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, Lake Andes Inn & RV Park (https://lakeandesinn.com/) reports not much change from last week. Fishing stayed consistent on the few nice days they had. Most of the week (and the weekend) was marked by strong winds and some serious thunderstorms, which kept a lot of folks off the water. On the calmer days, anglers reported similar results to last week, with a few nice catches here and there.

Last week’s Report:
Walleye are biting but widely scattered due to warm, sunny conditions and a bit of wind. Trolling with crankbaits, like a flicker shad, works well to cover ground and find active fish. Other than good-sized walleye, fishermen also pulled in their limits on smallmouth bass with ease.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

No changes for the area, please refer to last week’s report:
The Walleye Guys (https://www.thewalleyeguys.com/) share the latest report from the Yankton (https://www.visityanktonsd.com/)  area: the bite upriver from Lewis & Clark Lake is on fire! Full pre-spawn and spawning action is under way. Lots of very nice size walleye being caught trolling crankbaits and jigs with minnow. Find some good current and you will find the walleye. The lake bite is hit or miss but should be coming back over the next couple of weeks as water temps are rising quickly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSbq61SefmM
The Walleye Guys
Reel Talk Podcast: Seviin Reels Insight
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

·         Hutch’s Guide Service at 605-220-2844

·         South Dakota Walleye Charters at 605-366-1875

Lake Francis Case

·         Allen’s South Dakota Fishing & Hunting at 800-435-5591

·         Platte Creek Lodge at 605-941-1679

·         Missouri River Lodge in Geddes at 605-680-3877

·         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://sdgfp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=79c3f941ae6c4abbbc6ac4b6987a06f5) 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 [email protected] 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!