Missouri River Fishing Report | DRGNews

Open House & Free Fishing Weekend!
The Annual Open House & Free Fishing Weekend (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/calendar/view/open-house-free-fishing-weekend/)  is happening this weekend May 16-18 throughout the state. It’s the perfect time to try new spots you haven’t seen or fished on the river. Regulations, limits, and camping fees still apply. See a list of State Recreation Areas Along the Missouri River (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/category/outdoors/state-campgrounds/) .

In Platte, Ladies, Let’s Fish! (https://license.gooutdoorssouthdakota.com/Event/ViewEvent.aspx?id=231768) is a 3-part in-person series of fishing classes on May 15th, May 29th, and June 12th at 6 PM at Snake Creek Recreation Area.

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/) shares that fishing has been decent. The Pollock area continues to be really good. Jigs and minnows seem to be the best presentations. Catching some on Lindy rigs behind bouncers as well. Best depths have been 12-15ft.

Around Akaska (https://oahewings.com/?y_source=1_OTk3NzA2Ny03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D) , the fishing has remained pretty much the same and you can refer to last weeks report:
The bite has been tough. Most anglers have been traveling north to the Pollock area. Fish should move downriver in the next week. Right now, a jig and minnow/plastic is the way to go, concentrating on shallower water less than 15ft.
Reported from 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 fishing has been pretty tough luck with the wind and weather. Last Saturday had decent conditions but the bite was still quiet. They estimate the area is a good week away from firing up, but it’s just around the corner!
Spacious Camping & Lodging – Gettysburg
Photo Courtesy of South Whitlock Resort (https://www.southwhitlock.com/)
Bob’s Resort (https://www.bobsresort.com/)  shared similar reporting. Wind and upcoming weather conditions are holding everything back. Some are casting from shore or pulling up boats into shallow rocky areas for smallmouth bass. Those anglers are using jigs and minnow or a soft body/jig combo. It shouldn’t be too long until the season turns on, but they are a week away from things taking off.

Below the Cheyenne River, fishing has remained similar and you can refer to last weeks 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/) says fishing remains solid, and one of the best springs on Lake Oahe they’ve seen in 30 years! Size and number of catches varies day to day, but the longevity of the spring bite has been exceptional. The spoon bite is the most active, with FF and cut plugs pulling fish in as well. Color preferences changing frequently throughout the day. All presentations are producing, aside from cores. The best depth range has been 30-50ft, with fish widely dispersed. Wind will dampen chances this week for a few days. The best strategy is to mix it up as the bite slows down.
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/)  area, 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=zV8ez6ljIuc
Lip Ripper Guide Service
Open House Weekend Special: Missouri River Fishing Report 5/11/25

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/) 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.
Father & Sons Trip – Photo Courtesy of Platte Creek Lodge & Guide Service (https://www.plattecreek.com/)
Things are picking up in Platte and nice fish are being caught!

From the Geddes area 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/
Hot day on the water! 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, the Lake Andes Inn & RV Park (https://lakeandesinn.com/) reported that 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.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!