Make sure to submit pictures of your catch and a story behind it to enter a chance to win our ‘Catch of the Week!’

http://www.allenshillside.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFMS-xleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHR2F9z8YMeLhfZOrTYoTVHMf_MMEEAnv0vVCzDwg5Y8v3PVN_xTz1L06xg_aem_GLNonPkVbE2U1zH-YEgHBg
It’s Cast ‘n Blast Season!
The bite improves for fall fishing, and pheasant numbers are UP! All good news for those wanting to pair a day of hunting with a little fishing on the side. The whole Central SoDak region is reporting high numbers of birds, with the areas of Fort Pierre/Pierre and Geddes seeing birds every time you turn around. South Dakota’s harvest rates are at around 9 pheasants per hunter, whereas surrounding states are at 3 – 6 birds. Weather this coming week, looks AWESOME for either the lakes or lands. Remember, the best time to go fishing or hunting is when you CAN!

West Whitlock Salmon Spawning Station is successfully up and running! Fishery crews have begun collecting eggs. Upcoming spawns are scheduled October 17 and October 30. Spawns start at 9am and salmon can be purchased after the spawn has ended. Follow the West Whitlock Recreation Area (https://www.facebook.com/WestWhitlock)  Facebook page for updates.

Next Monday, October 21st will be our last fishing report for the year, with an update or two for Ice Fishing in January before we resume again in Spring of 2025. If there are new locations on the Missouri River system you would like to see in our fishing report, please send us an email at [email protected].
All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team

Subscribe to the Missouri River Tourism Newsletter (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/newsletter-signup/)
Near Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/) and Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/) , the bite is slowly starting to improve again. Best presentation has been trolling crankbaits in 30-40 ft of water.

Around Akaska (https://oahewings.com/?y_source=1_OTk3NzA2Ny03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D) , the last few days were fairly tough. There’s still a few giant fish being caught but numbers have been down likely to more fishing pressure in the area. Many are hoping to find the success last year’s record-breakers did for the largest walleye caught in SD at this time of year. Most anglers are either jigging or trolling in 35-50 feet.
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (https://www.cityofgettysburgsd.com/) , walleye is excellent! Anglers are getting a variety of eater or larger sizes. Mostly using jig raps, plugs, and hyper rattles. Worms and minnow are the live baits to use. Larger fish have been at depths of 40-50 ft and eaters are hanging around 15 ft. Salmon have been doing okay, but the weather has been a little too warm for them. Sizes average between 8-12 lbs, but there’s been a few over 20. Other species have been smallmouth bass, catfish, and some nice northern pikes. Good weather has been helping out overall for fishing. Rooms in the area are full, so if you’re looking for less fishing pressure, try coming during the week when there is less traffic.

Big catches from the South Whitlock area!
Photo courtesy of South Whitlock Resort (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/south-whitlock-resort/)
At the Cheyenne River, Spring Creek (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/spring-creek-recreation-area/)  & Cow Creek (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/cow-creek-recereation-area/)  area, the fishing outlook hasn’t changed. Please refer to last week’s report:
Fishing is good. Anglers are catching at 8-5ft using worms. Antelope Creek has been a good location. Anglers have also been hitting up the Oahe Dam tailraces after dark. Depth has been anywhere from 15-55ft and around rocks using Rapala Shad.
Salmon Update on Oahe
All the strong winds last week has mixed up the water completely, causing temperatures to be too warm for salmon to want to rise higher, and they are hanging out around 65 – 80 ft down. In spite of the terrible temps, a few fish can be found each day when the weather cooperates. FF and spoons have been equally effective, yellow and green colors. It should get better as the surface temps drop.
Guided Salmon Trips on Lake Oahe
Photo Curtesy of Oahe Salmon Guide Service (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/oahe-salmon-guide-service/)
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 on Lake Sharpe, the season is finally getting those lower temperatures that allow the fall bite to really kick off. Fish are concentrated in groups, and pitching jigs and minnows or jigs and crawlers at 10 feet or less are the best bet to catch a good number of fish at 14-15 inches. Right now is also a good time to hit up the tailraces of the Oahe Dam for shore fishing, with the best time being around sunset. A variety of species can be caught here.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-francis-case/
For Chamberlain (https://www.chamberlainsd.com/) , the fall bite improves a little bit each day, though landing your keepers is still tough. Fish are at 15-30 ft. Spinners and crawlers, or minnows and pulling cranks are doing the best. The Smallmouth Bass bite on Sharpe is strong.
In lower Lake Francis Case near Geddes (http://www.geddessd.org/) , the pheasant numbers look great! For fishing, please refer to last week’s report:
Temps are now in the high 60s and walleye are starting to move shallower. All fish seem to be in a better mood this past week with walleye sitting between 10-20 feet and biting. Lots of smallmouth bass are in the area as well.

Casting & Blasting around Lake Francis Case, Geddes
Photo Curtesy from SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/sd-outfitters-unlimited-missouri-river-lodge/)
Around Bonesteel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/) , please refer to last week’s report:
Picking up on mostly jigs and some crank baits. All docks are still open for a while; the river is slowing down and the pool is getting lower. Still anticipating some good fishing coming up for the area.
In Lake Andes (https://lakeandesinn.com/) , Wagner (https://www.cityofwagner.org/) , and Pickstown (https://www.pickstown-sd.net/)  vicinity, fishing’s been about the same. Please refer to the latest report:
Strong winds have kept fishing activities at bay. More anglers are trying their luck above and below the dam. Over at Pease Creek the walleye were biting, even if most were on the smaller side, with some pulled in from as deep as 90ft on a bottom bouncer with worm. Catfish and drum are still hitting hard, and perch and trout are coming in steady too.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lewis-and-clark-lake/

No new report for the Yankton (https://www.visityanktonsd.com/)  area from our angler contacts. Check the SD Game, Fish & Parks Facebook for the latest updates.

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!



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