SD Missouri River Fishing Report

Thanks for a great fishing season! Catch ya in the winter for Ice Fishing!

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It’s been a great Fishing Season – Thanks for Reading!
The temperatures are dropping slowly. By next week, we’ll have a few days in the upper 50s. Windy days are forecasted for tomorrow, Thursday, and Saturday. Keep an eye on on local weather resources when you get out on the water this week!

As today marks the last report, we’d like to thank our local fishing guides and resources for providing us with information to share with our readers. Thanks also to our dedicated readers for staying in contact with us throughout the fishing season! If there are new locations on the Missouri River system you would like to see in our fishing report, please email us at [email protected]. We will see you in the winter for an Ice Fishing Update on the Missouri River!

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 bite is still stingy. Numbers aren’t there, but the chance to catch the fist of a lifetime is good! Anglers are trolling and jigging with jig raps, and it’s still the best presentation. Most fish are deep at 30+ feet of water.
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (https://www.cityofgettysburgsd.com/) , walleye fishing has been excellent! There’s been opportunity for anglers to get eater-sizes as well as some really big ones. Shallow depth for walleye has been 4-12 feet. Ranges for larger fish have been around 40 feet. Eater sizes are 14-18 inches. Using live bait, minnow and worm, for the shallow areas. For deeper areas, pull plugs over trees and use jig raps. This area is producing a variety of species; walleye, smallmouth, northern, and catfish, which is doing quite well. Salmon fishing has been hit or miss. Warm weather days have slowed salmon down. There are about two weeks left to try your luck. Most salmon have been averaging 8-12lbs. Right now, good weather is the key to success.

Rooms are full with anglers and pheasant hunters. If you’re looking for less fishing pressure, try coming during the week when there is less traffic. If the hunters are out of the fields they are usually on the water!

Don’t forget the upcoming salmon spawn is scheduled for October 30. Spawn starts 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.

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, anglers are catching! Milt’s Pond recently had a fresh batch of trout released and is a beautiful location to take the kids. Shore fishing for salmon is happening now!
Salmon Update on Oahe
The report from the past 2 weeks remains the same. Plenty of fish to be had, just not much for salmon. Temps are still too warm and the forecast tells us this week is not going to cool down much. Some salmon are being found at the bottom end of Lake Oahe near the dam. They’re hitting FF and spoons evenly, with no preferred color in either presentation. Depths have been inconsistent, ranging 65 – 90 ft.
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, fishing on Lake Sharpe is seeing a sunrise and sunset bite, when the wind is at its calmest, providing clear, slow-moving water. While anglers may see fish the rest of the day, coaxing them to bite is proving difficult beyond these specific windows. These hour-windows at the beginning and end of the day sets pheasant hunters up very nicely for a Blast and Cast trip!

Trolling crankbaits in Hipple Lake within Farm Island Recreation Area has been a popular option and is the best opportunity to catch larger fish, the 17-19 inch variety, or a fish over 20 inches. Fish are very scattered about the lake, but the biggest factor has been hitting fish at the right time during these bite windows.

On the main body of water during the day, bottom bouncing and jigging are both effective. The best bite is at Mackelraves Hole below Farm Island, where boats are concentrating. Fishing on the flats has been hit or miss depending on the day and time of day.

One additional note anglers in the Pierre area should know is the Farm Island Recreation Area fish cleaning station is currently closed for the season, though park staff have set up a table with an extension cord and water hose, so anglers are still able to clean their fish in this area.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5Qe1rDZFhs
Lip Ripper Guide Service
South Dakota Outdoors Report – 10/20/24 (Pheasant Opener Weekend)
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 each day, but the area really needs cooler weather to set in. Anglers are picking up fish on crawlers and minnow. When weather is cooler, start switching to using all minnow for live bait. Fish are at 15-30 ft. Using spinners and pulling cranks are doing the best.
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.
Around Bonesteel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/) , fishing is really picking up and you can find them in shallow areas or further out in 20-30 feet of water. Using jig and minnow, or snap jigs. There are nice fish being caught right now with less fishing pressure as hunting season is on.
In Lake Andes (https://lakeandesinn.com/) , Wagner (https://www.cityofwagner.org/) , and Pickstown (https://www.pickstown-sd.net/)  areas, not much to report on the fishing front — there’s just been a few folks out on the water, and no updates on their catches. However, the pheasant hunting season kicked off with a bang! Hunters hit their daily limits before noon, leaving them plenty of time to enjoy the gorgeous weather for the rest of the day.
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_k-rid7wiY
Reel Talk Fishing Podcast
Brian Bashore gives insight on fishing tournaments and more.

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!