SD Missouri River Fishing Report

https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/
If you’re not fishing…you’re definitely thinking about it.
From 1-3pm August 24th, kids are welcome to attend the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks and the US Army Corp of Engineers Water Safety (https://gfp.sd.gov/events/detail/3522/)  event in Indian Creek Recreation Area (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/indian-creek-recreation-area/) . The program will include mini boat rides, kayaks and paddleboards, an ice water challenge, free give-aways including popcorn, popsicles, water bottles and more. A park license is required.

Visit one of South Dakota’s premier hunting and fishing lodges. Serving over 25,000+ guests, SD Outfitters Unlimited & Missouri River Lodge (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/) has the experience and reputation to back the name. Troll miles of shoreline or flush any of 30,000 acres and leave with an unforgettable South Dakota adventure.

Morning showers are expected tomorrow. The forecast for the rest of the week has hot days in the upper 80s and 90s. Stay hydrated and wear your sunscreen!

All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team
Subscribe to the Missouri River Tourism Newsletter (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/newsletter-signup/)
The water levels on Lake Oahe are high and full, even with Oahe dam water releases. Check with USACE (https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Missouri-River-Dams/Oahe/)  for release times and also with SD Game Fish & Parks (https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/fa1e6cd335d8425183944b9f1a03e01e/page/Ramps/) for boat ramp information.

Near Pollock (http://www.pollocksouthdakota.com/) and Mobridge (https://mobridge.org/) , the bite has definitely slowed considerably. Catching fish still, but working hard and putting in long days to get limits. Most are using bouncer with spinners and crawlers. Trolling cranks are doing decent. 20-25 feet have been the best depths.

Around Akaska (https://oahewings.com/?y_source=1_OTk3NzA2Ny03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D) , the bite is slower. Most anglers are struggling. There hasn’t been any consistency. Plenty of fish around in the system but the amount of bait and full moon has the bite tough right now.
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (https://www.cityofgettysburgsd.com/) , not much has changed from last week. Overall fishing is still good and about 80% of anglers are still getting limits. Anglers who typically fish the northern locations have been moving a little further down the system, mostly fishing South Whitlock area bays and up north to Dodge Draw on the west side of the river. Depth has been shallow between 10-15 feet using live bait, and some areas 40 feet with jigging raps. Using crawlers and the occasional minnow.

Nice catches near Gettysburg, SD!
Photos curtesy of South Whitlock Resort (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/south-whitlock-resort/)
Around 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, salmon is a go, and going big! Walleye are deep. Right now it’s good to fish the obvious spots, you don’t have to go further.
Last week’s update:
Fishing is deep 30-40 feet. Using red beads seems to help with presentation. Some hot locations have been between Agency Creek and down in the main channel.
Salmon Update on Oahe
Oahe has recently been tougher. There was still a good bite in some areas all week, but you had to hit it right. Receiving additional reports of at least 3 more fish breaking the 20lb mark. Completely skunked out on Thursday but things started to pick back up over the weekend. The report remains mainly the same. Depths range 60 – 95ft. Favored colors are greens and yellows. Greens stood out a lot more this week than previously. Almost strictly FF. The water may have finally stabilized; there’s some very large areas with good temps in the 85 – 90ft range. Hopefully it’ll stay that way and the fish will school up heavier. The spawning phase is well underway. The males have made significant changes already. It’s big fish time out there for sure!
Guided Salmon Trips in Central SD
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/
For the Pierre (https://pierre.org/) /Fort Pierre (https://www.visitfortpierre.com/)  area, the report is about the same as last week except a little slower. Lake Sharpe on the upper end has been a bit better. Depth has varied from 6 – 10 ft. Like Oahe, water levels are up. Average walleye size has been between 15 – 17 inches with smaller fish mixed in. Focus predominately on the larger flats as fish transition back up the reservoir.

For West Bend (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/west-bend-recreation-area/)  please refer to last week’s update:
The area is producing some limits at all depths, with some fish being caught at around 25-35ft on most days. Some fish can be caught in shallower places if it’s windy.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-francis-case/
For Chamberlain (https://www.chamberlainsd.com/) , the report has not changed since last week. The catfish bite is good, but waiting on cooler weather to make the bite better. Guides are still doing well, but presentation has to be near perfect to catch them.

https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/
In lower Lake Francis Case near Geddes (http://www.geddessd.org/) , fish have moved a lot deeper. When using crank baits, 48 – 60ft seems to be the best for nice walleye 18-22 inches. Live bait has slowed a lot. Fort Randall Dam area has been good with lots of fish biting!

Guided Trips from Geddes, SD
Photos curtesy of SD Outfitters Unlimited & Missouri River Lodge (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/)
Around Bonesteel (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/pavels-walleye-camp/) , not much has changed since last week’s report. Still fishing over trees and points on windy days. The river is full right now but Fort Randall Dam is releasing water.
The areas of Lake Andes (https://lakeandesinn.com/) , Wagner (https://www.cityofwagner.org/)  and Pickstown (https://www.pickstown-sd.net/)  were bustling last weekend before school started, both above and below the dam, as well as around Pease Creek. Fishing conditions were fantastic, even though landing those ever-popular walleye took a bit more effort than usual. Beyond the walleye, anglers also hauled in some impressive trout, hefty drum, and a good number of catfish. Overall, it was a productive weekend on the water, with a great mix of species filling up coolers.
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, but please be aware there has been major flooding in the southeast part of South Dakota. 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!