SD Missouri River Fishing Report

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Salmon bite has turned up to 10!
Now’s your time to chase salmon before spawning season! Lake Oahe has been hustling daily with salmon anglers trying their luck. Weather this week is in the mid 90s before dropping slightly to the upper 80s. Some winds Thursday and Friday.

This week’s Missouri River Fishing Report is sponsored by Allen’s Missouri River Fishing Guide & Hillside Motel (http://www.allenshillside.com/)  in Chamberlain, SD. Conveniently located right off I-90, Allen’s Fishing Guide service is equipped to host large and small groups.

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. 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/) , not much has changed and the area has been tough. Guides did manage some limits, catching the vast majority in 25-30 feet on spinners and crawlers behind bouncers.

Around Akaska (https://oahewings.com/?y_source=1_OTk3NzA2Ny03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D) , the bite seems to improve a little each day. Still far from hot. There was a week of catfish anglers, which was extremely good. Catfish was caught pretty much everywhere in 40+ feet using jig and crawlers. Walleye bite was scattered at best, but the jig rap bite seems to be catching the most.
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (https://www.cityofgettysburgsd.com/) , refer to last week’s report:
Not much has changed from last week. Overall fishing is still good and about 80% of anglers are 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 10-15ft using live bait, and some areas 40ft with jigging raps. Using crawlers and the occasional minnow.
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 30-40ft. 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
We had the best full week of the season so far! The numbers of fish increased overall, at the cost of a little smaller sizes. Still catching some really nice fish but have been landing a lot more of the younger year classes. Green FF and yellow flasher/green fly were still the top producers. The spoon and plug bites have also been coming more frequently. Colors on the spoons have been too inconsistent to see any pattern. As for the plugs, it’s been a lot of chrome. Temps have moved up and down the water column throughout the week so of course the bite moved with it. The best bite has remained deeper, 70-95ft. Walleye are still running very deep. It’s gotten common to catch a few on every trip. Unfortunately with the depth they are caught in, there’s zero possibility of release.
Salmon and Walleye
Photo curtesy from 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 fall season has truly started and fishing is picking up on Lake Sharpe near Pierre. Fish are transitioning up the reservoir, scattering across the major flats east of Pierre, where they stop to eat before moving on to the upper third of the reservoir for the season. There is an abundance of gizzard shad and mayfly, which has made the bite concentrated to certain windows. Cooler temperatures are also concentrating fish, particularly in the early mornings, but when the sun climbs up, the fish scatter across these flats and hold tighter to breaklines as opposed to up shallower where they feed. Anglers should focus on depths of 6-10ft, particularly adjacent to the main channel where fish can move onto the flats and feed. Near submerged trees and larger sandflats are also productive. Fishing away from other boats will help you get more action on the line.

With water temps hovering between 69-70 degrees, bottom bouncing with larger, #3 or #4 Colorado blades, will be more effective. Adding a crawler will make your bait more appetizing in the heavy-forage system. With the recent strong currents, you will need to increase your fishing speed. Bottom bouncing quickly will cover more water and contact those active fish.

Right now, there are a lot of fish around 15 inches on Lake Sharpe. The abundance of fish is providing good action for anglers, and these fish should continue to bulk up for the winter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpIOiw6AZ4w

** Missouri River Fall Fishing Report 9/8/24 – Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/2024/09/08/missouri-river-fall-fishing-report-9-8-24/)
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A great time of fishing for West Bend (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/west-bend-recreation-area/)  Campground Hosts Bill & Anne Sherman! Guided trip with David Spaid Guiding (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/dave-spaid-guiding/) on Lake Oahe below Antelope Creek.
https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-francis-case/
For Chamberlain (https://www.chamberlainsd.com/) , some fish being caught between Crow Creek and the Dam. Smallmouth bite is starting to get better. Lots of fish in West Bend pumphouse area if you find a way to catch those keepers.
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Fishing in Chamberlain, SD!
Photo curtesy of Allen’s Missouri River Guide Service and Hillside Motel (http://www.allenshillside.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFMS_hleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQu-FKkERIai7fwxb_I7ULEjwGskMTEPCsBczRIXGPFVJ9ARmj9frij25A_aem_XzkLZouhNOzPYqwBSpyGWA)
In lower Lake Francis Case near Geddes (http://www.geddessd.org/) , overall it’s been a good amount of biting! Fish have moved a lot deeper: 48-60ft seems to be the best for nice walleye sized around 18-22 inches (using crank baits). Live bait has slowed a lot. Fort Randall Dam area has been good with lots of fish biting! The fall bite looks to be fantastic on Francis Case, with fish getting fatter as they continue to bite. We are expecting a really good progression right into late September – October, November and December for excellent fall fishing.
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 so please refer to last week’s update:
Water is already cooling down, so possibly anticipating a good early fall bite. Same presentation over the trees and in a mud line. Nice healthy fish in the area. Using jig and worm combos, worm jig raps, or spinners and night crawlers. Fishing in about 8-25ft.
In the areas of Lake Andes (https://lakeandesinn.com/) , Wagner (https://www.cityofwagner.org/) , and Pickstown (https://www.pickstown-sd.net/) , there aren’t many changes from last week’s report, but the perch bite has really picked up — they’ve been biting exceptionally well. Last week’s update:
Solid action at Fort Randall Dam and Pease Creek. The walleye bite is improving, but it takes some persistence and finesse to hook into the bigger ones. Catfish, trout, and drum remain reliable successes, with strong bites across the board and bringing in solid catches. For those seeking a quiet spot to cast a line, this area is a hidden gem — never overcrowded, with plenty of room for a fun and successful fishing trip. Pheasants have already been spotted darting across the roads, a sure sign that an awesome hunting season is just around the corner.
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. Gavin’s Point Dam is currently at minimum releases. 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
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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!