SD Missouri River Fishing Report

Don’t forget to email your fish pictures and stories of the catch to [email protected] for a chance to win ‘Catch of the Week’!
http://www.allenshillside.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFMS-xleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHR2F9z8YMeLhfZOrTYoTVHMf_MMEEAnv0vVCzDwg5Y8v3PVN_xTz1L06xg_aem_GLNonPkVbE2U1zH-YEgHBg
Fall Weather and Salmon Ladders
The wind has picked up and the sun has been blazing on Central SoDak’s Mighty Mo! The West Whitlock area has salmon ladders out for the Salmon Spawn coming up soon in early and mid-October. Despite the heat being dialed up to the high 90s, autumn colors are starting to show and the nights are getting cold. All these seasonal weather changes have impacted the fall fish bite.

News off the Mighty MO: Central SoDak is gearing up for an awesome 2024 Pheasant Hunting season! There is plenty of opportunity to Cast and Blast this fall. Pheasant Opener begins October 19 and runs till January 31, 2025. Check out our latest hunting blog (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/news/article/upland-bird-hunting-in-central-sodak-368/) on the SD Missouri River website.

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/) , fishing has been inconsistent. One day can yield great results, while the next day is quiet and uneventful. Most fish are coming from 10-15ft. Using bottom bouncers with spinners and crawlers. Minnows have also worked well.

Around Akaska (https://oahewings.com/?y_source=1_OTk3NzA2Ny03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D) , the bite is not fast and furious, alternating between pretty slow and decent. The area saw a couple good days pulling crank baits, resulting in some trophy-sized fish along with several keepers. Pulling the main lake structures in 30-40ft is best, using large baits. Both snap weight and lead core line are working, trolling slow.
Guided Fishing Trip in Akaska Area
Photo courtesy of Oahe Wings & Walleyes (https://oahewings.com/fishing/)
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (https://www.cityofgettysburgsd.com/) , the salmon fishing is hit or miss. Coming cooler temps will improve the area.

The West Whitlock Salmon Spawning Station will be up and running soon! The first spawn is scheduled for October 10, the second spawn October 17. Spawns start at 9am and salmon can be purchased after the spawn has ended.
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. Coming up October 11-12, The Outpost Lodge (https://www.sdmissouririver.com/directory/view/the-outpost-lodge/)  in Cow Creek will be hosting comedian & hypnotist Elijah Edwards for two evening of entertainment and awesome food! Check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063768241686)  page for more details.
Salmon Update on Oahe
Similar to other areas, good days are intermingled with slow days. Coming high winds will stir the water again and scatter fish. Spoons are still favored: green/chrome, green/blue, and mountain dew are the best colors. FF colors are the same, green and yellow. Depth has been all over between 40-80ft. Some are catching fish at 100ft.
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, hot days have scattered fish around the flats. This area is seeing the most action around Stoney Point and down to Fort George boat launch, with the most effective method being bottom bouncing with crawlers at 6-12ft. Due to heavy boat traffic, you will likely want to find more secluded spots. Covering more water and thus more fish will give you the best chance for getting bites. Larger, higher-quality fish can be caught around Hipple Lake at Farm Island Recreation Area, trolling crankbaits.
https://youtu.be/NNHZYuahkKs

** Missouri River Fall Fishing Report 9.29.24 – Lip Ripper Fishing (https://midwestliprippers.com/2024/09/08/missouri-river-fall-fishing-report-9-8-24/)
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https://sdmissouririver.com/follow-the-river/the-four-lakes-and-dams/lake-francis-case/
For Chamberlain (https://www.chamberlainsd.com/) , there is no new report for the area, please see last week’s report:
The area is picking up more with fall coming on. Anglers are still fighting mostly full fish. They’ll take the bait if they haven’t eaten yet. Presentation has been spinner, crawler, and minnow. Most fishing has been happening between Chamberlain and Big Bend Dam. Anticipating some good fall fishing!
In lower Lake Francis Case near Geddes (http://www.geddessd.org/) , the report has not changed. See last week’s report:
The bite remains slow to steady. If the wind blows walleye are really on. You can look for them between 24-32ft using jig raps or crank baits.
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/) , fishing’s been the same. Please refer to last week’s report:
It’s heating up again on the water. 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. 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
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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Contact us at SDMRT

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Mobile: (605) 222-5364

Our mailing address is:
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Pierre South Dakota, 57501

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