SD Missouri River Fishing Report (9/24)

Don’t forget to email your catch pictures along with the story behind the catch to [email protected] for a chance to win our Catch of the Week!

http://www.allenshillside.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFMS-xleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHR2F9z8YMeLhfZOrTYoTVHMf_MMEEAnv0vVCzDwg5Y8v3PVN_xTz1L06xg_aem_GLNonPkVbE2U1zH-YEgHBg
There’s always time to cast one more line…
It’s that time of year when the salmon start staging for the big spawn on Oahe Lake. Ladders are officially out at Whitlock Bay and the salmon are getting excited and moving around. But we are a couple weeks away from spawning season, and there is still much action to be had!

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/) , the bite has improved this last week. A few fish are starting to show up in shallow waters 10-12ft. The majority of the fish are still in 25-30ft. Presentation has mostly been spinners and crawlers, but anglers are catching a few on minnow as well.

Around Akaska (https://oahewings.com/?y_source=1_OTk3NzA2Ny03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D) , the bite is really starting to pick up, not exactly crushing numbers but more fish are being caught. If you’re looking for that giant fish to bite, anglers are catching big ones by trolling. Though the big fish bite is not fast, the reward is a nearly trophy-sized fish, or that dream once-in-a-lifetime catch. Those targeting eater-size are spending most of their time fishing at 20ft. Minnow or crawler on a plain hook or small blade seems to be the best. The mouth of the Moreau River and the largest bays have been producing some fish.
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg (https://www.cityofgettysburgsd.com/) , there’s no doubt the salmon anglers are doing well. Fish as large as 18lbs have been caught back in the bays, with most picking up salmon using crocodile spoons. Walleye catches have reduced due to the past two weeks of windy days. Depth for walleye has ranged shallow at 8ft to 35-45 feet. Walleye presentation has been night crawlers, which is a little unusual this time of year. Anglers are also catching some nice northerns, catfish, and small mouth bass. The real fall bite is expected to pick up soon and campers are making reservations in anticipation!
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, 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
A tough week for Salmon due to excessive wind nearly every day this past week. When the weather was nice, the effects of the wind had already dampened fishing prospects. Temps at 90ft were in the mid to upper 60s. The fish that did cooperate came on spoons and FF evenly. Spoon colors have varied greatly. FF colors have been the same as usual, greens and yellows. Depth range continued to be inconsistent – anywhere from 55-85ft produced fish. The ladder at Whitlock Bay was put out on Thursday. We still have some good fishing coming this year. The bite will come back after we experience some calm days.
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, fall fishing appears to be finally here – for the last couple weeks, the warm temperatures and sun had really scattered fish and made it tough. Fortunately, a drastic cold front moved through Friday evening, and while there are some warm days left on the forecast, cooler temperatures are on the horizon.

Cooler temps have concentrated bait and fish into dense pockets. Small fish are plentiful, but there are many sitting right at 15 inches, so be sure to measure! Bottom bouncing in 6-10ft continues to be the best option, using crawlers and #3 or #4 Colorado blades pulled quickly. Color isn’t making much of a difference right now. Forage consists primarily of gizzard shad, but mayflies are still present.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTyKexp5Ruk

** Missouri River Fall Fishing Report 9.22.24 – 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/) , 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 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.

Guided Fishing Trips
Photo Curtesy from SD Outfitters Unlimited (https://www.sdoutfittersunlimited.com/) in Geddes, SD
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 heating up again. Last week saw more anglers trying their luck above and below the dam, and 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!