Hunting & Fishing Reports
Check Out The Latest South Dakota Fishing Reports & South Dakota Hunting Reports
Fishing Report: June 9th, 2025
Father's Day Weekend: the best weekend on the water!
June 12th is the last night of the Ladies, Let's Fish series in Platte.
All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team
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 info@sdmissouririver.com 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!
Lake Oahe
Around Akaska, the bite has stayed good. The fish are constantly moving, but by using electronics you can find them every day. The best bite has come in water less than 15 feet. Jigs/minnows or bouncers with small blades or plain hooks are the best. The big fish are still here. You can catch some giant walleye in the deeper water, 20-40ft, using forward-facing sonar or just covering lots of area pulling crank baits.
Reported from Oahe Wings & Walleyes
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg, South Whitlock Resort reports that anglers are seeing the fishing pick up. People are catching some nice ones south of the area, but a lot of anglers are still going north up to Swift Bird and Dodge Bay. Depth has varied starting shallow 5-8ft all the way up to 23ft. Presentation has also been a mixed bag and boats are taking lots of bait with them; minnows, worms, and leeches. Sometimes even bare hooks will work. The area is catching walleye and smallmouth.
Bob's Resort shared fishing is definitely picking up and anglers are catching quite a few, as long as weather cooperates. Presentation has been a bit of everything, minnows/worms and also pulling plugs. Depth starts shallow around 8tt and goes up to 20ft. Catching walleye, smallmouth, and catfish. Ramps have been getting full and the area is anticipating a busy Father's Day weekend.
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Salmon Update on Oahe
The Oahe Salmon Guide has seen fish moving deeper due to some high winds over the weekend. The most productive depth range has been between 45 and 75ft. Bait varies, some doing better on spoons, others on FF. Salmon fishing is in a slower period right now, but sizes are good, with one report of a rather big fish coming in at 19.5lbs. Expect salmon fishing to get better as the season moves through temperamental spring weather on to solid summer weather.
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For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Oahe please contact:
Lake Sharpe
Prospt Professional Anglers have been very active on both Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe. For the southern end of Oahe, fishing is slower. They've still been finding some between 9-15ft of water. When you find active fish it's best to grind out what you can. Crawlers and minnow both work right now. The further north on Oahe you go, the better the fishing is. A majority of the good fishing areas sit between Whitlock and Akaska, but if you venture north, be prepared to have a lot of company.
Things are going well on Lake Sharpe. West Bend off the break lines in 17-20ft is producing a lot of fish. Be well stocked with lots of bait because you're going to catch a lot of fish too small to keep. Average keepers have been coming in at about 15-18 inches.
The report from Lip Ripper Fishing sees fish constantly on the move, with warmer temperatures and high winds scattering fish. Typical places in and around town are being fished frequently, including the stilling basin, Marion's Gardens, and sandbars along the bridges. Pitching jigs continues to be the primary option.
Further downriver, fish continue to filter through the reservoir, making the bluffs inconsistent. West Bend has been an active area. Target depths between 8-11 ft, use long passes trolling crankbaits, and move up and down the river to score fish.
For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Sharpe please contact:
Lake Francis Case
In the Platte area, fishing has been up and down with weather. Anglers didn't get out on the water at all yesterday due to strong wind, but when the weather is good, the fishing's great!
Reported from the Platte Creek Lodge & Guide Service
From the Geddes area, SD Outfitters Unlimited says lower Lake Francis Case
bite has been great and fish are caught using a variety of techniques. Trolling cranks 20-30ft has been working well, as well as flicker shad bait, nightcrawlers, spinners, or slow death.
In the Bonesteel area, Ed with Pavel's Walleye Camp says fishing continues to get better by the day. The Whetstone Bay Tournament was this weekend and there were some really nice fish caught, 28.5 inches. Many anglers were pitching jigs to shore while others were jigging over trees. Also saw many anglers live baiting slow death hooks with either worms or minnow.
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Lake Andes Inn & RV Park reported walleye fishing was steady last week above and below Fort Randall Dam. The bite picked up near Pease Creek with anglers finding success at 10–17ft using minnows or crawlers. Small-mouth bass were active on the shore, hitting plastics and crank baits. Above the dam, trolling and jigging produced good numbers. Water temps are climbing, expect fishing to only get better in the coming weeks.
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For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Francis Case please contact:
Lake Lewis and Clark
No new reports from the Yankton area, please refer to last weeks report:
The Walleye Guys shared the bite was excellent until this recent cold front brought nasty storms rolled in for a week dropping temps 15 degrees and dirtying up the water. With stable weather back in the forecast and temps warming back up, so is the bite. By the end of this week, it should be in full effect again. Walleye are being caught all over the lake. Shallow depths are the place to target them right now; however, some can be caught in deeper water as well. Shallow water fish are typically the most active and easier to catch. 6-7ft seems to be a good target for pitching jigs with live bait or plastics. Trolling the flats around the lake can also produce lots of fish. Drive around with your electronics to find the pods of fish and work them until you figure out what they want that day. Guides have been having bust luck pitching jigs but anticipate a great crankbait bite to take off this week. Trolling Salmo Hornet and Berkley Money Badgers has been best.
For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Lewis and Clark please contact:
For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing please contact:
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 Fort Pierre at 402-689-9947
- Propst Professional Angers at 605-222-1621
- South Dakota Walleye Charters at 605-366-1875
Lake Francis Case
- Allen's South Dakota Fishing & Hunting in Chamberlain at 800-435-5591
- Platte Creek Lodge at 605-941-1679
- Missouri River Lodge in Geddes at 605-680-3877
- Pavel's Walleye Camp in Bonesteel at 402-340-0033
- Circle H Motel at 605-487-7652
Lake Lewis and Clark
- The Walleye Guys in Yankton 402-499-4936
Remember – 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 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 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.
The Missouri River is a fishing and hunting paradise, filled to the brim with extraordinary opportunities to reel in or hunt your limit before the day is done. Come see why hunters and fishers alike cannot stop coming back to take in the sublime conditions along South Dakota’s Missouri River.
Hunting Fishing
