Hunting & Fishing Reports
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Fishing Report: June 1st, 2026
The River is Heating Up!
June is finally here, and the fishing action is starting to heat up across the system. This weekend, eyes will be on Whetstone Bay as anglers gather for the 14th Annual Whetstone Bay Walleye Tournament, kicking off what looks to be an exciting month on the water.
Reports from anglers over the past week have been encouraging, with the river showing more life as water temperatures continue to climb. Fish are becoming increasingly active, and catches are improving each day. If current conditions hold, it won't be long before the entire river system is firing on all cylinders. Early summer patterns are beginning to take shape, and the best fishing of the season is just around the corner.
Weekend Outlook from the Oahe Dam: The weather outlook for the Pierre and Fort Pierre area of Lake Oahe is favorable heading into the weekend. Warm temperatures, abundant sunshine, and generally manageable winds should provide good conditions for anglers and recreational boaters. Water temps will continue to rise, supporting active early-summer fishing patterns across the reservoir. As always, make sure to check weather conditions 48-72 hours before your trip to get the most accurate forecast.
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
Indian Creek Recreation Area
Located along the shores of Lake Oahe near Mobridge, Indian Creek Recreation Area is a favorite destination for anglers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The park's rolling hills and scenic Missouri River views provide an ideal backdrop for fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife watching. With more than 2.5 miles of trails, excellent shoreline access, and convenient amenities including a marina and fish-cleaning station, Indian Creek offers visitors a perfect blend of recreation and relaxation in the heart of north-central South Dakota.
In Mobridge and Pollock, the MoRest Motel shared that with warmer, more consistent weather, the bite has taken off this week! Limits of really nice fish have been fairly easy to come by. Anglers are pulling bouncers with spinners. Crawlers in 5-10 feet have been dynamite. Fishing should only get better with consistent weather patterns this upcoming week.
MOBRIDGE, SD: Jason Stahl won the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s National Walleye Tour at Lake Oahe with a two-day total of 46 pounds, 12 ounces, edging out Eric McQuoid by just over a pound after two days of chasing giant walleyes on the famed South Dakota fishery. The event drew an impressive field of 160 pros and 160 co-anglers, totaling 320 competitors for one of the strongest payouts in NWT history. Anglers took home over $450,000 in cash and prizes. READ MORE.
Around Akaska, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes reported the bite has really turned on this past week. Most anglers are finding limits pretty easily. Pulling bouncers with both minnow or crawlers seems to be the most effective. Using crank baits and jigs are getting good results too. The depth range has been shallow. Under 12 feet of water has the highest concentration of fish. Trophy-sized fish are scattered everywhere in the deeper water. Anglers are targeting them with crank baits and forward facing sonar.
The 2026 AFTCO Walleye Throwdown returns to Akaska for its second year in partnership with the South Dakota Walleye Classic, bringing even bigger prizes and an expanded tournament-style format. Anglers who register by June 30 will receive a $200 AFTCO gear pack, getting the full value of their entry fee back!
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For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Oahe please contact:
Lake Sharpe
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Lip Ripper Fishing shared the fishing on Lake Sharpe is slower, but there are quality fish to be caught. Three areas to target are the Antelope Islands area, Hipple Lake in Farm Island Recreation Area, and West Bend Recreation Area. Fishing between 6-12ft is productive; trolling crankbaits and bottom bouncing can produce fish. The bite as a whole is hit and miss, with some days producing very good fishing while other days are much tougher. The best quality fish are being caught within Hipple Lake in Farm Island Recreation Area. Generally, trolling crankbaits is usually the most effective way to target fish in this area as it covers the most water and contacts the most active fish. However, bottom bouncing has been the most productive method in recent days. In West Bend, the area is getting slower, but there are still an abundance of fish to be caught. The Gizzard shad spawn is slowing things down for the entire reservoir. Whether you are trolling crankbaits, bottom bouncing, or casting jigs or other active presentations, the most important element is to get your bait in front of as many fish as possible. When they bite, they are quality fish. |
For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Sharpe please contact:
Lake Francis Case
Fishing has remained the same. Running 15-25 ft at Crow Creek and 7-15 ft at White River. Presentation has been using bottom bouncers, spinner and crawler or minnow. Crank baits also are working. Anglers can catch a fair amount of shorts to find keepers.
Skipper Bros Guiding on Lake Francis Case updated that fish are all over the place right now, but the bite is affected by boat pressure and is more inconsistent the further south you go. Angling between 5-15ft has been good and anglers are finding walleye as deep as 35ft. Presentation has been pulling bouncers with minnow and crawler. Still catching fish on jigs and minnow as well.
Joel Vasek with SD Outfitters Unlimited shared the Pease Creek area bite for small mouth bass is fire right now. Using top water and swim baits, all colors have been working good. Walleye are taking bottom bouncers, minnows and crawlers on slow death at 14-19ft. Some crank bait are working in the 22-24 ft range on the rocky shorelines.
For the Bonesteel area, Pavel's Walleye Camp has no new report. Refer to last week:
Most days, anglers can get their limits of walleye with smallmouth bass in the mix. Anglers are jigging or using bottom bouncers in 20 ft, baiting with minnow or nightcrawler.
In the Lake Andes, Wagner, and Pickstown areas, Mark Schofield with Lake Andes Inn & RV Park shared fishing above and below Fort Randall Dam is starting to shape up, with anglers working above and below the dam. The walleye bite has been variable, but anglers are staying mobile and working the shore line, points, and protected cove areas.
In the Lake Andes, Wagner, and Pickstown areas, Mark Schofield with Lake Andes Inn & RV Park shared the fishing has been solid, with the spring bite now well established. Walleye are being caught throughout the system, especially on shallow flats, along the shore line, near channel bends, and tight to the bluffs where bait is holding.
Above Fort Randall Dam on Lake Francis Case, anglers are finding fish from shore out to roughly 20ft, with many fish being taken in 18ft or less. Pitching a jig and minnow toward the shoreline remains a good choice, especially along wind-blown banks, points, and bluff edges. Bottom bouncers with crawlers, leeches, or minnows are also producing, and pulling small crankbaits across shallow flats is a good way to cover water and locate active fish.
From Pease Creek down toward Fort Randall Dam, fishing has been good for this time of year. Minnows and crawlers remain the best bait choices, and anglers should be willing to change presentations during the day. Every day has been a little different, so it pays to keep moving until you find active fish.
Below Fort Randall Dam, focus on current seams, eddies, riprap, and slower water close to moving current. A jig tipped with a minnow is still a dependable setup. Shore anglers should work slowly and keep the bait near bottom without using more weight than necessary.
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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
The Walleye Guys in the Yankton area shared that fishing has been as hot as the weather and limits are coming easy to anglers!
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
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 & SD Outfitters Unlimited at 605-680-3877
- Pavel's Walleye Camp in Bonesteel at 402-340-0033
- Lake Andes Inn & RV Park at 605-418-9888
- Skipper Bros Guiding at 605-892-7777
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
