Hunting & Fishing Reports
Check Out The Latest South Dakota Fishing Reports & South Dakota Hunting Reports
Fishing Report: July 13th, 2026
High Temperatures Change Fishing Patterns
It's going to be a real South Dakota heat wave this week, so now is the time to stick to those morning and evening hours. If you're headed out in the afternoon, bring plenty of water, wear lightweight, sun-protective clothing, and take breaks in the shade when possible. Boaters should also keep an eye on engine temperatures and be prepared for busy ramps during the cooler parts of the day.
Weekend Weather Report for Pierre & Fort Pierre this weekend: Friday, expect another hot summer day with highs around 101F, southeast winds around 5-10mph, and a slight chance of isolated evening thunderstorms. Saturday looks equally high at 101F, but calmer 5mph winds should allow for excellent boat control and keep the fish moving enough to stay hungry. Sunday will hopefully be slightly cooler with highs around 97F under mostly sunny skies, and a light southeast wind between 5-10mph.
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, Chad Schilling with Oahe Wings & Walleyes reported the bite continues to be good. It seems the bite windows are a little shorter than they were previously but anglers are still mostly getting limits. Depths vary more than usual. When you have some wind you can get them shallow in 7-10ft. On calmer, hotter days, they tend to slide down to 20-40ft. Bouncers and crawlers are still the best producers.
Coming up soon! 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.
|
|
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg, South Whitlock Resort reported that angling is still good both north and south of the bridge and everyone is happy with the size of fish this season. Heat is going to be the largest factor this upcoming week, so get your fishing in early. Limits are attainable, although you might not fill them as fast as recently. Shallow fishing has been 8ft and deeper fishing has been between 20-25ft. Catching nice small mouth and walleye. Presentation has been leaning more into worms and leeches over minnows.
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Oahe please contact:
Lake Sharpe
|
Nick Harrington with Lip Ripper Fishing reported Lake Sharpe has been slow this year. Fortunately, there’s still time to end the year strong, and Lake Sharpe has traditionally offered very good late summer and early fall fishing. The most consistent fishing has been the West Bend area. Anglers are finding both walleye and smallmouth bass, and while the bite has been generally slower since a red hot start, this area should continue to produce for the next several months. Further up river, the stilling basin of the Oahe Dam historically has a good late summer bite that begins in mid-July and carries into the fall. Bottom bouncing can produce, but trolling crankbaits is usually the better option. By August, it will be time to check the flats below Farm Island down towards Stoney Point, Fort George, and De Grey. This bite is usually underway by mid-August, and continues to get better throughout September and October. In about a month, fish should move back up river, and hopefully set up for a strong fall! Similarly, August is when fish move into the Oahe Dam tailrace area in good numbers, with more fish showing up in September and October. As fishing picks up on the flats, this means fish are on their way to the Oahe Dam and a great fall bite from both the boat and shore can be in the making! |
For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Sharpe please contact:
Lake Francis Case
Allen's Missouri River Guide Service shared that the end of June sees anglers having a tougher time getting keepers, but are managing. On July 1st, the size limit comes off for walleyes in Lake Sharpe, meaning anglers will be able to keep those smaller 14.5 inch fish.
Skipper Bros Guiding on Lake Francis Case has no new updates. Refer to last week:
Fishing has stayed about the same as last week, but seeing more fish transitioning into summer patterns, many going to deeper water but some are staying shallow. Fish are starting to look healthy with the mayfly hatch in their bellies. People have been catching keeper walleyes as shallow as 10ft and as deep as 50. The fish are scattered all throughout the reservoir. There are lots of little fish being caught, and many species as well.
Joel Vasek with SD Outfitters Unlimited shared that anglers are doing very well on Lake Francis Case; however the bite is tough during the middle part of the day. Lots of fish are biting at 15-25ft on crank baits and night crawlers.
For the Bonesteel and Whetstone Bay area, Ed Pavel from Pavel's Walleye Camp said the fish have moved to deeper water catching them on bottom bouncers, leeches, and crawlers, or crank bait. A wind sure helps the bite move. Now that the middle of summer is passing, it's time to start looking at booking your fall fishing trip!
In the Lake Andes, Wagner, and Pickstown areas, Mark Schofield with Lake Andes Inn & RV Park shared Lake Francis Case and the Fort Randall Dam area has been good, but anglers are working for their fish. The easy spring pattern is giving way to a more typical summer bite, with walleye spreading out across shallow flats, rocky shorelines, main-lake points, deeper breaks, and suspended structures.
Above Fort Randall Dam on Lake Francis Case, bank anglers are finding some walleye shallow, especially when the wind is pushing bait onto shoreline breaks, points, and rocky banks. A jig and minnow can still produce when pitched along the shore line, particularly early and late in the day, or under windy conditions. However, more fish are being caught deeper, with many anglers working the 14-25ft range and even deeper depending on location and time of day.
Bottom bouncers remain one of the better choices. Minnows, crawlers, and slow-death rigs are all worth having ready, and pulling crankbaits along rocky shorelines and flats is a good way to cover water and find active fish. If the bite slows, change speed, depth, or bait before assuming fish are gone.
Below Fort Randall Dam, anglers should continue to focus on current seams, riprap, eddies, and slower pockets near moving water. A jig tipped with a minnow remains a dependable setup below the dam. Shore anglers should keep the bait near bottom and work slowly, especially around rock and current breaks.
Smallmouth bass are also active around rocky areas, points, and bluff structure. Protected coves and quiet shoreline pockets are still worth checking for panfish. A small crappie jig worked slowly around brush, rock, or shaded shoreline cover can pick up crappie and bluegill.
Best bets this week: bottom bouncers with minnows or crawlers for walleye, jig and minnow along shoreline structure, crankbaits on rocky shorelines and flats, and small crappie jigs in protected coves. The fish are there, but this is a week where moving, adjusting, and covering water will beat sitting in one place too long.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 despite the hot weather fishing has been excellent with limits of walleye coming in daily. You have to work for them a bit, picking off a few at each spot, so keep moving. The catfish bite is on fire as well. Weekends are best with minimal boat traffic.
You can also refer to last week's report:
Water temps have risen to the low 80's and the fish are eating. There is a lot of bait in the system but the fish are still feeding. Look for walleye in the river channel targeting 18-25'fow depth as well as shallow humps and weeds near the channel. Jig and crawler as well as trolling small crankbaits such as a Salmo hornet. Fishing up river is also excellent all summer as many of these walleye seek out cooler water with current up stream. Those fish will be hit or miss but should stick around until October.
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
