Hunting & Fishing Reports
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Fishing Report: May 29nd, 2023
Happy Memorial Day from the Missouri River!
Wishing all of our readers a very Happy Memorial Day weekend with your friends and family! We would like to pause and recognize all service men and women who gave their lives for our freedoms - we are forever grateful for their sacrifice. We honor them and their families today!
As you are getting out on the water, keep in mind boat ramps are likely to be very congested with lots of water activity. Visit South Dakota's Game, Fish, & Park website to view Public Water Accesses.
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
In Pollock and Mobridge, the fishing has been absolutely incredible in the last couple of weeks. Anglers have been catching fishing using several different methods. Bouncers with small spinners tipped with crawlers or minnows have been very productive. Jigs and minnow have also been working really well. Anglers are catching most of their fish in 10 - 15 feet. Don't be afraid to fish 5 - 10 feet or 20 - 25 feet.
The fishing in Akaska has been exceptional this season with the best bite in years! Moreau River and Swan Creek are turning out great numbers. Limits are being met with almost any technique - so now's a great time to use your favorite method. Grande River's muddy waters are clearing and lots of fish are migrating down the system. Casting shallow 4 - 12 feet has been the most consistent, some days 15 feet. In addition to walleye, anglers are catching small mouth, perch, and lots of rough fish. White bass numbers are also looking up this season. There is lots of action to be had!
In the Gettysburg area with winds being fairly rough the fishing really hasn't changed much from last week. However, with nicer weather coming on, we are looking at a much better report and many anglers will be out on the water this week.
Last week's report: Catfish has been a popular target. Anglers are catching small mouth and northern pike from the shore. Walleye is still slow. Most boaters are heading north, but starting to fish some of the points. Bait and presentation has been primarily minnow and crawlers, bottom bouncers, trolling, and pitching jigs.
In Spring Creek / Cow Creek areas, Oahe has started to take off, especially in areas where there is warmer stained water. The wind has been blowing lately, but anglers have still been catching numbers of fish. Both lakes are very busy so expect full boat ramps and lots of traffic at fish cleaning stations. Summer is here, so pack your sunscreen and bug repellents! Most fish are being caught in 5 feet or less, but lately they are moving out to around 8 - 14 feet, with nightcrawler propeller blades or spinner minnow blades being equally effective. In many areas, pulling plugs has been very good.
The salmon update for the south end of Lake Oahe is very similar to last week. With more time out on the water, we should have more to report on next week.
Last week's report: Weather is setting salmon fishing up for a very good season. Presentation: Prairie Sunrise spoon on 150 copper, Blue Jacket spoon 76 feet on a diver, Greentail spoon at 55 feet on the rigger.
For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Oahe please contact:
Lake Sharpe
Around Pierre/Fort Pierre, the fishing has really revved up on Lake Sharpe in the Pierre area and the good bite continued through the week!
With spring turning into summer, fish are settling into their summer patterns. Plenty of fish can be caught right now. Expect lots of 12-15 inch fish in Lake Sharpe. There are still good numbers of 15-17 inch fish being caught as well.
The stilling basin continues to be a popular location with most anglers focused on jigging near the mouth. Further down the river in town, fish can be caught along the sandbars and shorelines. Hipple Lake in Farm Island Recreation Area continues to have excellent white bass fishing, but there are a few walleyes to be had as well.
The most popular bite is near West Bend, where the action is excellent with both shorts and keepers. Expect a great deal of boat traffic in this area, especially with Memorial Day upon us.
For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Sharpe please contact:
Lake Francis Case
Near Chamberlain, the bite is good, but anglers are catching lots of small fish. Get ready for action but you'll need to weed through them to get your keepers. Fishing depth has been 10 - 15 feet, splitting minnows and crawlers 50/50 for best bite. Fish Crow Creek and White River area where water is clear. Shore fishing is doing well. Small mouth are more prevalent in the lower end of Lake Sharpe.
In the Platte area, fishing has been good. Anglers are mostly pulling out walleye and some small mouth. Depth has been between 16 - 18 feet. Presentation has been bottom bouncer, minnow, and crawlers.
In Geddes, from Pease Creek area to Fort Randall Dam, the walleye has been red hot! Nightcrawlers have been the best by far on bottom bouncers and depth ranging 17 - 24 feet. Smallmouth bass casting top-water with plastics are doing great. Bass is almost done spawning in the area.
In Lake Andes, Wagner, and Pickstown, fishing has been excellent even with some strong windy days. Limits are being met with nice fat walleye, small mouth and crappies. Shore fishing is doing great. Whetstone Bay all the way to the Dam is doing well; Pease Creek to North Point Recreation area are great locations. Most are using minnow but some are switching over to crawlers. If you are trying to get to the three North Point docks or campground, stay on highway 281 past Circle H Motel as the bridge is under construction until at least August 1st.
For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Francis Case please contact:
Lake Lewis and Clark
In Yankton, the bite on Lewis and Clark Lake improves daily. The spawn has wrapped up and walleye in good numbers are returning to the lake where water temperature is in the low 60s. Fish are being caught on mud flats and adjacent to old river channels using crankbaits and bottom bouncers and spinners with minnows or crawlers. The key to success right now is locating those fish that are in clean water. There is extremely muddy water moving down the system, making for impossible fishing conditions. Expect to filter through an abundant and healthy 13” class of fish to get your keeper walleyes. Look for fish feeding shallow in 10 feet or less, but don't forget those deeper, old river channel fish as you could hook a large female resting, recovering from the spawn.
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
- Akaska Bait Shop in Akaska at 605-649-7847
- Bob’s Resort in Gettysburg at 605-765-2500
- South Whitlock Resort in Gettysburg at 605-765-9762
- 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
- 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 in Chamberlain at 800-435-5591
- Platte Creek Lodge at 605-941-1679
- Missouri River Lodge in Geddes at 605-680-3877
- 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
