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Check Out The Latest South Dakota Fishing Reports & South Dakota Hunting Reports

Fishing Report: October 31, 2023

Women in boat on the lake.

Cold Weather Rolls In

The wind has been white-cresting the waves here at Lake Oahe. Cold weather has dropped on the Missouri River and we are well on our way to ice-fishing season! We will send out an ice-fishing report in winter. Today's report will be our last report for the fall season.

Thank you readers for following us through the season, and we will see you in the winter!
 
 
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 weather has made it tough to get on the water. Good quality fish are still found at depths of 15 - 20 ft. Same presentations are working; jigs, minnow, small spinners behind bouncers, and trolling crank baits. Once you're able to brave the wind and cold, the bite is really good.

In Akaska, the area has nothing new to report. Please refer to last week's report:
The area has had a parade of boats and anglers. Overall it's been good this fall and fish numbers are okay. Currently there is a trolling bite pulling flicker shads and minnow, and crank baits between 30-40 feet. Landing large walleye 12-14lbs is possible. If you're fishing shallow between 15-20 feet, there is a morning and evening bite.
 

Near Gettysburg in the West Whitlock Recreation Area, salmon anglers have had a tough time catching salmon. The cold weather and the high winds have made fishing on the open water a struggle. Some experienced anglers have been catching some fish successfully, but many have caught few over the week. Overall, the number of anglers out on the water have been low. The area is looking forward to ice-fishing!

In Spring Creek / Cow Creek, please refer to their last fishing report:
Some success is happening around the Cow Creek boat ramp. Anglers are finding some 17-19 inch walleye, and are limiting out quickly.

Salmon Update on Oahe 
The last salmon report:
The regular season for deep water salmon is winding down. Salmon are traveling up the system to the Whitlock Bay area. Crocodile spoons and pulling plugs have been working. In Whitlock, an angler caught a salmon at 17lbs! Overall the fishing is fairly slow, though everyone is still catching. Ladders are out.

For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Oahe please contact:

Mo Rest motel
Oahe Wings & Walleyes
Oahe Wings & Walleyes
Bob's Steakhouse & Resort
Bob's Steakhouse & Resort
South Whitlock Resort
South Whitlock Resort
Oahe Salmon Guide Service
Oahe Salmon Guide Service
The Outpost Lodge on Lake Oahe
The Outpost Lodge on Lake Oahe

Lake Sharpe


In Pierre/Fort Pierre, the cold weather and wind is also affecting the area. Casting jigs and minnows or jigs and plastics has been the top option lately, particularly in shallow water. 

For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Sharpe please contact:

Hutch's Guide Service
South Dakota Walleye Charters
Lip Ripper Fishing
Lip Ripper Fishing

Lake Francis Case


For Chamberlain, the bite continues to improve with the dropping temperatures.

In Platte, see last week's report:
The areas has been producing some limits and anglers are using a jig and minnow. Depth casting from the shorelines has been up to 20 feet depending on the time of day. 


In Geddes the walleye bite is great! Limits are being met with lots of nice fish between 15-22 inches. Jig raps at 30-40 ft have been producing; also trolling leadcore with crankbaits. 

The Bonesteel area has no updates. Please see last week's report:
Depth has started at 20 feet working your way up to 40. Using jigs, jig raps, and some minnow. Average size walleye is 15-16 inches.


In Lake AndesWagner and Pickstown, the weather has been keeping anglers off the water. Hunting in the area has been great! Birds are all over, with hunters reaching limits by dinner. 


For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Francis Case please contact:

Platte Creek Lodge and Guide Service
Platte Creek Lodge and Guide Service
SD Outfitters Unlimited & Missouri River Lodge
SD Outfitters Unlimited & Missouri River Lodge
Circle H Motel / Backyard Campground
Pavel's Walleye Camp
Pavel's Walleye Camp
Allen's Missouri River Guide & Hillside Motel

Lake Lewis and Clark


In Yankton, please refer to their last report.
Fishing is slower as water is still rather warm in the low 70s. Days need to get shorter and the water cooler for the fall bite to start. Walleye are feeding on young shad and drum, so crankbaits are working best along the old river channels and on the SD beaches in 20-30 feet. Flicker shads, Rumble shads, and Salmos #5 are all working well trolled behind leadcore. There is still a lot of fish in the chutes in 3-8 feet. Dragging jigs and rigs with crawlers is putting numbers in the boat. Filter through the little fish and you can get your limit most days. Big fish are more likely to be found in the channel moving east.

For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Lewis and Clark please contact:

The Walleye Guys
The Walleye Guys

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
  • 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
  • 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
Aerial view of Missouri River

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