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Fishing Update for The Missouri River in South Dakota
This week will start off warm and cool by the weekend. A perfect time to get on the river! You might want to bring a jacket and also bug spray when you head out on the river and have a safe and wonderful time on the Missouri River in Central South Dakota!
Pheasant opener is coming up – October 15 to be exact. Make plans to fish for half a day and hunt pheasants for the other half. A perfect combination! If you heard the pheasant count is down remember this……South Dakota still has more pheasants than other states and definitely has the best pheasant hunting around!
REMINDER: Help stop the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species! Check out the Game, Fish & Parks web site for detailed info on the regulations. You can trailer to fish cleaning stations nearest the boat ramp, but after that regulations call for draining live wells and boats. If you love to fish the Missouri River in South Dakota, please do your part to keep the reservoirs free of aquatic invasive species.
In the Pollock and Mobridge and Akaska areas – At Mobridge and Pollock the fishing is starting to pick up, but can still be a bit slow. The fall bite should be on before long. North of Mobridge up to Pollock seems to be a bit better. Anglers are using bottom bouncers, spinners/crawlers or plain hook and crawlers. Depthe is anywhere from 8-15 feet. At Akaska they are catching nice fish, but you might have to work at it. Seems to be picking up daily. Catfish are being caught along with smallmouth bass.
At Gettysburg anglers are catching a number of smaller walleye, with nice fish coming in. But, again you have to take the time to look for them. Again, everyone is waiting for the cooler weather and the fall bite. Crawlers are the main bait with some anglers using plugs - fishing in the 15-45 ft. depth. The weather has been making a big difference in when the bite is good. The Smallmouth bite is very good, with anglers bringing in fish in the 3-4 lb. range and some up to 6 lbs. Some catfish are being brought in from the creeks. The Chinook salmon are starting to head for the ladders and over the weekend a couple were brought in.
Around Spring Creek / Cow Creek - On Oahe the bite can still be tough. Again, weather dependent. Fish are being caught anywhere from 20 feet down to 80 foot depths. The fish are in many different depths right now, so you need to look for them. If you can get on the right areas, you can bring in some quality fish but finding them can be a challenge. Bouncers and crawlers seem to be working well. Northern, catfish and smallmouth are going well right now. The smallmouth bite is good in 10 to 40 feet of water. Don’t overlook the smallmouth fishery here, as it is world class. Also, the state record Chinook Salmon just recently came out of Lake Oahe in the area between the west shore boat ramp and the Oahe Dam intakes.
REMEMBER TO DRAIN YOUR BOAT BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE CLEANING AREAS TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REGULATIONS AIMED AT INVASIVE SPECIES!
Lake Sharpe - around the Pierre/Fort Pierre the bite is good with lots of eater size walleye being caught. Depths are around 4 to 15 feet, depending on the area you are fishing. Best bait seems to be bottom bouncers/crawlers or a few anglers are pulling flicker shad plugs. All seem to work. The best bite is downstream from Pierre/Fort Pierre to West Bend. Small mouth bass are biting well on Sharpe at this time. Be sure to bring plenty of bug spray and plenty of water!!
Remember, the 15 inch slot limit went back on September 1.
Around Chamberlain , Lake Sharpe is producing good fish from the Big Bend Dam to West Bend. Anglers are fishing in 9-15 feet using spinners and crawlers. Some good eating sizes are being caught in this area.
On Lake Francis Case the bite is best Tuesday through Friday – on those days the Corps of Engineers are letting out water from Big Bend Dam which makes the fishing better. Saturday through Monday they are holding back on the water and the fish just aren’t biting at that time. Anglers are fishing in 9 to 20 feet depending on the wind. Spinners and bottom bouncers and crawlers are working the best. Some anglers are still pulling plugs over the trees.
In the Platte area the fishing is good, but you have to look for them. Anglers are fishing 10-25 feet using crawlers and spinners. Some anglers are pulling plugs over the trees in 25-40 feet. Whatever the depth is over the trees can be a good spot. Smallmouth are biting here also. The state record smallmouth bass was caught on Lake Francis Case a few weeks ago and weighed in at 6 lbs. 1 oz.
At the Pickstown - Wagner – Lake Andes areas the water needs to cool and the fall bite will be on. Anglers are working the weed areas for the walleye. With the higher water level the weeds from last year are covered up and the bait fish are taking shelter there. Anglers are fishing in around the 25 foot depths. Again, the fish are there, but you need to look for them and the fish are good and fat! Pulling plugs over trees seems to work well for some anglers. Bottom bouncers/crawlers are the best for bait. Anglers are also catching lots of bluegill, crappie and perch.
At Yankton the fishing is slowing a bit – again, the weather has been playing a part in the fishing here too.. Bottom bouncers/crawelers are working here also.
For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing Lake Oahe, please call Kemnitz MoRest Motel in Mobridge at 605-845-3668. At Akaska call Akaska Bait Shop at 605-649-7847. Call Bob’s Resort at 605-765-2500 or South Whitlock Resort at 605-765-9762 in Gettysburg. On Oahe and Sharpe call Hutch’s Guide Service at 605-224-4755. On Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case, contact Dakota Prairie Guide Service at 605-680-1910. On Lake Francis Case, call Platte Creek Lodge at 605-941-1679 or Circle H Motel at 605-487-7652.
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!
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