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SD Missouri River Fishing Hunting Report Sept 12 2017

by SD Missouri River Tourism


SD MISSOURI RIVER FISHING/HUNTING REPORT – September 12, 2017

Provided by: South Dakota Missouri River Tourism

 

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Fishing Update for

 The Missouri River in South Dakota

 

This week the weather will be up and down. Starting off warm and then cooling for the weekend.Take advantage of the last bits of summer to find your great place and make memories on the Missouri River in central South Dakota.  Remember – Pheasant Hunting will start the 3rd Saturday in October! Plan to come on a combo trip to hunt and fish along the river! 

 

REMINDER: Help stop 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.

 

 

Lake Oahe

In the Pollock and Mobridge areas the bite is good. Depths are anywhere from 20-40 feet and anglers are using bouncers and spinners with crawlers. The fishing isn’t quite as good on the flats right now. In the Grand River, anglers are catching in 10-20 feet of water. There are lots of numbers, and a little sorting may be necessary, but the fish are looking really good!

Akaska – At Akaska the walleye fishing is picking up. The Moreau River has good fishing in the shallows off the main points. Anywhere from 4-10 feet. Crawlers seem to work the best on the points. Some minnows are being used. On the main channel anglers are fishing deeper, up to 25 feet. Many using cranknbaits. Catfish are going well here.

At Gettysburg the fishing is going ok. Anywhere from 15-35 feet depth is working well with anglers using crawlers and minnows with bouncers. Actually, some have been fishing at different depths – from shallow to deep, so you need to try different depths. Anglers are also catching a lot of catfish and smallmouth bass.

Around Spring Creek / Cow Creek  - On Oahe the fishing is pretty good, with less boat traffic.  Depths are much deeper on Oahe, with anglers using bouncer/crawler rigs. A lot of nice eater size are being caught on Oahe. The opportunity for smallmouth is very good with the fish schooling in the 20-40 foot range and anglers using bouncers and minnows. Anglers are also bringing in catfish and northern. Salmon are also being brought in, with some nice eater sizes being caught! 

Lake Sharpe 

Around Pierre/Fort Pierre the bite is going well. Depths are around 10 feet of water or less in many areas, with anglers opting for bouncers and spinners/crawlers. The West Bend area to the dam is producing some nice walleye, along with catfish and smallmouth. It’s a good time of year to look for some new spots – some anglers are finding that the old spots are not working as well. 

Lake Francis Case 

 Around Chamberlain the fishing is going good, with the good weather making a difference. Weather can always be a factor this time of year as fall comes in. The fall bite can be very good. Anglers are using crawlers or minnows and are fishing in 10-30 feet depending on wind. Good smallmouth bite here also.

On Francis Case in the Platte area fishing for walleye is going well with good eater size being pulled in here also. Anglers are using bouncers with minnows or crawlers in 13-25 feet of water. Some anglers are having good luck with crankbaits as well. 

In the Lake Andes, Wagner, Pickstown areas the walleye bite seems to be picking up, as is typical this time of year.  Depth is around 20-25 feet. Some anglers are pulling plugs, while others are jigging with crawlers and minnows. Good areas are from Whetstone south. Some nice size smallmouth bass are coming in with weights in the 4 ½ to 5 lbs range. Many varieties of fish are being caught below the dam. Water is starting to cool off, so look for the fall bite to start picking up soon.

 At Yankton the fishing is good with a number of walleye being caught – again, the weather has been playing a part in the fishing here too.  Bottom bouncers or spinners with crawlers and minnows are working best.

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 605-220-2844. On Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case, contact Dakota Prairie Guide Service at 605-680-1910 or SD Dakota Walleye Charters at 605-366-1875. 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!