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SD Missouri River Fishing Report July 17

by SD Missouri River Tourism


SD MISSOURI RIVER FISHING/HUNTING REPORT – July 17, 2017

Provided by: South Dakota Missouri River Tourism

 

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Fishing Update for

 The Missouri River in South Dakota

 

Heat will be an issue again this week, at least for a few days. Be sure to have plenty of water and sports drinks, along with sunscreen and bug spray. 

 

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 pretty decent. Depths are anywhere from 12-30 feet and anglers are using bouncers and spinners with crawlers. There are lots of numbers, and a little sorting may be necessary, but the fish are looking really good!

Akaska – At Akaska the fishing is also going great for walleye. And the fish are fat and healthy. Anglers are fishing in 10-25 feet, using mainly crawlers. Northern, catfish, and smallmouth are also being caught.

At Gettysburg the fishing is going well, but heat is an issue. Anywhere from 10-25 feet depth is working well with anglers using crawlers, or leeches.  Smallmouth, catfish and northern are biting here also. 

Around Spring Creek / Cow Creek  - On Oahe the fishing is pretty good.  A lot of fish are still shallow in 10 feet of water or less, with anglers pulling spinner/bouncer/crawler rigs. The opportunity for bigger fish and other species like Northern, smallmouth, and catfish is also great. 

Lake Sharpe - around the Pierre/Fort Pierre the bite is going pretty well. The depth is anywhere from 6-30 feet, depending on the area you are fishing in. Sunken tree beds seem to be producing good fish right now. Anglers are using the spinner/bouncer/crawler presentation here as well, with better luck towards the 25 ft. depth. In the wind, anglers are catching in 6-10 feet, and with no wind, the depths are 16-20 feet, with many fish in the 14-16 inch range. Smallmouth are going well closer to the dam. 

Lake Francis Case 

 Around Chamberlain , Lake Sharpe is producing good walleye, and the bite is good in many areas. Anglers are using crawlers, leeches, or minnows. Anglers are fishing in 12-30 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, crawlers, or leeches in 10-30 feet of water. Some anglers are also pulling plugs, but having less success. 

In the Lake Andes, Wagner, Pickstown areas they are experiencing very good fishing on both sides of the river. Depth is 17-25 feet. Anglers are using crawlers and leeches. Good areas are South Scalp down to the dam, and around Pease Creek, with nice size fish being brought in. Many varieties of fish are being caught below the dam, with good spearing near White Swan, also in the 17-23 foot depths. On no wind days, anglers are jigging over the sunken trees in 30 feet of water around Pease Creek and Joe Day Bay. 

 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 leeches 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!