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SD Updated Fishing Report

by Missouri River Tourism


SD MISSOURI RIVER FISHING/HUNTING REPORT – May 15, 2017

Provided by: South Dakota Missouri River Tourism

 

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Fishing Update for

 The Missouri River in South Dakota

 

Weather along the river will stay nice with temps mainly in the 60s and 70s. Time to come to the river or plan your future trip! 

 

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 and Akaska areas – At Pollock the fishing is really picking up for walleye. And the walleye are fat and healthy. In the Mobridge and Akaska areas the report is the same – fish are getting activbre. Depth is anywhere from 8-25 feet with 10-15 giving the best results. Anglers are using jigs/minnows with some starting to use crawlers. The warmer weather is certainly helping the bite. Northern are still biting on smelt in the area and Catfish are being caught along with smallmouth bass. 

At Gettysburg the walleye fishing is picking up. Around 10-25 feet depth is working well with anglers using bottom bouncers or jigs/minnows and a few using crawlers.  Smallmouth, catfish and northern are biting here also. The area around Dodge Draw is doing well for anglers. 

Around Spring Creek / Cow Creek  - On Oahe the bite can still be slower in many areas. As the weather warms up that will change. Northern are being caught along with smallmouth bass. Fish are not real active yet with the water temps around 45 to 50 degrees.

Lake Sharpe - around the Pierre/Fort Pierre the bite is good around the bridges and down to West Bend and along the bluffs. Some limits are starting to come in. The water temp at West Bend is now over 50 degrees and around Pierre nearly 50 degrees.  Depths are around 5 to 25 feet, depending on the area you are fishing. Best bait is bottom bouncers/minnows or jigs/minnows with some anglers pulling flicker shad plugs. You need to search around for a good area.

 

Lake Francis Case 

 Around Chamberlain , Lake Sharpe is producing walleye, and the bite is good. From Crow Creek to the Big Bend Dam the bite is good on spinners with minnows or crawlers. Water temp is around 55 degrees. Anglers are fishing in 10-20 feet. 

On Francis Case in the Platte area fishing for walleye is fair, but is picking up.  Warmer weather is helping. Anglers are using spinners and crawlers with some pulling crank baits. Smallmouth are being caught here also.

At the Pickstown - Wagner – Lake Andes  areas the fishing is good. Most anglers are fishing in 12-30 feet and some are casting towards shore. Pease Creek has been doing well on bass and black crappie. As with other areas, the warmer weather will give fishing a boost. The water temp is around 55 degrees here too. Shore fishing both above and below the Fort Randall Dam has been very good. 

 At Yankton the fishing is fair with some walleye being caught – again, the weather has been playing a part in the fishing here too.  Bottom bouncers or spinners /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 605-224-4755. 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!