The Missouri River in South Dakota is a top walleye destination, especially in the spring! This is for good reason. The river often provides some of the first open water fishing opportunities and can produce some excellent bags of walleyes as well! In fact, the open water season on the river is already underway! Today, we’ll take a look at what to expect for the fishing on the Missouri River this spring.
As spring rolls along, the walleye capitol of the region becomes Chamberlain, South Dakota. Each year, Chamberlain features numerous tournaments, television shows and anglers itching to get the boat in the water! This year, the National Walleye Tour pros will be testing their skills against Lake Francis Case at the end of April.
Lake Francis Case draws all this attention for good reason. Many would say that if you looked at the definition of “walleye factory”, you would find a picture of Lake Francis Case. Francis Case features excellent spawning structure, particularly in the Chamberlain area, and continues to produce excellent walleye fishing year in and year out.
Currently, Lake Francis Case is open until approximately the Crow Creek/Kiowa Flats area. Anglers can access the lake by launching at the Big Bend tailrace in Fort Thompson. As spring progresses and more water continues to open up, Cedar Shore Resort and American Creek Marina become excellent locations to launch as well. Fishing the upper end of the reservoir is a top choice early in the season.
The most popular spot is always the Crow Creek area. This stretch features large flats, timber and a main channel area. Look for walleyes along the flats or sitting out in the main river channel. Try depths anywhere between 8-18 feet. Drifting jigs is an excellent way to cover this area, but bottom bouncing slowly with a plain hook and minnow can produce as well.
While this area can hold fish all year, spring is usually the best time to fish it. Expect the majority of fish in the 14-17 inch range, but larger fish are possible. This area is an absolute walleye magnet in the spring and there will often be a large gathering of boats as well.
Further upstream, fishing the mouth of the stilling basin can often produce good fishing. The Big Bend tailrace also can produce excellent fishing as well as a chance at a larger fish.
Once the river is open to Chamberlain, expect even more fishing opportunities. If you enjoy pitching jigs, this area is for you. The rocky shorelines can be absolutely incredible fishing, especially in the evenings. It is not uncommon for shore anglers in the evening to be able to fill a limit in literally minutes.
Pitching a jig and minnow is often the best choice. Sitting in the deeper water off the rocks and pitching towards shore is the best option. Don’t be afraid to drop a heavy jig over the size of the boat and fish vertically, especially in the day. Fish will often stage in the deep water, especially nicer females.
Trolling between the bridges in Chamberlain with lead core and crankbaits can also produce good fishing, with larger fish certainly an option as well. Try trolling #5 and #7 Rapala Shad Raps or Minnow Raps, Berkley Flicker Shads and Flicker Minnows or similar baits. Fish are often keying on these profiles and the lead core enables you to reach down to where they are sitting.
As the river continues to open, the flat above the White River can also produce excellent fishing. Try bottom bouncing with a plain hook or minnow. This allows you to cover as much of the flat as possible and contact active fish.
As spring progresses, the Platte area becomes a popular spot to fish as well. Anglers will often find success fishing the Snake Creek/Dock 44 area as well as Platte Creek. Overall, expect the majority of fishing in the early spring to take place above the White River to Big Bend dam before progressing down river as the season continues to roll on.
Lake Sharpe is known for having an excellent early season bite. Generally, March through June can produce some of the best fishing on this reservoir. This is because the predominate forage of Sharpe is gizzard shad, which are generally in very low number early in the season. As shad become available throughout the summer months, fishing usually slows down. The fall bite will generally heat back up and provide excellent fishing again beginning roughly about September.
The upper end of Lake Sharpe in Pierre has remained open and actually quite fishable for much of the winter. Anglers that have hit the water have been having some great success. Bob and Mason Propst of Propst Professional Anglers have been enjoying a fantastic bite and I’ve been lucky enough to get out with them as well.
Fishing in the upper 6 or so miles of the river has been best. Traditional community spots such as the car and railroad bridges in Pierre and rocky shorelines have attracted the most boats.
As the season rolls on, expect anglers to really focus their efforts at the mouth of the stilling basin, the flat near Marion’s Gardens and another sand flat above the Bad River. The Oahe Dam tailrace can also hold fish as well.
Vertical jigging with a heavy jig and minnow is your best option for catching fish holding in the deeper water. Keep moving until you find fish then spot-lock, anchor or even drift over them. Keep your jigging strokes fairly subtle, or even just drag the jig on bottom.
When fishing shallower flats or rocks, a lighter jig and minnow is your best choice. Pitch on to the area you want to fish, then slowly work it back. A plastic such as a Berkley GULP! Minnow or Power Minnow can be a good option as well for increased durability. Try 3-4 inch baits that are pearl or white colored.
The same 3-4 inch minnow baits can produce well in the Oahe Dam tailrace. Other options include a #12 Rapala Husky Jerk or Original Rapala. Try casting the jig and plastics to the rocks or fishing the Original Rapala on a 3-way rig. Shore anglers can also find success casting Husky Jerks or Shallow Shad Raps from the rocks.
Expect a strong number of 15-18 inch walleyes coming out of Lake Sharpe. Fish in the 3-5 pound category are also available, with fish in trophy territory in the 27-30 inch plus category living in the reservoir as well. Lake herring being flushed through the dam have provided an excellent forage option for these giants.
Be advised, Lake Sharpe has numerous sand bars, flooded timber and other hazard areas. Take your time and rely on your maps. If you’re new to Sharpe or uncomfortable with navigation, we strongly recommend booking a guide trip as sand bars are constantly shifting and can pose a danger to lower units.
Regulations and Reminders
Both Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case have a 15 inch minimum on walleye/sauger, with the exception of July and August. Limit is 4 fish per day, with up to one over 20 inches.
Last summer, zebra mussels were discovered in both Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case. Make sure you are pulling your boat plugs and not transporting any water away from the lake.
The area commonly referred to as “Dredge Hole” or “Bridge Hole” in Chamberlain near the interstate bridge is closed to fishing until May 1.
Each week, we take a look at what the fishing report has been for the Missouri River as well as other bites across the Midwest. Be sure to “Like” Lip Ripper Guide Service for all the latest fishing reports. Don’t forget to “Like” Propst Professional Anglers too!
Learn more about booking a trip on the Missouri River on our Book a Trip page! Everything you need to know about hitting the water is provided. If you have any questions or would like to book your trip, call/text Nick Harrington at 402-689-9947.
More Missouri River Information
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That’s a nice family picture up there!!!
Great Article
Thanks Mark!
Thanks Matt! Our little fishing family!