It was week of extremes along the Missouri River! Tuesday and Wednesday saw over a foot of snow in many areas and extreme winds, with the temperatures rebounding into the 60s and 70s by the end of the weekend. The forecast continues to be up and down, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s to start the week with rain and colder temperatures returning by the weekend. The up and down weather, reduced flows from the dam, and muddy water has no doubt impacted the bite, but there are good reports along the river as well!
Pierre Area
There is only one word to describe the bite on Lake Sharpe in the Pierre area, “tough.” However, I’m a person that loves to use way too many words to describe things, so I’ll also add “muddy”, “no flow”, “passive”, and “challenging” to the list of descriptors. I’ll break down what all of these means for the bite and what the coming weeks likely hold.
The first challenge, and the biggest one in my opinion, is the muddy water. Run-off from the melting snow and the incredibly dirty water flowing from the Bad River has greatly muddied the majority of the reservoir. The lack of current from the dam has exacerbated the problem as well. Dirty water is trouble on the Missouri River reservoirs and unfortunately, we’ve got a lot of trouble right now.
The best way to showcase this would be through pictures. I checked a wide number of areas along the reservoir looking for different areas of current and different stretches of the reservoir, but the fact of the matter was finding water clarity greater than approximately 4-5 inches was near impossible below the Bad River. Check it out:
Directly Below Bad River
Entrance to Downs Marina/LaFramboise Island. (Note ice is still present and blocking the usage of Downs Marina)
Bluffs
Polo Fields Boat Launch
Mackelraves Hole
Chute
Green House
Stoney Point
The Bad River continues to flow and it looks like the mud is going to be around for a while on Lake Sharpe. This has really forced anglers to stay above the Bad River, focusing on those popular locations between the Fort Pierre boat ramp and the stilling basin.
The stilling basin continues to be extremely hit or miss. Some days, the basin can reward anglers with good fishing while other days the bite can be ice cold. Anglers do best dragging jigs or pitching jigs away from the boat and slowly working them in, but regardless the style of fishing the bite fluctuates between extremes.
The fishing along the bridges and into the Marions Gardens areas has also been difficult, though anglers have reported getting fish in the area if they are willing to grind it out. Trust your electronics and stay focused on the fish you see on the screen. Fish are barely biting so be waiting for even the lightest tap, leaving fish to find fish has not been productive either.
Unfortunately, this trend appears to be set to continue. Warmer temperatures in the coming days will continue to result in more run-off into the reservoir, before rain and wind should compound the situation. Significantly reduced flows for three weeks through Oahe Dam will result in little current and prevent the water from being cleared out.
Changing conditions often result in difficult fishing and this is one of those situations. From snowstorms to 70-degree temperatures and reduced flows this was a major change for the fish. The warmer temperatures and then upcoming cold front will bring more change as well. However, know the bite you are faced with and adjust accordingly: work the areas you might have left right away, fish slowly and be ready for light bites, and pay attention to the water clarity finding the clearest water possible. Sunrise and sunset may also prove to be important as conditions continue to change.
The moral of the story is pay attention to the water, the water current, and water clarity and you’ll set yourself up for the best chance for success.
Chamberlain Area
Well let’s talk about something positive why don’t we!? That would be the fishing in the Chamberlain area! The docks are in and ready for boats at American Creek Campground and American Creek Marina. Work is being done on the ice within the marina at Cedar Shore Resort and that should be ready for boats very shortly. Fishing is full force in the Chamberlain area!
The fishing is also very, very good! Reports are indicating near 100% limits of anglers fishing in the Chamberlain area. Anglers are catching fish dragging jigs, pitching jigs, and trolling crankbaits.
After you catch your limit, don’t forget about the new indoor fish cleaning station in Chamberlain too! This is a great place for anglers to clean their fish in the early season such as now and even throughout the winter months and the hot summer months as well!
Right now if you’re looking to plan a fishing trip to the Missouri River, it looks like Lake Francis Case in the Chamberlain area is the place to be! It is also the week of the Cedar Shore Resort tournament hosted by The Fishing Crew, that tournament will take place Saturday and Sunday April 15-16 and will launch out of Cedar Shore Resort.
Spring fishing can be up and down and right now, it looks like the fishing on Lake Francis Case is up and fishing on Lake Sharpe is down. There are a few other areas we are tracking right now too!
Other News and Notes
The ice on Lake Oahe is beginning to give way and should be ready for pike anglers in the coming days. This is a very popular bite in the Pierre area and an opportunity for anglers to catch some of the biggest pike they have ever experienced!
In other areas around South Dakota, the dock is in at Angostura Recreation Area. The lakes in southeast South Dakota are also beginning to open up along the shorelines. The warmer temperatures, rains, and winds will certainly help open more waterbodies up as the week progresses.
In the Nebraska area, boat ramps were put in this past week at Sherman Reservoir and Calamus Reservoir. The Nebraska Walleye Trail tournament will be April 23 on Sherman Reservoir and we are very excited for it!
In the Iowa Great Lakes area, ice still persists but is beginning to give way. Particularly in the Upper Bay of East Okoboji Lake the ice is cracking and open water should be coming sooner as opposed to later.
Overall it is going to be another changing week and the bite will no doubt be changing with it as well!
Featured Location: Chamberlain, South Dakota
The Chamberlain, South Dakota area features small town charm, with big outdoor opportunity! Famous for it’s early season fishing opportunities, Chamberlain sits right on the epicenter of the fishing on Lake Francis Case in the spring and early summer. Expect full stringers of walleye and the chance at a trophy caliber fish as well!
Find out everything you need to know about fishing for springtime walleyes in the Chamberlain area including top locations and baits.
Featured Article: Dirty Water Dilemma
Mud is here for Lake Sharpe and that means you need to adjust your fishing accordingly. Find out how Mason Propst adjusts to dirty water and how you can still find success.
