Memorial Day Weekend is in the rear-view mirror and that means summer is officially here! The Memorial Day Weekend featured warmer temperatures, winds, and some storms across much of the state. These conditions have continued to transition the bite into summer patterns and we’ll cover all of that in this week’s Missouri River fishing report!
In last week’s fishing report, we discussed a pattern we had been working on for overs on Lake Sharpe. Over two weeks, trolling crankbaits in the back of the stilling basin produced multiple quality overs, a win in Tuesday Night Walleye Fishing League in Pierre, and plenty of eater class fish as well. This bite was diminishing, but it completely fell apart this past week failing to produce a fish for this past week’s Tuesday Night Walleye Fishing League.
This proved to be another indicator of the transition the bite was going through, but the hottest patterns have continued to hold true. The fishing in Pierre, particularly along Marions Gardens, the docks, the causeway, the Bad River, and the other sandbars along the bridges have produced the best. Pitching jigs and minnows or plastics has been the top option, with both good numbers and good size walleyes being caught.
The stilling basin also continues to produce good fishing for those fishing with jigs and minnows or plastics. The mouth of the stilling basin had previously been where this fishing was concentrated, but the best fishing has moved more toward the back of the stilling basin.
Moving east of town, Hipple Lake in Farm Island Recreation Area was a busy location for the Lake Sharpe fishery. Water temperatures have reached the upper-60s to low-70s here, which means the gizzard shad spawn is underway! Gizzard shad were spawning throughout the past week, which means these young-of-the-year gizzard shad will be beginning to enter the reservoir in the coming weeks, further setting up the summer pattern.
As far as the fishing itself, the…. variety….is on full display! Hipple Lake is a true multispecies fishery and we had that on full display this past weekend.
Hipple Lake can produce excellent northern pike.
Some very big channel catfish!
White bass of course.
The occasional freshwater drum, which feels like a giant walleye.
And finally, the occasional elusive walleye itself!
Continuing further downriver, the fishing continues to be fantastic at the West Bend area! There is an abundance of fish, with both shorts and eaters entering the boat.
Overall, summer is here on Lake Sharpe and the traditional summer patterns are just about entering full swing!
News and Notes
Fish Stockings Underway
It has been a busy few weeks for fish stockings across South Dakota! We’ve got a list of stockings that we’re tracking, whether that be for Lake Oahe, winterkill waterbodies, or just some of our favorite waterbodies in eastern South Dakota.
- Upper Lake Oahe, three stockings of adult gizzard shad (May 15, 16, and 18)
- Lake Whitewood, two stockings of 2.5 million walleye fry (May 17 and 22)
- East Oakwood Lake, two stockings of 800,000 walleye fry (May 18 and 21)
- Highway 81 Ponds, two stockings of 200,000 walleye fry (May 18 and 22)
- Lake Albert, two stockings totaling 3.9 million walleye fry (May 20 and 21)
- Three Buck Slough, 300,000 walleye fry stocked May 21
- Waubay Lake, two stockings totaling 8 million walleye fry (May 19 and 21)
- South Island Lake, two stockings totaling 150,000 walleye fry (May 17 and 22)
This is just a scratch of the surface for fish stockings in the last two weeks. A complete list can be found at GFP’s website on the Fish Stockings in the Last 14 Days report. A complete list of stockings can be found in GFP’s Fisheries Report Viewer.
Peoria Flats and Chantier Creek Boat Ramps Now Open
It was a good week for access updates on Lake Oahe! The Peoria Flats and Chantier Creek boat ramps were both put into service. These ramps had been out due to low water conditions, but GFP park staff were able remove the silt from both ramps and water levels reached an elevation these ramps could be put back in service.
Spring Creek Recreation Area C-Store and Boat House Bar and Grill Both Open
The C-Store at Spring Creek Recreation Area is currently open for its summer hours, which are 7 a.m.-9 p.m. The Boat House Bar & Grill at Spring Creek is also open for the summer months as well.
Second Century Habitat Fund Truck and Boat Raffle Closing June 3
The Second Century Habitat Fund’s truck and boat raffle will close this Saturday, June 3. Individuals have the opportunity to win an Alumacraft Classic 165 Sport hooked to a Toyota Tundra TRD Pro and filled with outdoor gear! Tickets are 1 for $20, 3 for $50, or 10 for $100. All the proceeds from this raffle support habitat in South Dakota!
Lake Hiddenwood State Park Electrical Sites Reopen
All 13 campsites at Lake Hiddenwood State Park near Selby have had power restored. The park had been closed following a flood in 2018, but was reopened this past summer. The electricity being restored for these sites is yet another component of reopening the park following this flood.
Learn More
Summer is upon us and that means now is a great time to learn more about targeting walleye in the summer months in South Dakota.
We discuss some of the areas to look for when targeting early summer walleyes.
We discuss whether you want to target fish trolling crankbaits or bottom bouncing based on the area you are fishing and what you are seeing on your graph.
We highlight why we still pull leadcore even when fishing in shallow water.
We also discuss how we spread our baits out when bottom bouncing.
