Spring fishing is a special time of year in South Dakota. Anglers come from across the country to take advantage of the year-round walleye season, put their boats in the Missouri River, and fill stringers of walleye. As the weather warms, the grass turns green, and other fisheries open up across the region the same fisheries that attracted anglers in the spring have much more parking available at the boat ramps. Indeed, many summer bites in South Dakota are some of the best kept secrets!
Missouri River Walleyes Across the State
In the spring, the epicenter of walleye fishing is the Chamberlain area on Lake Francis Case. In the summer months, fishing will take off throughout all four reservoirs and a wider variety of bites will become available. Gone are the days of focusing on specific spawning areas and boats can spread out across the reservoirs and all enjoy excellent bites.
On Lake Francis Case, fish that were in the Chamberlain area to spawn will begin to migrate down the reservoir, though a population will stay within the area. As the fish move downriver, the best bite emerges in the Platte and Pickstown areas. In these areas, fish that reside in the creeks for spawning purposes are supplemented with fish moving their way down the reservoir. The deeper, cooler water, and main lake structure will attract these fish to spend the summer feeding along the submerged timber, rock piles, and main lake points.
Trolling crankbaits and bottom bouncing along Red Rock, Two Johns, Buryanek, and other locations downriver such as Pease Creek and Whetstone Bay are popular. Trolling crankbaits suspended over long flats of suspended trees is another popular strategy. Fishing vertically with Jigging Raps or spoons along points, rock piles, or the pillars of the Highway 44 bridge is another effective tactic.
On Lake Sharpe, the focus of the fishing is the lower third of the reservoir. Similar to Lake Francis Case, fish that were in the upper end of the reservoir in the Pierre area will move down river and the best fishing will take place in the West Bend and Iron Nation areas. Trolling crankbaits can be effective, but bottom bouncing along flats, points, and along weed edges is the best option.
It is in the summer months that fishing on Lake Oahe begins to really shine. Fish that had previously been in the upper end of the lake in North Dakota will be migrating downriver and stopping in the Mobridge and Gettysburg areas. Local fish that had spawned in the Grand and Moreau River will move out to the main lake structure and may move down the reservoir towards the main lake structure on the lower end near Pierre.
On the lower end of the lake, the fishing heats up in the Pierre area. Fish will move out of the Cheyenne River and filter down from the northern part of the reservoir as well. This movement of fish makes the area surrounding Sutton Bay, Bush’s Landing, and the Little Bend area some of the best fishing on the reservoir.
A variety of methods will take off, but the top ways to fish are either trolling crankbaits, bouncing bouncing, or vertical fishing with Jigging Raps or spoons. The abundance of points, rock piles, flats, and humps makes for more structure than could be fished in a season so trusting electronics, covering water, and fishing quickly is key for success.
Further down the river, fishing on Lewis and Clark Lake is generally best throughout the summer months as well. Similar to the other Missouri River reservoirs, fish that had been in the flowing water and river system below Fort Randall Dam will move out to the main lake and move across the basin. Trolling crankbaits is the most popular technique to target these fish.
Slough Hopping Glacial Lakes Walleye
While the spring bite takes off the Missouri River, anglers are still ice fishing on many of the lakes in the Glacial Lakes region of northeast South Dakota. As summer begins, that all changes quickly. The highly productive nature of these waterbodies means summer patterns will take hold fast and when the bite takes off, it takes off in a big way!
The abundance of lakes and sloughs in northeast South Dakota means that there is always a hot bite, and in many cases, multiple to pick from! While larger poster child waterbodies like Waubay Lake, Bitter Lake, Lake Thompson, Lake Poinsett, Dry Lake #2, and Indian Springs draw the attention, other smaller sloughs will hold excellent fishing as well.
The variety of bites and ways to fish means that anglers can truly customize their experience. Anglers looking to target the abundance of main lake structure can enjoy fishing lakes like Waubay or Bitter. Here, they’ll find rock piles, humps, submerged timber, and points to target. Bottom bouncing, slip bobbering, and casting crankbaits are often some of the best ways to fish these areas.
Anglers looking to fish more fish bowl type lakes, where large main lake basins will hold fish throughout the summer, can target lakes like Lake Thompson or Lake Poinsett. Here, trolling crankbaits along breaklines is often the most productive, but bottom bouncing can produce as well.
When the wind blows and the larger waterbodies become rough, fishing the smaller lakes and sloughs means anglers don’t have to miss any time on the water. Hundreds of waterbodies of these smaller waterbodies are available, but some of the most popular include Roy Lake, Opitz Lake, Piyas Lake, Pickerel Lake, Antelope Lake, Brush Lake, and 81 Ponds to name a few of the wide variety of options.
Overall, anglers looking to fish in the Glacial Lakes region should plan to bottom bounce, slip bobber, cast crankbaits, troll crankbaits, and even vertical jig. The wide variety of these waterbodies means there is a wide variety of ways to target walleyes as well. Plan to fish a variety of ways to adapt to changing conditions with the wind, weather, and bite as whole.
Summer Shoreline Strategies
While summer fishing can get difficult for shore anglers, there are still good bites to be had! Among the best shore fishing opportunities is the tailrace areas of the Oahe Dam, Big Bend Dam, and Fort Randall Dam. These areas will hold a population of fish year-round as they enjoy the cooler waters coming from the dam and the forage that comes with them. Casting crankbaits particularly in the mornings and evenings is the best way to target these fish.
In the Glacial Lakes region, focusing on areas with weeds and rock is going to be the most productive. Slipbobbering these areas is going to be the most productive, but casting crankbaits across the weed tops can produce as well. The presence of deep water adjacent to these areas makes them even more productive.
Anglers fishing from shore in the summer months are going to have the best success focusing on sunrise and sunset times, but don’t count out the night time as well. Summer walleyes can be very active throughout the overnight hours particularly along the shallower shorelines. Keying in on these periods and locations is going to produce the best success for shore anglers in the summer.
There is great fishing to be had in the summer across South Dakota. Whether you’re targeting walleyes on expansive Lake Oahe or a small slough in the northeast, there is great fishing to be had. Spring fishing in South Dakota might be a favorite, but don’t let the summer fishing fly under your radar too!
Explore Summer Tips and Strategies
We have a variety of tips to help you have more success out on the water this summer! Check out some of our informational videos below and subscribe to our YouTube to stay up to date on all our fishing reports, tips, and tricks!
Early Summer Walleye Locations on the Missouri River
Bottom Bouncing or Trolling for Summer Walleye Based on Location
Bottom Bouncing Rods and Reels
Bottom Bouncing Set Up
Selecting Bottom Bouncing Weights for Fishing Effectively
Bottom Bouncing Hook Sets
Bottom Bouncing Blade Selection
Trolling Leadcore for Walleye in Shallow Water
Targeting Suspended Fish Trolling Leadcore for Walleye
Multispecies Madness on Lake Francis Case
