A popular shore fishing spot along Lake Sharpe east of Pierre has seen some major improvements for the coming season. At the beginning of October, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) closed the area so major work could be completed near the Fort George Lakeside Use Area.
The work was completed along Highway 34 from Twin Bridges to Fort George. The project focused on enhancing the entire shore fishing area, which included improving the approaches, access roads, and installing staircases along the cut banks in the area.
The area had been mainly unkept two track trails in prior years, and the area as a whole had experienced a great deal of erosion following the flood in 2011. This made travel, both by vehicle and foot, difficult. The improvements address all of these issues, which will make it significantly easier for all anglers to enjoy this area.
In addition to improving the shore fishing, the boat parking area also saw major improvements. This has become a popular boat ramp in the area, and often there was not enough parking to accommodate the trucks and trailers looking to utilize the ramp. An expanded gravel parking lot has been added to the west of the ramp, with a grass over-flow parking area available to the east as well.
The Fort George area is in the heart of some of the best fishing opportunities, both from shore and from the boat, on the upper end of Lake Sharpe. In the spring, the area along Highway 34 is incredibly popular as anglers can find a spectacular bite, particularly in the evening hours. This bite can continue through the summer and into the fall as well, depending on water levels and conditions.
In the late summer and fall, fish will be moving their way back upstream from the summer and will stage on the large flats in the area. This allows anglers to launch directly into this area, focusing on targeting these larger flats that are holding great numbers of walleye this time of year.
Overall, Lake Sharpe is a highly popular fishery, and this is a popular location for all anglers on the lake. This work done by GFP will greatly enhance the ability for individuals to get out and utilize this area near Pierre throughout the 2024 season and beyond.
