Walleye fishing is year-round in South Dakota. There is no closed season, you can target walleyes on every waterbody, on every day of the year. Lake Sharpe, along with other stretches of the Missouri River, take this to the next level. You can catch walleyes out of your boat year-round and in fact, experience some really good fishing overall throughout the winter months too!
The nature of the Missouri River reservoirs means that in certain areas of the state, specifically Pierre, Fort Thompson, Pickstown, and Yankton, there is often open water available throughout the entire calendar year. This is because the flowing water coming through the dams will prevent freeze up, and coupled with average to mild temperatures, provides anglers the opportunity to fish out of their boats in the upper miles of the respective reservoirs.
The nature of a reservoir, including the Missouri River reservoirs, is for the upper stretches to feature more characteristics of a river while the lower end acts more like a lake. This means that on reservoirs such as Lake Sharpe, which is approximately 67 miles long and stretches from Pierre to Fort Thompson, can provide opportunities for anglers to be both fishing from their boats and ice fishing at the same time.
While anglers fishing near Joe Creek, West Bend, and Iron Nation on the lower end of the reservoir will be targeting walleyes through ice, anglers fishing near the Pierre area can find good success pitching jigs along the sandbars. In the winter months, a certain portion of the walleye population will move into the upper stretches of the river, while another portion will remain in the deeper, more basin style area on the lower end.
The dispersal of walleyes leads to the dispersal of anglers based on their preferred fishing style. Anglers looking to ice fish will find the best success in the morning and evening hours particularly targeting breaklines, submerged timber, and other structural elements along the lower end of the reservoir.
Anglers will find success actively fishing with aggressive jigging baits, such as Rippin Raps, Jigging Raps, and spoons. This bite can be particularly effective in the early mornings and evenings, but changes in current and weather patterns can also trigger fish to bite throughout the day.
Another important component of targeting fish is utilizing deadstick and tip up presentations. A plain hook and minnow will produce as many walleyes as active presentations, particularly when fish are in more of a neutral mood. Tip ups also present an additional opportunity for anglers, which allows them to cover multiple depth ranges and structural elements. A combination of both jigging and deadstick presentations will result in the most success on any given day.
For anglers looking to target walleyes with the long rods, the sandbars in Pierre produce the best opportunity. Popular community locations, such as Marions Gardens, along the bridges, and the stilling basin all will hold walleyes through the entire winter period. The bite window will be primarily in the mornings and evenings, but current can keep the bite going throughout the entire day when conditions are right.
The best bet is a simple jig and minnow presentation. Anglers using the lightest jigs they can get away with will often find the best results. Current and wind conditions may force anglers to bump up to a 3/16-¼ oz jig, but on calm days a ⅛ oz or even 1/16 oz can be most effective. Dropping a heavier ⅜-½ oz jig directly below the boat vertically can produce bonus fish as well.
Learn More: Winter Walleyes on the Missouri River
There is no shortage of fishing opportunities across all of South Dakota in the winter months. The Glacial Lakes region of South Dakota can produce spectacular ice fishing for both walleye and jumbo yellow perch. The Black Hills region offers excellent trout fishing. The Fort Pierre National Grasslands and other central South Dakota dams can produce terrific panfish and bass fishing. However, when it comes to a combination of both ice fishing and open water fishing, Lake Sharpe and Pierre area can provide the most fishing opportunities out of anywhere. Good fishing!
Learn More: Ice Fishing the Fort Pierre National Grasslands
