We are officially to the open water season in South Dakota for 2025! The Missouri River reservoirs are open for boats, and particularly the upper end of Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case are drawing anglers to begin the season! We highlight all of it in this week’s fishing report!
Ice Conditions and Access
The upper end of Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case are still opening up, but both the Pierre area and Chamberlain area have open water opportunities available! The exact amount of water open is still dependent on weather, and particularly wind conditions, but for the most part the upper 6-10 miles of the reservoir are open.
Lake Sharpe is currently open until down near Antelope Island, where ice chunks can still block the chute needed to access down towards Stoney Point and Fort George. Ice chunks are still present above this area and into town, but are far less frequent the further north you go up the reservoir.
The Fort Pierre city boat ramp is the best point of access, and the dock is in, but boats can launch at Polo Fields boat ramp though there is no boat ramp. The ramp is not currently in at the Causeway either.
Lake Francis Case is open from Fort Thompson down to American Creek Campground in Chamberlain. Access is available at Fort Thompson as well as the campground ramp. Open water opportunities are still in the process of opening up downriver.
Generally speaking on the Missouri River this time of year, north winds are positive for ice reduction, whereas south winds can cause issues. This is because the north winds will push ice with the current, but south winds will push ice back up stream, particularly on days that current is minimal.
Conditions can change quickly, and ramps are being placed throughout the reservoir as conditions allow. The best resource is the GFP Fishing Access Map, which shows ramp conditions in live time and is updated by GFP staff. Ice reports are going to vary daily this time of year, which is why we’re giving the best overview, but anglers need to be aware these can change daily, if not hourly, by the wind and current patterns.
Fishing Report
First on Lake Sharpe in Pierre, the bite is still yet to take off down river and the bulk of the fishing is concentrated within town. Wind, ice conditions, and minimal current have made fishing conditions below Polo Fields, even along the bluffs, challenging and keeping anglers focused in between the bridges in town.
The sand bars are full of fish, but making them bite is the main challenge. A jig and minnow is always the best option, and this is no different. Using the lightest possible jig and a long, fluorocarbon leader help increase the odds of triggering bites as well. The water is exceptionally clear and reduced flows has fish extremely skittish.
The most common spots, Marion Gardens and the mouth of the stilling basin, are drawing the vast majority of the fishing pressure. There are plenty of fish in these areas, and they are scattered enough to give ample fishing room between boats, but again the challenge is getting them to bite and them being of keepable sizes.
When ice conditions allow, fishing along the bluffs directly below the Bad River provides a different type of bite. Trolling crankbaits over deep water, particularly suspended, can produce better quality females that are resting and staging prior to spawn. This is far from a fast bite, but an option for anglers looking to produce better caliber fish.
Further down river on Lake Francis Case, all reports are that the fishing is outstanding. In traditional Chamberlain fashion, dragging and pitching 3/16 to ⅜ oz jigs depending on wind and current conditions is the best option. Minnows are a go-to, but larger profile plastics can help sort larger fish from short fish.
All Seasons Fish Cleaning Station Open in Fort Pierre
The All Seasons Fish Cleaning Station is open for anglers to use! The fish cleaning station is warm, features running water, and adequate space for cleaning fish. There are four cleaning locations with electricity, a hose, and a brush and also a super quiet and efficient grinder. While the acoustics may not be great for filming fishing reports (sorry about that-I liked the idea in my head!) it is great for cleaning fish throughout these cold months!
Check Out Our Fisheries Outlooks
If you’re still planning your trip, waiting to hit the water, or just want to learn more about your favorite fisheries check out our fisheries outlooks! We take a look at Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis and Clark Lake in this year’s fisheries outlooks!
Lake Sharpe
We’ll start with our home water here in Pierre, Lake Sharpe. All signs are pointing towards a great year here on Lake Sharpe, and there should be good numbers of fish, and quality fish, for anglers to target throughout the reservoir!
Lake Francis Case
Next we look at the other main open water opportunity, and the most popular fishery this time of year, Lake Francis Case. The fishing in Chamberlain right now is very good, and this is a positive sign all around for Lake Francis Case, because the 2024 season was pretty tough for many anglers. However, there is a good number of quality fish in the system, and in a small sample size so far, the bite is looking much better this year!
Lake Oahe
Our other home water in Pierre, Lake Oahe, is our next highlight. A few years ago, Lake Oahe was in the same scenario as Lake Francis Case, but similar to how there is optimism for Lake Francis Case there is much be excited about for Lake Oahe. The lower end of the reservoir is in fantastic shape, and the upper end is continuing to recover from a tough stretch a couple years ago. Lake Oahe is in very, very good shape right now!
Lewis and Clark Lake
While it doesn’t have the popularity of the above fisheries, Lewis and Clark Lake is a very interesting body of water. This fishery is showing a lot of promise for this year, and there should be good numbers of both walleyes and saugers available for anglers to catch this year!
We’re extremely excited for the 2025 season, and hope you join us all year long for our fishing reports, tips, tournament results and more! Good fishing!
