The open water season has begun on the Missouri River, and traditional spring locations of Chamberlain and Pierre are already seeing both heavy boat traffic and good fish being caught! It’s time to get the boat hooked up, rig up the rods, and hit the water! To help you prepare for the season, we’ve got our complete Missouri River fishing forecast!
Bounce Back Candidate: Lake Francis Case
The most common question coming out of South Dakota last year was “what’s going on with Lake Francis Case?” It was a difficult year for many anglers, beginning with the early spring fishing in Chamberlain and transitioning down the reservoir into the Platte and Pickstown areas. Anglers were reporting a slow bite, and the creel data backed this up with very low catch rates and walleye harvest taking place on the system.
Fortunately, this is what makes Lake Francis Case a bounce back candidate! While the bite was tough in 2024, there were many elements that factored into this. The good news is none of these was a lack of fish. While the total number of fish present was a bit below average, the size of these fish was very good. In fact, 58% of the fish sampled were greater than 15 inches, indicating a good number of harvestable size fish were present for anglers.
These fish are also in excellent condition, with relative weights above historical average for the reservoir. This was the first factor, a mild winter combined with favorable summer conditions resulted in above average gizzard shad abundance in the system. This meant the walleyes were well fed, and anglers’ baits were competing with more in the system than normal, earlier in the season too.
The second factor is a change in fish patterns. The presence of zebra mussels in the system has cleared up the water, resulting in vegetation growing in locations and depths it has not previously. This means forage, and thus gamefish like walleyes, are frequenting new areas and traditional locations may not be as effective.
The third factor is a combination of all of the above. There were fewer fish in the system, there was an abundance of food for them, and they were in areas anglers traditionally aren’t focusing on such as submerged vegetation as well as more often the deeper timber.
The good news for anglers on Lake Francis Case is that there should be an even higher number of quality sized fish in the system, particularly those 15-20 inches and even just above 20 inches. Additionally, there are fish working their way up the ranks as well and total walleye numbers should continue to be increasing. Lastly, anglers that break from the traditional locations and methods are likely to have the best success of everyone who frequents the lake.
Take a deep dive into all of these factors in our 2025 Lake Francis Case Status and Forecast.
Best Fishery: Lake Oahe
Deeming the “best fishery’ is a pretty tough task, but Lake Oahe certainly makes a strong case. Lake Oahe went from bounce back candidate in 2023, to best fishery in 2025, and that’s not an understatement. Producing two state record walleye in the span of a few weeks is a highlight, but what makes Lake Oahe the best fishery is both the quantity and quality of fish in the system.
Yes, Lake Oahe is the best fishery in South Dakota, if not the region, to catch a truly trophy caliber walleye. There’s no denying that. However, Lake Oahe also can produce excellent numbers of 18-23 inch fish as well. This is a fishery where you can catch a limit of great fish, and also always have a chance at a big one.
This is particularly true for the lower end of Lake Oahe. On this end of the fishery, growth rates are fantastic in walleye and the relative weights are outstanding. The 2024 season saw excellent numbers of fish 18-19 inches, and it can be expected to see many fish reaching greater than 20 inches on the lower end. Additionally, there are good numbers of walleye working their way up the ranks as well.
On the upper of Lake Oahe, the bounce back is still taking place. It was tough fishing in 2022, but each year has shown increases in both abundance of fish and the size of fish. Abundance is up 50% from 2017-2022, and 2023 was the highest abundance since 2017. All signs are pointing up, and it can be expected this trajectory continues into 2025.
We break down the massive fishery and detail everything that should make anglers excited in our Lake Oahe Status and Forecast.
Most Exciting Fishery: Lake Sharpe
Naming Lake Sharpe the most exciting fishery was a bit easier. Lake Sharpe is a walleye factory, and one of the best fisheries to go have a bunch of fun catching fish. All signs point to this continuing for 2025.
Overall walleye abundance is the highest it has been since 2017, and this includes fish greater than 15 inches. Just shy of ⅓ of fish sampled were greater than 15 inches, and these fish should be continuing to grow meaning anglers should expect to see a great number of 15-17 inch walleyes.
There are also good numbers of walleyes working their way through the ranks, meaning between “eaters” and “shorts” there should be plenty of bites and rods bent for anglers! Lake Sharpe should continue to be one of the most exciting fisheries in the state.
To add to the excitement, the National Walleye Tour will be coming to Lake Sharpe April 24-25. Following this event, the 3rd annual Sharpe Showdown will take place April 26-27, and Lip Ripper Fishing is sponsoring the Big Bag for the event!
Learn more about Lake Sharpe, and what to expect from these events, in our Lake Sharpe Status and Outlook.
Dark Horse: Lewis and Clark Lake
A fishery that doesn’t get near the attention as the above reservoirs, Lewis and Clark Lake, is primed to have a quietly fantastic season.
Lewis and Clark Lake has some of the fastest growth rates in the state, and 2024 saw the highest age-0 walleye abundance through entirely natural recruitment. Couple this with a strong number of fish 2 and 3 years old, and anglers should be expecting to see lots of catchable sized fish in the system.
There should be a good number of 17-20 inch fish for anglers to harvest in 2025, and the age-0 fish should be working their way up right behind them. Walleyes and saugers are both commonly available for anglers in Lewis and Clark, and a mixed bag of “eater” fish and “short” fish should be present for both species.
The dark horse candidate for the season is certainly Lewis and Clark Lake, and anglers who are looking to make their first visit or continue a tradition should expect to find good fishing for 2025.
Learn more about this unique fishery in our Lewis and Clark Lake 2025 Status and Outlook.
Overall, it looks like it’s going to be a fantastic season on the Missouri River. Whether you’re looking to take advantage of the spring fishing in Chamberlain, target trophy caliber fish throughout the summer on Oahe, fill up a limit on Lake Sharpe, or explore Lewis and Clark Lake you should expect to have a memorable season!
Stay up to date on the bites all along the river by following our Fishing Reports page, where we’ll cover the bite all season long! Good luck, have fun, and make plans to hit the Missouri River this year!
