It was a very full week in the South Dakota outdoors, with Resident Pheasant Opener the star of the show. The fishing on Lake Sharpe continues to be a work in progress, but there are some quality fish to be caught, and the fall conditions should have the bite improving! Recap a busy and windy weekend and preview the 2025 South Dakota Pheasant Season in this week’s South Dakota Outdoors Report!
Lake Sharpe Fishing Report
At the top of the list is the Lake Sharpe fishing report, and while the bite is tough there is reason for optimism. The water color is the biggest challenge, and the side effects of the major rain and flooding events from the Bad River continue to be the culprit. The reduced flows from the dam have prevented clean water from flowing through the river and further complicated the bite.
While these two factors are the biggest challenges, the unseasonable weather has also played a major role too. Water temperatures are still between 58-64 degrees, and the high sun and warm air had fish scattered. Fortunately, a cooling trend has arrived and this has the potential to be the jump start the bite needs!
Another challenge, which is actually a tremendous positive, is the amount of forage present in the system. Large clouds of gizzard shad and also juvenile white bass are present throughout the reservoir, which means the fish are extremely well fed. While this makes the bite tougher, this is a great sign towards the health of the fishery as a whole.
The best bet right now is targeting Hipple Lake inside Farm Island Recreation Area. While this bite is not fast, largely due to the amount of forage in the system, the fish are extremely quality (also due to the amount of forage in the system) with many 15-19 inches. Trolling crankbaits is the top option, and #5 Flicker Shads in Purple Tiger and Firetail Chrome Candy have been the most productive.
The same baits and style can work on the main system as well, though fish are not of the same quality as a whole. These fish remain scattered, but the cooling temperatures should both bring more fish up the reservoir and bring them into tighter pods. This will make them easier to target, and begin setting up for a jigging bite too.
While the bite on Lake Sharpe has been tough, there is reason for optimism that the bite will begin picking up sooner than later and the fishery as a whole continues to be in tremendous shape!
South Dakota Pheasant Season Begins Saturday, October 18
The Resident Only Pheasant Season took place this past weekend, October 11-13, which means the Traditional Pheasant Season is upon us! The 2025 South Dakota Pheasant Season will begin this Saturday, October 18, and run through January 31, 2026.
There is a great deal of optimism for the 2025 South Dakota pheasant season, as a mild winter, ideal rains, and quality habitat conditions have set up for tremendous bird numbers across the state. As crop harvest continues, this should make hunting conditions even better, and there is a strong sense this could be one of the greatest pheasant seasons in decades.
The Resident Only Season saw two days of strong winds, gusting 30-40 mph, but despite the weather there were still pheasant hunters that hit the fields and found success. The cooling trends should make hunting conditions even better, and the forecast is looking promising for opening day.
If you haven’t already, check out our South Dakota Pheasant Season 2025 Hunting Outlook. This breaks down all of the reasons for optimism, and come Saturday it’s time to put the excitement into action!
South Dakota Blast and Cast Adventures
Hunters coming to South Dakota to pheasant hunt shouldn’t forget their fishing rods, as the shore fishing opportunities along the Missouri River and Glacial Lakes region of South Dakota sets up the perfect opportunity to make their trip a “Blast and Cast” adventure! Find out everything you need to know about taking advantage of the fall bite following a day in the fields!
Put More Habitat on the Landscape and Win a Can-Am
As you make plans to enjoy the pheasant season, don’t miss your opportunity to support habitat improvements across the state and enter for your chance to win a Can-Am Defender in the Second Century Habitat Fund Defender for Habitat raffle! Tickets must be purchased by October 25!
2026 South Dakota State Park Entrance License Available
The 2026 South Dakota State Park Entrance License is currently available for sale. The 2026 park entrance license is valid until May 23, 2027 and features a step back into history. Learn more and check out the new design as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday in 2026!
