The Missouri River reservoirs in South Dakota are some of the most popular fisheries in the region, and this is for good reason! Each of these reservoirs can produce a limit of walleyes or a trophy for the wall, and other species such as smallmouth bass, salmon, and paddlefish can provide unique opportunities depending on the reservoir.
Stretching across the state, there are numerous locations for anglers to target and while many can provide excellent fishing, there are certain areas that offer a higher percentage than others depending on what anglers are seeking. We breakdown some of the key considerations anglers should factor when deciding where to fish on the Missouri River.
Where is the Best Spot to Fish in Early Spring?
When it comes to walleye fishing in the early spring, it’s tough to beat the Chamberlain area! Sitting below Big Bend Dam in Fort Thompson, the upper end of Lake Francis Case often offers some of the first open water opportunities of the year. On top of the opportunity to put the boat in, there can be very good fishing too!
In the spring, many of the walleyes will be holding in the upper end of the reservoir, predominantly between the White River and Crow Creek. Located in the exact middle of this area is the city of Chamberlain, and the Cedar Shore Resort Marina and American Creek Marina offer convenient and protected boat ramps right in the heart of this fishing.
Both trolling crankbaits and dragging jigs can be effective. Fishing the deeper water between the bridges, and along the deeper breaks, is most effective trolling crankbaits. Dragging and pitching jigs on the breaklines along the flats can be equally effective, which means anglers are able to fish their favorite way and have the opportunity to put a limit in the boat, along with the opportunity to catch a big pre-spawn female as well!
Learn More: The Complete Guide to Fishing on Lake Francis Case
Where is the Best Spot to Catch a Limit of Walleye?
There are many good spots to catch a limit of walleyes on the Missouri River, and arguably one of the best is Lake Sharpe. Commonly referred to as a walleye factory, Lake Sharpe produces an abundance of fish between 15-18 inches, making it the perfect spot to catch a limit of walleye on any given day.
Early in the spring, pitching jigs on the sandbars is often the most productive. Vertically jigging in the stilling basin can also be effective. As spring transitions into summer, trolling crankbaits along the flats as fish feed and move back down the reservoir is effective.
In the summer, bottom bouncing with crawlers and spinners is productive throughout the reservoir, but particularly near the West Bend Recreation Area. By fall, fish are moving back up the river and both crankbaits and jigs can be effective. Both shorefishing and fishing out of the boat can be effective as the bite picks up in the Oahe Dam tailrace area by September, before really heating up in October and into November.
Learn More: The Complete Guide to Fishing on Lake Sharpe
Where is the Best Spot to Catch Trophy Walleyes?
When it comes to trophy walleye on the Missouri River the best option is Lake Oahe. While trophy caliber walleyes can be found in Lake Francis Case and Lake Sharpe, Lake Oahe provides one of the best trophy walleye fisheries in the Midwest. Routinely producing fish greater than 10 pounds, and even into the teens, anglers’ best chances at one for the wall come from the massive fishery.
The presence of larger bodied prey species, such as ciscoe, provides a food source for trophy caliber walleyes. While fisheries such as Lake Francis Case and Lake Sharpe feature gizzard shad, which grows fish quickly but rarely over 20 inches, Lake Oahe offers a forage option for fish of all sizes. This means fish keep growing, and grow to incredible sizes!
While trophy caliber walleye can be found throughout the reservoir, the highest percentage areas are often fishing out of Indian Creek Recreation Area in Mobridge, Swan Creek Recreation Area in Akaska, West Whitlock Recreation Area in Gettysburg, and Spring Creek Recreation Area in Pierre.
Other high percentage areas are fishing out of Walth Bay, Sutton Bay, Bush’s Landing, Minneconjou, and West Shore. Anglers targeting any of these areas with large bodied crankbaits, vertical presentations such as Jigging Raps, or even bottom bouncers with spinners can produce big fish!
Learn More: The Complete Guide to Fishing on Lake Oahe
Where Can You Fish in Windy Conditions?
Wind is inevitable in South Dakota, and on the large Missouri River reservoirs wind can produce big waves and difficult fishing conditions. Whether it’s a windy day or the chance of a pop up summer storm, anglers can still enjoy a great day on the water fishing out of Hipple Lake in Farm Island Recreation Area.
Tucked down underneath large hills and bluffs, Hipple Lake is protected from both north and west winds, while south and east winds do not create as significant of waves as the main body of the channel. The ability for anglers to reasonably catch fish immediately off the boat ramp also makes for short, or nonexistent runs, ensuring the ability to get off the water quickly should weather pop up.
The lack of long runs doesn’t mean the lack of fish though. Hipple Lake offers some of the best fishing on Lake Sharpe for walleyes between 15-22 inches, and while not in as great of numbers as the main body does offer on average greater quality fish. The combination of trolling crankbaits and bottom bouncing is the best two presentations, meaning simple fishing strategy.
Learn More: The Complete Guide to Fishing on Hipple Lake
Where are the Best Places to Camp and Fish on the Missouri River?
There are 23 state parks and recreation areas along the Missouri River in South Dakota, and many of them offer excellent camping opportunities. Ranging from large to very small campgrounds, each park offers a unique opportunity, and a unique section of river to fish.
Anglers looking to stay right on some of the best fishing on Lake Sharpe should check out West Bend Recreation Area, where great fishing can be found right off the boat ramp. Similarly, Farm Island Recreation Area provides anglers direct access to Hipple Lake from both the boat and shore.
Anglers looking to stay close to some of the best trophy walleye spots on Lake Oahe should check out West Whitlock Recreation Area and Swan Creek Recreation Area. These two parks provide direct access to some of the best fishing on all of Lake Oahe. Just a bit further north, Indian Creek Recreation Area offers a very similar opportunity.
While Platte Creek Recreation Area and Snake Creek Recreation Area offer two large boat ramps, Buryanek Recreation Area provides a quieter opportunity in the Platte area. The combination of all three in the nearby areas means there is always somewhere for anglers to launch regardless of the boat traffic and weather conditions.
Learn More: Camping Out on the Best Fishing Spots on the Missouri River
Time to Hit the Water!
The Missouri River stretches nearly 450 miles across South Dakota, and there’s excellent fishing opportunities to be found along all of them. With so many miles of river to fish, anglers who narrow down their search will often find the most success.
