Spring in South Dakota can be a rollercoaster. One of the best examples of this is the spring of 2026, which has seen everything from 80-degree temperatures to multiple inches of snow all within the span of a few weeks. The weather on the prairie is an average of extremes, and when the prairie decides to be more extreme than average that can make for tough fishing conditions.
Spring fishing on the Missouri River can follow a similar pattern. Stable weather conditions, steady flows through the dams, and average runoff conditions all can result in a very good bite on Lake Francis Case, Lake Sharpe, and even Lake Oahe. However, when the weather shifts to the extremes the fishing can too.
When this happens, it’s important to adjust to the conditions. To do this effectively, anglers need to be willing to try completely different tactics in completely different spots, while changing as very little as possible. How can this be done? Well, a perfect example of it was Easter weekend 2026 on Lake Sharpe near Pierre.
Weather is Extreme, But Current is Consistent
Following several weeks of temperatures well above average, in fact reaching into the mid 80s for daytime highs, the high sun and summer like temperatures had fish scattered. Trolling crankbaits along the large expansive flats a bit further down river was the best approach, and you can learn more about the approach to this situation in Finding Finicky Spring Walleyes on the Missouri River.
However, Easter weekend had a different plan in store. Plummeting temperatures and a winter storm warning swung the prairie sharply to the other extreme. The Thursday and Friday saw temperatures in the 30s, a mixture of snow and rain, and a major change to the conditions anglers have been fishing in just days previous.
After the storm passed, Saturday set up for a classic post cold front condition. Strong winds from the northwest, chilly temperatures in the 40s, and a mixture of sun and clouds set up for yet another new condition on the Missouri River.
Fortunately, there is one great equalizer on the Missouri River reservoirs and this is current. While anglers targeting natural lakes across northeast South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin may be used to the weather conditions greatly impacting fish’s moods the Missouri River is dictated by current. The weather conditions play a role, yes, but current is what sets the tone.
While Saturday was setting up for tough weather conditions, a strong current was pushing through the reservoir. One of the areas most impacted by current conditions is the bridges between Pierre and Fort Pierre. This area features main channel elements, sandbars, and deep holes. When the current is flowing strong, anglers can expect to find fish active shallow on these sandbars.
The strong west winds were going to be a challenge to fish in, but fortunately this area between the bridges in town is relatively narrow and wind protected. The northwest wind also made positioning the boat to pitch onto these sandbars with the wind are your back easy, maximizing both casting distance and sensitivity. All these factors meant targeting the walleyes in town was going to be the key to success.
There was one trailer at the Fort Pierre city boat ramp, and that was us. Having the fishery to ourselves, the next step was to use side-scan to locate pods of walleyes and then quickly cast on them to determine if they were active or not.
Locating fish this time of year in this area is not a challenge. Locating fish that are willing to bite is. Staying moving and covering water is critical, and this can be done by locating a pod of fish on side-scan, casting on them a handful of times, and then moving to the next pod if they don’t bite. In fact, many times you’ll catch fish on your first cast or two, and then when the bite goes cold you need to locate the next pod.
After about an hour of searching, a large pod was found infront of the opening to Marions Gardens in Fort Pierre and the fish proved to be active. Pitching a ⅛ oz jig and minnow to the side of the boat, and letting the current drift the jig along the bar resulted in four quality walleyes in five total casts.
The fish were in excellent condition, many were between 16-17 inches, and they were willing to bite. The best strategy, as is often in these types of areas and bites, is to locate a pod, cast on it as effectively as possible about 5-10 times, then make a slight move. If casts aren’t resulting in bites, moving as few as 20-30 feet can be the difference between being bit or not. Once these areas of active fish are located, moving up and down them is the best way to maximize bites.
The weather was challenging, but the current was the ultimate equalizer. The fishing was very good and moving up and down the large sandbars was the key to success. The only drawback to the strong current and stronger winds was the short life of the bowmount, but even after spotlock no longer became an option, trolling crankbaits up and down the breaklines put even more fish in the boat too.
Warm Weather, Slow Current – Slow Bite
The next day the weather was warmer, with temperatures into the upper 50s, and the wind had subsided. The conditions were set for a perfect day on the water, but the current was merely a trickle compared to what it was the day before. Despite the ideal weather conditions, the decreased current resulted in very tough fishing.
Returning to the exact same spot, with the exact same bait, did not result in the exact same results. In fact, no bites were had. While there were some fish on the sandbar shallower, many were sitting deeper in the main channel area in 12-15 feet compared to the 10-12 feet they had been the day before.
The first adjustment was to use the same crankbaits that had produced the day before and target slightly deeper water where the fish were holding. After a couple passes, no bites were had.
The second adjustment was to move to the other side of the river and try the same approach in an area very similar to what had produced the day before. Likewise, the adjustment did not prove effective.
The third adjustment was to target a deep hole adjacent to this area. Fishing in 15-20 feet, directly next to these sandbars between the bridges, trolling crankbaits proved to be successful. Quality saugers, as well as walleyes, found the boat and a slow day turned into a successful one in short order.
The key to this success was to adjust for both the current and the weather. While the weather at face value seemed like the extreme, it was actually the current that dictated the bite. These two unique situations meant fishing two unique ways, in unique areas, but all within less than a 1 mile distance. Fish had been located, it was just about fine tuning to the condition.
One of the most common mistakes anglers make is adjusting to these extremes with their own extremes. Running downriver, miles away, to troll large flats would be a completely different angling technique and area, but it likely wouldn’t result in success. When faced with extremes, make even smaller adjustments, they often pay the highest dividends. Good fishing!
Watch It: Finding Fish for the Midwest Walleye Challenge
Check out the video that goes with this article, Finding Fish for the Midwest Walleye Challenge, that showcases the adjustments that were made with the warmer weather, and decreased current.
