Lake Francis Case is a Missouri River reservoir located in central South Dakota from Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson to Fort Randall Dam in Pickstown. Francis Case sits below Lake Sharpe and above Lewis and Clark Lake. The lake is over 100,000 acres and over 100 miles long while reaching depths of over 140 feet.
Francis Case is known as a “walleye factory” and for good reason. Each year, the lake consistently produces excellent bags of walleyes and has found itself in the national spotlight numerous times. From touring events to tv shows and every angler in-between, Francis Case is famous for consistently producing excellent fishing.
Fish Community
Though walleye are the primary species anglers target, Francis Case is home to an excellent sauger population, white bass reaching 15 inches and larger, strong smallmouth bass fishing and a largely untapped channel catfish fishery. A special paddlefish season also takes place in May on the lake for anglers fortunate enough to draw tag. Other species found in Francis Case include yellow perch, black crappie, freshwater drum, goldeye, common carp and other sucker species.
Forage
The main forage base that keeps this strong walleye fishery fed is gizzard shad, but shiners, various minnow species and juvenile white bass, yellow perch and freshwater drum all provide a food source for the walleyes as well. You can expect the bite to be based around shad abundance. In spring, the bite is often excellent as there is minimal forage in the system. As summer rolls along, fishing slows down as the schools of shad become more and more abundant. In fall, fishing generally picks back up and walleyes will concentrate on areas the shad are seeking refuge.
Regulations
Walleye/sauger regulations on the lake features a 15 inch minimum, except during July and August. The daily limit is four fish, with up to one over 20 inches. There is no closed walleye season on Francis Case, except for an area between the I-90 and railroad bridge in Chamberlain. The “Dredge Hole” is closed from December-April, reopening May 1.
It is also important to note zebra mussels were discovered in Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case in 2019. Boaters are reminded they must pull their plugs every time after they load up and only put them back in once they are ready to launch. Do not transport any lake water from minnow buckets, coolers or any other storage devices.
Walleye Fishing
Most winters, the waters below Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson will remain open. If the lake does freeze up, it is usually for only a few short weeks. As ice goes out, anglers will flock to the lake. Francis Case often provides some of the first open water opportunities of the year and generally fish are willing to bite as well.
Initial action takes place directly around Big Bend Dam. Several boat launches provide access to the lake, which generally is open for a good distance below the dam. Boats will often concentrate in the flowing waters below the tailrace or around the ice sheets near the stilling basin.
As the lake continues to open up, Crow Creek becomes the epicenter of action. Crow Creek is a large feeder creek and features expansive mud flats. Look for fish along the channel edges, in the sunken timber or along those large mud flats. Crow Creek is a fantastic action spot and frequently produces limits for anglers. The area draws heavy attention from anglers, but is large enough to support numerous boats.
Once more open water becomes available, the Chamberlain area will feature the bulk of the action. The rocky shorelines along town become a favorite for both boat and shore anglers. In the evenings, a strong pitching bite yields limits to anglers from shore or from the boat. Trolling lead core or vertical jigging along deep water areas also can produce well for boats. Cedar Shore Resort and American Creek Marina offer large marinas that allow heavy boat/trailer traffic and protected areas to launch and load.
As the season progresses, fishing efforts will continue to move downriver. The White River features large flats that are popular for anglers. This is another large tributary, although it can make the river below the inlet exceptionally muddy.
Further downstream, the Platte area will begin to produce excellent fishing as well usually about May. The fishing continues to be hot through the summer months. Around this area, Francis Case begins to act more like a lake, as opposed to the upstream section that has more river aspects.
The summer fishing continues to take place down through Pease Creek all the way to the North Point area just above Fort Randall Dam. This area features the deepest water and therefore generally the coolest water.
As fall rolls around, the fishing begins to move back upstream. The bridge pillars along the Platte/Winner Bridge near Platte and the various bridges in the Chamberlain area all produce good fishing as shad slide out deeper and escape the current.
This movement is sparked by a fall drawdown, that each year drains the lake down 15-20 feet. This creates storage space for the spring runoff that will come next year.
All fall, you can expect good fishing along the shorelines. Shore anglers enjoy fishing around the Chamberlain area and also in the Big Bend tailrace. The flats you fished in the spring and early summer will also continue to produce fish as well.
Francis Case features several hazards including submerged timber, sunken islands and large waves. If you are unfamiliar with the lake, it is highly recommended you pay attention to your maps, follow other boats and consult the local bait shop and businesses for advice. As a general rule of thumb, if you stay on the side of the river featuring the high bluffs, you will be on the main channel side.
Nearby Lakes
Sitting above Lake Francis Case, Lake Sharpe flows into the lake through Big Bend Dam in Fort Thompson. Find out everything you need to know about Lake Sharpe!
A large and expansive reservoir, Lake Oahe sits above both Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case. Find out everything you need to know about fishing Lake Oahe!
More Walleye Information
The Missouri River becomes the epicenter of walleye fishing in the Midwest in the spring. The river not only features numerous areas to fish, but also numerous ways to fish. We take a look at various presentations that can work this time of year in Early Season Buffet on the Missouri River.
I discuss how I finds the most success when I keep his approach as simple as possible when targeting fish on the Missouri River reservoirs in Keeping it Simple for Missouri River Reservoir Walleye.
Walleye fishing on the Missouri River reservoirs can get tough in summer, but fish can still be caught. Find out what I do to put fish in the boat in Cool Presentations for Hot Summer Walleye!
Follow Us for More
You can stay up to date with the fishing on the Missouri River including Lake Francis Case by “Liking” Lip Ripper Fishing on Facebook.
You can also see behind the scenes action all along the Missouri River by following Nick Harrington and Mason Propst on Instagram!
