The Pierre, South Dakota area is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Sitting on two destination fisheries, anglers can fish Lake Sharpe below the dam or Lake Oahe up above. In addition to the two Missouri River reservoirs, anglers looking for a unique experience can find excellent bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch and crappie fishing on the dozens of small dams that can be found in the Fort Pierre National Grasslands.
The hunting opportunities are just as spectacular. The Pierre area is a perfect central location to begin a pheasant hunting trip and the area consistently has one of the strongest bird populations in the state. Big game hunters can also find excellent whitetail and mule deer hunting as well as opportunities for antelope.
The Pierre area has more than just fishing and hunting opportunities, the area is a perfect family destination. Several state parks in the area also offer hiking, biking, swimming and a great place to tube, water ski or just float around on the water.
It’s time to start planning fishing trips for the 2024 open water season and the number one destination that should be on your list is Pierre, South Dakota. Sitting on two fantastic walleye fisheries, the Pierre area offers a bite throughout the entire season and gives anglers the opportunity to catch both limits of walleyes and the potential at a state record as well!
Are you looking to learn more about what the Pierre area has to offer? Check out our full write up highlighting exactly what you can expect in Planning Your Fishing Trip to Pierre!
Local Waterbodies
Lake Sharpe has an excellent population of walleye and is a fantastic action fishery for anglers looking to reel fish in all day long. In addition to walleye, Lake Sharpe can provide strong smallmouth and white bass fishing, abundant channel catfish and yellow perch. Learn more about the lake in our Lake Sharpe Profile!
Lake Oahe is an expansive reservoir that is truly a special fishery. Famous for it’s walleye fishing, Oahe can send anglers home with a limit of eaters or the fish of a lifetime. Indeed, there is no doubt the next state record walleye is always lurking in the depths of Lake Oahe. A fantastic smallmouth bass fishery, Lake Oahe‘s potential had not been showcased until June 2018 when Bassmaster made their first ever trip to South Dakota. Oahe also features a unique fishery, with anglers having the opportunity to catch both chinook and Atlantic salmon. Trophy northern pike, abundant channel catfish and yellow perch also give anglers something new to target every day. Learn more about this special fishery in our Lake Oahe Profile!
Lake Oahe: A Trophy Walleye Factory
When discussing the Missouri River reservoirs in South Dakota, the term “walleye factory” is often brought up when speaking of Lake Francis Case and Lake Sharpe. Indeed, these fisheries can crank out incredible numbers of 15-20 inch fish and provide ample opportunities for anglers to fill a limit throughout the season. Sitting above these fisheries is another, one that is not a “walleye factory”, but rather a “trophy walleye factory.”
Fort Pierre National Grasslands
The Fort Pierre National Grasslands offers a unique fishery for anglers to enjoy, with dozens of small dams dotted across the expansive grasslands. Known for the upland game opportunities, don’t count out the grasslands for their fishing opportunities too. In fact, ice fishing is one of the best times to take advantage of these fisheries. Learn more in Ice Fishing the Fort Pierre National Grasslands.
Recommended Lodging
Several local state parks in the area offer a wide variety of lodging opportunities including campsites, camping cabins, modern cabins and some even provide suites. Check out Oahe Downstream Recreation Area, Farm Island Recreation Area and Spring Creek Recreation Area for more information.
Pierre also offers a wide range of hotels, with the Clubhouse, Ramkota, Holiday Inn and AmericInn among some of the top options.
Recommended Guides
There are several guide services to pick from when fishing in the Pierre area. Among some of the top options include Lip Ripper Guide Service and Propst Professional Anglers.
Start Preparing for Your Trip
We have plenty of fishing tips to help you make your trip to Pierre a success! Check out some of the following articles to begin preparing for all the gear you’ll need and where you can expect to find fish!
Historically one of the top walleye fishing destinations in the country, Lake Oahe can produce spectacular fishing, but can also be very daunting for anglers as well. The reservoir features hundreds of creeks and tributaries, thousands of points, submerged islands, large flats, and an abundance of deep-water structure that can leave anglers overwhelmed looking at the map. Fortunately, there is likely no easier time to fish Lake Oahe than in the early summer months.
While the summertime blues can hit many walleye anglers across the region, one of the best summer walleye fisheries in the region is Lake Oahe. The summer patterns on Lake Oahe can set up to provide some of the best opportunities to catch a trophy walleye all season for many anglers. Fishing can change drastically from the bite in the early summer, but generally speaking there is still great fishing to be had!
Mid-summer on the Missouri River reservoirs mean it’s time to focus on deep water. Anglers who are able to identify deep water structure and present their baits effectively can still enjoy excellent fishing throughout the summer months. The weather may be hot, but that doesn’t mean the bite can’t be too!
Lake Oahe is an expansive reservoir that can provide some of the best fishing of the year as the summer months begin to heat up. Find out everything you need to know to make your fishing trip on Lake Oahe a success in Summer Strategies on Lake Oahe!
Catching fish on the Missouri River can be as simple as serving up a meal and letting the fish find it. Find out everything you need to know in Serving Up Missouri River Walleye!
Don’t over think your approach when it comes to targeting Missouri River reservoir walleye. Learn everything you need to know in Keeping it Simple for Missouri River Reservoir Walleye.
Learn More About the Pierre Area
Are you still looking to learn more about the Pierre area? Check out the Pierre Chamber of Commerce to find out everything else you’ll need to make your trip a success!
Follow Us for More
Nick Harrington and Mason Propst both live and work in Pierre and are constantly on the water. Stay up to date on the latest bites, big catches and see behind the scenes action by following Nick and Mason on Instagram!
You can also get the latest tips, tricks and see the latest fishing reports and catches by following Lip Ripper Guide Service on Facebook!
