It’s no secret that spring means fishing in South Dakota. As the weather begins to cooperate in March and April, Interstate-90 becomes a literal boat parade as anglers head towards the river, the rocky shorelines begin to be lined with camouflage coats, and the forgotten holes in duck hunting waders are rediscovered. It may not seem like there are any secret spots in South Dakota in the springtime, but in reality many of some of the best fishing opportunities remain under the radar for many anglers.
Year-Round River Walleye
Anglers eager to put the boat in the water find some of the first open water opportunities in the region on the Missouri River reservoirs. The flowing water from dams such as Oahe Dam in Pierre, Big Bend Dam near Chamberlain, and Fort Randall Dam in Pickstown generally produce open water opportunities throughout much of, if not the entire winter. Coupling these open water opportunities with a year-round walleye season, anglers from across the region come to enjoy the spring bite.
During this time, Chamberlain, South Dakota becomes the unofficial walleye capital of the region. This is for good reason, fishing from the White River to the face of Big Bend Dam, anglers can find stringers of eater-class walleye and have the opportunity for the fish of a lifetime every time they drop their line into the water.
While Chamberlain is a well-known bite to many, anglers looking to get away from the crowds can experience terrific fishing all along the Missouri River reservoirs. In the Pierre area, Lake Sharpe offers an excellent pitching jig bite from the Oahe Dam all the way down to the Fort George area. Similar to the bite in Chamberlain, anglers can find excellent stringers of eater-class walleye as well as the potential to land a trophy.
Further upstream, the Mobridge area presents one of the best opportunities for anglers to catch the fish of a lifetime. Major tributaries in the Grand and Moreau rivers present excellent spawning habitat for walleye, attracting numbers of the large walleye that call Lake Oahe home.
A similar scene can be found further downstream in the Platte area on Lake Francis Case, the Platte Creek and Snake Creek areas are home to some of the biggest walleye in the system. Anglers focusing their efforts on the back of these spawning creeks have the opportunity to land some of the largest walleye they will find all season long.
Anglers also should not count out the Fort Randall tailrace. Sitting below Lake Francis Case in Pickstown, walleye will move upriver from the downstream system and congregate in the flowing water below Fort Randall Dam. Here, anglers can find both stringers of eater-class walleye and excellent quality fish as well.
Indeed, excellent walleye fishing can be found along the entire Missouri River system in South Dakota. Whether anglers are dragging jigs in Chamberlain, pitching onto the sandbars in Pierre, or fishing heavy plastics in the Fort Randall tailrace there is good fishing to be had along the entire system in the spring.
Spring Shoreline Strategies
Enjoying the spring bite in South Dakota doesn’t require owning a boat. In fact, some of the best fishing takes place from the shorelines. Spawning walleye will congregate on rocky shorelines, particularly those adjacent to deep water. Here, anglers fishing from their own two feet can enjoy some of the best fishing of the year.
An abundance of shore fishing opportunities for walleyes exists across the state on many of some of the best fisheries in the state. Whether fishing from the rocky grades along the Missouri River or a gravel shoreline in eastern South Dakota, there is a bite to be had for everyone.
In eastern South Dakota, nearly every rocky shoreline will hold walleyes. Smaller male walleyes will often be actively cruising these shorelines while larger female walleyes will be staging in deep water adjacent to these areas before moving up to carry out their spawning rituals.
Beyond simply focusing on rocks, savvy anglers can increase their chances in finding fish by looking for areas of flowing water. As snow melts, warm water will be running into these lakes and attracting and holding fish in these areas. Anglers should look for areas of these flowing water, such as culverts. These culverts act as a fish magnet and when coupled with rocks, present some of the best fishing opportunities from shore.
A second area to target this warm water inflow is feeder creeks and small tributaries. Many eastern South Dakota waterbodies are connected and/or fed by other water sources. Areas where water is flowing into a fishery from another are a high percentage location to target spring walleye, which are looking to take advantage of the warm water and begin their spring spawn.
Shore anglers are also able to take advantage of the incredible bite on the Missouri River reservoirs. Anglers are able to find excellent fishing along the rocky grades in towns such as Chamberlain and Pierre. The flowing water below Oahe Dam, Big Bend Dam, and Fort Randall dam are also a favorite of anglers. Similar to eastern South Dakota, where there are rocks and/or flowing water there are often walleye.
It doesn’t take much gear for anglers to target these fish. Simple leadhead jigs, ⅛-¼ ounce depending on wind, depth, and current are all that are needed. Tip these jigs with a plain minnow or soft plastic, and get ready to set the hook.
Spring is the time for fishing in South Dakota. The walleye season is open year-round, flowing water from the dams create some of the first open water opportunities of the season, and the abundant rocky shorelines, grades, and culverts create some of the best shore fishing bites of the entire year. Whether in search of a limit of walleye filets or the fish of a lifetime, anglers are sure to find what they’re casting for in the spring in South Dakota.
