Mid-June is here in Pierre, South Dakota and the bite is very good on both Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe! Summer patterns are beginning to take shape on both reservoirs, which makes fishing even better and better on the lower end of Lake Oahe. Lake Sharpe continues to produce a steady summer bite as well!
Lake Oahe
The bite on the lower end of Lake Oahe continues to improve as fish continue to move down the reservoir. Currently, the best fishing is available between the Cheyenne River and Whitlock Bay. Anglers fishing out of both Sutton Bay and Bush’s Landing are doing very well for both good quality and good numbers of fish. Further down, fishing in the Cheyenne River, or points immediately adjacent to the Cheyenne, has been the best option.
Bottom bouncing with crawlers and spinners or Mack’s Lure Smile Blades has been the best option. Larger blades produce best right away in the morning or in windy conditions, while smaller blades and Smile Blades produce better as the sun gets higher and day goes on. Targeting depths 12-18 feet has been the best depending on wind and light conditions.
Below the Cheyenne River, decent fishing can be found in Agency Creek, Deep Creek, and Snake Creek. Okobojo Creek is also receiving heavy boat traffic and can produce decent fishing as well as Cow Creek.
Early summer is one of the best bites of the year on Lake Oahe and we’ve got everything you need to put more fish in the boat on Lake Oahe this summer! Check out Early Summer Walleyes on Lake Oahe for everything you need to know!
Lake Sharpe
Summer patterns are officially upon us on Lake Sharpe. In the Pierre area, when the water is flowing fishing between the Bad River and Oahe Dam can be very good. Among the bridges has been best, though fish can be caught in the stilling basin as well. The bite further down below the Bad River continues to be very difficult.
Hipple Lake in Farm Island Recreation Area, a traditional summer spot on the upper end of Lake Sharpe, continues to produce overall good fishing. There are both good numbers of fish and good quality fish present, though the bite can be very hit or miss as it often is.
The bulk of the fish are 15-16 inches, though fish 18-20 inches are present as well. The top end overall for size seems to be about 23-25 inches, coming in at 4-5 pounds. There is a good number of short fish present as well, with many 13-14 inches.
Trolling crankbaits is most the common option, though fish can be caught with livebait as well. Conditions each day determine fish location, and mood, and the best strategy is dependent upon the specific conditions at that time.
Further downstream, fishing continues to be strong at the West Bend and Iron Nation area. Expect good numbers of fish, with many short fish, though keepable 15-16 inch and larger fish are present as well.
Trolling crankbaits is a popular summer option on Lake Sharpe, as well as Lake Oahe, and if you’re looking to learn more or get a new take on trolling crankbaits we have you covered! We have a comprehensive page dedicated to trolling crankbaits and making you a better angler as you do!
The seventh week of the Tuesday Night Walleye Fishing League season in Pierre was a tough one for the boys. Week Seven saw another victory little slip away from Nick Harrington and Mason Propst.
Warm weather and low winds made fishing tough, especially within Hipple Lake, and bites were at a premium.
“We knew that were likely only going to get 4, 5, or maybe 6 bites and putting them in the boat was going to be key,” said Nick Harrington, Owner of Lip Ripper Fishing. “We were able to put the first three in, which were a 19, 18, and 15, but the fourth was the big over we needed and that one we watched shake off back behind the boat.”
Despite only having three fish, the boys were able to bring 4.80 pounds, which gave them a 10th place finish.
“We had a good plan, we got the bites we needed, we just knew that this was the night we had to be perfect and unfortunately we weren’t,” continued Harrington. “Two weeks ago we knew it was our night and we scored the W, unfortunately this one just wasn’t our night.”
Helped by higher flows, the bite on the main body was strong with anglers bringing good numbers and quality of fish, including 10.40 pounds for the victory.
Tuesday Night Walleye Fishing League Week Seven Top 5:
- 1st Place: Buechler/Clark 10.4 pounds
- 2nd Place: Young/Dillman 9.80 pounds
- 3rd Place: Anderson/Zilverberg 7.89 pounds
- 4th Place: Laube/Menning 7.60 pounds
- 5th Place: Mccomsey/Keller 6.80 pounds
Casting for Recovery Donation
Each week throughout the Tuesday Night Walleye Fishing League season, plus Sharpe Showdown, for each pound the boys bring to the scale $1 will be donated to Casting for Recovery South Dakota.
Current weights/donations:
- Tuesday Night League Week One: $3.85
- Sharpe Showdown: $12.94
- Tuesday Night League Week Two: $6.79
- Tuesday Night League Week Four: $4.80
- Tuesday Night League Week Five: $12.20 x WIN DOUBLE=$24.40
- Tuesday Night League Week Six: $3.80
- Tuesday Night League Week Seven: $4.80
Total Current Donation: $61.38
Reel in Memories in South Dakota State Parks Update
This year, the annual theme for South Dakota State Parks is Reel in Memories. Anglers who go fishing in a South Dakota State Park or Recreation Area are eligible to submit photos of their adventures to earn stickers and enter to win the ultimate state park fishing package!
So far this season Nick Harrington has fished out of three state parks and fished in another two. Stay tuned throughout the year to see how many parks Nick is able to collect!
State Parks Fished: 5
- Oahe Downstream Recreation Area (Lake Sharpe, Pierre)
- Farm Island Recreation Area (Lake Sharpe, Pierre)
- Spring Creek Recreation Area (Lake Oahe, Pierre)
- Okobojo Creek Recreation Area (Lake Oahe, Pierre)
- Little Bend Recreation Area (Lake Oahe, Pierre)
