The 2024 South Dakota pheasant season is officially here! The fields have turned orange, bird numbers are excellent, and everything that makes fall awesome is officially underway! We’ll discuss all of it in this weeks’ report!
Lake Sharpe
The fishing on Lake Sharpe right is a bit different than what many anglers are used to experiencing, this is because the bite is being greatly dictated by light conditions. While this is common in eastern South Dakota, defined bite windows at sunrise and sunset are not something that anglers fishing Lake Sharpe and the rest of the Missouri River are used to seeing.
The bright sunny conditions, lack of wind, clear water, and lack of flows have all combined to make right as the sun rises and sets the primary time fish bite. While anglers may see fish the rest of the day, coaxing them to bite is another story beyond these specific windows.
The best bite has been the hour surrounding sunrise and sunset, which sets up very nicely for pheasant hunters who are looking to make their trip a Blast and Cast! For anglers who get a late start on the day, this means they are missing the best bite window though.
Trolling crankbaits in Hipple Lake within Farm Island Recreation Area has been a popular option and is generally speaking the best opportunity to catch larger caliber fish, both of the 17-19 inch variety, as well as the opportunity to get a fish over 20 inches. Fish are very scattered about the lake, but the biggest factor has been hitting fish at the right time during these bite windows.
On the main body, the day light bite is even more exacerbated by the clear water and reduced flows. Bottom bouncing and jigging are both effective. The best bite is at Mackelraves Hole below Farm Island, and this is where the bulk of the boats are concentrating. Fishing on the flats has been more hit or miss depending on both the day, and time of day.
One additional note anglers in the Pierre area should know is the Farm Island Recreation Area fish cleaning station is currently closed for the season, though park staff have set up a table with an extension cord and water hose, so anglers are still able to clean their fish in this area.
Pheasant Opener Update
We had been speaking of a fantastic upcoming pheasant season, and reports from the field are this is coming to fruition. Hunters are reporting excellent numbers of birds, and the hunting conditions are setting up well too. A significant amount of crop harvest has been completed, which helps to concentrate pheasants in those grasslands as opposed to the unharvested crop fields. Additionally, there is a good number of young birds, which in general are easier to hunt.
If you haven’t yet hit the field, are still planning your trip, or deciding if you should try pheasant hunting in South Dakota this fall we have everything you need to know about the season in All Signs Pointing Toward an Excellent South Dakota Pheasant Season!
Remember to Prevent Fires in the Field This Fall
As hunters take to the fields, they are reminded about the continued risk of fire across South Dakota. The last two months have been extremely dry, and a significant amount of the vegetation is very dry and poses a risk of fire danger.
Whether you’re a hunter, farmer, camper, or angler we all have a role in preventing wildfire this fall. The US Forest Service in the Black Hills has an excellent graphic highlighting all of the aspects of a vehicle that poses a risk of fire danger.
Graphic Courtesy: U.S. Forest Service Black Hills National Forest Facebook Page
Now is a great time to make sure you have a fire extinguisher, large jug of water, and shovel in your vehicle should a fire start you can react quickly. These are good items to have in your vehicle anytime you are in the field, and they could help prevent a serious situation this fall. We have more ways to prevent fire when out in the field in Reminders on Preventing Wildfire in South Dakota.
In Case You Missed It….
In case you’ve missed any of our past reports, we’ve got a few quick reminders for you as well:
- The North Point Recreation Area boat ramp is closing for the next 6-8 weeks with the ramp seeing a complete boat ramp replacement.
- The boat ramp at Lake Thompson Recreation Area also remains closed for a complete boat ramp replacement as well.
- The 2025 South Dakota Park Entrance License is currently available for purchase, and will remain valid through May 2026.
- Casting for Recovery is continuing to build momentum in South Dakota, and wrapped up their second retreat in northeast South Dakota earlier this month.
You can also see all the latest bites, as well as behind the scenes action, by following Nick Harrington Instagram!
