April is upon us, and while the winter may still be persisting, we have a special fishing report to help get us a little closer to spring!
Where is the Best Bite?
The best bite so far this spring has been on Lake Francis Case near Chamberlain. Overall, the fishing has been very, very good and anglers are reporting both limits and quality fish. Jigging with minnows has been the best option, including both dragging and pitching jigs.
How is the Bite on Lake Sharpe?
The bite on Lake Sharpe is hit and miss, but all three main areas have been productive. Lake Sharpe in the springtime can produce well in the stilling basin, town, and downriver.
In the stilling basin, timing is the most important element. In the mornings and evenings, pitching jigs at the mouth of the stilling basin is the most productive in terms of both technique and time to target these efforts. Fish can be caught trolling crankbaits in the afternoon, but the bite is quite slow for this, and the higher percentage option is those morning and evening jig bites.
In town between the bridges there is a significant number of fish, and similar to the mouth of the stilling basin getting them to bite at the right times is critical. Similarly, mornings and evenings are most effective pitching jigs with a minnow. There is a significant amount of boat traffic, at least on the nice days, which means that using side scan and looking for fish away from the crowds is an important element to finding success.
Moving downstream, fish can be caught along the bluffs and trolling crankbaits is most effective as fish are quite scattered. Quiet balsa baits, like the #5 Rapala Shad Rap, are most productive in both blue and purple.
Continuing east, fish are scattered among the flats near Fort George, which again makes for a crankbait trolling scenario. Fish can be found all along the flats from Fort George to De Grey, and covering water and locating the active pods is the most effective strategy. Similarly, Rapala Shad Raps are an ideal option.
While along LaFramboise Island near Downs Marina can be productive for quality fish in the spring, it doesn’t appear the fish have moved in quite yet. It’s worth it to check this area for time to time, especially as the water continues to warm, but for now it doesn’t seem ready to go yet.
Midwest Walleye Challenge Officially Underway
The Midwest Walleye Challenge is officially underway, and there is still plenty of time to get entered and get your fish submitted! The event runs from April 1 – June 28, meaning there is plenty of time to get out on the water!
The weather was not wonderful, but the first fish of the season has hit the leaderboard with Ethan Kangas of the Butte County Eye-ballers registering a 14.37 inch walleye.
Video of the Week: Detailing Stilling Basin Spring Jigging Techniques
This week’s video comes from the stilling basin, and the goal was to showcase the variety of ways to target fish with jigs including dragging, pitching, and vertical jigging. While some fish were caught, even more were missed, but that’s the goal of these videos is to showcase and authentic day on the water and talk through the thought process behind it all.
Black Hills Trout Update
Walleye is king here on the Missouri River, and for Lip Ripper Fishing, but there’s some excellent trout fishing opportunities in western South Dakota! Last week’s Trout Open House, hosted by Rapid City South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks fisheries biologists, provided a lot of great information about the trout fisheries in the Black Hills. Updates highlighted both streams and reservoirs, and you can find all of that information in the latest highlight Targeting the Trout of the Black Hills.
Cedar Shore Resort Walleye Tournament Coming Up
The Fishing Crew kicks off 2026 with the Cedar Shore Resort Walleye Tournament April 11-12. This event will launch out of Cedar Shore Resort in Chamberlain and fish Lake Francis Case from the Big Bend Dam to the Highway 44 Bridge in Platte.
Thank You for 4,000 Facebook Followers
Lastly, and if you’re still here you’re especially deserving, thank you very much for helping reach 4,000 Facebook Followers on the Lip Ripper Fishing page! Fishing reports, tips, techniques, and more will continue to be shared and we’ll continue to make it even better and better!
