As we wrap up the 4th of July weekend, it’s safe to say summer is in full swing! The temperatures are heating up, prairie thunderstorms have brought havoc the last week, and fish are entering traditional mid-summer patterns. As we head into the second half of summer, we’ve got a special fishing report to help end the summer strong!
Lake Oahe Fishing Report and Summer Forecast
It’s been an up and down season so far on Lake Oahe, with the bite varying by the day and really by the hour. Bite windows have been tight, conditions have been changing, and above all the forage is abundant. All of these factors have combined to make fishing difficult, but anglers that find success continue to come back because the fish are in such great shape!
The trophy appeal of Lake Oahe is what gives anglers a short memory when the bite is tough. Indeed, there’s been numerous trophy caliber walleye caught, and the quality of fish remains spectacular. There is an abundance of fish 17-23 inches in the system, which is supported by the quick growth rates as fish reach the 17-inch mark by age-3. Anglers always have the opportunity to catch a true giant anytime they wet a line too.
The season started with some big fish crossing the scales at the National Walleye Tour event in Mobridge, and the bite has been transitioning down the reservoir since. Fishing began strong in the Mobridge area before transitioning down to the Akaska area, Whitlock area, and currently the best bite is between Sutton Bay and Bushes Landing.
Further down river, the bite has been hit and miss. Forage continues to be the ultimate dictator, and as summer partners begin to take hold fish are experiencing a little transition. Forage can be found in the backs of the creeks, but also out deep. This is because gizzard shad, smelt, and ciscoe all present forage options and as water temperature increases these species are starting to head toward their preferred area.
Gizzard shad will remain shallow, as they prefer warm water and will continue to spawn throughout the summer until water temperatures dip below 55 degrees. This means more forage is on the way, and for the most part anglers should expect to find this forage relatively shallow.
Ciscoe will move a bit more throughout the water column, but for the most part will be staying in deeper water between 20-50 feet. While these numbers are decreased in recent years due to the increased smelt abundance, this is what the largest walleye in the system will be keying on.
Smelt, the poster child of forage in Lake Oahe, will begin moving deeper to find cold, comfortable conditions. A certain subset of the walleye population will move with them, and keying on deeper water will be important for success. Fortunately, there should be fish remaining shallower and a bit more accessible for anglers because of gizzard shad.
Lake Sharpe Fishing Report and Summer Forecast
It’s no secret it’s been a tough summer on Lake Sharpe, and while there were some flashes of good fishing throughout the spring 2026 as a whole has been a year to forget on Lake Sharpe.
Fortunately, there’s still time to end the year strong and Lake Sharpe has traditionally offered very good late summer and all fishing, which will hopefully be in store for us to end 2026.
The best fishing, or at minimum the most consistent fishing, has been the West Bend area. Anglers are finding both walleye and smallmouth bass, and while the bite has been generally slower since a red hot start this area should continue to produce for the next several months.
Further up river, the stilling basin of the Oahe Dam historically has a good late summer bite that begins in mid-July and carries through August and into the fall. Bottom bouncing can produce, but trolling crankbaits is usually the better option.
By August, it will be time to check the flats below Farm Island down towards Stoney Point, Fort George, and De Grey. This bite is usually underway by mid-August, and continues to get better throughout September and October. In about a month fish should begin to move back up river, and hopefully set up for a strong fall!
Similarly, August is when fish begin to move into the Oahe Dam tailrace area in good numbers, with more fish showing up in September and into October. As fishing picks up on the flats, this means fish are on their way to the Oahe Dam and a great fall bite from both the boat and shore can be in the making!
Glacial Lakes Region Summer Forecast
Summer can bring very good fishing in the Glacial Lakes region of South Dakota. Larger waterbodies like Bitter Lake and Waubay Lake will continue to produce throughout the summer, and bluegill and bass fishing will also stay strong throughout the heat of the summer.
Bitter Lake is often one of the last fisheries to really take off in northeast South Dakota, which means that July and August can be very good. A strong cohort of fish are moving through the ranks, and anglers should expect plenty of fish between 14-16 inches eager to bite as the summer heat picks up.
Waubay Lake, another large and consistent fishery, will also produce a strong bite throughout the summer. Anglers focusing on submerged structure are often most successful, and both good numbers of eater caliber fish and trophy caliber fish are present.
There’s plenty of water to explore in the Glacial Lakes region, and whether you’re fishing the larger fisheries or a under the radar slough there is good fishing to be found.
Two Major Tournaments Still on the Schedule
It’s been a busy tournament season for South Dakota, and two more high profile events remain.
South Dakota Governor’s Cup
The first is the South Dakota Governor’s Cup, which will take place July 18-19. The largest tournament in South Dakota launches out of Spring Creek Recreation Area and fishes Lake Oahe from the Oahe Dam to Bushes Landing.
Masters Walleye Circuit Bitter Lake
The Masters Walleye Circuit will visit Bitter Lake August 21-22. As discussed above, there is an abundance of walleyes in Bitter Lake of all sizes, and the bite should still be very strong come the later part of August.
