Great Lakes of Missouri River Fishing Report

Great Lakes of Missouri River Fishing Report

Lake Oahe: The fishing around Pollock has slowed and it can be hit and miss. The fish are nice and healthy. Almost any bait presentation is working, with some anglers pulling plugs and others using crawlers and leeches. They are also pulling in some nice northern and bass.


Lake Oahe: The fishing around Pollock has slowed and it can be hit and miss. The fish are nice and healthy. Almost any bait presentation is working, with some anglers pulling plugs and others using crawlers and leeches. They are also pulling in some nice northern and bass.

At Mobridge the fishing is also slower and spots change daily! The fish have moved up shallow in around 6-20 feet of water. Fishing seems to be better north of the city rather than south. Anglers are using spinners or Lindy Rigs with crawlers.

Around Akaska it was a little slower over the weekend. Anglers are using minnows, crawlers and leeches in 10-30 feet of water. Some anglers are pulling plugs.

At Gettysburg fishing is slow and can be spotty in this area also. All types of bait being used – with some anglers pulling plugs, using crawlers and leeches or bottom bouncers and spinners. Anglers are finding fish in around 20-35 feet. Small mouth bass are also going well.

Around Spring/Cow Creek the fishing is tremendous, with no bad places to fish. Anglers are using bottom bouncers, plugs and snap weights in 8-50 foot of water with lead core line. The Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament was held at Spring Creek Resort this past weekend and was a success with 98 teams participating.

Fishing from Bush’s Landing to the Cheyenne River to the Oahe Dam has been excellent for walleye. Anglers are catching fish on Lindy Rigs or spinners with crawlers and leeches in 5-30 feet and they are catching lots of fish. Salmon fishing is still going good using herring, spoons or squid. Anglers are fishing around 35 feet in the early morning and 75 feet later in the afternoon.

Reminder: On Lakes Sharpe and Francis Case and the Missouri River from the Nebraska border upstream to Fort Randall Dam - the minimum length of 15” for walleye/sauger and saugeye is off for July and August – there is no minimum restriction for those months. Daily limit may include no more than one 20” or longer year-round.

On Lake Sharpe fishing pressure is low in the Pierre area with traffic moving to Lake Oahe, but there are lots of fish. Anglers have found good fishing on the Farm Island flats. At West Bend walleye and smallmouth are going well in 8-20 feet with anglers using spinners with crawlers or leeches or crankbaits.

In all of these areas it would be good to come during the week when there is a lot less traffic.

Francis Case is slowing a bit. Around Chamberlain walleye are biting on minnows and crawlers with some anglers pulling plugs in 10-30 feet.

In the Platte area fishing for walleye has slowed. Walleye fisherman saw the fish starting to move deeper with most having the best luck in 50 feet or below. White bass fishing is going very well.

At the Pickstown and Wagner areas, walleye fishing below the dam has been slow to fair in the boat bay and fast water. Catfish have been biting well below the dam. Walleye have been biting well from South Shore to Whetstone on crawlers and lead lining plugs. A few white bass are biting in the fast water. The small mouth bass bite has been fair up on the lake in the bays and inner points.

Around Lewis & Clark Lake they are catching a lot of catfish on crawlers, hot dogs and stink bait. Fishing for other species has been slow.

On the river the gates are closed for the rest of the month. They are catching lots of white bass pulling plugs or using live bait on bottom bouncers or spinners floating with a crawler harness.

On Lake Yankton lots of catfish, bluegill and largemouth bass are being caught in the early morning and in the evening. Archery season for paddlefish opened on July 11th and goes through August 9th.

We would suggest calling one the resorts or bait shops listed below to get the latest update on the area fishing. They are all members of the Great Lakes Association and help provide this report each week.