Hunting & Fishing Reports
Check Out The Latest South Dakota Fishing Reports & South Dakota Hunting Reports
Fishing Report: May 19th, 2025
Plenty of wind and rain, but it won't be long!
This week, expect more rain with temperatures staying in the 60s. As weather plays a critical role in a successful fishing trip, we encourage visitors to check with local weather resources and fishing guides when planning.
All our best,
The SD Missouri River Tourism Team
Have some great photos from your time on the water? South Dakota Missouri River Tourism would love to share them as part of our weekly Fishing Report update on our social media. Send your Mighty MO river photos to info@sdmissouririver.com and we’ll be sure to give you a shout out!
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Lake Oahe
Around Akaska, they are starting to get a decent bite. The weather has made it difficult, but anglers are catching fish in the Swan Creek area. Pulling crank baits in 28-32ft is working. Some have been able to reel in big walleye along with keeper sizes. Likely a good bite using jigs/minnow, but weather has made that almost impossible to try.
Reported from Oahe Wings & Walleyes
In the Whitlock Bay area near Gettysburg, South Whitlock Resort reports remain similar to last week with tough luck from the wind and weather. Anglers have been casting from shore. So far smallmouth and catfish have been present besides walleye.
Bob's Resort shares angling is slowly picking up despite the wet weather. Anglers are getting a few from shore including walleye, bass, and northern. Depths have been shallow, bait has been mainly minnow. North of Gettysburg area, anglers are throwing jigs. A 24-inch walleye was caught from shore, so there's decent sizes out there. Once the weather cooperates, it won't take long for the season to turn on high.
Below the Cheyenne River, fishing has remained similar and you can refer to last week's report:
The Outpost Lodge shares Lake Oahe has been a little slow rolling in the Spring Creek & Cow Creek areas, but shallow fishing is the name of the game right now. Minnows are key and every warm day brings closer the best days Lake Oahe has to offer!
Salmon Update on Oahe
The Oahe Salmon Guide saw a slow week on the water, with extreme northwest winds. Temps were consistent from the surface down to 60ft. Fish came on FF and spoon. It looks like a more stable weather pattern coming midweek. With any luck, the fish will fire back up.
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For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Oahe please contact:
Lake Sharpe
Prospt Professional Anglers says the bite on the river is fun! Once you find an active pod, it's nonstop action. Start with small crank baits to search for them, then switch to jig and minnow once you hit a good spot. 9-12ft is the ticket right now.
Lip Ripper Fishing shares the fish are constantly on the move! Mid-summer like temperatures have encouraged greater movement with water temperatures creeping into the 50s and fish scattering along the entire reservoir. As is the case every spring, anglers continue to target the traditional locations within town including the stilling basin, Marion’s Gardens, and the other sandbars along the bridges. Pitching jigs continues to be the primary option.
Further downriver, fish continue to filter through the reservoir, making the bluffs inconsistent. When fish are there, it's often in great numbers, and occasionally in great sizes as well. However, fish will be there one day, and gone the next. Even further downriver, West Bend has been an active area with many boats reporting similar bite conditions.
Staying on fish has been difficult. Targeting depths between 8-11ft has been the most consistent, particularly along contours adjacent to the main channel. Using long passes, trolling crankbaits, and moving up and down the river will help you score fish.
Overall, there is a great number of fish between 14-18 inches in the system, with many right at the 15-16 inch mark, and there has been ample action taking place all along the reservoir. It has been an excellent spring!
For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Sharpe please contact:
Lake Francis Case
Allen's Missouri River Guide Service shares that limits of fish are being caught in the area and you'll have to sort through a lot of short fish. Most boats are fishing from Chamberlain to the Big Bend Dam, between 10-25ft. Starting to catch some fish using crawlers and spinners; pulling leadcore on cranks is also working.
From the Geddes area, please refer to last week's report:
SD Outfitters Unlimited says: Lower Lake Francis walleye continues to bite with bottom bouncers/minnow/crawlers. Playing around with depths between 10-17ft for starters. Smallmouth bass bite has been good on plastics and hard baits over the southern part of the lake.
Around Bonesteel, we have not heard any changes in the local report, please refer to last week:
Ed with Pavel's Walleye Camp says Lake Francis Case is seeing action with the settling weather. Walleye are caught with crank baits, jig and minnow, jig/nightcrawlers, and bottom bouncers. Fish are scattered between shallow and deep waters down to 40ft. Overall, fish are healthy and abundant, and the small mouth bite is awesome right now.
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Last week's Report:
Walleye are biting but widely scattered due to warm, sunny conditions and a bit of wind. Trolling with crankbaits, like a flicker shad, works well to cover ground and find active fish. Other than good-sized walleye, fishermen also pulled in their limits on smallmouth bass with ease.
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For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Francis Case please contact:
Lake Lewis and Clark
No changes for the area, please refer to last week's report:
The Walleye Guys share the latest report from the Yankton area: the bite upriver from Lewis & Clark Lake is on fire! Full pre-spawn and spawning action is under way. Lots of very nice size walleye being caught trolling crankbaits and jigs with minnow. Find some good current and you will find the walleye. The lake bite is hit or miss but should be coming back over the next couple of weeks as water temps are rising quickly.
For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing at Lake Lewis and Clark please contact:
For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing please contact:
Lake Oahe
- Kemnitz MoRest Motel in Mobridge at 605-845-3668
- Oahe Wings & Walleyes at 605-230-0280
- Bob’s Resort in Gettysburg at 605-765-2500
- South Whitlock Resort in Gettysburg at 605-765-9762
- The Outpost Lodge in Pierre at 605-264-5450
- Oahe Salmon Guide Service in Onida at 605-691-9020
Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe
- Lip Ripper Fishing in Fort Pierre at 402-689-9947
- Propst Professional Angers at 605-222-1621
- South Dakota Walleye Charters at 605-366-1875
Lake Francis Case
- Allen's South Dakota Fishing & Hunting in Chamberlain at 800-435-5591
- Platte Creek Lodge at 605-941-1679
- Missouri River Lodge in Geddes at 605-680-3877
- Pavel's Walleye Camp in Bonesteel at 402-340-0033
- Circle H Motel at 605-487-7652
Lake Lewis and Clark
- The Walleye Guys in Yankton 402-499-4936
Remember – this report is a snapshot in time and changes can occur quickly. We suggest you call one of our members listed above – they can be very helpful with what is happening along the river. That way you’ll be assured of a great trip!
Questions about boat ramp access? Check the SD Game, Fish & Parks interactive map. You’ll have to zoom in to the ramp you want to look at, and the information is regularly updated. It’s a great resource!
Help slow the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species! Check out the Game, Fish & Parks web site for detailed info on the regulations. They are very specific so you’ll want to be sure you’ve read the regulations. If you love to fish the Missouri River in South Dakota, please do your part to keep the reservoirs free of aquatic invasive species.
The Missouri River is a fishing and hunting paradise, filled to the brim with extraordinary opportunities to reel in or hunt your limit before the day is done. Come see why hunters and fishers alike cannot stop coming back to take in the sublime conditions along South Dakota’s Missouri River.
Hunting Fishing
