Great Lakes of SD Tourism Association

Fishing Information 2010   

 

September 3, 2010

 

When you’re fishing in Central South Dakota, please patronize the local bait shops, resorts and all businesses. For a listing of Great Lakes Tourism Association members go to www.sdgreatlakes.org

 
Have a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend!

Lake Oahe

In the Pollock area the bite is going strong and there is plenty of room for more people. It’s the time to get up there and catch some of those walleye.  Anglers are using crawlers with most fishing being done around 15-28 feet.  Some smallmouth are also being caught.  

At Mobridge the best bite of the year is on. Anglers are using bottom bouncers as well as crawlers and spinners in anywhere from 15-20 foot depths.

At Akaska  the fishing is very good with anglers fishing in the 15-25 foot depths. Anglers are also using crawlers.

At Gettysburg  fishing has been good.  Walleye are being caught in 20-28 depths mainly using crawlers. Resorts are seeing a lot of fish limits coming in. If you’re looking for smallmouth action, now is the time to be out on the water. They are catching the smallmouth on crawlers and leeches – many anglers get them along with the walleye and they are fighters.

Around Spring/Cow Creek  the fishing is very good around the Cheyenne Arm, Bush’s Landing, Sutton Bay and Little Bend.  Bait being used is crawlers and spinners or crankbaits in 15-40 feet. Salmon anglers are using primarily artificial bait and herring. The salmon bite is very good and they can be found around 75-100 feet.  For anglers wanting to try out some salmon fishing, now is the time to get in on the action.

 Lake Sharpe  has seen good walleye fishing in the Pierre area from the Oahe Dam down past Antelope Creek. Anglers are using spinners and crawlers or crankbaits.  Fishing should be good into the fall. At West Bend the fishing is steady for smaller fish with a lot of good rod-bending going on! Best fishing on Lake Sharpe north of Chamberlain is from Iron Nation to the Big Bend Dam in 15-20 feet of water.

Francis Case

Around Chamberlain on Francis Case the fishing is fair to good from Chamberlain to the Big Bend Dam in about the 15-20 foot depths. Anglers are using crankbaits and crawlers and there are limits coming in but you have to look for the fish with a different bite each day. Smallmouth are also biting in this area.

 In the Platte area fishing is picking up! Anglers are having good luck south of the bridge around Platte Creek, pulling plugs over submerged trees. Best depth is 35-45 feet. Ramps are open and camping has been very busy.

At the Pickstown and Wagner areas walleye fishing on the lake from Joe Day Bay to Wheeler has been fair using leadcore line methods. Fishing below the dam has been slow. The flood gates are open at the dam.

Around Lewis & Clark Lake catfish can be caught on stink bait. White bass are being caught by trolling along the face of the dam in 18-24 feet of water, but only a few walleye are being caught.

At Lake Yankton largemouth bass fishing is going well using artificial purple worms with glitter. Take your kids out fishing for an afternoon and get some sunfish using worms.

In the Springfield area they are catching lots of catfish using stink bait.

On the Missouri River they are catching bluegill and crappie on minnows and worms. The catfish bit seems to be the best on stink bait. Drum can be caught on crawdads. Down along the Nebraska Handicapped section, anglers are catching bluegill, channel catfish, flatheads and small mouth bass.

For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing Lake Oahe, please call West Pollock Resort, 605-889-2448; Kemnitz MoRest Motel in Mobridge at 605-845-3668. Call Bob’s Resort at 605-765-2500 or South Whitlock Resort at 605-765-9762 in Gettysburg. On the lower end of Lake Oahe, call Spring Creek Resort at 605-224-8336 and Lake Oahe/Lake Sharpe call Carl’s Bait Shop at 605-223-9453. On Lake Francis Case, contact the Platte Chamber of Commerce at 888-297-8175, and Fort Randall Bait & Tackle at 605-487-7760 in Pickstown. On Lewis & Clark contact Captain Norms Bait Shop at 605-665-4271.

*Please remember that the fishing conditions in our great state change constantly and this report is simply a guideline.*