Currently, Lake Sharpe is blessed with a healthy size distribution of walleyes coupled with a solid forage base. I like to go with a plain jig at this time of year: no body, no trailer - just a jig and the biggest minnow in the bucket. Cottonwood Lake is a 1650 acre lake located in Spink County. TItle 36, Parks, Forests, & Public Property, Chapter 3; Code of Federal Regs. On Oahe and Sharpe call Hutchs Guide Service at 605-224-4755. Rocky Niewnehuis guides his boat along the bluffs just below Big Bend Dam on the upper end of Lake Francis Case. Recreation.gov includes information on Federal government managed & Federal government affiliated (subordinate, subsidiary or member) sites. Shad will often congregate in this area and larger walleyes will be following these schools and will be willing to chase suspended crankbaits. At this point in its course, the Missouri makes almost a complete loop, traveling 25 miles before returning to the "neck" where the land is only about one mile wide. Preliminary netting showed substantial young of the year, and barring any ill effects, we should have another strong year-class from the 2001 spawn. We detail everything you need to know to find spring walleyes inSearching for Spring Walleye. As I missed my next three bites, Dale and Dad threw a couple of walleyes apiece into the livewell, and would have done even better if they could have felt their fingers while rebaiting. Flows in the Crooked River increased to 50 cfs and fishing reopened Nov. 1. On Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case, contact Dakota Prairie Guide Service at 605-680-1910. The reservoir runs from Oahe Dam in Pierre to Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson. Date: 14 July 1998: Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Digital Visual Library Image page The word Oahe, once the name of a Christian mission, is a Sioux Indian word meaning "a foundation," or "a place to stand on.". Boat ramps are plentiful on the lake. North Shore is a portion of Lake Sharpe located just to the west of the Big Bend Dam. Visit the National Inventory of Dams to learn more about how dams work and Big Bend Dam risk assessments. As spring turns into summer, fishing on the lower end of the reservoir will pick up. From Pierre: East on Hwy 34, South at Hwy 47, west on North Shore Road, From Chamberlain: North on Hwy 50, West on Hwy 34 and west on North Shore Road, 1.5 miles southwest of Fort Thompson, South Dakota on Highway 47. Lake Sharpe is a excellent walleye lake. These narrow, winding waters more closely resemble what Lewis and Clark would have seen as they came up the Mighty Mo. The hooks will be flying May 1 below Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson as a revived state paddlefish season gives anglers a change to hook into Missouri River trophies that could weigh 100 pounds or more. For shore anglers, this is the best opportunity to catch a trophy caliber fish on Lake Sharpe. South Jordan, UT Change Store. Visitors travel from far and wide to enjoy the fertile hunting grounds and fishing waters of South Dakota. Missouri Basin Update App. Basin Update. Weekdays: Call (605) 245-2255. The lake extends for 80 miles up the Missouri River to Oahe Dam. Followers 38 Catches 0 Spots 3. Hutch's Guide Service Call Hutch at (605) 220-2844 Fishing & Hunting South Dakota's Lake Oahe & Lake Sharpe Species of fish in the reservoir include walleye, northern pike, sauger, sunfish, yellow perch, common carp, black bullhead, channel catfish and smallmouth bass. Lake Sharpe is approximately 80 mi (130 km) long, with a shoreline of 200 mi (320 km). For one thing, the areas below the big dams have open water, which is scarce come March in our part of the country. Sep 1, 2011. Check out the latest 2-minute fishing report to find the hot bite in your area! Not only is the adrenaline running for spring fishing and getting geared up, but fish are easy targets in shallow waters. Popular attractions in Pierre include Steamboat Park, La Framboise Island, and the Oahe Dam. Lake Sharpe is the 54th largest reservoir in the . "I don't know where those rumors started," Wickstrom stated. "Those larger fish will have to sustain the fishery until new year-classes reach harvestable sizes," he explains. 1 of 3. Weekends & Holidays: Call (605) 245-2255. As spring progresses, the flats between Stony Point and Fort George will begin holding more and more fish as they move up and down the reservoir. Fishing Update for The Missouri River in South Dakota. Location: Near Chamberlain, S.D., River Mile 987.4. The Dam Safety Program seeks to ensure that USACE owned and operated dams do not present unacceptable risks to people, property, or the environment, with the emphasis on people. South Dakota- Nonresident License: Tribal licenses not required unless fishing on reservation soil. Platte Creek Lodge at 605-941-1679. The dam was constructed as part of the Flood Control Act of 1944. As summer transitions to fall, fish will generally begin moving back up the reservoir around September. This big 'eye weighed in a bit shy of 6 pounds. Self guided, or with one of our dedicated fishing guides, you will have an amazing fishing trip chasing walleyes in the Pierre area. Pierre is the state capital of South Dakota. Missouri River region daily river bulletin - main stem reservoirs, selected tributary reservoirs and selected river gage readings, Midnight water temperature readings for the main stem reservoirs for about the last 30 days. Off-season or groups of 10 or more: Call (605) 245-2255. Fishing open water anytime, is a good time. Outside of walleye, smallmouth are a commonly sought after species. The bite is profound, but it is a game of hit and miss. Trying casting shallow running crankbaits into the reeds on the upper end of the reservoir. Winchester's new Big Bore ammo, available in 10 mm, .44 Mag., .357 Mag., and .45 Colt, is specifically designed for big bears in bear country. During the first part of the 19th century, the history of Big Bend was one of exploration and trading. Nicer days will definitely produce limits. The lake has an area of 56,884 acres (230.20 km2) and a maximum depth of 78 ft (24 m). Hunting opportunities include Canadian geese, duck, grouse, pheasant, deer and antelope. Pike can be caught bottom bouncing, trolling crankbaits or even pitching jigs. It's going well both north and south of Chamberlain. Stay up to date with everything by following Lip Ripper Fishing on Facebook! Recreation areas vary from . The jaw extends to the . Located just six miles north of Pierre and Fort Pierre, the Oahe Dam stands as one of the largest earth-rolled dams in the world. Project staff at Big Bend Dam walk below a huge spillway gate during a dam safety inspection. Much of the western shore of the lake is within the Lower Brule Indian Reservation, while the Crow Creek Indian Reservation lies along the eastern shore. Channel cats and . English: Big Bend Dam on the Missouri River, South Dakota. Boaters are reminded they must pull their plugs every time after they load up and only put them back in once they are ready to launch. In the video above, Leopold's Shawn Skipper highlights the features of the exciting new optics with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Farther down the tailrace, boats will be scattered along the cut banks, which offer some great fishing. Hendrickson says the only exception to that rule comes during the spring when scores of smelt enter the tailrace area to spawn, giving resident walleyes a big boost. Past Updates. My Account. Waterfowl and upland game birds include ducks, geese, pheasants, prairie chickens, and grouse. Fishing Update forThe Missouri River in South Dakota. While ice is being made day by day, regular reports will resume once safe ice forms. A lack of current slows the bite, in Palmer's view, so the key is to get anchored and let the current and fish come. Pactola Lake - Rapid City. Below the dam is the charging water that feeds Lake Francis Case, one of the most popular fisheries in South Dakota. The Hunting & Fishing Magazine of the Dakotas! "The stilling basin is void of current, and the water is warmer than the main channel. It is this mix of Arikara villages and Dakota and Lakota encampments that the Lewis and Clark expedition encountered upon reaching the Big Bend region on September 19, 1804. "Water levels were high at the peak of the spawn and were held for about a month afterwards. Trophy caliber walleyes will reside in the tailrace year-round and any angler with a line in the water has a chance at one of these fish. Hunting regulations are established and enforced by the State of South Dakota, and the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Tribes. Walleyes that had spent most of the winter and spring in the upper third of the reservoir will transition their way down and spend the summer in this area. BIG BEND TAILRACE As stated earlier, the tailrace of Big Bend Dam is always a top producer. Big Bend National Park, Black Gap WMA and Big Bend State Park. As October progresses, pitching jigs again becomes the technique of choice. Currently, anglers fishing the tailrace this month are allowed a daily limit of four walleyes with a possession limit of eight. The project's primary purpose is for the . Palmer's favorite way to catch tailrace walleyes is with the jig-and-minnow. Depending on March weather conditions and water releases, open water is common past Crow Creek into the Kiowa Flats, and possibly down to the town of . Just upstream of Left Tailrace, Lake Sharpe, a popular recreation destination in the Great Plains,was created by the completion of Big Bend Dam in 1966. Check out our Member resort and bait shop links below for more information. As more fish continue to move up river, many will look to take advantage of the forage the tailrace has to offer. At Akaskathe wind caused a slowdown over the weekend, but things are picking back up. Lake Oahe. Independent Review Panel Teleconference. Most anglers fish by boat, but plenty of fishermen have their favorite spots along the shore. It is operational mid-May through mid-September. North Shore Fishing Reports . On Oahe and Sharpe call Hutch's Guide Service at 605-220-2844. Sharpes fishery is predominantly fed by gizzard shad. was created by the completion of Big Bend Dam in 1966. . It stretches for 231 miles from Oahe Dam, near Pierre, all the way north to Bismarck, N.D. As part of its Dam Safety Program, Omaha District conducts detailed engineering analyses to ensure its dams are safe and that risks to the public, property, and the environment are minimized to the extent possible. With most fishing done from boats, the protected marina offers convenient boat launching, regardless of the wind direction. The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. . At Akaska call Akaska Bait Shop at 605-649-7847. Lake Sharpe sits below Lake Oahe and above Lake Francis Case. During normal operations, USACE releases water through the powerhouse to generate power and balance reservoir levels for other uses. Sand Bars, mud lines, and submerged trees all make for great habitat. Current and Predicted River Conditions in the Middle Missouri River Basin from the National Weather Service. Big Bend Project. AroundSpring Creek /Cow Creek - Anglers are fishing in shallow stained water with jigs/gulp minnows and bottom bouncers. Northern, catfish and smallmouth are going well right now. Left Tailrace Campgound at the Big Bend Project, sits on the shore of Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River below Big Bend Dam. LaRue's Ethan Alexander talks about the Siete's features with Game & Fish's Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. They share the waters with boaters, skiers and fishermen. Nonresidents of South Dakota. Anglers are fishing in 5-20 feet using spinners and minnows - with some starting to use crawlers. The Moreau is going really well. Lake Sharpe- Big Bend Dam, South Dakota. Lake Sharpe, better referred to as "the river" by Pierre . Scattered early white settlements began at this time. AroundChamberlain , Lake Sharpe is producing good fish from the Big Bend Dam to West Bend area. Immediately out of the boat launch beyond the riprap, anglers can enjoy good fishing by anchoring next to the ice in the stilling basin and pitching jigs at aggressive walleyes that seek shelter from the current along the steep ledge that lines the break. Palmer likes to be on the water early and says that the walleyes are very current orientated. Similar to the Oahe Dam tailrace, the Big Bend Dam tailrace has been producing some excellent fishing as well. Featured People on Fishidy. Successful anglers use a combination of light jigs and slow-rolled live-bait rigs. Anglers competing in tournaments or the Tuesday Night League in Pierre will often see fish in the 5-8 pound bracket brought to the scales. Top 10 Campgrounds and RV Parks. Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Interim Policy on Rehabilitation Assistance Eligibility, Alterations to Flood Risk Reduction Projects, Corps of Engineers announces closure of boat ramps near Big Bend Dam, Corps closes visitor centers, suspends tours, The water storage capacity of the six upper Missouri River dams, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil, When: Early May to late June; mid September through November. ELD-X Precision Hunter). Annually, Lake Francis Case has the most consistent walleye reproduction of all the reservoirs on the Missouri River in South Dakota, and though rumors of a sudden drop in water levels and a poor spawn surfaced last spring, that was just not the case. HC 69, Box 74. The dam and reservoir are one of six projects built on the mainstem of the upper Missouri River which, in combination with dams on the rivers tributaries, reduce the risk of downstream flooding along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. It was in this area, at Calumet Bluff, that Lewis and Clark had their first meeting with the Yankton Sioux in 1804. Their journals are filled with vivid descriptions of the area and its inhabitants. Four large reservoirs were created along the length of the "Big Mo," thanks to dams near Pierre, Fort Thompson, Pickstown and Yankton. Sitting above Oahe Dam in Pierre, the water coming through the dam out of Lake Oahe can greatly impact the fishing on Sharpe in a variety of ways. Lake Sharpe. On Lake Francis Case, call Platte Creek Lodge at 605-941-1679 or Circle H Motel at 605-487-7652. Once again, trolling crankbaits along the bluffs and then pitching individual pods of fish can produce the best results. Fishing the large flats between Stony Point and De Grey can produce fish. Dam safety standards and practices are continually updated to improve the maintenance and operation of dams to ensure they can safely serve their original purposes. The dam itself is unusual in that it's embankment is curved. It is possible to view many types of wildlife on the Missouri River at Lake Sharpe. On Oahe the bite is in full spring/summer mode with limits of fish for most experienced anglers. This page was last edited on 12 February 2023, at 23:50 (UTC). Among the accomplishments includes the recently concluded Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt initiative, which in 10 years conserved or enhanced 5.3 million acres of critical wildlife habitat, recruited 1.5 million new or lapsed hunters, and opened new access to 750,000 acres for hunting and recreation. Big Bend Dam: A unique bend in the Missouri River in south central South Dakota brings the river to a near complete loop . Call Bob's Resort at 605-765-2500 or South Whitlock Resort at 605-765-9762 in Gettysburg. Corps Foundation. Lake Sharpe. Casting crankbaits or jigs and plastics can produce both excellent numbers of walleyes and quality fish as well. . Hornady's Seth Swerczek goes in depth about the new cartridge with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. As with all walleye fishing at this time of year, Palmer echoes the sentiment that this is a great time to catch a wallhanger, as big aggressive females feed actively prior to their spawning. "Fishing has been really hot, and limits are very common.". Whether you want to spend time by the water or on it, the fishing is great and the water is beautiful. The water behind Big Bend Dam is called Lake Sharpe, which extends 80 miles behind the dam, where it backs up to the Oahe Dam. You can also get the latest tips, tricks and see the latest fishing reports and catches by followingLip Ripper Guide Fishing on Facebook! Lake Sharpe, better referred to as the river by Pierre locals, offers anglers an excellent opportunity to fill a limit of solid 15-18 inch walleyes. x. . A fisherman reported seeing an antelope swimming at Whetstone Bay! Remember this report is a snapshot in time and changes can occur quickly. The Pierre area also provides two different types of areas to target, as the areas near LaFramboise Island and Farm Island can offer different types of areas to fish. Whether catching numbers of walleyes, the hard fighting white bass and smallmouth bass or hook up with the abundant channel catfish, bonus northern pike or any other fish in-between anglers will often enjoy a busy day of reeling fish in when out on Lake Sharpe. The 101-mile route takes you to the edge of river bluffs, down to the river bottom, and up onto the High Plains where you may catch a glimpse of a tribal buffalo herd. Also joining us that chilly morning was my brother, Dale Simpson, who readied the boat as Dad and I stuffed ourselves into our coveralls and gulped down the last of the coffee. The Oahe Dam Visitor Center, located above the dam, is open year-round, featuring interactive displays and information about the Oahe Dam and the Missouri River. Lake Francis Case covers just over 100 miles and has a shoreline of 540 miles. As operations shift to reducing flood risks during periods of high runoff, USACE dam operators release more water through the spillway gates. Over the years, the Fort, as local anglers call it, has come to be known more for its solid stringer of fish than as a trophy fishery. Fishing in this area can be good through most of the summer, particularly as the sun goes down in the evening. Minnows and crawlers are the best for bait. 0. The dam takes its name from the unique bend in the Missouri River just seven miles upstream. Learn more in the video above, with Remington's Joel Hodgdon and Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. asked my dad with a slight grin on his face. ; Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may . Big Bend Dam on the Missouri River, South Dakota. Another area that can take off during the fall is Hipple Lake. We stuck with the timberline for about an hour, but as the wind increased and the action decreased, we decided to make the move back toward the dam and the protection of the high cutbanks.