big bend dam south dakota fishing report
Macks Lure .8 Smile Blades in silver, pink, blue and green are top options with a mix of nightcrawlers and minnows as the water temperatures continue to drop. Depths are around 8-20 feet around the channels and current breaks Jigs and minnows are a great choice, but pulling plugs can work as well. Fishing is the main attraction to the area, with walleye being the primary sport fish, although sauger, smallmouth bass, white bass, channel catfish and northern pike also provide great fishing action. This is because significant numbers of walleyes of all sizes will stage in the deeper water of the stilling basin and move up on the surrounding sand and rock bars to feed. Like us on Facebook for up to date information on the Missouri River Region! Hunters also pursue big game animals such as white-tailed deer, mule deer and antelope. OAHE TAILRACE Once thought of as a second-rate fishery compared to Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe has developed into a top walleye hotspot, and has recently established itself as the best overall reservoir in the entire Missouri River system. 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. Lake Sharpe- Big Bend Dam, South Dakota. Lake Sharpe sits below Lake Oahe and above Lake Francis Case. We catch a lot of walleyes in the 17-inch range to fill the slot. In the video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & Fish's John Taranto. Big Bend Dam began operating in 1964 as one of the six large federal dam and reservoir projects on the upper Missouri River that, as a system, reduces flood risks for the populations and urban and agricultural properties downstream. On certain years, ice-anglers and boat anglers will actually discuss the day's bite while fishing the same area, but ice conditions are very uncertain and I have always felt better with a boat under me at that point in the season. Nick Harrington and Mason Propst both live and work in Pierre and are constantly on the water. The dam was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944 and plays a key role in the development of water resources in the Missouri River basin. Typically, open water exists for about five miles below the dam, depending on weather and water releases, and good fishing exists throughout the area. At Yankton the fishing is going well with the warmer weather. days, the area can see a lot of traffic this time of year. Although not the quality of the fish being caught below the dam, anglers are enjoying action throughout the day and many are catching quality 15-17 inch fish to keep as well. Four large reservoirs were created along the length of the "Big Mo," thanks to dams near Pierre, Fort Thompson, Pickstown and Yankton. Most anglers fish by boat, but plenty of fishermen have their favorite spots along the shore. Lake Oahe. Walleyes, catfish bite at Big Bend. This means the fishing will often be dictated by the time of year, with spring producing the best fishing when gizzard shad are least abundant. These include reducing the loss of life and property damage from floods, producing hydropower, and providing benefits to recreation, irrigation, water quality, fish and wildlife, and commercial navigation. Today, approximately 80,000 acres of public lands and water provide a variety of benefits to the public including flood control, recreation, conservation of our natural resources, fish and wildlife habitat, irrigation, and hydropower production. At the Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge, visitors may encounter any number of species indigenous to the area, from beaver to white-tailed deer. At Gettysburg anglers are starting to catch a better number of fish, with a few more limits coming in. Pactola Lake - Rapid City. Once again, trolling crankbaits along the bluffs and then pitching individual pods of fish can produce the best results. Bottom bouncing with Smile Blades and crawlers in 7-10 feet of water can produce excellent fishing at times. There are probably more March walleyes taken there than in all other areas of the system combined. We suggest you call one of our members listed at the end of the report they can be very helpful with what is happening along the river. The late Larry KerzmanMORE. Fishing the large flats between Stony Point and De Grey can produce fish. In thePlattearea the water levels are up. Throughout the heat of summer, the bulk of the fishing will take place in the lower third of the reservoir. While Sharpe is known for its walleye fishing, anglers will often find saugers in their bag as well. Check out the Game, Fish & Parks web site for detailed info on the regulations. Fish the east side, and go to the area of the second lamp pole once you are on "the . South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks officials report that because of the rule, 40 percent of the walleyes over 18 inches that were caught last season were released. West Bend Recreation Area is one of the South Dakota state parks along the Lewis and Clark Trail. Smallmouth Bass have a long, slender body green to bronze in color and 9-16 vertical bars along the side. In the early summer, walleye fishing on the Missouri River can be as simple as serving up a meal for hungry and eager to bite fish, find out more in Serving Up Missouri River Walleye. Lake Sharpe is named for former South Dakota Governor, Merrill Q. Sharpe, who was instrumental in implementing the construction of USACE dams on the Missouri River. "Look at that," Dale said as he shut down. Hunting regulations are established and enforced by the State of South Dakota, and the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Tribes. And, eagles can be seen everywhere. Walleyes typically are really moving around this month; you have to locate fish, take what you can, then move on. Lake Sharpe sits below Lake Oahe and above Lake Francis Case. Big Sioux: A few crappie at 60th Street. Boat ramps are plentiful on the lake. Particularly in May and early June, the white bass fishing can be downright spectacular along LaFramboise Island. If you want a big lake experience, you'll find it along the Missouri River. Major to record flooding occurred on the James, Vermillion and Big Sioux Rivers in eastern South Dakota in March 2010 following an excessively wet fall and winter. The Walleye population in Oahe is top-notch. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. They feed primarily on fish, insects and crustaceans. "The walleyes are very current orientated here, and with less current to fight, they should congregate and stay longer," he says. Depths are fairly shallow on windy days and a bit deeper when the water is calm. By the time European explorers arrived in this area in the 18th century , earth lodge villages of the Arikara tribes lined the bluffs along the river. The Visitor Center is open Memorial Day to Labor Day with off-season hours September through October. It was the last of the four major dams in South Dakota to be constructed along the Missouri River. Instagram: masonpropstfishing, Get the latest catches, behind-the-scenes content and more by following Chris Seylar on Instagram! The National Wild Turkey Federation's mission to conserve wild turkey and preserve hunting heritage is still going strong after a half-century. There are few fisheries that can offer a strong walleye bite all 12 months of the year, but Sharpe is one of these fisheries. Lake Francis Case. Nonresidents of South Dakota. Be sure to bring some bug spray!! Name Big Bend Dam Address 33573 North Shore Road Fort Thompson, South Dakota, 57339 Phone 605-245-2331 Like most tailrace anglers in March, we went with the traditional jig-and-minnow as our primary weapon, but opted for a heavier 3/8-ounce jig because of the gusty wind. It stretches for 231 miles from Oahe Dam, near Pierre, all the way north to Bismarck, N.D. AroundSpring Creek /Cow Creek - Anglers are fishing in shallow stained water with jigs/gulp minnows and bottom bouncers. 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. There will be a certain number of fish that stay in the upper end of the reservoir, primarily within the Oahe Dam tailrace. The lake has an area of 102,000 acres and a maximum depth of 140 feet. Big Bend Dam Contact Information. During the spring and fall migrations, bird watchers enjoy a great diversity of birds including a large number of bald and golden eagles. Pease Creek to the Fort Randall Dam is going good. English: Big Bend Dam on the Missouri River, South Dakota. Current and Predicted River Conditions in the Middle Missouri River Basin from the National Weather Service. When youre out on the water be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife thats a great part of fishing! Missouri River Basin Water Management Division lists current condition and forecast for the entire Missouri River Basin. Followers 37 Catches 1 Spots 0. In addition, dam safety engineers across federal and state agencies share information as they learn about the performance of flood risk reduction structures built over many decades. Similar to summer, drifting Floating Rapalas in the current can produce a tremendous bite in the evenings. Marathon . They share the waters with boaters, skiers and fishermen. On Oahe and Sharpe call Hutch's Guide Service at 605-220-2844. Lake Sharpe, a walleye factory, offers an excellent action fishery and consistently produces strong numbers of walleyes each year. leading to the south and north sides of the lake dam. Anglers are fishing in 5-20 feet using spinners and minnows with some starting to use crawlers. SOUTHBEND GRIDDLE Other Items Online Auctions at EquipmentFacts.com. Today, visitors can walk the parade grounds and imagine what life was like at this lonely frontier post. In fact, you could even say 95% of the fish are in 5% of the water. Self guided, or with one of our dedicated fishing guides, you will have an amazing fishing trip chasing walleyes in the Pierre area. Do not transport any lake water from minnow buckets, coolers or other storage devices. 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. 2021 . Current regulations mirror those of Lake Francis Case, with a four-walleye daily limit. Lower Lake Oahe gets fired up late June and early July. Look for current breaks along sandbars, ledges, flats and eddies for active fish. Phone: (605) 245-2255. Fishing is the . The dam was constructed as part of the Flood Control Act of 1944. The entire project was completed in 1956. Stay up to date with everything by following Lip Ripper Fishing on Facebook! Their journals are filled with vivid descriptions of the area and its inhabitants. Depending on the weather conditions, the first part of winter can produce spectacular fishing. . This results in consistent recruitment, keeping walleye available to catch year in and year out. The lake covers over 56,000 acres and offers 200 miles of scenic shoreline. Find out everything about Oahe in our Lake Oahe Profile. Currently, anglers fishing the tailrace this month are allowed a daily limit of four walleyes with a possession limit of eight. As stated earlier, the tailrace of Big Bend Dam is always a top producer. Black crappie, yellow perch and northern pike can also find their way into an anglers bag as well. All Rights Reserved. North Shore is a portion of Lake Sharpe located just to the west of the Big Bend Dam. 2. It is safe to say the stilling basin can become the capitol of walleye fishing at the capitol. The rifle has five caliber offerings, two barrel choices and three different riser stocks. See auction date, current bid, equipment specs, and seller information for each lot. This allows anglers an opportunity to fish much of the winter months out of their boats, especially during milder weather. Tours are by special appointment only. NWDM-Big Bend Dam Reservoir (NIDID=SD01092 Location Code=3155030) Elev = 1420.55 (ft NGVD29) as of: 03/MAR/2023 19:00. And there are a lot of 20- to 24-inch fish to fill the one-over-18-inches maximum.". Arkansas River at Morrilton. The capitals of the Dakotas, Bismarck and Pierre, are at the north and south tips of Lake Oahe, the 231-mile reservoir the dam creates. Omaha District completed several risk reduction actions at Big Bend Dam after the flooding of 2011. Whether you want to spend time by the water or on it, the fishing is great and the water is beautiful. For shore anglers, this is the best opportunity to catch a trophy caliber fish on Lake Sharpe. Water releases through the Big Bend Dam powerhouse (foreground) and eight spillway gates (upper right) reduce the likelihood of water flowing over the dams earthen embankment. HC 69, Box 74. Pulling .8 Macks Lure Smile Blades and nightcrawlers is often the perfect amount of attraction to entice walleyes looking to begin feeding heavily through the summer months. This deep, clear lake - at its maximum depth, Oahe reaches 205 feet - making for excellent boating and fishing. Once again, the bluffs will produce excellent fishing opportunities as fish will utilize this area as they transition up and down the reservoir. While not every walleye in the system stacks up in the tailraces, there is a noticeable shift, and these walleyes are on the bite. Generally these fish will use the flats as areas to rest and look for a meal, making trolling a perfect way to contact fish and put together a strong bag at the end of the day. Anglers are casting to shore and fish are being caught in 18 feet or less. The lands along Oahe are also known for exceptional hunting. Recreation Dont rule out the fishing opportunities in Pierre though. When not operating to reduce flood impacts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages this mainstem system of dams and reservoirs to balance hydropower generation, water supply, water quality, irrigation, fish and wildlife conservation, navigation, and recreation benefits. More information about the projects features are available here. During normal operations, USACE releases up to 103,000 cubic feet of water per second through the powerhouse. Good fishing ahead! The daily creel has a minimum size-limit of 15 inches and allows for only one of those walleyes to be 18 inches or longer. Missouri River Flood Regulation. President Dwight D. Eisenhower threw the switch that started the first power generating unit in 1954. Construction began immediately and in September 1956 the power plant began producing electricity. Both pitching jigs and and trolling crankbaits can produce fish greater than 20 inches this time of year. Washing off your boat before moving it from one waterway to another is a critical to helping reduce further impact on critical regional infrastructure. Lake Sharpe is a Missouri River reservoir located in central South Dakota. Other commonly caught species include smallmouth bass, white bass, northern pike and perch. Find more fishing reports in South Dakota. Followers 38 Catches 0 Spots 3. 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. We detail everything you need to know to find spring walleyes inSearching for Spring Walleye. For perspective, the largest release of water from Big Bend Dam as a result of flooding was a combined 166,300 cfs from the powerhouse and spillway in 2011. The stage at Morrilton was steady at 11.68 feet (flood stage is 30 feet). Francis Case lies above the Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River and winds upstream for 107 miles through South Dakota's rolling grass prairie and agricultural lands to the Big Bend Dam in Fort Thompson. "There is no secret spot or lure; everybody's just catching fish.