South Dakota Fishing Report

Four people with a large catch of fish on a truck bed in an outdoor setting.

South Dakota Fishing Report

The year 2025 proved to be exceptionally fruitful for fishing on lakes Oahe, Sharpe, Lake Thompson, Big Stone Lake, and many others. Oahe is consistently yielding a strong average of 16"-20" fish, with plenty of impressive specimens measuring 24"-28". Lake Sharpe continues to thrive as a fantastic fishery. Remember that the 15" minimum regulation is lifted during the months of July and August. Meanwhile, Lake Thompson and the eastern glacial lakes are also delivering some excellent walleye, perch, bluegills, and crappie for those seeking a fishing adventure in the eastern prairie lakes of South Dakota.


Using Lindy and bobber rigs can be effective in attracting bites, while I also enjoy pitching jigs depending on the situation and season. Additionally, pulling artificial bait at high speeds is an efficient way to locate active, feeding fish.

Two men display a string of caught fish near a boat. One man holds the string, the other points.
Two men holding a string of caught fish in front of a garage.
Five people pose with a wooden rack of caught fish. It reads
Man holding a walleye fish on a boat. He wears sunglasses, hat, and khaki pants.
Three people display a string of caught fish near a boat.
Two people pose beside a table with many fish. Outdoors, trees in the background. The man has a hat on.
Two men on a boat, one holding a large fish. Cloudy day on the water.
Man in a boat holding a large walleye fish; water and hills in the background.
Man stands behind a table overflowing with freshly caught fish. Indoor setting.
Man holding a large walleye fish on a boat, outdoors.
Four people pose with a large catch of fish on a white surface outdoors.
Man with sunglasses stands next to a table covered in yellow perch fish. Outdoors, in a park.
Man holding two walleye fish near a truck, sunny day.
Man in a boat holding a walleye fish. He is wearing a hat and sunglasses, on a sunny day.
Two people on a boat display yellow perch they caught, smiling, wearing hats and sunglasses, on a lake.
Two men holding a stringer with many caught fish in a yard with a fence.
Man in boat with fish catch, near truck on grassy land.
Man in boat holding up two fish. Lake in background. Sunny day.
Catch of fish on a cutting board, including perch, walleye, and northern pike.
Man and woman smiling next to a board with many yellow perch fish. Red car in the background, outdoor setting.
Man holding a fish, standing near a boat. He wears a blue shirt, jeans, and a cap. Sunny outdoors.
Two men pose with a row of caught fish on a cutting board outside.
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2024 Fishing Report Recap

2024 was a great year on Lakes Oahe, Sharpe and the eastern glacial lakes angling for walleye, perch, crappie, bluegill, and smallmouth bass.


April-June, I was guiding on Lake Sharpe on the Missouri river, finding many walleye and smallmouth bass. May-July was great on Lake Oahe catching many 16"-27" walleye. Lake Thompson and the eastern glacial lakes were good, with a phenomenal pre and post spawn bite for walleye using Lindy rigs with mac blades and/or jigs.


June-September was great on both perch and bluegill; fishing the lakes north of Watertown during these months, presenting with ultralights and light tackle.


I anticipate 2025 to be another great year fishing the Missouri river and eastern glacial lakes. Call now to plan your 2025 fishing trip.

A group of people displaying many fish they caught on a rack; the sign says
A couple stands by a table with many fish, likely a catch at a park.
Four men pose with a large catch of fish on a table outside. They are near a shelter on a sunny day.
Two people holding a string of caught fish, likely near a boat. Sunny day.

Missouri River System Fishing Report

Both Lake Sharpe and Lake Oahe produced large numbers of walleye and smallmouth bass presenting with Lindy rigs and jigs anywhere from 8' to 30' depending on the time of year.

Lake Sharpe South Dakota Walleye Fishing
Woman holding South Dakota bass
South Dakota Walleye Fishing
South Dakota Walleye Fishing, family holding days's limit
South Dakota Walleye Fishing, father and son with the day's catch
South Dakota Walleye Fishing
South Dakota Walleye Fishing
South Dakota Walleye Fishing
South Dakota Walleye Fishing Guide
South Dakota Walleye Fishing, family holding the day's catch
South Dakota Walleye Fishing
South Dakota Walleye Fishing
South Dakota Walleye Fishing
South Dakota Walleye Fishing Guide, Adams Guide Service
South Dakota Walleye Fishing

Lake Thompson July Fishing Report

April and June produced nice walleye and crappie throughout the pre and post spawn bite on Lake Thompson and surrounding lakes. July-October I like to fish for perch, bluegill and crappie up in the northeastern glacial lakes. Lindy rigs and jigs tipped with a minnow or crawler worked great in 4'-13' of water using ultralight rods and light tackle.

Four men pose with a table of fish; some wear hats and sunglasses. Outdoor setting.
Four men pose with a large catch of fish on a table outside.
Man holding large fish, standing next to a vehicle. Outdoors, daytime.
Man holding up a stringer of fish on a boat. Sunglasses, hat, blue shirt, gray shorts. Sunny day.
Two people holding a string of fish they caught in front of a boat.
Two people holding a string of fish they caught. One wears a hoodie and hat, the other a cap.
Group of people holding a string of fish, smiling. Outdoors near a boat.
Four people proudly display a large catch of fish, likely after fishing trip.
Four people standing near a tailgate piled with fish on a cutting board, sunny outdoor setting.

Lake Sharpe - May 16

May 2024 Lake Sharpe SD Fishing Report


Lake Sharpe is on fire producing 40-50 catch & release days on walleye and smallmouth bass.

The bite has been in 17'-27’


Multiple Day Bookings on Lake Sharpe from July to October receive $25/day discount.


Large groups welcomed

Additional Guide boats available

Lodging Packages available


Group of people holding up a rack with numerous fish, Adams Guide Service sign and phone number in view.
Black pontoon boat with a person at the helm on the water; overcast sky.
Group of people with a large rack displaying numerous fish, possibly a fishing excursion.
Group displaying many caught fish, held on a wooden rack. People obscured, outdoors.
Three fishing boats on water, overcast sky. Anglers in boats, one standing.
Two people on a boat holding up walleye fish they caught. Bright sunny day, blue sky, and lake water.
Two men pose with caught fish; a sign says Adams Guide Service, boat in background.
Man holding a smallmouth bass on a boat, green hills in the background.
Man with a fishing haul: bass, perch, and others on a truck bed in an outdoor setting.
White cooler filled with several freshly caught walleye fish.

Lake Thompson - May 11

Lake Thompson SD Fishing Report


with all the rain and cold fronts I’ve been focusing on Lake Sharpe on the Missouri River.

But I did get out a couple weeks ago and had some action.

Water temp needs to warm up.


Angler holding a walleye on a boat, wearing sunglasses and jacket; blue sky, water.
A boat's storage compartment filled with several fish, some with speckled patterns.