It’s a fishing day

Lake Sharpe (Pierre) fishing conditions · South Dakota

Now until 6 pmWalleye

The bite peaks at 94.

Log a trip here
Right now: 90 for walleye, go · inside the best windowTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Walleye, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 902 pm
  2. 94
  3. 90
  4. 905 pm
  5. 76
  6. 76
  7. 768 pm
  8. 76
  9. 80
  10. 8011 pm
  11. 76Sun
  12. 76
  13. 762 am
  14. 76
  15. 68
  16. 685 am
  17. 72
  18. 68
  19. 768 am
  20. 76
  21. 80
  22. 8011 am
  23. 76
  24. 76
  25. 762 pm
  26. 76
  27. 80
  28. 765 pm
  29. 76
  30. 76
  31. 768 pm
  32. 76
  33. 76
  34. 8011 pm
  35. 80Mon
  36. 76
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now · best window

Water
No reading

Walleye range 50–72°

Wind
10 mph

From the west

Light
Daylight

Sunset 4:23 pm

Sky
Mostly Cloudy

No rain expected

Air
63°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
5% lit

Waning crescent

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are South Dakota non-tidal regulations for these waters.

Walleye

Walleye

Sander vitreus

94GoNow until 6 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Walleye bite in 50–72° water, best near 62°.

Why

Sharp 3-hour fall — fish feed hard ahead of a front. Walleye feeds aggressively in low light. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 10–40 ft down.

Keep

15" minimum · 4 a day (Jan 1–Jun 30, Sep 1–Dec 31); 4 a day (Jul 1–Aug 31)

Open. Keep fish within the limits. 15" minimum except in July and August; 4 walleye a day, only 1 of them 20" or longer.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–May, Oct–Nov, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on walleye

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu

82Worth the tripNow until 6 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Smallmouth bass bite in 55–78° water, best near 68°.

Why

Sharp 3-hour fall — fish feed hard ahead of a front. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 3–30 ft down.

Keep

5 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. South Dakota: 5 largemouth and smallmouth bass a day combined, 10 in possession.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · South Dakota non-tidal

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Nov, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on smallmouth bass

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch

Perca flavescens

82Worth the tripNow until 6 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Yellow perch bite in 45–70° water, best near 58°.

Why

Sharp 3-hour fall — fish feed hard ahead of a front. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 5–30 ft down.

Keep

15 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. South Dakota: 15 yellow perch a day, 30 in possession.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · South Dakota non-tidal

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Mar–May, Oct–Dec, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on yellow perch

Channel Catfish

Channel catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

47Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Channel catfish bite in 60–85° water, best near 75°.

Why

Sharp 3-hour fall — fish feed hard ahead of a front. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Channel catfish is here May–Oct. Holds 5–30 ft down.

Keep

10 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. South Dakota: 10 catfish a day combined, only 1 flathead 30" or longer; 20 in possession.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · South Dakota non-tidal

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: May–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on channel catfish

Common Carp

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

47Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Common carp bite in 52–86° water, best near 72°.

Why

Sharp 3-hour fall — fish feed hard ahead of a front. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Common carp is here May–Oct. Holds 1–15 ft down.

Keep

no daily limit

Open. Keep fish within the limits. South Dakota: rough fish, carp included, have no limit.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · South Dakota non-tidal

Last checked 20 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: May–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on common carp

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • Barometer29.96 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today4:23 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow6:28 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 2:50 pm–3:50 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 9:40 pm–11:40 pm
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 5:40 am–6:40 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. South Dakota GFP publishes a report for the state.

Licenses and rules: South Dakota GFP · fish-consumption advisory

About this spot

The Missouri River reservoir between Pierre and Big Bend Dam — a consistent, high-density walleye fishery with smallmouth bass on the rock, channel catfish, and yellow perch. The tailwater below Oahe Dam at Pierre is a famous year-round walleye and smallmouth spot.

South Dakota: 4 walleye/day; Lake Sharpe adds a 15" minimum (waived July–August) with no more than one fish 20" or longer.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Lake Oahe (Oahe Downstream, Pierre)6 mi · South DakotaBest now until 6 pm
94Go

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Lake Sharpe (Pierre)?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Lake Sharpe (Pierre) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Lake Sharpe (Pierre)?

Lake Sharpe (Pierre) is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Yellow Perch, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Lake Sharpe (Pierre)?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Lake Sharpe (Pierre) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Lake Sharpe (Pierre) have?

Lake Sharpe (Pierre) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. South Dakota: 4 walleye/day; Lake Sharpe adds a 15" minimum (waived July–August) with no more than one fish 20" or longer.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Lake Sharpe (Pierre)?

state agency regulations apply at Lake Sharpe (Pierre). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Lake Sharpe (Pierre) tidal water?

No. Lake Sharpe (Pierre) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.