Full Day Pierre SD Walleye and Bass Trip
Private Trip
River Fishing
Eight-hour guided trip targeting walleye and smallmouth bassProfessional equipment, snacks, and fish cleaning service includedLake Oahe and Lake Sharpe fishing within Pierre area
When you're looking for world-class walleye and smallmouth bass fishing in South Dakota, there's no better setup than what you'll find on Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe near Pierre. This full-day guided fishing trip gives you eight solid hours to work the water with a local pro who knows exactly where these fish like to hang out. We're talking about some of the most productive walleye waters in the Midwest, plus smallmouth bass that'll put up a fight you won't forget. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting started, this trip is designed to put fish in the boat and memories in your back pocket.
Your day starts early with your guide handling all the heavy lifting – transportation to the launch, gear setup, and getting you positioned on the prime fishing spots within 30 miles of Pierre. We're talking professional-grade rods and reels, not the bargain bin stuff, plus all the tackle and bait you'll need to target both walleye and smallmouth bass effectively. The beauty of this setup is that it works for up to three anglers comfortably, with room for a fourth if your group needs it. Your guide keeps you fueled with snacks and ice water throughout the day, so you can focus on what matters – keeping your line wet and landing fish. At the end of eight hours, when your arms are tired and your cooler's full, they'll clean and bag your catch so you can head home with fillets ready for the pan.
Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe offer incredible variety in fishing techniques, and your guide will adapt based on conditions and what the fish are telling you. For walleye, expect to work everything from jigging with live bait in deeper structure to trolling crankbaits along points and drop-offs. The key here is reading the electronics and staying mobile – walleye schools move, and successful guides move with them. Smallmouth bass fishing is a different game entirely, often involving casting to rocky shorelines, working jigs around boulders, or pitching soft plastics into current breaks. The Missouri River system creates perfect habitat for both species, with deep water, rocky structure, and current that keeps baitfish active. Your guide brings years of local knowledge about seasonal patterns, so you're not just fishing – you're fishing smart.
Walleye are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These golden-sided beauties average 15 to 20 inches in Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe, with plenty of larger fish mixed in to keep things interesting. Spring and fall are prime time for numbers, but summer fishing can produce some real trophy fish when you work the deeper structure. What makes walleye so appealing isn't just their fight – though they do pull hard – it's that they're absolutely top-notch table fare. The meat is white, flaky, and mild, perfect whether you're planning a fish fry or just want fresh fillets for dinner. Pierre-area walleye feed heavily on the abundant baitfish in these waters, which keeps them fat and healthy year-round.
Smallmouth bass bring the attitude that walleye sometimes lack. These bronze-backed fighters are built for the rocky habitat and current of the Missouri River system, and they'll use every bit of it when they're hooked. Expect fish in the 12 to 16-inch range with occasional larger specimens that'll really test your drag. Smallmouth are most active during warmer months, from late spring through early fall, when they're feeding aggressively on crawfish, minnows, and insects. What gets anglers hooked on smallmouth fishing is their explosive strike and never-give-up attitude – pound for pound, they're some of the hardest fighting freshwater fish you'll encounter. Plus, they're excellent eating if you decide to keep a few for the table.
This full-day Pierre walleye and bass trip represents some of the best fishing value you'll find in South Dakota. Eight hours on premier water with professional equipment, local expertise, and fish cleaning service – that's a package that's tough to beat. The fact that it accommodates different skill levels means everyone in your group can enjoy success, whether they're learning to tie knots or already know their way around a tackle box. Don't forget to grab your South Dakota fishing license before the trip – it's required for everyone who'll be fishing. With Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe producing fish consistently throughout the season, there's never a bad time to get out there and see what's biting. Contact Gunnin Dakota Guide Service to lock in your dates and get ready for a day of fishing that'll have you planning your next trip before this one's even over.
Hit the Missouri River waters aboard our 2022 21' Ranger 621, rigged specifically for serious walleye and bass fishing on Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe. This tournament-grade boat handles Pierre's big water with confidence, powered by a 350 Mercury Verado that gets you to productive fishing zones quickly and quietly. The spacious layout comfortably fishes three anglers with room to work multiple lines and fight fish without crowding. Onboard fish finder helps locate suspended walleye schools and bass structure, while GPS keeps us on productive waypoints. The built-in icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long summer fishing days. Whether you're vertical jigging for walleye in 30 feet of water or casting for smallmouth along rocky points, this boat provides the stable platform and fish-finding technology to make the most of your day on South Dakota's premier walleye waters.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are the scrappiest fighters you'll find on these waters. Running 12-18 inches on average, these bronze-backed beauties love rocky structure and clear water. They hit hardest in spring and fall during cooler temps, but summer can be great if you target deeper drops early morning or late evening. What guests love most is the fight - pound for pound, nothing pulls harder or jumps higher than a smallmouth. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: when the water's calm, try a weightless plastic worm around shallow rock piles. Let it sink slowly and hang on - smallmouth can't resist that natural fall.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the golden prize of Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe - sleek, olive-colored fish that typically run 15-20 inches with those reflective silver eyes. They love rocky bottoms and drop-offs, staying deep during the day and moving shallow at dusk to feed. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're most active, though evening bites happen all season. What makes them special? They fight smart, not just hard, and the meat is absolutely top-notch - mild, flaky, and perfect for the dinner table. My go-to tip: when you find one walleye, slow down and work that area thoroughly. They school up, so where there's one, there's usually more waiting nearby.
Pierre, SD