Premier Full Day Walleye & Bass Adventure on Lake Oahe
Private Trip
River Fishing
Eighthour guided walleye and smallmouth bass fishing adventureProfessional equipment, snacks, and fish cleaning services includedExpert guidance on premier Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe waters
Pierre, South Dakota sits right in the sweet spot where Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe converge, creating some of the finest walleye and smallmouth bass fishing in the upper Midwest. This full-day guided trip with Gunnin Dakota Guide Service puts you on these world-class waters with eight solid hours to target two of the region's most popular game fish. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, you're going to love what these lakes have to offer. We'll handle everything from professional-grade gear to cleaning your catch, so you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat.
Your day starts early with transportation to the launch, where we'll get you set up with top-rated rods, reels, and all the tackle you'll need. These aren't your basic rental setups – we're talking about the same gear that serious anglers invest in for their personal boats. The trip accommodates up to three anglers comfortably, with room for a fourth if your group needs it. Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe stretch for miles in every direction from Pierre, giving us plenty of productive water to explore within a 30-mile radius. The Missouri River system created these reservoirs, and they've become a customer favorite for good reason. The structure is perfect for both walleye and smallmouth bass, with rocky points, deep channels, and countless underwater features that hold fish year-round. Throughout the day, we'll keep you fueled with snacks and ice-cold water, and when it's time to head back, your guide will clean and bag everything you've caught so it's ready for the freezer or dinner table.
Fishing these Missouri River reservoirs requires adapting to conditions and fish behavior, which is where having an experienced guide makes all the difference. For walleye, we'll primarily use jigging techniques with live bait or soft plastics, working structure in 15 to 30 feet of water. Slip bobber rigs are another go-to method, especially when fish are suspended or relating to specific depth ranges. The walleye here love crawlers, leeches, and minnows, and we'll have plenty of fresh bait on board. Smallmouth bass fishing is where things get really fun – these fish are aggressive and will hammer everything from tube jigs to crankbaits. We'll target rocky points, riprap areas, and underwater humps where smallies like to ambush prey. The gear is matched perfectly to each technique, with medium-light spinning setups for finesse walleye presentations and medium-heavy baitcasting combos for working bass lures around cover. Your guide will handle all the rigging and re-rigging, plus show you the subtleties that separate good days from great ones. Line choice, weight selection, and presentation speed all matter on these pressured waters, and local knowledge is everything.
Walleye are the bread and butter of Pierre area fishing, and for good reason – they're abundant, they fight well, and they taste even better. These fish typically run 14 to 20 inches in Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe, with plenty of 2 to 4-pound fish mixed in and the occasional trophy pushing 6 pounds or more. Spring and fall are prime time for walleye action, when they move shallow to feed aggressively before and after the spawn. Summer fishing can be outstanding too, especially early morning and evening when they cruise the thermocline. What makes walleye so appealing to anglers is their cooperative nature – once you find a school, you can often catch several before they move on. They have excellent eyesight in low light, which is why dawn and dusk tend to produce the best action. The bite can be subtle, just a slight tick or weight on your line, so staying focused and feeling every bump is key to success.
Smallmouth bass bring the excitement factor that keeps anglers coming back trip after trip. These bronze fighters are pound-for-pound some of the strongest freshwater fish you'll encounter, known for their aerial displays and never-give-up attitude. The Missouri River system produces chunky smallies in the 12 to 16-inch range, with fish over 3 pounds caught regularly during peak seasons. Late spring through early fall offers the most consistent action, when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 60 and 75 degrees. Smallmouth relate heavily to rocky structure, and both Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe have miles of perfect habitat. They're opportunistic feeders that will eat crayfish, minnows, insects, and just about any properly presented lure. The fight is what sets them apart – a 2-pound smallmouth will give you a battle that rivals much larger fish, jumping multiple times and making long runs that test your drag system. It's not uncommon to catch both species on the same structures, making for diverse action throughout the day.
This trending Pierre fishing experience delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – productive water, professional equipment, and the local expertise that turns good trips into great ones. Eight hours on Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe gives you plenty of time to dial in both walleye and smallmouth patterns, plus enjoy the scenery and wildlife that make this part of South Dakota special. The all-inclusive approach means you can focus on fishing instead of logistics, from gear setup to fish cleaning. Just remember to grab your South Dakota fishing license before the trip – it's required for all participants and available online or at local retailers. Whether you're planning a guys' weekend, introducing someone new to fishing, or just need to get your fishing fix, this full-day adventure puts you on some of the most renowned walleye and bass water in the region. Book early, especially during peak season, because the best dates fill up fast with repeat customers who know what they've found.
Get ready to fish the Missouri River system aboard our top-tier 2022 21' Ranger 621. This sleek fishing machine is powered by a 350 Mercury Verado that'll get you to the hottest walleye and bass spots on Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe in no time. Built for serious anglers, this boat handles three guests comfortably with room for one more if needed. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating those suspended walleye schools, while GPS navigation keeps us locked onto productive structure. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and lunch fresh during the full eight-hour adventure. Whether you're casting cranks for smallmouth or pulling spinners for eyes, this Ranger delivers the stable platform and speed you need to maximize your time on Pierre's premier walleye waters.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are pure fighters - pound for pound, they're some of the scrappiest fish you'll find. These bronze-backed beauties average 12-16 inches but pack serious punch when hooked. They love rocky areas, drop-offs, and structure where they can ambush prey like crayfish and minnows. Spring and fall are fantastic when they're shallow, but summer fishing stays strong if you target deeper water near rocks. What guests love most is the fight - smallmouth will jump, run, and give you everything they've got. They're also great eating with firm, white meat. Pro tip for our waters: try a tube jig in natural colors along the rock piles. Let it fall on a slack line and watch for any line movement - smallmouth often hit on the drop.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the gold standard for eating fish around here - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. These olive-green beauties with their signature glowing eyes typically run 14-20 inches in our waters, though we see plenty of bigger ones. They love rocky bottoms and drop-offs during the day, then move shallow to feed at dusk and dawn. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most active, but we catch them year-round. What makes walleye special is their light bite - you really need to pay attention to feel them. Here's a local trick: when jigging, keep your rod tip low and lift slowly. Half the time you won't feel the bite, just weight when you lift up. They're worth the effort though - nothing beats fresh walleye fillets.
Pierre, SD