Full Day Beginner-Friendly Walleye, Catfish And Bass Trip in Pierre, SD
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Eighthour beginner trip targeting walleye, catfish, and bassCaptain Scott provides all tackle, bait, and handson instructionPerfect for firsttimers on Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe
Looking to get your feet wet with fishing but don't know where to start? Captain Scott Van Liere has been guiding folks just like you across Pierre's legendary waters for years, and this full-day trip is designed specifically for beginners and casual anglers who want to learn the ropes without the pressure. You'll spend a relaxed 8 hours exploring the productive waters of Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe, two of South Dakota's premier fishing destinations. Scott takes care of all the technical stuff – tackle, bait, and boat logistics – while you focus on learning and hopefully landing some beautiful fish. This isn't about breaking records; it's about building confidence, picking up solid techniques, and having a genuinely good time on the water.
Your day starts early with Captain Scott, who'll meet you at the launch with everything ready to go. These aren't rough waters – Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe offer calm, manageable conditions that are perfect for folks getting comfortable with boat fishing. Scott knows every productive spot, from shallow bays where bass like to hide to deeper structure where walleye patrol. You'll move between several proven locations throughout the day, giving you a real feel for how different areas fish and why certain spots produce better than others. The pace is relaxed and educational – Scott takes time to explain what's happening below the surface and why he's choosing specific lures or techniques. Don't worry about looking like a pro; everyone starts somewhere, and Scott's got the patience to help you get there. Just bring your valid South Dakota fishing license, some snacks, and drinks for the day.
This trip covers three essential fishing methods that every angler should know: casting, trolling, and jigging. Casting is your bread and butter technique – Scott will show you proper form and help you get comfortable with accuracy and timing. You'll practice hitting specific targets like fallen trees, weed edges, and rocky points where fish love to hang out. Trolling involves pulling lures behind the moving boat, covering more water to find active fish. It's a great way to learn how different speeds and depths affect your presentation. Jigging is all about vertical fishing – dropping your bait straight down and working it with subtle rod movements to tempt fish holding near bottom structure. Scott provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need, from spinner rigs and jigs for walleye to soft plastics for bass and stink baits for catfish. He'll explain why certain colors and sizes work better in different conditions, teaching you to think like the fish you're targeting.
Walleye are the crown jewel of Pierre's fishery and the reason many anglers make the trip to this part of South Dakota. These golden beauties typically run 2-4 pounds in these waters, with some stretching into the 6-8 pound range if you're lucky. They're known for their excellent table fare – firm, white meat with virtually no fishy taste. Walleye are structure-oriented fish that love rocky points, drop-offs, and weed edges. They feed most actively during low-light periods, making early morning and late evening prime times. What makes walleye fishing exciting is the subtle bite – you really have to pay attention to your rod tip and develop a feel for when they're mouthing your bait. Scott will teach you to recognize that gentle tick-tick-tick that signals a walleye pickup.
Channel Catfish in these waters are absolute bruisers that put up a fantastic fight once hooked. Pierre's cats commonly range from 3-8 pounds, with monsters pushing 15+ pounds lurking in the deeper holes. They're opportunistic feeders that will hit everything from cut bait to prepared stink baits, making them perfect targets for beginners. Catfish fishing teaches patience and bottom-fishing techniques that translate to other species. The best part? When a big channel catfish takes your bait, there's no mistaking it – they'll bend your rod and make your drag sing. These fish are most active during warmer months and can be caught throughout the day, though they often feed more aggressively in low-light conditions.
Smallmouth Bass are the scrappiest fighters in these waters, known for their acrobatic jumps and bulldogging runs. Pierre's smallies typically range from 12-16 inches, with some quality fish pushing 18+ inches and 3-4 pounds. They're ambush predators that love rocky areas, points, and underwater structure where they can hide and strike at passing prey. What makes smallmouth fishing addictive is their aggressive nature – when they hit your lure, they hit it hard and fight like fish twice their size. They respond well to a variety of presentations, from topwater early in the morning to deep-diving crankbaits during midday. Scott will show you how to read water and identify the types of structure that consistently hold bass.
This top-rated beginner-friendly trip offers everything you need to start your fishing journey on the right foot. Captain Scott Van Liere's patient instruction, combined with Pierre's world-class fishery, creates the perfect learning environment for new anglers. You'll leave the water with practical skills, confidence, and hopefully some great fish photos. The 8-hour format gives you plenty of time to practice different techniques without feeling rushed, and the small 2-guest capacity ensures personalized attention throughout the day. Whether you're looking to pick up a new hobby, spend quality time with a family member, or just escape to the water for a day, this trip delivers real value. Pierre's fishing season offers something special year-round, and Scott's local knowledge puts you on fish when others are struggling. Don't wait – book your spot and discover why so many anglers consider this their best trip of the season.
Your fishing platform for this Lake Oahe adventure is a sleek 22-foot Skeeter fiberglass boat from 2020, built specifically for serious angling. Twin Yamaha engines push this beauty to 55 knots when you need to cover water fast between fishing spots. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to six anglers with dedicated rod storage keeping your gear organized and ready. Modern fish-finding electronics help locate schools of walleye and bass hiding in the lake's structure, while the stable hull design makes it perfect for beginners learning to cast and work jigs. All USCG safety equipment is onboard, plus there's plenty of room to move around when fighting fish or just enjoying the ride across Pierre's productive waters.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel cats in Lake Oahe and Sharpe are solid fish that'll keep beginners happy. Most run 2-5 pounds, but we see 10-15 pounders regularly. They hang around deeper holes, rock piles, and drop-offs during the day, then move shallow to feed at night. Spring through fall are prime time when water temps warm up. These fish fight harder than most expect and make great table fare with that sweet, flaky meat. What guests love most is how forgiving they are - cats will hit stinkbait, worms, or cut bait pretty reliably. My go-to trick is using cheese bait on a slip sinker rig near structure. Their sense of smell is amazing, so let that scent work for you. Just watch those sharp fins when handling them.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are pound-for-pound the strongest fighters we target. Average fish run 12-16 inches, but 3-4 pounders will test your drag. They love rocky shorelines, boulders, and drop-offs where they ambush prey. Early morning and late evening are best, especially during spring and fall when they're more active. Summer finds them deeper in cooler water. What makes smallmouth special is their fight - they jump, run, and never give up easy. They're also excellent eating with firm, clean meat. I like throwing soft plastics or small jigs around structure. Here's a local tip: work your bait slow near those big granite boulders along the shoreline. Smallmouth sit tight to cover, so get your lure right in there and be patient.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the real prize in these waters. Most average 14-18 inches, but 20+ inchers show up often enough to keep things interesting. They love rocky points, weed edges, and drop-offs in 15-25 feet of water. Early morning and evening are prime time when they move shallow to feed. Fall fishing is outstanding when they school up heavy. Guests appreciate that walleye aren't just fighters - they're the best eating fish we catch. Firm, white meat with no muddy taste. The challenge is finding them since they move around daily. I focus on structure with my electronics, then use jigs tipped with minnows or crawlers. Key tip: keep your bait just off bottom and work it slow. Walleye bite light, so stay focused.
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