Lake Francis Case (Chamberlain) fishing conditions · South Dakota

Tonight 6 pm to tomorrow 2 pmWalleye

The bite peaks at 68.

Right now: 65 for walleye, marginalTap 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.

652 am
68
65
655 am
65
65
658 am
58
58
5811 am
58
58
582 pm
58
58
585 pm
65
65
658 pm
65
65
6811 pm
68Tue
68
682 am
68
68
685 am
68
68
688 am
68
68
6811 am
68
68

Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Water: No reading
Wind: 10 mph
Light: Dark
Sky: Chance Rain Showers
Air: 39°F
Barometer: Steady
Moon: 100% lit

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

Sander vitreus

68MarginalTonight 6 pm to tomorrow 2 pm

Water

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

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 10–40 ft down.

Keep

4 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. South Dakota: 4 walleye a day (8 in possession), only 1 of them 20" or longer. Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case add a 15" minimum outside July and August.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · South Dakota non-tidal

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

Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu

68MarginalTonight 6 pm to tomorrow 2 pm

Water

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

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. 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

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

Yellow perch

Perca flavescens

68MarginalTonight 6 pm to tomorrow 2 pm

Water

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

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. 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

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

Ictalurus punctatus

68MarginalTonight 6 pm to tomorrow 2 pm

Water

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

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. 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

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

Northern pike

Esox lucius

68MarginalTonight 6 pm to tomorrow 2 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Northern pike bite in 50–70° water, best near 63°.

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 4–30 ft down.

Keep

6 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. South Dakota: 6 northern pike a day, 12 in possession, the Missouri River reservoirs included.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · South Dakota non-tidal

Season here: Year-round. More on northern pike

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

68MarginalTonight 6 pm to tomorrow 2 pm

Water

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

Why

Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. 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 8 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
Barometer30.50 inHg, steady

Sun, moon & solunar

Sunrise today8:05 am
Sunset today6:36 pm
MoonFull, 100% lit
Major solunarToday 12:20 am–2:20 am
Minor solunarToday 8:20 am–9:20 am
Major solunarToday 12:40 pm–2:40 pm

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

A 100-mile Missouri River reservoir behind Fort Randall Dam — a renowned "walleye factory" through the Chamberlain reach. Walleye and sauger blanket the points and flats, with smallmouth bass on the rock, yellow perch, channel catfish, and northern pike. Public ramps cluster around Chamberlain and the dam.

South Dakota: 4 walleye a day (8 in possession), only 1 of them 20" or longer; 15" minimum except in July and August. A premier Missouri-system walleye destination.

WaterReservoir
AccessPier, shore and ramp
RulesSouth Dakota non-tidal
WhereBrule County · 43.8000, -99.3200

Nearby

The closest public spots we cover, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Lake Sharpe (Pierre)65 mi · South DakotaBest now until 5 am

78Worth the trip

Lake Oahe (Oahe Downstream, Pierre)70 mi · South DakotaBest now until 5 am

78Worth the trip

Lewis and Clark Lake113 mi · NebraskaBest tonight 10 pm to tomorrow 2 pm

68Marginal

West Okoboji Lake211 mi · IowaBest tomorrow 1 am–2 pm

80Worth the trip

Spirit Lake213 mi · IowaBest now until 6 am

87Go

Lake McConaughy (Ogallala)214 mi · NebraskaBest today 10 am–10 pm

68Marginal

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Lake Francis Case (Chamberlain)?

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

What fish are commonly targeted at Lake Francis Case (Chamberlain)?

Lake Francis Case (Chamberlain) is listed on this site for 6 commonly-targeted species: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, and 2 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 Francis Case (Chamberlain)?

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 Francis Case (Chamberlain) 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 Francis Case (Chamberlain) have?

Lake Francis Case (Chamberlain) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. South Dakota: 4 walleye a day (8 in possession), only 1 of them 20" or longer; 15" minimum except in July and August. A premier Missouri-system walleye destination.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Lake Francis Case (Chamberlain)?

state agency regulations apply at Lake Francis Case (Chamberlain). 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 Francis Case (Chamberlain) tidal water?

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