Weekends & Holidays: Call (605) 245-2255. Spot and range targets without wasting valuable seconds switching between gear with Luepold's new rangefinder binocular, the BX-4 Range HD. Once again, trolling crankbaits along the bluffs and then pitching individual pods of fish can produce the best results. Due to increased security, visitors for powerhouse tours must arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour and visitors over 18 years old must show a government issued photo ID. Although not the quality of the fish being caught below the dam, anglers are enjoying action throughout the day and many are catching quality 15-17 inch fish to keep as well. 3-Week Forecast (Tabular) Project Data - Updated regularly. DeanneHA/Tripadvisor. Learn more in the video above, with Remington's Joel Hodgdon and Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Tree-lined public camping areas surround the lake above and below Gavins Point Dam. Bottom bouncing continues to be the top option in fall, allowing anglers to cover the large flats and contact numerous fish, while still coaxing more neutral fish into biting. Major to record flooding occurred on the James, Vermillion and Big Sioux Rivers in eastern South Dakota in March 2010 following an excessively wet fall and winter. The dam takes its name from the unique bend in the Missouri River just seven miles upstream. Because of the lake's size and the possibility of high winds, it's recommended that boats be at least an 18-foot deep "V" with 50 horsepower outboard. Recreation.gov includes information on Federal government managed & Federal government affiliated (subordinate, subsidiary or member) sites. HC 69, Box 74. ELD Match, and 175 gr. The entire project was completed in 1956. Whether catching numbers of walleyes, the hard fighting white bass and smallmouth bass or hook up with the abundant channel catfish, bonus northern pike or any other fish in-between anglers will often enjoy a busy day of reeling fish in when out on Lake Sharpe. The Corps of Engineers began construction of Fort Randall Dam in 1946. From shore to 20 feet is the best right now using bottom bouncers, crawlers, leeches and minnows. At West Bend the fishing has been very good, mainly in 5 - 20 feet. Limits are coming in. Search Search Cancel. 2021 . Anglers are fishing in 5-15 feet using spinners and crawlers or minnows. Minnows and crawlers are the best for bait. I like to pitch jigs upstream on the flats, eddies and current breaks along the sandbar, and work the current back to the boat.". Left Tailrace Campground at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Big Bend Project, sits on the shore of Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River below Big Bend Dam. The Oahe Dam Visitor Center provides a complete history of Lake Oahe and the surrounding area. Anglers competing in tournaments or the Tuesday Night League in Pierre will often see fish in the 5-8 pound bracket brought to the scales. While not every walleye in the system stacks up in the tailraces, there is a noticeable shift, and these walleyes are on the bite. North Shore is a portion of Lake Sharpe located just to the west of the Big Bend Dam. Missouri River Flood Regulation. As with all walleye fishing at this time of year, Palmer echoes the sentiment that this is a great time to catch a wallhanger, as big aggressive females feed actively prior to their spawning. Arkansas River at Morrilton. Lake Sharpe, better referred to as "the river" by Pierre . Fishing in the West Bend area and near the face of the dam is often the best options. Four large reservoirs were created along the length of the "Big Mo," thanks to dams near Pierre, Fort Thompson, Pickstown and Yankton. Stay up to date with everything by following Lip Ripper Fishing on Facebook! As I eased across the Big Bend Dam overlooking the "Fort's" tailrace, I was surprised to see so many boats waiting to unload. Fish are looking very healthy. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. . President Dwight D. Eisenhower threw the switch that started the first power generating unit in 1954. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. While fishing has been great on Lake Sharpe, Cliff Stone, senior biologist with the SDDGFP at American Creek Fisheries Station, says that the abundance of walleyes less than 15 inches and greater than 18 inches has increased. Big Bend Dam on the Missouri River, South Dakota. "Look at that," Dale said as he shut down. Find more fishing reports in South Dakota. days, the area can see a lot of traffic this time of year. Big Bend National Park, Black Gap WMA and Big Bend State Park. Generally, the Oahe Dam tailrace remains open throughout the year and the section of river in Pierre will often remain open except for maybe a few weeks in the winter depending on conditions. SOUTHBEND GRIDDLE Other Items Online Auctions at EquipmentFacts.com. Like the other reservoirs, Oahe is known for its walleye fishing. At SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. No reports. You can trailer to fish cleaning stations nearest the boat ramp, but after that regulations call for draining live wells and boats. It creates the fourth largest artificial reservoir in the United States, supplying irrigation, conservation, flood control and electric power to many Midwestern states as well as abundant recreation along Lake Oahe. The rugged bluffs that line Lake Sharpe continue to harbor many species of waterfowl and wildlife. These include the installation of additional instrumentation to enhance foundation monitoring and upgrades to key foundation drainage systems (as well as installation of additional drains) to prevent water from eroding the dams foundation. Check out the SD Game, Fish & Parks weekly report to the right as well. Subscriber Services. Nicer days will definitely produce limits. "One female walleye can produce so many eggs that they make up for any fish lost," he says. Fishing on Case is going well in 15-20 feet using crawlers, with some pulling crankbaits. View is upriver to the west-northwest. Big Bend Dam Area Fishing Regulations. Similar to the Oahe Dam tailrace, the Big Bend Dam tailrace has been producing some excellent fishing as well. But more than that, fishing is at its best in March. On our second rods, we went with our usual backups, consisting of light Lindy rigs. Little Maumelle River. Camping facilities provided by the Corps and the States of South Dakota and Nebraska include campsites with electricity, modern restrooms, playground equipment and trailer dump stations. Similar to summer, drifting Floating Rapalas in the current can produce a tremendous bite in the evenings. One of the best shore-fishing spots I know is along the tail-race beneath the Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson. One cubic foot of water, or cfs, is equal to 7.5 gallons. Lake Oahe is the first stop along the northern part of the Missouri River in South Dakota. On Lake Francis Case the bite is better and anglers are fishing in shallows. When we neared the trees that line the bend entering Crow Creek, Dale eased back on the throttle and crawled our boat into the 14 feet of water that guarded the standing timber. Today, the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, overlooking Gavins Point Dam, offers exhibits on the river's natural resources, the people who have lived along its banks and Lewis and Clark's expedition. Fishing is the . As spring turns into summer, fishing on the lower end of the reservoir will pick up. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. The daily creel has a minimum size-limit of 15 inches and allows for only one of those walleyes to be 18 inches or longer. Best Fishing Times near Big Bend Dam. October 2009 saw 200 percent to over 300 percent of normal rainfall across all of eastern South Dakota. From Lake Oahe to Lake Sharpe, the South Dakota Missouri River region is full of beautiful lakes and rivers, full of outdoor recreational bliss. At thePickstown -Wagner Lake Andes areas fishing is going pretty well. The reservoir runs from Oahe Dam in Pierre to Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson. Lake Sharpe begins at the Oahe Dam and flows for 80 miles south to the Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson. Early groups inhabited isolated locations such as wooded draws and terraces which offered protection from the elements and access to food sources. Farther down the tailrace, boats will be scattered along the cut banks, which offer some great fishing. This is the official public website of the Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Eric Lundgren of Ruger, which now owns Marlin, highlights the features of both rifles with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. South Jordan, UT Change Store. Once again, the daily creel has a minimum size limit of 15 inches and allows only one of those fish to be 18 inches or longer. Lake Sharpe is created by the Big Bend Dam, which is located near Fort Thompson, just south of a major bend in the Missouri River. Hunters also pursue big game animals such as white-tailed deer, mule deer and antelope. "There is no secret spot or lure; everybody's just catching fish. When Lewis and Clark passed through, they noted an abundance of wildlife hereand the same holds true today. The limit of one walleye over 18 inches has been widely accepted by anglers, who have seen the average size of their catch increase annually since the inception of the rule. At Yankton the fishing is going well with the warmer weather. Particularly in the early fall, fishing can be spotty as fish are here one day and gone the next and other days less willing to bite than they had been previously. Ground was broken at the dam site on May 18, 1952, in a ceremony attended by Lieutenant General Lewis Pick, then Chief of Engineers, and the Governors of South Dakota and Nebraska. Trading posts and military forts were soon established as people arrived by boat up the Missouri. Also joining us that chilly morning was my brother, Dale Simpson, who readied the boat as Dad and I stuffed ourselves into our coveralls and gulped down the last of the coffee. A destination for outdoor enthusiasts, find out more about planning your trip to Pierre! . The paddlefish "paddle" is called a rostrum and is a . Basin Update. A few salmon have been caught at the top of Oahe. Circle H Motel at 605-487-7652. Lake Sharpe resembles more of a river than a typical lake. As a result, the pool level of the Big Bend Dam is the same as the outflow level of the Oahe Dam, and the pool level of the Fort Randall Dam is the same as the outflow level of the Big Bend Dam. |
Many times we hear that 90% of the fish are in 10% of the water. This is because of all Missouri River reservoirs, it is widely considered to have some of the best spawning areas and structure. The Glacial Lakes in northeastern South Dakota also reached record high levels. asked my dad with a slight grin on his face. Tailrace walleyes primarily feed on abundant white suckers and other forage including perch, crappies, minnows and white bass. They prefer rocky, clear-water habitats of lakes impoundments and small to medium sized streams. Lake Oahe. "I like to anchor along the sandbar between the car bridge and railroad bridge and work the current with jigs. Independent Review Panel Teleconference. For website corrections, write to dll-cenwo-pao@usace.army.mil, An official website of the United States government. Deliver vital engineering solutions, in collaboration with our partners, to secure our Nation, energize our economy, and reduce disaster risk. "Fishing has been really hot, and limits are very common.". The twenty-five mile long lake holds a special attraction for sailing enthusiasts and brightly colored sailing masts dot the water all summer long. During this time, fishing depends on the ice conditions, but is generally confined to the upper end of the reservoir. Particularly in May, the stilling basin can still produce very good fishing for anglers looking to bottom bounce in the same areas they had been jigging previously. "Another thing I would like to mention about spring tailrace fishing is the great trophy trout and salmon that are taken here each year," adds Hendrickson. Sportsman's Warehouse: Shop online or in-store for quality hunting, fishing, camping, recreational shooting & outdoor gear at competitive prices. Over the years, the Fort, as local anglers call it, has come to be known more for its solid stringer of fish than as a trophy fishery. Zebra mussels were discovered in Sharpe in July of 2019. Visit the National Inventory of Dams to learn more about how dams work and Big Bend Dam risk assessments. in another month, March is generally reserved for boat traffic in Big Bend's tailrace. As of Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Ormond Lock and Dam was 38,257 cfs. Naturally, a cloud of freezing rain had hovered over us the last 20 miles of the trip, and it was now glued onto the boat and our equipment. In fact, you could even say 95% of the fish are in 5% of the water. The Oahe Dam tailrace can produce excellent fishing all year, thanks to the cold waters coming out of Lake Oahe keeping a consistent forage base, but it can be exceptional come fall especially for shore anglers. Waterfowl and upland game birds include ducks, geese, pheasants, prairie chickens, and grouse. Omaha District completed several risk reduction actions at Big Bend Dam after the flooding of 2011. Smallmouth Bass are found statewide in both warm and cool waters. Note: 16,000 CFS indicates low water, over 40,000 indicates very high water. There are probably more March walleyes taken there than in all other areas of the system combined. "The stilling basin is void of current, and the water is warmer than the main channel. Anglers are catching fish both south and north of the Platte/Winner Bridge along the bluffs. ", The veteran angler also explains that while the sandbars get the lion's share of the attention, the mouth of the stilling basin is also a great spot to fish. Palmer recommends using light line in the clear water - usually 4-pound-test and either a 1/8- or 1/4-ounce jig, depending on the current. Tying a #9-#11 Floating Rapala to a 1 1/2 oz bottom bouncer and floating in the current can not only produce good numbers of fish, but very large fish as well. ; Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may . James and Tammy King. Ken Vitale with Buck Knives chats with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller about two new hunting knives for 2023the purpose-built Alpha and PakLite series. Call Bobs Resort at 605-765-2500 or South Whitlock Resort at 605-765-9762 in Gettysburg. Both pitching jigs and and trolling crankbaits can produce fish greater than 20 inches this time of year. While Sharpe is not known for northern pike fishing, there can be good numbers of pike caught in the areas where there is not a great deal of current and more weed growth. DIRECTIONS: From Interstate 45 in Fairfield, TX, go east on HWY 84 to FM 488, stay right on FM 2570, then turn right on FM 3285 until this road dead-ends into Park Road 64 at the entrance of . Big Sioux: A few crappie at 60th Street. However, the current regulations guarding the system's walleyes are showing positive effects and the average size of walleyes taken has increased to over 16 1/2 inches. The depthfinder screen was on fire with schooling walleyes stacked on the subtle dropoff from 17 to 21 feet. Corps Foundation. Fishing open water anytime, is a good time. Lake Sharpe. Pike can be caught bottom bouncing, trolling crankbaits or even pitching jigs. Sep 1, 2011. Stay up to date on the latest bites, big catches and see behind the scenes action by following Nick and Mason on Instagram! NAWS battleMORE, The North Dakota Game and Fish Department trackedMORE, The Tolly, Gifts for Greatness presented
It's nothing more than an area where a section of the high bank seems to be cut off and flattened. Francis Caseis poster child of a walleye factory. Big Bend Dam and Lake Sharpe provide many benefits to the local and regional public and to the nation. Lake Sharpe flows for 80 miles from the Capital City of Pierre to the Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson. And, eagles can be seen everywhere. Walleye is the primary sport fish although sauger, small mouth bass, white bass, channel catfish, and northern pike are also fished from the lake. On Lake Sharpe and Lake Francis Case, contact Dakota Prairie Guide Service at 605-680-1910. Project staff at Big Bend Dam walk below a huge spillway gate during a dam safety inspection. You can experience the raw beauty of this landscape by driving the Native American Scenic Byway. Residents of South Dakota.
Anglers are using jigs and minnows in 10-25 foot depths. At the end of the cut banks where the river turns lies the famous Crow Creek area. Old Fort Randall, a military fort built in 1856, once stood in the shadow of Fort Randall Dam. Mainstem Elevations Storages Since 1967. About a mile and a half from the dam, we slowed down in front of the "plateau," as we call it. leading to the south and north sides of the lake dam. The graphics available below contain points for the Missouri River Mainstem Projects. Nick is originally from Gretna, NE. Chamberlain, SD 57325-9801. Features quick-change barrel system. Other species include common carp, freshwater drum, goldeye, bullhead, flathead catfish, burbot, and other sucker species. Overall, Lake Sharpe is a spectacular action fishery. When: Early April after ice out; late fall. The Big Bend dam near Fort Thompson, South Dakota, is named for an unusual, horse-shoe-shaped bend in the Missouri River. There are still plenty of overs, or fish greater than 20 inches, available for anglers to catch as well! Hutch's Guide Service Call Hutch at (605) 220-2844 Fishing & Hunting South Dakota's Lake Oahe & Lake Sharpe Outside of walleye, smallmouth are a commonly sought after species. Pulling .8 Macks Lure Smile Blades and nightcrawlers is often the perfect amount of attraction to entice walleyes looking to begin feeding heavily through the summer months. Call Bob's Resort at 605-765-2500 or South Whitlock Resort at 605-765-9762 in Gettysburg. A fisherman reported seeing an antelope swimming at Whetstone Bay! Missouri River Lodge in Geddes at 605-680-3877. Walleyes typically are really moving around this month; you have to locate fish, take what you can, then move on. Accessible out of Downs Marina, the area along LaFramboise Island will lack the current of the main river and feature areas of weed growth not seen along most of the reservoir. The dam consists of an earthen embankment, a powerhouse, and eight gates on a concrete-lined spillway. Walleyes, catfish bite at Big Bend. Whether anglers are looking to enjoy a strong bite in the spring, turn their pheasant hunt into a blast and cast in the fall, take advantage of the action fishing in the summer or catch fish out of the boat in the winter Sharpe provides an abundance of opportunities for anglers. While low water levels have troubled the upper reaches of the Missouri River System for the past year, Hendrickson feels that the lower releases from the dam will actually help walleye fishing in the tailrace this month. Big Bend Dam was constructed under the Pick- Sloan Plan for development of the Missouri River Basin. Bottom bouncing with Smile Blades and crawlers in 7-10 feet of water can produce excellent fishing at times. During the spring and fall migrations, bird watchers enjoy a great diversity of birds including a large number of bald and golden eagles. While the few open boat launches can get busy at this time of year, the amount of anglers and numbers of fish taken is a mere drop in the bucket when compared to a day in June. Pactola Lake - Rapid City. . Facilities at the Left Tailrace include campsites with electrical hookups, comfort stations with showers, a dump station, boat ramp, fish cleaning station, courtesy dock, picnic shelters, tables, grills, drinking water and playground. was created by the completion of Big Bend Dam in 1966. . Lake Sharpe is approximately 80 mi (130 km) long, with a shoreline of 200 mi (320 km). See the Lake Sharpe website for additional information. OAHE TAILRACE Once thought of as a second-rate fishery compared to Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe has developed into a top walleye hotspot, and has recently established itself as the best overall reservoir in the entire Missouri River system. Walleye and northern pike abundant. Lake Francis Case. English: Big Bend Dam on the Missouri River, South Dakota. For more information and up-to-the-minute reports on fishing Lake Oahe, please call Kemnitz MoRest Motel in Mobridge at 605-845-3668 or Akaska Bait Shop at 605-649-7847. Walleyes that had spent most of the winter and spring in the upper third of the reservoir will transition their way down and spend the summer in this area. The City of Big Bend is located in Pennington County in the State of South Dakota.Find directions to Big Bend, browse local businesses, landmarks, get current traffic estimates, road conditions, and more.The Big Bend time zone is Mountain Daylight Time which is 7 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge, just below Fort Randall Dam, is where visitors often spot bald eagles sitting high atop cottonwood trees lining the shore. Francis Case lies above the Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River and winds upstream for 107 miles through South Dakota's rolling grass prairie and agricultural lands to the Big Bend Dam in Fort Thompson. The lake covers over 56,000 acres and offers 200 miles of scenic shoreline. . The water behind Big Bend Dam is called Lake Sharpe, which extends 80 miles behind the dam, where it backs up to the Oahe Dam. - Rules and regulations for public use including hunting and recreation activities on USACE water resource development projects. As summer transitions to fall, fish will generally begin moving back up the reservoir around September. The Oahe Dam was authorized in 1944 by the Flood Control Act. Big Bend Dam Fishing near Fort Thompson, South Dakota Big Bend Dam is a dam located just 1.4 miles from Fort Thompson, in Buffalo County, in the state of South Dakota, United States. All public lands around the Lake Sharpe and the Missouri River are open to hunting, except for developed recreation areas. On either end of Lewis and Clark Lake sit two natural segments of Missouri River that flow unrestricted. The jaw extends to the . Northeast South Dakota. NOTE: Data displayed may contain bad points (spikes) that could be related . "I don't know where those rumors started," Wickstrom stated. Once again, the bluffs will produce excellent fishing opportunities as fish will utilize this area as they transition up and down the reservoir. Followers 37 Catches 1 Spots 0. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Open to fishing all year below Bowman Dam. Big Bend Dam tours offered from Memorial Day to Labor Day at 1:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. A few miles down river, the large sand bars near the bridges in town can produce excellent fishing as well. One lake trout per day, 24-inch minimum length. The Dam Safety Program seeks to ensure that USACE owned and operated dams do not present unacceptable risks to people, property, or the environment, with the emphasis on people. With most fishing done from boats, the protected marina offers convenient boat launching, regardless of the wind direction. Minnows and crawlers are the best for bait here. The dam was dedicated on August 17, 1962, by President John F. Kennedy. West Bend Recreation Area is one of the South Dakota state parks along the Lewis and Clark Trail. The Walleye population in Oahe is top-notch. But smelt have never been as big of a factor in the extreme upper reaches of the system as they are in the southern two-thirds. We catch a lot of walleyes in the 17-inch range to fill the slot. Anglers looking to target walleye in November and December, when the weather allows, will often find the best success pitching jigs and minnows. . Anglers with side scan can quickly search these sand bars to find pods of active fish. At Gettysburg anglers are starting to catch a better number of fish, with a few more limits coming in. Scattered early white settlements began at this time. In thePlattearea the water levels are up. It's narrow channel stretches 80 miles from the Oahe Dam to the Big Bend Dam in Fort Thompson. It is possible to view many types of wildlife on the Missouri River at Lake Sharpe. The water level is dropping, with fishing going very well. Here walleye and bass are hitting either jigs or bottom bouncers and minnows. Big Bend Dam began operating in 1964 as one of the six large federal dam and reservoir projects on the upper Missouri River that, as a system, reduces flood risks for the populations and urban and agricultural properties downstream. Lake Sharpe begins at the Oahe Dam and flows for 80 miles south to the Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson. Exhibits feature the history of the construction of the dam/power plant, and the natural history of Lake Oahe and the Missouri River. Missouri River in Mobridge. Palmer guides out of Carl's Bait Shop in Fort Pierre, and hits the tailrace in the Pierre area hard. As part of its Dam Safety Program, Omaha District conducts detailed engineering analyses to ensure its dams are safe and that risks to the public, property, and the environment are minimized to the extent possible. Water releases through the Big Bend Dam powerhouse (foreground) and eight spillway gates (upper right) reduce the likelihood of water flowing over the dams earthen embankment. Popular attractions in Pierre include Steamboat Park, La Framboise Island, and the Oahe Dam. Located near Fort Thompson, Big Bend Dam is the major earth-rolled dam that creates Lake Sharpe. By the time European explorers arrived in this area in the 18th century , earth lodge villages of the Arikara tribes lined the bluffs along the river. There are many snags and sandbars. Missouri River Basin Water Management Division lists current condition and forecast for the entire Missouri River Basin. Anglers also may find chinook salmon and Atlantic salmon in Sharpe, particularly in the Oahe Dam tailrace. Average depth of 11 feet, maximum depth of 33 feet. Call (605) 245-2255. It is this mix of Arikara villages and Dakota and Lakota encampments that the Lewis and Clark expedition encountered upon reaching the Big Bend region on September 19, 1804. Spinners and bottom bouncers and minnows are working well, with some starting to pull plugs. Browning's Rafę Nielsen shares details on the new X-Bolt Pro LR McMillan hunting rifle with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Fishing is the main attraction to the area, with walleye being the primary sport fish, although sauger, smallmouth bass, white bass, channel catfish and northern pike also provide great fishing action. Check out our YouTube channel with even more great videos today! Tons of walleyes are taken there every spring. Fishing the large flats between Stony Point and De Grey can produce fish. The Fort Randall Dam area is home to one of America's largest wintering concentrations of bald and golden eagles. While smallmouth can be caught across most of the reservoir, the best fishing generally takes place on the lower end of the reservoir between West Bend and the face of the dam. Boaters are reminded they must pull their plugs every time after they load up and only put them back in once they are ready to launch. During periods of high flows, the coldwater prey species of Lake Oahe may be flushed through the dam and diversify the Sharpe forage options. Trying casting shallow running crankbaits into the reeds on the upper end of the reservoir. Big Bend Dam. Perch, crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass present. All Rights Reserved. Current regulations mirror those of Lake Francis Case, with a four-walleye daily limit. Construction began in 1959 and the entire project was completed in 1966. 10. As is often the case early in the season, we had nearly caught our limit with a fair amount of ease. Particularly in May and early June, the white bass fishing can be downright spectacular along LaFramboise Island. On Oahe and Sharpe call Hutch's Guide Service at 605-220-2844. Just upstream of Left Tailrace, Lake Sharpe, a popular recreation destination in the Great Plains,was created by the completion of Big Bend Dam in 1966. Big Bend Map. Lake Sharpe was the last of the Missouri River reservoirs completed and follows a serpentine course of 80 miles between Big Bend Dam and Pierre, SD. Lake Sharpe is a Missouri River reservoir located in central South Dakota. It is important to understand that the dam is designed to release up to 493,000 cfs when necessary and that dams do not eliminate flood risk. The lake has an area of 56,884 acres (230.20 km2) and a maximum depth of 78 ft (24 m). It was the last of the four major dams in South Dakota to be constructed along the Missouri River. Be sure to bring some bug spray!! We guide in South Dakota year round for Jumbo Perch, walleyes, Northern Pike, crappies and. When not operating to reduce flood impacts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages this mainstem system of dams and reservoirs to balance hydropower generation, water supply, water quality, irrigation, fish and wildlife conservation, navigation, and recreation benefits.