Lake Francis Case: A Walleye Producing Factory
By Matt Walsh
In April, Chamberlain, South Dakota is the site of the annual walleye spawn on Lake Francis Case and consequently
some of the best fishing in the upper Midwest. Similar to the walleyes migrating from the lower sections of Lake
Francis Case, anglers from across the Midwest make the annual pilgrimage to Chamberlain, SD to taking advantage of
the massive concentrations of walleyes.
Spring Time Locations on Lake Francis Case
Technically, despite the name Lake Francis Case (on the Missouri River) is a reservoir. Beginning at the Big Bend Dam
(Fort Thompson, SD) and ending at Fort Randall Dam at (Pickstown, SD). The distance, as the crow flies is
approximately 100 plus miles. Sounds intimidating? Not really. It’s no secret that there are areas in and nearby
Chamberlain that produce walleyes year after year.
Locals simply break this body of water down by north, south, and the town of Chamberlain. Located north of
Chamberlain are well-known community holes such as Kiowa, the Crow Creek area, and tail race area below the Big
Bend Dam. Since the previous fall, walleyes will have been stacking up into these locations. The shoreline in
Chamberlain is littered with rip rap providing walleyes with ideal spawning habitat. In Chamberlain, between I-90 and
the railroad bridge is the “Dredge Hole.” Anglers need to be aware that this area is closed to fishing through April.
South of Chamberlain on the west side is Carpenter Bluffs, an area with a shale shoreline and adjacent deeper water.
Just south of Carpenter Bluffs is the White River area, all productive springtime spots.
Changing Conditions: Current and Water Temperature
As with most western reservoirs, Lake Francis Case walleyes
are highly transient. The old saying “here today, gone tomorrow”
could be replaced “here one minute, gone the next.” Using the old
river channel as a super highway, walleyes migrate to Chamberlain
for the spawn. Once the walleyes spawn some head north up with
most turning to the south making their way towards the deeper
water near Platte, SD. Contributing to the walleyes mobility and
location are ever changing conditions such as current and water
temperature. Knowledge of these conditions gained during the
practice period and the effects on the walleyes will be crucial.
The Corps of Engineers controls the water flow through the
Big Bend Dam. How much water is released (effecting the
strength of the current and water levels) and when is a day-by-day
proposition. If an area is dependent on current to activate the
walleyes to feed and the current doesn’t come, it can make for
a long day at that particular spot. Knowledge of how the walleyes
react to current or lack of is key.
Especially in the prespawn/spawn period, anglers will have to pay close attention to water temperature. A couple of
degrees can make a big difference in the walleyes activity level and location. In the spring “playing the wind” may not
be the answer to finding actively feeding walleyes. The wind can push warmer water out of one area and into another.
This may or may not prompt the walleyes to move, but the cooler water can alter their feeding mood. Understanding
all these variables take experience, hiring a guide would be a good investment (www.walleyewrangler.com or
605.359.8699).
Chamberlain, South Dakota For The Fisherman
Chamberlain is tailor made for the fisherman. Boat ramps are easily accessible and bait and tackle are sold on almost
every street corner. Accommodations are abundant and vary from resorts to hotels to camping. After fishing try one
of the area steak houses. Conveniently located just off of I-90, Chamberlain is 142 miles west of Sioux Falls, SD.
Experiencing the wintertime blues? Itching to get fishing? Start your fishing season off early and on the right track
give Lake Francis Case at Chamberlain, SD a try. Good luck and good fishing!
Author Matt Walsh guides on Lake Francis Case and is owner/operator of The Walleye Wrangler Guide Service (PH
605.359.8699/www.walleyewrangler.com).
By Matt Walsh
In April, Chamberlain, South Dakota is the site of the annual walleye spawn on Lake Francis Case and consequently
some of the best fishing in the upper Midwest. Similar to the walleyes migrating from the lower sections of Lake
Francis Case, anglers from across the Midwest make the annual pilgrimage to Chamberlain, SD to taking advantage of
the massive concentrations of walleyes.
Spring Time Locations on Lake Francis Case
Technically, despite the name Lake Francis Case (on the Missouri River) is a reservoir. Beginning at the Big Bend Dam
(Fort Thompson, SD) and ending at Fort Randall Dam at (Pickstown, SD). The distance, as the crow flies is
approximately 100 plus miles. Sounds intimidating? Not really. It’s no secret that there are areas in and nearby
Chamberlain that produce walleyes year after year.
Locals simply break this body of water down by north, south, and the town of Chamberlain. Located north of
Chamberlain are well-known community holes such as Kiowa, the Crow Creek area, and tail race area below the Big
Bend Dam. Since the previous fall, walleyes will have been stacking up into these locations. The shoreline in
Chamberlain is littered with rip rap providing walleyes with ideal spawning habitat. In Chamberlain, between I-90 and
the railroad bridge is the “Dredge Hole.” Anglers need to be aware that this area is closed to fishing through April.
South of Chamberlain on the west side is Carpenter Bluffs, an area with a shale shoreline and adjacent deeper water.
Just south of Carpenter Bluffs is the White River area, all productive springtime spots.
Changing Conditions: Current and Water Temperature
As with most western reservoirs, Lake Francis Case walleyes
are highly transient. The old saying “here today, gone tomorrow”
could be replaced “here one minute, gone the next.” Using the old
river channel as a super highway, walleyes migrate to Chamberlain
for the spawn. Once the walleyes spawn some head north up with
most turning to the south making their way towards the deeper
water near Platte, SD. Contributing to the walleyes mobility and
location are ever changing conditions such as current and water
temperature. Knowledge of these conditions gained during the
practice period and the effects on the walleyes will be crucial.
The Corps of Engineers controls the water flow through the
Big Bend Dam. How much water is released (effecting the
strength of the current and water levels) and when is a day-by-day
proposition. If an area is dependent on current to activate the
walleyes to feed and the current doesn’t come, it can make for
a long day at that particular spot. Knowledge of how the walleyes
react to current or lack of is key.
Especially in the prespawn/spawn period, anglers will have to pay close attention to water temperature. A couple of
degrees can make a big difference in the walleyes activity level and location. In the spring “playing the wind” may not
be the answer to finding actively feeding walleyes. The wind can push warmer water out of one area and into another.
This may or may not prompt the walleyes to move, but the cooler water can alter their feeding mood. Understanding
all these variables take experience, hiring a guide would be a good investment (www.walleyewrangler.com or
605.359.8699).
Chamberlain, South Dakota For The Fisherman
Chamberlain is tailor made for the fisherman. Boat ramps are easily accessible and bait and tackle are sold on almost
every street corner. Accommodations are abundant and vary from resorts to hotels to camping. After fishing try one
of the area steak houses. Conveniently located just off of I-90, Chamberlain is 142 miles west of Sioux Falls, SD.
Experiencing the wintertime blues? Itching to get fishing? Start your fishing season off early and on the right track
give Lake Francis Case at Chamberlain, SD a try. Good luck and good fishing!
Author Matt Walsh guides on Lake Francis Case and is owner/operator of The Walleye Wrangler Guide Service (PH
605.359.8699/www.walleyewrangler.com).
| Three pastors from Cedar Rapids, IA show spring time is the right time on Lake Francis Case at Chamberlain, SD. Photo courtesy of The Walleye Wrangler Guide Service. |