Hoping to be making a trip there in the 1st or 2nd weekend in April with my father. I have a few questions if anyone has the time to give me there input.
Where does anyone recommend for a good place to stay?
Tips or technique? I am assuming this will mostly be a jig, lindy and possibly a bouncer time of the year.
Thank you in advance and if anyone in the area is interested maybe I would be able to trade some knowledge on the Mississippi river or anywhere I could help in exchange.
I used to live in Chamberlain for a few years, and was able to learn it pretty well. Don’t get back to fish it as often as I’d like, but hoping to make an April trip there this year.
For lodging, it depends on your taste and budget. High end hotel (for SD standards), I’d recommend Cedar Shore Resort. Cedar Shore
Low end hotel that caters to outdoorsman, I’d recommend Allen’s Hillside. Allen’s Hillside
For a cabin or a camping feel, I’d recommend American Creek Campground. I often rent one of their 4 cabins when I’m in town. They have a 2-4 beds, fridge, microwave, heat, a/c. Right on the river with a good view, and actually good shore fishing too right in front of the cabin if you want to relax and catch an easy night bight on shore after a day in the boat. Not sure if they will have their water running in the campground yet or not at that time though?
American Creek
Any of the other hotels are fine, but they are more just your average hotel along the interstate.
Some good restaurants in Chamberlain are Charlies (right next to Allen’s if you stay there) and Busted Nut (large portions). Another unique option is to go to the casino in Lower Brule for some Prime Rib.
Not sure if you are wanting to fish Lake Sharpe or Francis Case. From what I’ve found and generally speaking, Francis Case usually has the better bite in April, Sharpe in May and June. Sometime in mid-April, there’s going to be about a week where the walleye fishing is on fire really close to Chamberlain. 2 lines are allowed, so if you time up the bite right, both bottom bouncers and pitching jigs toward the rocks will produce at the same time.
Similar fishing to the Mississippi, but also different. It is the Missouri River, but it’s a little more of a “lake feel” to it than what the Mississippi offers.
I’ll be out there that same time. I usually stay at Best Western Lee’s Motor Inn. Rooms are pretty cheap, has a cleaning table and hose for cleaning fish, and it has decent parking for trailers. I have had most of my luck trolling leadcore. If you find a school or they are moving up shallower, couldn’t hurt to try some jigging. Keep me posted, and maybe I’ll see you out there.
FYI.. 2nd biggest tournament in the state is out of the cedar shore resort April 8th and then a small tournament on the 9th…. crazy busy that weekend, tougher to find preferred lodging (resort sold out already). 130 teams going for 10k.. If that matters to you, might want to plan around that event.
PM if you need any fishing advice
Thank you for the input! Looks like I have a lot more research to do on this trip. Is there usually a lot of people pre fishing the weekend before or would it be pretty safe on the weekend of the 1st?
Im sure there will be pre fishing going on.. but it will be far from the numbers the following weekend. April and May is the best time for Chamberlain so it generally busy on those weekends anyway. Not trying to scare you away, just wanted to make you aware. There are other boat ramps to use.
Thank you for the input! Looks like I have a lot more research to do on this trip. Is there usually a lot of people pre fishing the weekend before or would it be pretty safe on the weekend of the 1st?
I’ve been on the water during that tournament before. I would just say to avoid staying/launching at Cedar Shore and you’ll be fine. The river is plenty big enough for all the boats that’ll be out.
Im sure there will be pre fishing going on.. but it will be far from the numbers the following weekend. April and May is the best time for Chamberlain so it generally busy on those weekends anyway. Not trying to scare you away, just wanted to make you aware. There are other boat ramps to use.
Can’t be worse then combat fishing on Pool 4 or on the Kenai in Alaska right? 
It will be nice to be on the water either way. I drive over the bridge every year on my way out Mule deer hunting and have yet to fish it.
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