Chamberlain SD best time?

[GWB]

I am planning a trip with a buddy and our two 9 year old boys and was wondering when would be a good time to go to the Missouri River at Chamberlain. Also, does anyone know of any good resorts or hotels with a decent pool.(The kids can't fish all the time!). Thanks

[Gabby_SD]

http://www.cedarshore.com/ is a resort at Chamberlin looks great (haven't stayed there but use their boat ramp) also I'm no expert at what time to go there, but this will bring this back to the top and Maybe Don-SD or someone can advise best time of year to go

[Don..SD]

I believe anytime this spring (after iceout) is a good time to go. Last year we actually were pulling plugs and jigging for them with great success in early April. We did catch alot of fish south of Chamberlain, alot were good size females full of eggs that were released. If you go North be DAM careful of any trees in the river system there are hugh groups of trees then they will disapear for a couple of miles then show up again. I would plan your trip before July (the dog days of summer) Good luck. e-mail me if you need more help.

[SD/Will]

Don
When you say south, whereabouts? mouth of the white?
Also wondering did you get that boat fixed yet?
SD/Will

[ddt]

Have stayed at cedarshore,nice place,
pool, food, boat slips.Any time after
ice out,till late june is good.Seems
the big ones,are there the shortly after
ice out,then get hard to find.
ddt

[Don..SD]

We were nine miles South of Chamberlain, fishing on the East side and thats where I hid the submerged tree and totalled my boat, a complete total. And my insurance company did dump us. The wife was not to happy but hey what do ya do, open water fishing from a boat is not an option.

[Westy]

I live two hours from Chamberlain and fish Lake Francis Case regularly. Cedar Shore is nice. It has a nice sun deck facing the river. It also has good access with a private slip that you can rent for overnight docking, has gas right there too. I think I have paid about $7 per night to rent a slip for my boat with electrical hookups. Cedar Shore also has a nice indoor pool and games. It has a good restaurant as well. Fish cleaning right at the ramp. I have also stayed at Lee's Best Western on the other side of the river right in town. It is just across the street from a good bait shop too. It also has some hookups for charging your batteries at night in addition to a limited space for fish cleaning. Generally, Lee's was cheaper per night. I do know that Cedar shore usually runs a spring special for two nights for $100 for fisherman and usually costs 99/night. Seems like they usually end that in June sometime. Right after ice out is one of the best times to go to Chamberlain. Fish to the North around Kiowa Flats or up to Crow Creek or all the way to the dam. If you go south, which I would save for later in the Spring, I would try down by the White or around Carpenter Bluffs. Water levels have been low and many stumps are visable that aren't usually seen. Take it easy. You could also try around the bridges, lots of people fish at night right up on the rocks (rip rap)with cranks and do really well. Sorry for the long post. Good Luck

[Dutchman]

Why not go to Oahe and triple your limit???? 14 fish per person per day verse's 4 per day on Francis Case....

[Stocks]

Here are a couple of more excellent spots to stay at:

Thunderstik Lodge - Awesome resort along the breaks of the river south of Chamberlain 4 miles. Awesome food and great hospitality. (605) 734-5106

Another brand new place is an Amercinn. It should be open by April. No phone yet.

Cedar shores is another, but I would stay at either one of the later first.

As far as with the fishing. You have lots of river and lots of structure to fish. Live bait proved to be very eventful for most of last year. Last year the fishing never really let down. The difference between Chamberlain and Oahe is going to be the size of fish and the quality. You will catch your limit many times over up at Oahe, but there is too many fish so they do not weigh much. Down at Chamberlain they are fat and tan. My advice go to Chamberlain and leave a message on the board before you come to find out north or south of the bridges.

Good luck hookin em up.