Lake Sharpe is the reservoir created by Big Bend Dam, stretching some 80 miles up the Missouri River from Fort Thompson toward Pierre. At its widest, the lake expands to several miles across, and the surrounding terrain — low bluffs, grassy hills, and occasional stands of cottonwood — gives it a spare, elemental quality very different from forested lake country further north and east. The water is productive: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish are all present in good numbers, and the lake draws serious anglers from across the region, particularly in spring and fall.
Boating access is available at the Fort Thompson recreation area on the east bank, with a boat ramp and basic facilities. The lake also attracts waterfowl in migration — snow geese pass through in enormous numbers in spring, and pelicans, herons, and cormorants are common throughout the warmer months. There is no formal swimming beach, and summer water conditions can be unpredictable, so the lake is primarily of interest to anglers and wildlife watchers rather than casual swimmers.