A large and expansive Missouri River reservoir, Lake Oahe stretches from Pierre, South Dakota to Bismarck, North Dakota. The deep, clear waters draw all types of water lovers-fishing boats, sailboats, wakeboard boats, cabin cruisers, and kayaks may all share the water on any given day. The fishing opportunities will also draw anglers from across the state, region, and country. A frequent host of large national tournaments with dozens of smaller events, the spectacular fishing on Lake Oahe is no secret.
A lake rich with angling history, many consider Oahe a “boom and bust fishery.” This is because walleye spawn and survival can vary with water levels and high flows can result in forage being flushed through Oahe Dam and down into Lake Sharpe. Most recently, the flood of 2011 resulted in such a scenario. Fortunately, when conditions are correct Oahe is considered one of the best walleye fisheries in the country.
Oahe has three major river systems that feed into the reservoir from the west. These are the Grand River, Moreau River, and the Cheyenne River from north to south. This impacts the fishery in various aspects, but the spawning habitat and bite created by these rivers has a tremendous impact on the fishery. These aspects combine to create one of the most interesting fisheries in the midwest.
Fish Community
Arguably the best multispecies fishery in South Dakota, Oahe offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities for anglers. For many anglers, walleyes are the first species that comes to mind. This is for good reason, Oahe offers anglers the opportunity to catch both limits of walleyes and have a chance at a trophy every time they put a line in the water. It is not uncommon for Oahe to produce numerous fish between 12-15 pounds each year, with a chance at a state record possible.
Although walleye fishing frequently puts Oahe on the national stage, the lake also offers a tremendous smallmouth bass fishery. This fishery is so spectacular that the BassMaster Elite Series made their first ever trip to South Dakota in 2018 to test their skills on Oahe. Frequent “bonus” fish for many anglers, hardcore bass anglers can enjoy both an outstanding numbers bite and trophy fishing opportunities as well!
A favorite of many anglers in the early spring and through the ice season, Oahe offers an outstanding northern pike fishery. Monster pike surpassing 40 inches are caught every year and there are plenty of fish in the system to keep anglers entertained!
Oahe also offers the only opportunity in South Dakota to catch chinook salmon. Recently stocked atlantic salmon are also offering chances for salmon anglers as well. The salmon population is maintained through stocking efforts by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. Spawning efforts take place at the Whitlock Bay Spawning Station near Gettysburg.
Yellow perch are not just a Glacial Lakes region specialty, Oahe offers an excellent perch population as well. Although many consider these perch a “bonus fish”, quality fish can certainly be caught by anglers.
Channel catfish offer another outstanding opportunity for anglers. Another species that is frequently caught incidentally while targeting walleye, anglers looking to target channel catfish can enjoy one of the most untapped fisheries in the state.
Additional species that are present in Oahe and frequently encountered by anglers include: crappie, white bass, freshwater drum, goldeye, common carp, river carpsucker and white sucker.
Oahe is not free of aquatic invasive species. The invasive species present in Oahe include: european rudd, eurasian watermilfoil, and curly-leafed pondweed. Just below the dam, zebra mussels are found in Lake Sharpe and the reservoirs below. It is critical that anglers clean, drain and dry their boats and equipment to prevent the spread of these invasive species.
Forage
The driving force to the reservoir, there are a wide variety of forage species in Oahe. The forage on Oahe can be divided into two categories: cold water and warm water species. The different types of forage results in a different type of fishery than the reservoirs below.
Downstream reservoirs are predominantly driven by gizzard shad, which are at peak abundance throughout the summer months before suffering significant mortality throughout the winter. Fortunately, only a relatively small number of adults are required to supply the forage for the reservoir each year.
The predominant forage in Oahe is rainbow smelt and gizzard shad. Other species include ciscoe/lake herring, spottail shiners, emerald shiners, juvenile white bass, perch and walleye. The driving force of the reservoir is no doubt the rainbow smelt, gizzard shad, and lake herring.
Regulations
Standard South Dakota statewide regulations apply for Lake Oahe. Unlike the reservoirs below, Lake Oahe does not have a 15 inch minimum at any time of the year. The standard four walleyes with up to one being over 20 inches are the regulations for the lake.
Walleye Fishing
Although larger, longer and deeper, Lake Oahe shares many characteristics to other Missouri River reservoirs in South Dakota like Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case and Lewis and Clark Lake. The upper end of Oahe is generally shallower and warmer, while the lower end of the reservoir features more “lake” elements and deeper, cooler water. These waters are so deep and cool that they can support a salmon population.
Similar to other Missouri River reservoirs, expect a strong spring and fall bite taking place in the upper end of the reservoir. An abundance of fish keeps anglers busy all day long and fish will set up in predictable locations. That being said, it is never a surprise when 13-15 pound walleyes are caught this time of year in these stretches. Expect this bite to begin around May and carry all through June and into the first part of July.
Start your search in the Mobridge and Pollock area and then continue to follow fish down the reservoir. The large river systems discussed above, with the Grand and Moreau in the Mobridge area, will often hold excellent fishing throughout this entire time. Conventional depths of 5-15 feet are often the most productive.
The standard spring presentations are key. Anglers can catch fish both pitching jigs and working them vertically, pulling livebait rigs on bottom bouncers and trolling crankbaits can all produce fish. For early spring presentations focus on minnows, before transitioning to crawlers as summer progresses.
Although the fishing transitions to the lower end of the reservoir as the summer progresses, a strong bite can still take place throughout the summer months in the Mobridge area. Focus your efforts on deep water structure, particularly along some of the numerous bridge pillars. Try aggressively ripping Jigging Raps, Tillys, and Moonshine Minnows.
While fishing in the spring is best north of the Akaska/Gettysburg area, as summer progresses the fishing gets better and better in this stretch. Expect to find both quantity and quality fish in this stretch, especially in early summer. Early in the season explore the same 5-15 foot depths, before sliding out closer to 25-35 feet as the days get hotter and summer sets in.
Trolling crankbaits is a popular tactic, but bottom bouncing with live bait rigs can produce as well. Don’t be afraid to bust out the larger blades especially as the summer progresses. Nightcrawlers and leeches are generally the best options to tip your offerings with.
The fishing on the lower end of the lake near Pierre generally fires up in June and the bite can remain strong all through June, July and into August. Earlier in the summer, try bottom bouncing along points in creeks. Vary your depths, but don’t be afraid to fish as shallow as 5-10 feet. Fishing the windblown points and shorelines can often result in active walleyes eager to bite.
Try bottom bouncing plain hooks and minnows or nightcrawlers. A small blade like a size 0 Colorado blade or a .8” Mack’s Lure Smile Blade can produce. Vary your baits until you find what the fish prefer. Top colors for blades are often silver and gold, while pink, blue, silver and purple Smile Blades are often successful.
As the season progresses, try fishing deeper and transitioning out towards main lake points and bays. Once again, following the wind generally allows you to fish shallower and contact the most aggressive walleyes. During this time, try fishing in 10-20 feet. Vary your depths until you contact fish, generally similar depths over various areas can all hold fish.
During this time, focusing your efforts with the same blades as earlier in the season is key. At this point, nightcrawlers will often be the top bait. Don’t be afraid to try dropping down leeches as well. Once again, vary your baits. However, this time focus on different colors and blade types.
Once the summer hits full swing, begin focusing on deeper, main lake areas. When the right conditions are present, generally stiff winds and cloud cover, fish can still be found as shallow as 10-15 feet. However, on calm and sunny days fishing as deep as 30-60 feet can be key. Keying in on these main lake structures is often your best bet.
Upsizing blades and producing maximum flash and vibration is often key to success this time of year with bottom bouncers. Try working #3 or #4 Colorado blades. Experiment with colors to find the most successful baits, but silver, gold, blue and purple are all great colors to start with.
Rip jigging baits such as Jigging Raps, Tillys and Moonshine Minnows often become a top option this time of year. Try fishing these baits along tight pieces of structure such as main lake humps, tips of points and also pillars. The face of the dam can also produce strong summer fishing as well. Trust your electronics to mark fish on those areas to specifically deploy these presentations directly on fish.
In fall, fishing will often fire up on the upper stretches of the reservoir again. The Mobridge area can become particularly hot, especially in the Grand River. Vertical jigging with minnows are often the best options, but don’t be afraid to deploy Jigging Raps and other aggressive vertical presentations as well. Fall is another excellent opportunity to catch a true trophy.
Similarly, the Moreau River can produce excellent fishing for large walleyes as well. The same jig and minnow presentations used upstream can produce fish here as well. This bite can extend well into ice season.
Further downstream, fishing near Whitlock Bay can produce excellent fishing as well. Long, thick strands of submerged trees can hold fish all through the summer and continue as fall progresses. Fishing down in the Cheyenne River can produce an abundance of action too.
On the lower end near Pierre, the fall bite can be excellent in Okobojo Creek, Chantier Creek, and along Sully and Peoria flats. Okobojo features excellent structure with numerous points, humps and islands. Bottom bouncing these areas can produce, but jigging and rip jigging can produce quality fish as well.
Plan Your Trip
On Lake Oahe, there are no shortage of places to get on the water! The top locations to get on the lake in South Dakota are Pollock, Mobridge, Akaska, Gettysburg, and Pierre.
Every week, we give the most recent fishing report on the Missouri River reservoirs. Stay up to date on everything you need to find the fish on Lake Oahe. From Pierre to Mobridge, “Like” Lip Ripper Fishing on Facebook to stay up to date with the hottest bites!
