After consecutive mild winters that saw limited snowfall across the northern plains and Rocky Mountains, winter returned with a vengeance in 2022-2023. Areas of central South Dakota received upwards of 60-75 inches of snow and the Rocky Mountain snowpack tracked above average throughout the winter months.
As of April 2, 2023, the mountain Snow Water Equivalent stood at:
- Total Above Fort Peck: 117%
- Fort Peck to Garrison: 108%
Image courtesy US Army Corps of Engineers
The normal peak for mountain snowpack occurs in mid-April, which means there are still a couple weeks left to paint a full picture of the overall snowpack conditions for the upcoming summer.
The abundant snow across the northern plains and Rocky Mountains led to a very positive forecast to begin April from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Projections show a year similar to 2022 per the basic forecast with a likely chance of water levels being a little better than last year.
Image courtesy US Army Corps of Engineers
The forecast is subject to change, but this is good news for anglers on Lake Oahe. Improving water levels would allow for shorter walks and drives to boat ramps, continued operation of the Spring Creek Recreation Area marina, and overall easier access to the water for everyone.
Increased Stockings for 2023
Rising waters are good news for recruitment of warm water prey species, but the cold-water fishery in Lake Oahe will also receive a boost in 2023. This month, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) fisheries biologists will be stocking additional Chinook salmon in Lake Oahe.
GFP partners with North Dakota Game and Fish to stock salmon from eggs collected from both Lake Oahe and Lake Sakakawea with the goal of approximately 250,000 Chinook salmon stocked yearly. These stocked fish lived three years in the lake and grow to sizes of approximately 10-20 pounds.
In 2023, GFP was offered Chinook salmon eggs from Washington Fish and Wildlife where the eggs were hatched and reared at Blue Dog Hatchery. These fish will not only increase the number of fish stocked in 2023, but also improve the genetic diversity of Lake Oahe salmon. These fish were one of the original sources for the Great Lake Salmon populations and in turn the source of the Lake Oahe salmon.
Overall, in 2023, there will be 320,000 salmon from eggs collected in North and South Dakota and 340,000 salmon from Washington state eggs stocked into Lake Oahe. This is a substantial stocking that will not only provide excellent fishing opportunities but pay dividends in terms of genetic diversity and ideally future egg returns.
As discussed previously this winter, GFP will also be conducting major stockings for both walleye and gizzard shad into upper Lake Oahe. This large stocking of walleye will spark recruitment into the fishery and be fed by the abundant number of gizzard shad. Rising water levels should also produce excellent conditions for strong recruitment of warm water species including white bass, freshwater drum, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass.
Overall, all factors are pointing to an excellent year for Lake Oahe! Anglers and boaters can look forward to good water levels, increased stocking of walleye, Chinook salmon, and gizzard shad, as well as ideal conditions for natural recruitment across the reservoir. After a down year in 2022, all signs are pointing up for Lake Oahe in 2023!
Learn More About Lake Oahe
Lake Oahe is a dynamic fishery and looking back at the past also gives a glimpse into the future. Learn everything there is to know about this expansive reservoir in A Deep Dive into Lake Oahe.
Following a difficult year of fishing in 2022, GFP fisheries biologists met with anglers in Mobridge in October 2022. Biologists discussed the dynamics of the reservoir and the upcoming stocking plans for 2023. Find out more in Lake Oahe Fishery Status Update.
