One of the most unique fishing opportunities in South Dakota could soon be expanding to Lake Sharpe, or at least this is the goal for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) fisheries staff. This update was shared at the public meeting held in January 2026 at the AmericInn in Fort Pierre.
Paddlefish were a common species in the Missouri River prior to the dam construction, but significantly decreased following the dam completion. These dams decreased spawning habitat, impacted migration routes, and changed the overall dynamics of the waterbody. Along the Missouri River two paddlefish fisheries exist, with Lake Francis Case and below Gavins Point Dam offering opportunities via limited draw license allocation.
Paddlefish were reintroduced to Lake Sharpe in 2015 as part of a joint effort between GFP and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Since 2015, between 17,000-44,000 juvenile paddlefish are stocked annually. These stockings occur on the upper end of the reservoir and since these stockings began paddlefish have been observed in the stilling basin, Oahe Dam tailrace, and Hipple Lake within Farm Island Recreation Area.
In 2022, GFP fisheries staff began collecting and tagging these fish. Only three fish were collected in 2022, before increasing to 34 fish tagged in 2023 and 24 fish tagged in 2024. In 2025, GFP fisheries biologists doubled their efforts to catch more fish, but these efforts only resulted in 31 fish tagged.
Lake Sharpe Paddlefish Tagged
- 2022: 3 paddlefish
- 2023: 34 paddlefish
- 2024: 24 paddlefish
- 2025: 31 paddlefish
Fish that have been captured are healthy and growing, with an average weight of 14.4 pounds. The majority of these fish are less than 36 inches when measured from their eye to the fork of their tail. None of these tagged fish have been recaptured, which means biologists are unable to get a population estimate.
To further understand and improve the paddlefish fishery in Lake Sharpe, GFP will be partnering with South Dakota State University (SDSU) to conduct a study. This study will focus on developing sampling methods, estimating population abundance, assessing age and growth, and determining the timing and location of paddlefish as they move and occur throughout the upper end of Lake Sharpe.
All of this information will help fisheries biologists continue to develop this fishery, with the goal of ultimately leading to a sport fishing opportunity for anglers.
Learn More About South Dakota Fisheries
If you’re looking to learn more about the fisheries within South Dakota, check out our South Dakota Fisheries Focus page! This page includes lake status reports, updates, and information about fish populations including walleye, yellow perch, and paddlefish!
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