The walleye fishery on the upper end of Lake Oahe is continuing to rebound, and more stocking help is on the way. That’s according to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) fisheries biologists who provided this update at a public meeting in January 2026 at the AmericInn in Fort Pierre.
GFP fisheries biologists split Lake Oahe into two zones – Upper and Lower Oahe. Historically, Upper Lake Oahe is known for a high abundance of walleyes, small size structure, and good natural recruitment. Lower Lake Oahe is the opposite, with lower abundance, a larger size structure, and weak natural recruitment. However, in recent years the opposite has been displayed.
The walleye abundance on Lower Oahe has been increasing and is currently about 1.5 walleyes per net higher than Upper Oahe. Additionally, growth rates on Lower Oahe have been spectacular, with fish reaching 15 inches by age-2 and 17 inches by age-3.
Learn More: Walleye Growth Rates Cause for Excitement on Lower Lake Oahe
While Lower Oahe is currently outpacing Upper Oahe, there is plenty of reason for optimism for the upper end of the fishery. Following a low point in 2022, the last three years have all been showing signs of improvement.
The 2025 sampling saw approximately 3 ½ walleyes per net, which is an increase from 2024 albeit a slight decrease from 2023. Fortunately, compared to 2017-2022, which saw both walleye abundance and size lagging behind, this is a continuing positive trend of increased walleye abundance.
Notably, in addition to increasing abundance as a whole, the most promising sign is major jumps for the number of fish between 15-20 inches. A major component of this rebound is the increased number of those “eater” caliber fish, which were majorly lagging between 2017-2022. While this size class is increasing, the number of smaller fish, those 10-15 inches, remains consistent.
The consistent number of small fish observed is a testament to natural reproduction occurring on Upper Oahe, which can be attributed to the major tributaries of the Grand and the Moreau River. Each year these tributaries produce decent year classes, with some years being better than others. While all signs are pointing up for Upper Oahe, additional help is on the way.
Since 2021, GFP fisheries staff have been consistently stocking Lake Oahe with walleye to supplement natural recruitment. Stockings take place on a rotational basis, with Upper Oahe stocked one year and Lower Oahe stocked the other. Upper Oahe was stocked in 2023 and 2025, which means these fish should be showing up in lake surveys and for anglers in 2026.
Learn More: Stocking Efforts Paying Dividends for the Lake Oahe Walleye Fishery
While walleye abundance has been increasing, growth rates are on the rise as well. An ideal mark fisheries biologists strive for is walleye reaching 15 inches by age-3. For the first time in several years, Upper Oahe walleye length at age-3 is right at 15 inches.
Similarly to abundance, this continues an increasing trend since 2022. In 2022, walleye length at age-3 was only 11.9 inches. The 2021 growth rate was similar, also near 12 inches, and was part of a trend of growth not exceeding 14 inches by age-3 from 2018-2022.
The 14 inch mark was finally hit in 2024, and with 15 inches in 2025 there is much to be excited about for Upper Oahe. Additionally, walleye condition is right in the middle of the preferred range, with a Wr of 85. A Wr of 80-90 is considered ideal.
Similarly to walleye abundance, there is help on the way for walleye growth on the upper end of Lake Oahe. In addition to stocking walleye, GFP fisheries biologists have been stocking adult gizzard shad to spawn and produce forage throughout the reservoir. This is to ensure stocked fish, which along with naturally produced fish, have ample forage to support growth and condition.
In recent years, these had taken place across both Upper and Lower Oahe. However, in 2026, the shad stocking will focus entirely on Upper Oahe. The excellent growth rates on Lower Oahe, combined with decreased angler catch rates because of this abundance of forage, means that GFP fisheries staff can focus on the upper end of the reservoir. This aggressive stocking is aimed to further increase these walleye growth rates on Upper Oahe.
Lake Oahe is an interstate reservoir, beginning in Bismarck, North Dakota and running down to Pierre, South Dakota. This means that GFP fisheries staff work closely with North Dakota fisheries staff, and conditions are not as positive across the state border.
North Dakota fisheries staff are reporting good numbers of small walleyes, but poor growth rates and poor condition. North Dakota fisheries biologists expressed concerns about additional fish being stocked near the border, which is why GFP fisheries staff reduced fish stocked at West Pollock Recreation Area and focused stocking efforts further south.
Fortunately, the story is significantly better on the South Dakota side of the fishery. Lower Lake Oahe is operating at an incredible level, and all signs are pointing up for Upper Oahe. Both walleye abundance and growth rates are increasing, size structure continues to improve, and angler catch rates have also been positive. With more help on the way in the form of stocked walleye and a concentrated shad stocking effort, anglers fishing the upper end of Lake Oahe have much to be excited about for 2026!
2026 Lake Oahe Salmon Fishing and Stocking Report
The Lake Oahe salmon fishery continues to offer a unique opportunity for anglers, and salmon anglers have benefited from large stockings in recent years. Learn more about the Lake Oahe salmon fishery and what anglers can expect for 2026.
Lower Lake Oahe Walleye Update
As discussed, Lower Lake Oahe is in excellent shape in terms of both walleye abundance and growth rates. Learn more about what dynamics on the lower end of the Lake Oahe fishery.
Learn More About South Dakota Fisheries
Individuals looking to learn more about Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, and the other major fisheries across the state can find everything they are looking for on our South Dakota Fisheries Focus page!
