The fourth of the Missouri River reservoirs in South Dakota, Lewis and Clark Lake divides South Dakota and Nebraska as the final reservoir in the Missouri River system. While this fishery does not receive the attention of Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, or Lake Francis Case it still presents a dynamic fishery that is the closest reservoir to Yankton, Sioux Falls, and Omaha.
“Lewis and Clark Lake really flies under the radar when it comes to fisheries in South Dakota,” says Nick Harrington, Owner of Lip Ripper Fishing. “When you take a deep dive into it though, Lewis and Clark is a really interesting fishery.”
Directly below the Fort Randall Dam in Pickstown, Lewis and Clark Lake spans approximately 69 miles until it reaches Gavins Point Dam in Yankton. The reservoir features an expansive riverine system directly below Fort Randall Dam, a delta area near Springfield, and ends with about 19,200 acres of traditional lake element reaching approximately 45 feet deep above Gavins Point Dam in Yankton.
“What makes Lewis and Clark different from the other reservoirs above is that river system below Fort Randall,” continues Harrington. “Sharpe has riverine elements in the upper third of the reservoir, but not to the extent Lewis and Clark does.”
Learn More: Lake Sharpe Status and Outlook
When South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) fisheries biologists conduct their fall sampling, the majority of the catch is channel catfish, freshwater drum, and gizzard shad. Walleye constitute approximately 8% of the catch and sauger are an additional 8% as well. This is a traditional percentage year over year.
“When you’re looking at Lewis and Clark you’re going to see a pretty even distribution of walleye and sauger, which makes sense because of the combination of the riverine and lake elements within the system,” details Harrington. “It’s interesting to see Lewis and Clark about 16% walleye/sauger, where Lake Francis Case is 29% walleye/sauger, and Lake Oahe it’s right around 35% walleye. Every reservoir is a little different.”
Contrary to Lake Francis Case, Lewis and Clark Lake sees greater walleye abundance when there are low water years. This is because water moves very quickly through Lewis and Clark as a whole.
Lewis and Clark Lake saw excellent walleye abundance through the early 2000s due to this low water yield, but abundance dropped drastically following the flood of 2011 and remained low for several years following this event, before seeing another decrease due to the high flows of 2019. Since 2022, the low water yield has walleye abundance increasing each year including 2024.
“These reservoirs are complex systems, and they rely on nutrients entering the system to sustain these fisheries,” elaborates Harrington. “Lewis and Clark just isn’t able to use these nutrients like Lake Francis Case does, making it essentially a complete opposite. Overall, walleye fishing in Lewis and Clark is controlled by runoff more than anything else.”
Learn More: 2025 Lake Francis Case Status and Forecast
Currently in the system, and in recent years, there is a good number of fish between 15-20 inches, with the bulk between 15-18 inches.
A major factor for this is the rate at which walleye in Lewis and Clark Lake grow. Lewis and Clark Lake walleyes grow extremely quickly, with age-2 fish reaching 15 inches and age-3 fish reaching 17 ½ inches. Notably, these fish continue to still grow as they age as well.
“Lewis and Clark walleyes have some of the fastest growth rates in the entire state,” compares Harrington. “Ideally you’re looking for fish to be 15 inches at age-3, these fish are getting to that 15 inch mark by age-2. It’s incredibly fast growth.”
The bulk of the walleye of catchable sizes are age 2-3 currently, tying back to the low water years since 2021.
“There’s a lot of those 15-18 inch fish in the system right now, and that’s those 2-3 year old fish we’re seeing,” explains Harrington. “There’s certainly bigger ones present as well, and I think anglers can expect to see a good crop of 17-20 inchers in 2025.”
In terms of age-0 walleyes, which are sampled via electrofishing as opposed to via gill net, there is much to be hopeful about with Lewis and Clark Lake.
“The future is looking very good for Lewis and Clark Lake,” forecasts Harrington. “There are a lot of fish coming up through the ranks in the system right now and it’s going to mean good fishing.”
The walleye are above average when it comes to relative condition, or plumpness of a fish, as well. The fish are eating well, growing quickly, and there’s a good number of them out there too.
Lewis and Clark Lake, similar to Lake Oahe, receives stocking efforts to supplement the walleye population. The number of stocked fish present in the system compared to naturally produced fish varies dramatically. The high water year of 2019 saw nearly all age-0 fish in the system courtesy of stocking. However, 2024, thanks to that low water year, is the opposite with no stocking at all taking place and the highest abundance of age-0 fish since 2008.
Learn More: Lake Oahe Status and Forecast
“To see the highest abundance of age-0 fish, all courtesy of natural reproduction, is fantastic news for this fishery,” explains Harrington. “Low water yield and low snowpack means high numbers of walleyes in Lewis and Clark and this shows exactly that.”
Sauger abundance mirrors that of walleye. There is a great number of 15-20 inch fish, as well as shorter fish, currently available in the system. Survey results show 2024 is the highest overall sauger abundance since 2017.
“When you’re looking at walleye abundance right near the top end of what we’ve seen since 2017, and the highest sauger abundance since 2017, there’s a lot to be excited about for this fishery,” states Harrington. “There’s plenty of fish for anglers to target out there right now.”
Sauger display quick growth as well, reaching 15 inches by age-2, but then growth rates begin to slow down a bit compared to walleye. Age-3 sauger generally come in at about 16 inches, compared to 17 ½ inches in walleye.
Currently in Lewis and Clark there is a great number of age-2 saugers, meaning there will be a good number of 15-16 inch saugers available for 2025.
“Anglers are going to have a great number of 15-20 inch walleye and sauger for 2025,” concludes Harrington. “If you’re looking to plan a trip to Lewis and Clark there probably isn’t a better time to do it than this year.”
