Category: Fish Biology

The first Midwest Walleye Challenge for South Dakota kicked off April 1, and the leaderboard is starting to fill up! We’ve got a quick peek at where things stand just over two weeks into the event! “My favorite thing about the Midwest Walleye Challenge is that the leaderboard updates daily, so you can see exactly […]

The Glacial Lakes region of northeast South Dakota is known for both excellent walleye and yellow perch fishing. Whether it is the larger fisheries such as Bitter Lake or Waubay Lake, or the smallest of sloughs, all of the best fisheries in eastern South Dakota have one thing in common: fast-growing, well-fed fish. On the […]

It is no secret that forage plays a critical role on the Missouri River reservoirs in South Dakota, but exactly how that forage interacts both with itself and the fish is a complex issue. Gizzard shad, rainbow smelt, and ciscoe/lake herring all provide a forage base in the Missouri River reservoirs, but their presence within […]

As we have shared previously, the Midwest Walleye Challenge will be coming to South Dakota and in addition to being a fun and exciting way to compete with fellow anglers this event will provide valuable information to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) fisheries biologists.  Learn More: Midwest Walleye Challenge Set for South Dakota […]

This winter the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) held public fisheries meetings in Pierre, Mobridge, and the first ever virtual fisheries meeting. These meetings covered Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis and Clark Lake. If you weren’t able to make these meetings, the full recordings are available on the GFP […]

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 […]

One of the most popular spring walleye fisheries in the country, Lake Francis Case, always finds itself in the spotlight and 2025 is going to be no different. Lake Francis Case often provides some of the first open water walleye opportunities of the season, and one of the best spring bites available in the country. […]

The 2025 Nebraska Fishing Forecast is available, and this is an excellent resource for anglers across the Cornhusker state. Daryl Bauer, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission fisheries outreach program manager, provides a write up on major species and all 2024 sampling charts are included. Our favorite fish, the walleye, is the species we’re going to […]

The largest waterbody in South Dakota, Lake Oahe, often finds itself in the spotlight. The expansive reservoir, which stretches from Bismarck, North Dakota to Pierre, South Dakota, is one of the most dynamic fisheries in the country. While this “boom and bust” fishery has gone through many cycles, anglers should be hopeful 2025 is a […]

The spotlight is going to be on Lake Sharpe in 2025 and all signs point to the popular fishery being ready to have one of its best years in recent memory. Known for being a walleye factory, Lake Sharpe has produced an excellent supply of walleyes in recent years and is ready to meet the […]