Sitting just below the Oahe Dam and on the shores of Lake Sharpe, Oahe Downstream Recreation Area offers a quiet location outside of Pierre and makes the perfect base camp for fishing, hunting, or just relaxing in the outdoors. Oahe Downstream Recreation Area is located on the west side of the Missouri River about 10 minutes north of Fort Pierre. Don’t let the quiet location fool you, there is big outdoor opportunity waiting for you!
What Makes Oahe Downstream Recreation Area a Destination?
The Pierre area features not one, but two, incredible fisheries in both Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe. Oahe Downstream Recreation Area sits literally between them, providing quick access to both of these fisheries. The boat ramp within the park launches onto the north end of Lake Sharpe, and a quick five-minute drive will get anglers to West Shore Lakeside Use Area on the south end of Lake Oahe. An additional 15-minute drive will get anglers to both Spring Creek Recreation Area and Cow Creek Recreation Area.
Find out how all of this makes Oahe Downstream Recreation Area one of our favorite destinations in Destination: Oahe Downstream Recreation Area.
What Makes the Fishing so Good?
Oahe Downstream Recreation Area sits directly on Lake Sharpe, which is known as a walleye factory and offers an incredible numbers fishery. Just above is Lake Oahe, a true trophy walleye fishery, plus the park is the closest to the best salmon fishing spots at the face of the Oahe Dam too. Trophy caliber smallmouth can also be found on Lake Oahe, and the Oahe Dam tailrace and stilling basin offers some of the best trophy walleye opportunities on Lake Sharpe.
Most importantly, there is one of the highest percentage areas to target trophy walleye on Lake Sharpe, and access Lake Oahe, one of the best trophy walleye fisheries in the country. Find out what makes these walleye so big in Lake Oahe: A Trophy Walleye Factory.
What Makes Lake Sharpe a Great Fishery?
Lake Sharpe is a walleye factory, providing numerous 14-18 inch walleye. The flowing water from the Oahe Dam can keep much of the reservoir open year-round, which sets up for extended open water opportunities from late fall through the winter and into the early spring. Whether it’s pitching jigs, trolling crankbaits, or bottom bouncing there are numerous ways to catch fish all season long.
What Makes Lake Oahe a Great Fishery?
Lake Oahe is a boom or bust fishery, meaning anglers will experience the highs and lows for both walleye abundance and size throughout the years. However, when the fishing is booming, Lake Oahe is easily one of the best walleye fisheries in the country for both size and numbers of fish. Salmon, smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie, and yellow perch all round out a very diverse fishery as well.
What Makes Pierre a Great Host City?
The Pierre area is an outdoor lover’s paradise, offering spectacular upland game hunting, fantastic fishing, and small-town charm with all of the amenities to make your stay comfortable!
Learn More and Book Your Stay
Oahe Downstream Recreation Area is managed by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks and makes for the perfect location to camp, fish, hunt, and enjoy all the outdoor resources the Pierre area has to offer. You can learn more about the park and make your reservation on the GFP website.
